Welcome Miss Lista

We finally had an opportunity to fully meet with 20 mon. old Lista. We have been waiting for her spay before we could look at daycare dates. She has fully healed from her spay and Oct 20 was her M&G date. 
We first met Lista at her home last year on July 2022.
https://kingsurvives.blogspot.com/search?q=lista
 Lista has also visited us prior to her spay for a short say ‘hello’ in Nov. last year. There has been little change in Lista since last year. She’s just as lovely and well behaved as she was a year ago. Little Suzy Q was visiting us on her M&G day. The two have met previously due to training sessions. Although Lista was ready to play a bit, Suzy really wanted no part of that.  Suzy is not big on playing much, she's social but cool. 
That was okay with Lista, she was quite interested in checking out all the toys.

Lista - "How come none of them squeak?"

That's because all the old squeakies have been chewed apart sweetheart. I think it's time to bring out some new ones! Lista took the brand new squeakie I handed her with glee. Like many others Lista's mom and dad would prefer Lista doesn't bring stuffies home. This one will go on hold for Lista's visits, like a few other dog's toys. She'll learn to share it with everyone, the same as all the others have.

Lista happily enjoying the lovely squeaky sounds

Lista played happily until it was time to head out. It was very obvious this would be her favourite toy.
I wonder how long it'll last?
Bailey happened to be visiting the day after Lista and I presented Lista's new toy to him. He had a great time just sniffing it and taking in the new dog smells on it.  I gently replaced it with another when he began to settle in to have a bit of squeakie chew time with it. Now it will smell like Bailey as well. I believe that might help Lista when meeting Bailey day haps along.

Bailey loving the new dog scents on the new squeaky toy.

Lista will be here for her free 4 hour visit with us on Nov. 11th. As it turns out that’s exactly 1 year from when we originally met Lista. As a good friend of mine used to say. “How cool is that?”

Lista will join into the group of our pack that have a high prey drive. We'll be ever vigilant when allowing her outdoors. I'll be watching the yard for deer (and cats) before she is turned loose to play in the yard.
Thank you, mom and dad, Vivian and Ian for your patience in the wait to have Lista's M&G.
She'll now become one of our Royal extended pack. 
Welcome to almost 2 yr. old, sweet girl Lista! 

Lista watching for birds in the tree.

Oct. 24 2023 - Rainbow Bridge Calls Lady May

Over night on Oct 23rd, the temperatures dropped below freezing and the snow began to blow. It was as if it were a calling for Lady May to join her Royal Heavenly Pack. Winter is on the way and she needed to be out of the upcoming cold snowy days. 

Just a month earlier in the middle of September, Lady May had been for her annual check up. She was given all positives going forward in her future. Her meds were adjusted and we thought we were ready to face the Winter.
Then, within 2 weeks, we watched a few symptoms appear and her strength seemed to diminish more every day. She quickly developed multiple clusters of large lumps on both sides of her throat, in her inner thighs and under her arms. It was obvious her lymph glands were being attacked. We set up an appointment for a return visit to see Dr. Burleigh in Cache Creek. 3 days before her appointment we called to suggest to Dr. Burleigh, this may be Lady May's last visit. In fact on examination this day, we learned Lady May had perhaps as much as a week of her life left. The next few days would have resulted in a backslide of health filled with much discomfort and intolerable pain. We're very happy we listened to Lady May's plea to be allowed to cross over Rainbow Bridge now.

The morning of her appointment, we carried Lady May to the yard as always. This morning there was fresh snow on the mountains, the cool morning breeze was cold but the snow had stopped blowing.

The morning of Lady May's passing. The snow is on the way.
Winter is approaching.

We bundled her into the truck and drove quietly to Ashcroft park for a short bit of quiet time.  Along the way, the freshly fallen snow was a true indicator to me, that we were making the best decision for Lady May. She would not have to endure being placed in the bitter cold yard to try to do her daily business. She would not have to plead for us to help ease her horrendous pain in the wee hours of the night. Relief that would not be available to be administered. There will be no risk of a long treacherous drive on icy winter roads. This day the roads were clear even though the snow was all around us. Lady May gave us clear enough signals. She was uncomfortable enough to know she needed to cross over.

Fresh snow at Pavilion lake, the day before it was sunshine.

Lady May rests quietly on her last truck ride.

We made a short stop in Cache Creek at D.Q. so Lady May could enjoy a traditional Ice cream cone.
Daddy shared one with her and I shared a cheeseburger and fries with her. She accepted them eagerly but we made sure not to give her too much. We didn't want to give her a tummy ache.
She never complained, she'd had enough.

Daddy shares his ice cream cone with Lady May

We told her we would return to Cache Creek to head to the park in a little while. She laid her tired head down and we drove to Ashcroft park.
When we arrived,  Lady May was ready to have a few short sniffs around the grounds but soon asked for the truck again.

Lady May showed little interest in being here.
She relieved herself and asked for the truck.

We loaded her up and headed back to Cache Creek park.  Once there, she was more ready to have a few sniffs around the grounds and even asked for help to make her way to the wooden path that over looks the creek.

A quick balance on her unstable legs for a closer sniff

On a quick glance, no one would know this lovely girl had any health issues at all. Lady May remained the same all her life. She had the most beautiful soft tri coloured coat and such warm, loving eyes to anyone she trusted. She often fooled the unsuspecting strangers who dared to attempt contact with her. She remained wary of them and went into protection mode immediately. She was a brave little soul who had been abused and never regained her trust of strangers.
We understood that and never asked her to forgive them.
(You can read about Lady May's first days with us by clicking on the above link.)

Such a sweet girl with a bent and broken little body. Never complaining

Soon after we made it to the wooden overlook, Lady May asked to return to the truck. She was obviously a tired little girl and was ready for the long sleep that was to follow.

Can we go back to the truck now please mommy and daddy? I'm very tired.

We owe our sincere gratitude to the gentle nature of Dr. Burleigh and all the staff at Cache Creek hospital. Even though many are new to the hospital they all treated us and Lady May with dignity and the respect she so rightly deserved. Kara Lee, who has been on staff forever came forward to give us emotional support and offer such kind words.
Lady May layed calm and still as daddy and I held her close and breathed in her soft fur. Daddy watched her eyes softly close and I felt her heart beats slow and dim as she crossed over Rainbow Bridge.
She will ALWAYS be loved and remembered. She deserved to life forever but alas.... it can never be.

"We will see you again one day little girl.
GO! Run free on all 4 strong healthy legs girl. Seek out your Royal Pack and play forever more!"
Love forever
Mom & Dad

We miss you darling.

The blue sky appeared again the next day. Several soft clouds passed over head.
Are you smiling Lady May?

Lady May is Almost 14 Years Old

At the center of all the goings on here is our Senior Lady May. We still think of her as the baby of our family. Our little girl will turn 14 years old on Oct 21st. She is still very sweet and quiet and always tolerant of new visitors. She's very much aware of new visitors and always wants to 'check them out'. Everyone seems to respect her and after gentle hellos they leave her alone to rest.

Squire Bailey seems to love Lady May.
He will always gently find a place close to her whenever no others are visiting

Lady May can no longer walk on her own. We carry her everywhere she indicates she wants to be. She’s still very clear about her wants and needs but no longer shows any desire to play with others. She likes to be near them but in a safe spot from the activity. Early last week, daddy took her for her annual Dr.’s appointment. I sent along a long list of items that we wanted to be addressed. That list included blood work and x-rays. Thank you Dr. Burleigh for being so thorough with each item. Lady May’s meds have been increased and we’ve added a daily dose of CBD oil. She will also now receive a monthly injection of Librela  This new schedule is on trial, and we will adjust it according to how Lady May fares.

Daily 600 mg Gabapentin, Metacam - 5 days on, 4 days off
Omeprazol and Sulcrate susp. 5 days on, 4 days off. Diclofenac rub on non Metacam days.
CBD oil twice daily
Librela  and Cartrophen injections monthly

We believe her pain is being well managed at this time. Due to her lack of mobility, she has lost much of her muscle tone. She no longer has the strength needed to use her wheel chair. She tries to stand and can still manage to raise her back end high enough to do her business and step aside from it. On a good day she will try to stumble her way across the yard before I get to her, and seems happy to be able to sniff new scents. The toys and balls are of little interest to her now but she loves to watch others play. She can usually be seen in the background of my photos.

Sage and Ellie carry on oblivious to the ever watchful eyes of Lady May

Sometimes it’s heartbreaking to watch her but at this point, we believe she’s not in too much discomfort. Her mind seems clear, and she is still happy. She asks to go outdoors when she knows it’s time for her daddy to come home and would rather wait on the porch than indoors. Her day mostly consists of resting in a comfy bed inside or resting in the grass outside, always in close proximity to her visitors.
Whenever I think her vision is failing, she proves me wrong.  Lady May is still determined to ‘run’ to the gate when she sees others walking their dogs past. I stop her as best I can, because it means she runs the risk of scrapping her paws, elbows, and chin as she creeps and stumbles along. That never seems to bother her, she just feels the need to let me know there are intruders near the yard. Her brain tells her to continue to do the job she feels is needed.
Her hearing is all but gone now so I try to approach her in the least surprising way possible. Approaching from her line of vision improves her chances of no surprise. Even still she sometimes jumps when I get to her side. That's usually when she's been watching others and didn't notice me approaching.

Lady May had the company of Miss Ellie on our recent road trip to Kelowna.
Two wonderful travel companions.

As you can imagine, we’re concerned about the upcoming winter but will deal with whatever comes along. Lady May is our top priority at the moment, and we will do whatever is required of us to keep her as comfortable as possible.  She will often ask to sleep on the day beds and when she does, others soon join her.

Girls get the bed and Sir Cash sleeps close by

Lady May's overall health and appetite are good and if not for the late stages of osteoarthritis, she is just an old girl wanting to sleep and watch others play.
We can do that for you Lady May.
Have a restful day sweetie. We love you.