Note: This post is about personal stuff. Skip if you only want professional updates.
Around the middle of January, I found out that my dog Gypsy needed double surgery: one to fix a ruptured tendon in her back leg, another to fix an ulcer in her eye. Since Gypsy is twelve, general anesthesia is risky and the recovery time for her leg was over two months with her in a cage. Before anyone says “So? She’s just a dog,” I love Gypsy and my other dog, Loki, as if I were blood related to them, and since Gypsy has been with me for the past twelve years, I am ridiculously attached to her. Thus, this was/is a big deal to me.
Back to the surgeries. Gypsy’s leg and eye surgery went fine, so we moved out of state about two weeks afterward as planned. Two weeks after that, Gypsy’s eye started to act up again. We took her to a new vet, who informed us that her eye ulcer was back and she needed another surgery. So, Gypsy had her second eye surgery, which also required at-home care consisting of 4 different medicated eye drops four times a day, spacing each drop at least five minutes apart (that’s a total of 16 times a day my hubby and I would have to hold her down, squirt drops in her eyes, then keep her in the Cone of Shame so she didn’t scratch her painful eye and make it worse. Gypsy was as upset about this as I was, because you can’t explain to a dog that this is for their own good. Instead, she probably thought that we were only torturing her for our own inexplicable, cruel amusement.)
About two weeks later at her recheck appointment, we got more bad news from the vet: Gypsy’s eye ulcer still wasn’t healed and she needed a third surgery. That would also mean another two weeks of four different eye drops a day, four times a day, and if her ulcer became infected, her condition would go from bad to worse. So, eye surgery number four happened. About ten days later at her next recheck, we received more bad news: the ulcer had healed in the old spots, but new ulcers had cropped up. The vet surmised that Gypsy’s age caused a degenerative issue where fluids in her eye weren’t being dispersed as they should be. Instead, they built up until they “bubbled,” causing the ulcers. The vet proposed a new, more extensive corneal procedure that would produce scar tissue on her cornea, with the hope that the scar tissues would act as a shield against this bubbling up. Then, more at-home care with the eye drops would help her eye to disperse fluids as it should naturally. But, there was a catch: because all previous procedures had failed, if this didn’t work, then the only other option would be to remove Gypsy’s eye entirely.
We went with the more extensive, fifth eye surgery and the 4 drops, 4x a day at-home follow up care. For the past two weeks, I have been bracing myself for the worst because, to be honest, 2016 has kinda sucked so far (my mother’s unexpected passing, a book release being pushed back over a year, pre-orders getting erroneously canceled, moving issues, more business issues, family issues, this, etc.) So, I was expecting to hear that the Gypsy’s eye hadn’t healed and we’d need to have it removed. Aside from how upsetting this would be for me, it would be worse for Gypsy, who would have to undergo another risk with surgical anesthesia, risks of infection after the surgery, visual limitations from losing an eye, plus be in a cone for another few weeks, which she hates and the poor thing has already been in a cone for three straight months.
In fact, I had so prepared myself for bad news that yesterday, when the vet told me all of Gypsy’s ulcers had finally healed, I didn’t believe him. I spent the rest of the day expecting him to call and say some version of “Psyche!” Today, the relief is setting in at last, and I hope that this good news heralds a brighter 2016 to come.
In closing, Gypsy’s vision is a little limited in one eye now, but she still has both of them, and we have finally been able to put away the Cone of Shame. I will spend the rest of the day enjoying that good news, and when she comes in for her usual pets this afternoon as I’m writing, it’ll make me smile even more than normal :).
So glad her eye didn’t have to be removed! Prayers and positive thoughts for you and yours for a less stressful rest of 2016!
I have been praying for her every day. So sorry she has had to endure so much but am very happy to hear the good news that the ulcers have healed. She will continue to be on my furry loved ones prayer list.
Oh she is so cute. And no not just a dog a family member. May she continue to heal and stay with you as long as possible.
Glad to hear Gypsy is finally doing better. Totally agree with comment not just pets but family…that is how I view my cats. Hope this is start of better 2016 for you & your family.
I’m sorry all this has hit you at one time. Your stress levels must be thought the roof. My sister had a dog that had to have her eye removed due to an infection. She did wonderful and lived out her life chasing small critters and rolling in stinky stuff. Hugs!
so glad to hear your baby is doing better sorry to hear about your mom all the other stuff but now that your family is healed again its all good
What a cutie! So glad she is finally on the mend – as are you.
She is a real beauty and I don’t think you need to explain why you love her, anyone who has had animals and treated them right understands that they are family and you’d as much for them as any family member.. Glad she is doing better
I’m glad Gypsy is doing well. Family pets are just that…family.
Hugs all around!
I totally understand my fur babies are a huge part of my family. Truth be told some days they are the best part. So glad Gypsy is better. Give her pets for me.
glad Gypsy is better. I completely understand how you feel. My fur babies are not pets they are part of my family.
Life sure likes to sling shit sometimes and you have had your share and more. Sorry for your losses and happy your fur baby is on the mend. Best wished and happy thoughts coming your way.
I’m so glad their was a happy ending to this story! I wish you all the best for here on out.
I’m so happy to hear this, Jeaniene! Yay Gypsy! Such a frustrating and anxiety inducing time, but at least she’s better.
That poor baby! I’m so glad her eye has healed and it didn’t need to be removed!
To anyone who says it’s just a dog… jerk. They are family! AND sometimes those kind of furry family members are more loyal and kind than the human ones. 🙂
I’m so glad her surgery went well! I have had dogs with various ailments (my mom says I attract them because they know I’ll take care of them) so I know the relief when you find something that works. I hope this is the beginning of a much better year for you.
Also, condolences… ((HUGS))
Aww! Yes, your pets must know that you will take care of them, and what a wonderful thing!
I’m glad Gypsy is on the mend. Sending lots of love and feel better vibes her ways <3 <3 <3
Thank God! I completely understand that you wanted to help your furbaby gey better. Our pets aren’t merely anything, they are our family and deserve the love and care we would give anyone in our family.
Wow. You have been through do much. I am so glad this had a Happy ending. I wish you and your family the best.
I’m so happy that Gypsy is okay! She’s such a cutie! I feel sorry for people who say “It’s just a dog”, because they’ll never be the recipient of such unconditional love and devotion.
Thank God! You are such an awesome mommy! God Bless you! I have 5 and they are more important to me than some people. They are such perfect beings of unconditional love and definitely deserve more than we can ever give them! I totally get the defeated feeling and expecting the worst. Our 5 are the “un-adoptable ones,” due to medical issues, behavioral issues, etc. When something goes right it’s definitely a miracle! LoL! I will keep Gypsy and ya’ll in my prayers! <3 xoxo <3
Wow, 5! God bless you and your furry brood :).
Glad to hear that your dog is doing so much better. No matter what, we look after our furry family members. God bless.
Glad to hear that your dog is doing so much better. No matter what, we look after our furry family members. God bless you .
The are not “just dogs” to me either… they are my furkids…. someone shot one of mine recently… she’s a hunter, a feral I have been slowly turning into a homebody….. The hit did some nerve damage, she will always have a limp of sorts. but she’s doing well and running. I totally understand the relief you feel. I am so glad your baby is doing well!
Before anyone gets upset that I let this dog run, a neighbor abandoned her and another several months ago., Unspayed, and just moved away. She had pups in my barn, the pups went to a quality no kill rescue and I have been working with Mamma.
No judgement from me. When I was was a kid, me and my sisters domesticated a feral cat who simply HAD to spend half his time outdoors or he’d become self-destructive. It took many years to get him to be a 90% inside cat, and even then, he still had to spend 10% outside. So sorry that some b*!@4rd shot your dog, but very glad that she is recovering. Wishing her many happy years to come with you!
OMG. I am so happy to read this. I’m happy for Gypsy and you and Matt too. What a relief! Maybe now you can get a full night’s sleep. Whew!!
So glad she is recovered. After suddenly losing my mother this year as well, and being a dog lover too, i can well imagine how extremely heartbreaking it would have been if you wouldn’t have received the news you did. Hope Gypsy continues to be a loving companion for years to come.
YAY! so glad your puppy is ok!!!!!!!!
Thank you for the update. I’m so happy to hear your baby is doing well. To many of us, our animals are so much more than just pets. She’s so fortunate you have the resources to take such good care of her. I had the pleasure of meeting you in person some years ago and you seem like such a kindhearted person. I hope the rest of thIs year is much better for you.
Oh, that poor baby! Sending good mojo her way for continued health.
I am so happy for you and Gypsy. And don’t ever feel bad for taking care of your pups! My two mean the world to me so I totally get it. 💖
I am so happy to hear Gypsy is doing better. I can completely understand your love and dedication to her since I am the same way with my dog Sasha. Good luck in 2016 and I am looking forward to reading the next Vlad installment. 🙂
Thank you!
I am glad your “baby” dog is doing better. I would have been feeling the same as you. I call my Jack Russell Terrier, Lupin, my hairy daughter. I love my dog and could not go without taking every step to make her well. Can’t wait for another installment in any of your series. I love them all. Best wishes for you and your family.
I call my dogs children, which makes my neighbors look around when I yell “Children, inside!” and all they see are two pooches ;).
Awe, I’m sorry for how hard 2016 started off for you! I recently lost my sister in law suddenly from a case of undiagnosed stomach cancer. Anyway I was so glad to hear Gypsy is on the mend. My first dog was a Shiba Inu and her name was Hallelujah so I could come home and say that joyously for multiple reasons especially the end of the work days. She was suvh a fun dog amd so smart! Take care and I don’t care when your books will be published…I’m a fan, so I’ll buy them whenever they are released. Cheerio, Melissa
So sorry about your sister in law, and thank you for the kind words.
Thanks she was a wonderful person, with a very witty and dry sense of humor. She was my brother’s soul mate. She got his humor and it was fun to watch them. He has done a lot in L.A., but his passion is screen writting and she was his proof reader and everything else. It seems their dreams are now coming true with the movie going to “2nd round of funding” , their tv pilot being accepted etc. Thus it’s bitter sweet for him now. Good luck with everything on your end and I hope you have a good brush for Gypsy with the weather finally being warm because she will shed like crazy! Cheers
God Bless. Gypsy is lucky to have you and you her! Keep the faith 🐶🙏. Lots of love from Canada 🇨🇦
So happy to hear Gypsy is recovering. Is she a Shiba Inu? And I hope the rest of your year is much better. You have made my year so far very enjoyable. I listen to your books on Audible and have actually read/listened to Kat and Bones adventures (and Vlads) three times now. This is a record for me. I never reread books. Thank you so much.