Llyr's 14th Birthday was on Friday February 3rd. His birthday was a very extended celebration! Llyr was diagnosed with Degenerative Myelopathy about 18 1/2 months ago and this was a big celebration. There was a time when I questioned if he would make it to this birthday. Llyr is starting to have more trouble walking in his cart due to knuckling with his front legs. His front legs are getting weaker from the slow progression of DM, but this did not stop him from having a wonderful birthday!
Friday being a Therapy day for Llyr his first celebration was at West Chester Veterinary Rehabilitation Center. Dr. Stephanie Finley, Michelle and Cheryl had a huge balloon and a very wonderful card waiting for Llyr!
Llyr with one of his many birthday hats and getting hugs from a very happy Mom!
Llyr getting hugs from Cheryl and Michelle! Llyr has on another party hat too!
More hugs from Michelle and one more party hat for Llyr!
Of course there were treats too!
More hugs and kisses from Mom!
Lastly some stretching and massage from Michelle during breaks from swimming laps. We all had a wonderful time celebrating Llyr's special day!
Next we were off to Braxton's Animal Works to visit with his Auntie Linda and other friends!
Llyr with his Auntie Linda! One very happy Corgi!
Llyr singing, but what he really wanted was to see what was in the wonderful bag of birthday goodies from his Auntie Linda. She also gave Llyr a beautiful card! The terrific people that work at Braxton's Animal Works also gave Llyr a special card that everyone signed!
Llyr and I with John Braxton. Braxton's Animal Works is a 3rd generation pet supply store that has been in business over 70 years! www.braxtons.com
Llyr getting birthday greetings from Nick! Nick is one of the many fantastic and knowledgable people that work at Braxton's Animal Works. If you are ever near Wayne, Pa. do stop in and see them. The address is 620 West Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, Pa. 19087 and their phone number is 610-688-0769. You will not be disappointed with their product selection and great customer service!
Llyr's next party was at Lucie's Barkingham Palace. This was his big party with doggie friends, games and of course endless treats!
Llyr waiting for his guests to arrive!
Three of Llyr's Corgi guests. Trudy with her Mom Kathy and Corgis Georgia Peach and Dolly the Fluff with their Mom Lisa!
Llyr heading off to the treat finding game! He loved this game!
My other corgi Awstin wearing his birthday hat sideways! He had a great time!
Llyr taking a break in the festivities with Trudy, Awstin and his people friends Kathy, Joanne and Susie!
Llyr's best doggie friend Lily and his Auntie Pam!
Elizabeth with John and Corgis Mo and Morgan!
Sam, another friend of Llyr's waiting for the cake!
The yummy apple cake that all the dogs were waiting for!!!
Llyr looking a little sad because he wants more cake!
The party is almost over, but Llyr had a great time!!!!
A tired Llyr waving bye to his guests! Lucie's Barkingham Palace is a wonderful place for parties. Lucie's Barkingham Palace offers many services for your four legged friend. Grooming, Day Care, Boarding, Training and Obedience to name a few. They are located at 2643 Yellow Springs Road Malvern, Pa. 610-240-0190 www.luciesbarkinghampalace.com They really do treat your pet like royalty!
Llyr at the end of 10 days of celebrations for his 14th birthday with some of his wonderful birthday gifts! One very tired, but happy Corgi!
Llyr also had a special page set up for him on Facebook by a very wonderful lady also named Amy called "Lets help Llyr Celebrate his 14th Birthday" I can't thank her enough for doing this and all the wonderful people and Corgis that posted birthday wishes for Llyr. Thank you to everyone that made Llyr's birthday a truly unforgettable time, one that I will cherish forever!
NOTE: I have to write this in at least 2 posts since I can't leave all this in just one. This is Post #1.
ReplyDeleteHi, I don't know if this will reach you but I hope so. I'm also a very devoted Corgi lover, live in Kansas, and have been blessed with these remarkable dogs for many years. Counting back, I've only had 4 but they all lived into the double-digit age bracket. I'm very sorry about little Llyr, you treated him spectacularly and I know how you feel.
My last Corgi was Penny, she died last year at about this time. I cannot get over her and just about lose it every time I think about it. I'm getting teary eyed writing this, I'm a a fairly macho guy but Penny still breaks my heart. She's buried right outside my window with some roses over her grave. I think about her all the time and believe she was the best friend I ever had.
Penny was extremely athletic and I got her, a tri-color, when she was 12 weeks old. She was always my dog. Other people in the family loved her too but I was always the one for Penny. She slept in my room, followed me everywhere, would get up when I did, wanted to go to bed when I did. I just loved her so much, and always will.
I 1st noted some quivering in Penny's hind quarter when she was about 10 or 11 years. I didn't think much of it since she was in no apparent pain and could still run like the wind. By the way she could jump up in the air and catch a tennis ball bounced on the ground. Penny could have actually performed cattle herding. She had that much spunk and ability.
As time went on Penny started losing mobility of 1 of her back legs. I took her to the Vet and they X-Rayed but found nothing. She later became unable to walk with her back legs and just scooted on the floor, as well as outside. I took her to a Specialist Vet to view the X-Ray and he saw nothing either. Penny was about 12 at that time and he suggested the next step would be an MRI but said as you did that there was no positive way to diagnose DM, although he thought that was a reasonable diagnosis due to her age and symptoms. A local Corgi breeder also suspected DM.
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POST #2 (Continued from #1)
ReplyDeleteThe Specialist Vet recommended a wheel chair and said Penny would not die from DM although I suspected otherwise from things I'd read earlier. I bought the wheelchair for Penny but she didn't like it and would not use it so I gave up on that. Her disease, whatever it was, seemed to progress up her spine with her eventually not being able to use either back leg, and they became limp. She could still crawl however, was still happy little Penny, was alert, enjoyed her food, etc.
Going to the bathroom became difficult and I had to carry her outside a lot. Then she lost control of that and had to be bathed daily. Her front legs eventually became weak and she couldn't even crawl but could sit up with her paws in front. She still was alert and enjoyed her meals. Penny stayed in a climate controlled garage at that point and I'd take her outside at times but flies became a problem, a big problem, so I had to discontinue that as well.
Finally one day she quit eating and was having what appeared to be some breathing difficulty. I knew I had to put her down then and I carried her into to the local Vet in her blanket. They were busy that day so I had some time to spend with little Penny alone in the car, talking to her on that beautiful October day. I finally took her in and the Vet said: "she's almost gone" when he examined her. Penny died right there on the table, being a good girl until the end and sparing me the agony of putting her down.
I still regret not getting the MRI in case it could have been something else but I'll just have to live with that forever. I still love Penny dearly. I read a recent book: "All Animals Go To Heaven" which was somewhat helpful but nothing can take the place of Penny. The house I have now is not conducive to dogs so I haven't replaced her. I also lost another wonderful dog named Ellie who was the sweetest creature on earth, she was 17, an Aussie mix, and was in pain so I had her put down several months prior to Penny. Ellie's ashes are on the mantle.
Penny is buried outside my window. I was going to have her ashes too but went down a picked up her body prior to that being done. I was glad I did that but broke down again when I brought her home. Animals are so much closer to us than most people realize. They have hearts, they have beautiful souls and so hope that we can meet them again. Penny was the best friend I ever had.
Terry
(hlope2@msn.com)