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Update on Ozzie
Today was Ozzie's 12th Birthday....and most likely his last. 
Last week he refused to eat his own food. We tried a gravy mix with it. We had a small success with can food but that is hit or miss. I made some steamed chicken tonight that I will try tomorrow. He does scraf down people food, so I know he has an appettite, he just doesn't want to eat his food.
Hopefully we find something with enough nuturients that he will eat. Brian and I talked and we both don't want him to suffer but I don't think Brian is ready to make that call yet.
This sounds horrible, but I had hoped that when it came time, that it would be something that there were no if, an, or buts about it, that we needed to put him down in that time period. This is just killing me, sitting by and trying to decide when.
I had my friend Amber come over today and take pictures of Ozzie and the girls and some of him. Brian doesn't know about it. I will give him a book when it comes time...or who knows maybe Oz will turn around and I can give it to Brian as a Chrismtas present (I can always hope right?).
I will say that I have made peace with what is going on. I've cried a lot over the weekend, but I know that we have blessed with 12 years and I can't ask for more.
Re: Update on Ozzie
That just made me cry, too.
A very happy birthday to your family's first "baby." I'm wishing you clarity in the weeks and months ahead.
Hopefully the chicken will get him eating again, maybe mix it with some cooked rice for a little filler? Meeko loves eating carrots, so if she doesnt show interest in her food I throw some baby carrots in and that usually is enough to get her to eat the bowl of food.
Sending T&Ps to you guys and your sweet dog!
Me too.
How's Ozzie moving around these days? Do you think he's in much pain?
I think that's a great idea to have Amber take photos. That will be a very sweet gift.
I don't have any words of wisdom as your family goes through this difficult time. I'll be thinking about you all though. *hugs*
Tears over here too.
Virtual Hugs being sent to you guys as well.
Have you tried Boiled Hamburger and rice. My Mom used to give that to her dog. Maybe mix the chicken in with it?
*hugs* to you, your family and Ozzie. I can only imagine how incredibly difficult that is to go through.
As for feeding, we've done a lot of different things to get our pups to eat - Gordie when he first came to us and Toby after surgery. Things they liked: boiled chicken and rice, torn up peices of bread mixed with dry food, dry food with wet food, dry food w/egg yolk (either cooked - I nuke it for 15 seconds - or raw). Less healthy options were chopped up hot dog w/dry food or mac & cheese w/dry food (my mom tried that one).
I hope you find something. Until then I'm sending good thoughts your way.
12 years, happy day to Ozzie!
T&P for your family and Oz in the coming months.
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I'm not ready to give up on Ozzie. Have you taken him to the vet? Take him & have some bloodwork done. The symptoms you described sounds just like Kita's diabetes. Seriously GO! You can't give up on him now! Take him to the vet!! There may be a simple solution to what is going on. Diabetes is very easy to control once you have a diagnosis. It may be something as simple as he has a cold too (it's going around).
Now I may be a bit behind and you may already have a diagnosis. If that's the case then much love to you all.
And canned pumpkin! Sam will *always* eat that.
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Thanks ladies, your kind words mean a lot.
I keep getting after Brian about bringing Ozzie for a check up. I've told him before that I don't want to not treat something that can be easily treated. I don't know if he is afraid that if he brings him in that he won't be able to bring him home. Sometimes Brian is good at avoiding the issue, which worries me about this. I don't want to be the one that has to push the issue.
Can you take Ozzie to the vet without Brian? For your own peace of mind if nothing else?
I can completely understand that. However, what is best for Ozzie? Can he take a note from Ozzie - Dogs live their lifes completely unselfishly and Brian is being selfish because he's afraid of hearing bad news (understandable, but selfish nonetheless). Can you convince Brian that he owes it to Ozzie to do what's best for Ozzie, even if it's not what's best for him?
He should realize too that you very well might hear good news - that what's going on is normal or a managable problem. So Ozzie could be healthier and your family would have peace of mind.
I know this is difficult, but I think going to the vet could help in the long run, even though it's hard to face right now.
We have talked about not wanting to suffer, so I know Brian doesn't want him to suffer and hopefully won't prolong it. So maybe I shouldn't assume that is why he isn't bringing him.
I think he is just convinced that Oz has reached the "I do what I want" stage and screw you with your dog food, I want the "good stuff". As Brian puts it, Ozzie is his father (Brian's dad) in a dog's body.
I will ask him one more time to take him. It works better for Brian to take him because he can get in and out of Ozzie's car better. There is no way I can take him and the girls to the vet, because we have to take out car seats to get ozzie in the car.
Oh, no. I saw the post title, and my heart sunk.
Hugs for all of you.
Hugs to you! I hope it all turns out OK!
If you want to bring the girls over while you go to the vet, my mom is usually at my house on Thursdays (except this week), so I'll have an extra set of hands.
Great idea with the photos! I can't wait to see them! She did a wonderful job on Violet's newborn pics.