Border collie Jack passed away on February 28, 2022

[Bruno'sMom]

Re: Jack the project!

Natalie,
I'm sitting here smiling at the image of
Jack's routine! It's so funny how they all have their little quirks. I am starting to see a more noticeable improvement with Bruno. The better he's feeling the more demanding he gets! My little guy looks like an 'ewok' from star wars when he stands on his back legs (which he does often) and yesterday morning he woke me up by standing on his hind legs and hitting me with his front paw! When I didn't respond fast enough he started grabbing things off my nightstand- knocking the remote to the floor, chewing kleenex and barking in a high pitched tone. You can tell he is simply being a baby brat =D I have been so worried with his lack of energy that I'm actually happy to see him showing some spunk!
I'm glad Jack's leg is healing up well. I wonder if they make ice packs & heating pads that would be safe for dogs, to ease their aches and pains. I use a dish towel (sewn into a packet & filled with rice) heated in the microwave to ease my aching back, do you think this would make Jack more comfortable after he has been active? Maybe lay it near his spine when he's napping? Just a thought. Kathy :-)

[k9diabetes]

Re: Jack the project!

Hi Kathy,

I owe you a text message - will do that tomorrow.

I sure am glad to hear good news about Bruno.

We know that the human insulin works for him so if you can't get Vetsulin I think the good vet you've been working with can see about getting Bruno regulated on something else. I still think it's possible he can do okay on NPH.

Will be in touch,

Natalie

[CarolW]

Re: Jack the project!

Natalie - the other day, you mentioned having a really bad day - hope that wasn't a problem with Jack!

Anyway, I'm wondering how Jack - and you - are doing? No need to reply if you're too swamped!
Sun, 10 Jul 2011 00:16:20 (PDT)

[k9diabetes]

Re: Jack the project!

Fortunately my very bad day / week is strictly related to humans. Nothing at all to do with dogs - as is usually the case!

In fact, I have a Happy Dog Story!

A few months ago a woman who lives about 50 miles away managed to get her story on the local news. Her young black labrador, Rocko, had been diagnosed with cancer and he needed surgery to survive. She didn't have the money so she decided to hold a garage sale to raise it and succeeded in getting the local news to cover the garage sale. As you can imagine, that generated a lot of donations from people who couldn't go all that way for the garage sale. In response, she sent everyone who donated a button with Rocko's picture on it and I've had that button on my desk ever since. I have often thought about Rocko and wondered if he had his surgery and whether he survived.

A couple of days ago, I found an envelope in the mailbox with Rocko's return address on it and I tell you, I was really afraid to open it.

But inside I found an invitation to Rocko's "Full Return to Health" party at the end of the month. That was the most wonderful thing to read...

Jack's back remains the same. His good news is that the three Jack Russells next door who have terrorized him for the past almost three years with their mere presence moved down the street to a different house!!! I'm hoping the house stays empty for a while and Jack can learn that his backyard is no longer a scary place and then maybe either no dog will move in or it will be a calm quiet type.

I have been a bit swamped so my presence here has been in bursts unfortunately.

Natalie

[CarolW]

Re: Jack the project!

Aha; I see. Humans can be difficult, indeed. Hope the worst of THAT is over! I wouldn't have known you were THAT swamped, since you did manage to attend in really crucial places here!

SO glad the Jack Russells moved away from right next door. I adore Terriers, but would never myself have taken a Jack Russell on purpose; they tend to be less tractable than some of the other Terriers.

Hope Jack has a Safe Yard for a very long time to come.

LOVE the story of Rocko! That is truly wonderful news!

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 03:29:04 (PDT)

[buddingartist]

Re: Jack the project!

Hi Natalie,

I read in my thread that your boy Jack is on metacam daily. How is he doing? Seeing any improvement in his gait and tolerance to exercice?

Louise

[k9diabetes]

Re: Jack the project!

Jack has been on Metacam daily since November but we did take him off of it for a week in April so the neurologist could see how Jack walked and ran without it providing pain relief.

Within 48 hours of stopping Metacam, Jack starts to limp, walk stiffly, roll his right hip, and bunny hop when he runs. It's all mild but the difference is visually obvious.

So Metacam is, at least at the moment, allowing him to hold steady at his current activity level with no noticeable limping or stiffness. Whatever the problem is, it's now chronic. It has not improved at all since last June. Hasn't gotten any worse since November. Any significant running or jumping out of doors and he quits within a couple of minutes.

Natalie

[eyelostit]

Re: Jack the project!

I'm glad he's doing ok with the Metacam, Niki did best on that with her hips as she got older, I never noticed any side effects.

[k9diabetes]

Re: Jack the project!

We went to a distant park yesterday with Jack. Two and a half hours in the car each way and then we walked 2.5 miles on the trail through a small stand of Sequoiahs. Didn't mean to walk him that far. Jack is somewhat sore but not terribly so. He did better than I thought he would. He was really ready to get back in the car though.

Natalie

[Judi]

Re: Jack the project!

I'm glad to hear he felt well enough to walk! yay Jack

[Patty]

Re: Jack the project!

Fun day! Good to hear he tolerated it fairly well

[k9diabetes]

Celebrating Jack's Birthday / Adoption on October 13

Three years ago today we met Jack at the SPCA Thrift Store and took him home. And since they said he was about one year old, we designated the same day as his birthday.

So Happy 4th Birthday to Jack!

He had a bowl of ice cream and unwrapped a new toy - a Kong rubber stick that squeaks. Frankly, he has so many toys that I don't think he thought much about yet one more! More interested in the ice cream.

He's one of those package unwrappers that, if he had thumbs, he would have folded the paper neatly to save for next year! LOL He very methodically tore off bits at one end, working his way down the side of the stick.

It's been an interesting year. A lot of work done on his back problem by us and a huge amount of progress on Jack's part in his behavior. I think due in large part to the benefit of Prozac. Reducing his baseline level of anxiety has greatly improved his confidence and ability to trust and feel safe.

Three years after taking him home, we are both totally smitten, I swear more so every day.

Natalie

[Shellie]

Re: Jack the project!

Happy Birthday, Jack! Wow...four! ONLY four! lol He's a baby around here with all these oldtimers! lol So glad he came to you and you've been able to help him! Hugs!

[diggydog]

Re: Jack the project!

Happy birthday jack!!!!

[Judi]

Re: Jack the project!

Happy Birthday neat and tidy Jack! He is a lucky dog to have found you!