February 2024 was Pug Partners of Nebraska’s annual fundraising dinner Curly Tails and Cocktails. We had so much fun!
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Omaha
In 2013, when Joy the Puppy was four years old, she had her first of two surgeries for a torn cruciate ligament.
Joy and Russ at The Lake the week we adopted her. If your partner is in veterinary medicine, know that when they ask you to help rehome a patient, you have just adopted a pet.
The surgery Joy had is called a TPLO, or tibial plate leveling osteotomy, meant to stabilize the knee after the cruciate ligament, the criss-cross ligament behind the kneecap, is no longer doing so. Joy’s first surgeon was Dr. David Merkley*, one of my favorite teachers and vets of all time.
(*Fun Merk Fact - When I was having trouble learning to tie a surgical knot in vet school, Dr. Merkley told me it was easy. I said, “You try it left handed!” He did and said, “Wow! This IS hard!” His one and only moment of humility I suspect! Dr. Merkley is the reason I love surgery.)
Joy excited to be spending time with her BFF Frank Parker when they used to volunteer at Camp Kindness at Nebraska Humane Society. Frank’s Mom Allison, also a dear friend and awesome veterinary technician, and I assisted Dr. Merkley with Joy’s first TPLO.
Joy is now thirteen years old. She has significant arthritis which was becoming life-limiting despite her very impressive list of medications, supplements and mobility aids. For the record, Joy is ok with meds in treats, but thinks stairs, ramps and wagons are all terrible.
Joy trying to steal my beer at our brother-in-law Shane’s concert.
Last month, Joy limped for a day. I mean beyond her usual stiff hobble. They she seemed to rally, and I thought the scare of a second cruciate tear was over, but we kept our appointment with Dr. Tan (whose name does NOT rhyme with Dr. Zann, so do not try to remember how to pronounce either of them correctly that way) because I wanted his take on how to better treat Joy’s arthritis.
Turns out, Joy’s right cruciate ligament was long gone, and when it actually happened, I missed it. I felt like a terrible vet and pet parent for missing in my own dog what I routinely diagnose in other dogs.
The story gets so much better from here.
Dr. Tan and the Sirius Orthopedic Veterinary Center team stabilized Joy’s knee with arthroscopic surgery and even did some work on her other knee.
Spotify play list created by one of Nebraska Humane Society’s awesome social media people on Joy’s first day of recovery. I love it so much.
Joy is doing AMAZING you guys. Her mobility and comfort are better than I can ever remember.
Another sweet thirteen year old patient is one week behind Joy in her post-op recovery, also after TPLO surgery with Dr. Tan, and it is so great to be able to say to her family that our old dogs are going to feel so much better so soon.
Whenever I write to or call the Sirius team, I try to remember to add “and hi to Emily.” Well, the awesomeness of their team has once again increased, if you can even believe that is possible. During Joy’s care at Sirius, I learned that another one of my favorite people, Nellie, has joined their team. As ecstatic as I am that Joy is thriving, this…this matches it. Love you Nellie and Emily. Thank you for being there for Joy.
Please note the beautiful straight margins of Joy’s surgical sites. This is thanks to the amazing talents of Nellie who must have remembered the time we took a benign mass off Joy and her coat took a YEAR to regrow! Thanks Friend. She will look beautiful as always for this next year of healing and hair regrowth!
We are so grateful to the entire Sirius team for Joy’s loving care. You all are the best of the best. You have brought Joy - and so our entire family - so much comfort.
And Dr. Tan, thank you for seeing our puppy in your exam room where our old dog was sleeping - for being willing to invest so much in such an old dog who is nowhere near done having adventures.
Joy the Puppy now.
Joy the Puppy then.
As soon as Russ and I decided YES this was the best next step, no matter the outcome, I knew I would not look back and wish she had not had surgery. But this, seeing Joy be such a terrible sport about strict rest when she wants to run and play, and seeing her so happy again, has been the absolute best post-op scenario I could have hoped for.
Joy thinks post-op strict rest is BULL-ony. If I would just move my leg, she could tear down the deck stairs and play with Doug Dog in the yard.
Soon Sweet Girl. You got this. This will be your best summer yet.
This is a picture from last winter of the purple ash tree Dad gave us as a tiny sapling.
We've been steeling ourselves for the dreaded ash borers that are predicted to take out every ash tree in Omaha and the surrounding areas.
So far, so good.
ONE YEAR AGO
THE KURTENBACH SERIES, PART 3 - THE FOUNTAIN CREEK GENERAL STORE
TWO YEARS AGO
"Are those pictures of your cat?" I asked.
"Yes, they are. I loved her so much. She was a wonderful cat," he said.
Abby was getting an industrial piercing, which I learned just this week means a piercing from one part of the edge of her ear to another part of the edge of her ear.
She needed parents there since she is only 15. So there we stood, Abby who fits in everywhere, and Russ and I completely out of our element in the tattoo parlor, watching the large, scary, beautifully tattooed piercer work his craft.
He continued...
"Do you know she had all her claws and never once used them on the furniture? And she never had accidents. She didn't hunt, and she wouldn't hurt anything. She caught a spider under her paw once, and let him go. She was so beautiful. She always wanted me there. I guess it's a good sign I can talk about her, huh? It's been two years."
I said it takes a long time. He said he always knew she would eventually return to the underworld, but he sure missed her.
"Did it hurt? we asked Abby.
"Yes!" she said.
Thank you for taking such good care of our kid. Thank you for sharing your kitty with us. I know it was difficult. I hope it was healing.
ONE YEAR AGO
SIRIUS VETERINARY ORTHOPEDIC CENTER GRAND OPENING
TWO YEARS AGO
Luna Lovegood - Chapter 8 - In Which the Veterinarian Takes Her Sick Dog to the Veterinarian
Friday, December 15, 2017
We met with Brandy the veterinary technician and Dr. Clemans, one of the internal medicine specialists at VCA MidWest Vet. They are both so nice. We were completely tidal waved with information. Even knowing all the big words, I had a difficult time keeping up with how they went together and what they meant for Luna.
Luna has at least stage four (of five) lymphoma, and possibly stage five. The younger the dog, the more aggressive the lymphoma tends to be. Although I read in the Five Minute Veterinary Consult that lymphoma is "rarely cured," it turns out the authors were just trying to say gently that it is never cured. This is a fatal disease. Always. I knew that. I had to be told that by an expert.
The CHOP chemotherapy protocol for lymphoma is twenty-five weeks long.
Dr. Clemans is not certain Luna will live through the twenty five weeks.
She handed me a box of Kleenex and continued. I tried in vain to pull it together. I have not been okay since hearing this.
Luna will have a complete blood count (blood work) done at Gentle Doctor every Monday. We will purchase the IV chemotherapy medications at Kohll's pharmacy once a week (no veterinarian discount!) and drop Luna off at VCA MidWest Vet every Tuesday. There she will be evaluated by Dr. Clemans. Brandy and the rest of the team will administer chemotherapy. She will come home in the afternoon. Luna loves Brandy and Dr. Clemans, so this once a week day long stay should not be a problem.
Chemotherapy for dogs tends to be much gentler than chemotherapy for humans. Luna will not lose her hair, and will probably not develop gastrointestinal signs or even be tired or mopey.
Luna took in all the information like a champ!
I had a heads up from two kind client families about the costs associated with chemotherapy for lymphoma. Brandy went over an itemized estimate with us. The price is steep but the potential benefits are priceless and worth the investment for us. Many clients have chosen not to go through chemotherapy with their pets, which was the absolute right decision for them too. Our goal is to allow Luna as much high quality time as we possibly can. We will quit when she is no longer loving life. I have not wrapped my head around that yet though.
ONE YEAR AGO
IN LOVING MEMORY OF SNOOKIE JONES
TWO YEARS AGO
SOMETIMES GOD WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS, AND OTHER TIMES HE SENDS A CORGI
Mike Wazowski is one of the sweet dogs of my friend Kathi Ortmeier of Basset and Beagle Rescue of the Heartland. Mike, you are so photogenic!
Photo from Christmas Time 2016
From the Omaha Police Mounted Patrol, "Santa was out with Blaze and Eastwood accompanied by Officers Waller and Vansickle."
Thank you to the Omaha First Responders (and of course Santa) for all you do! We appreciate you!
Sometimes God lets our hearts be broken for people groups, then heals our hearts in such a way that we can be used to help heal other hearts.
This is part of a month long series on depression...
The first week home was one of the best weeks I can remember.
Abby and Amanda and I spent the last week of summer together.
Eleanor (our van) and I drove the girls and their friends all over Omaha.
Abby's friend Chloe handed me a bouquet of flowers the first time she got into the van that week. I held onto them till the very last daisy. I loved them so much.
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Post from one year ago today...
September 13, 2016
TWITTER, PART 8 OF 8 - KEEP TWEETING UNTIL IT MAKES SENSE
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Next month is a happier topic. I will post all of the pictures you send.
I recently was able to help with a medical case involving a sweet dog from Golden Retriever Rescue in Nebraska.
A few days later, I saw a dog from the same group for wellness care.
In my overly optimistic, often but not always securely grounded in reality mind, this is a start of an avalanche of Golden opportunities! Soon it will be Beagle-Basset-Husky-Golden repeat forever! I am so happy.
My interactions with Golden Retriever Rescue in Nebraska (GRRIN) before this have involved strong emotional support for the group. When a member of their team owned Spirit World, what did I do? I went and bought a sandwich and drank wine there with Dad. When GRRIN was at a rescue gathering I was at, I bravely stepped forward to pet their dogs behind the ears.
So far, becoming more involved in supporting this amazing group in a professional capacity has been AS REWARDING as all of my involvement thus far.
Drink in honor of rescue groups. Eat sandwiches. Pet dogs and cats. And if these Pet Savers need a foster home, an adoptive home, financial support, blog posts written, a rally attended, a new team member...we as a community will be there then too.
We love you Omaha Pet Savers!
We named the new kid Luna Lovegood. It is the first name we all four agreed on, and I love her as much as I would love the original Luna Lovegood.
Friday was a snow day.
We decided to go to the Zoo. It was one of our favorite zoo trips.
I left the pictures in full color because of the red flower and blue frog and Macaws and peacock.
Pink Fairy Duster - In the Desert Dome
Tawny Frogmouths
These birds are so unique looking! I stared at them a while and then had to go back to watch them some more. I tried not to be rude, but it seems that in general, birds do not mind being stared at as much as dogs and cats do.
Roadrunner
This roadrunner showed us the stick he had found, then put it down to pick up a piece of grass. He pranced the grass blade back and forth in front of us, then set that down too. I love his personality!
Baby Map Turtle!
Courtyard Outside the Jungle
Blue Dart Frog
Macaws
In the Aquarium
Sometimes we don't even go into the Aquarium because it tends to be pretty crowded. This day was perfect! Maybe a half dozen other people besides the Zoo Team were in the entire Aquarium during the time we were there.
Penguins! This picture is for Dave Nelson and Evan Choi :)
Our favorite part of the Aquarium, the tunnel, had no other people in it. We have never gotten to go through it alone! We stayed to make friends with the turtles and rays.
This. This is what got us to the Zoo on such a snowy morning. How precious is he?? Mama was not too impressed with us being close, so we only stayed to take a couple pictures and congratulate her <3
This was a very fun day! Next time, we should go together!
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Post from one year ago today...
February 26, 2016
On Friday February 17, 2017 I got home from work and sat in the car to hear the end of a song on the Alexander Hamilton soundtrack. Normally, I come right inside when I get home. Joy and Luna were having none of my stalling.
Joy opened the glass front door and ran to the car followed closely by Luna. I opened the door to explain I was listening to a song and would be right in, but instead of being reasonable dogs, they jumped into the car for a road trip.
Russ came outside to say I did not need to take them on a road trip just because they got into the car. When I said I didn't think it would be kind to dash their hopes especially when they were already in the car and ready to go, Russ got into the car too followed by Amanda and Abby who had come outside to see what was going on.
We drove around the block much to the delight of both dogs. Since we were out, we stopped to get gas and tacos.
At Abelardo's , Russ told the team we were impressed they had closed for A Day Without Immigrants the day before and that we were really happy they are a part of the Omaha community. Also he said thank you for the tacos and churros. He is my favorite guy.
We headed home for dinner. It had been a very fun road trip for all.
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Post from one year ago today...
February 19, 2016
Another earring and a nose ring. No, not for me! I am at my work handbook-approved maximum. And I am a chicken.
My daughters are brave. Also, Abby kept her room clean for thirty days and was allowed to have her nose pierced as agreed.
Amanda...doesn't tend to absentmindedly throw papers over her shoulder. Much to Abby's dismay, Amanda got day one approval on her requested earring.
When Abby finished her clean room chart (YES they work even better for teenagers than little kids!) and Amanda had summoned all the courage she required, we headed to Authentic Ink Tattoo and Body Piercing with ID's and birth certificates.
The front desk person was very kind. She made Amanda less nervous.
Colin Nichols gave the girls the new holes in their heads. He could see Amanda was getting nervous again after Abby had her nose pierced and had Amanda in the chair and her ear pierced before she could really panic. Thank you Colin!
The little loop in the top of Amanda's ear is the new one.
A trick I learned with recent dental work - if you have a Tsum in your pocket, things are less scary.
They are some days out and very happy with their decisions!
Thank you Authentic Ink team. I know kids are not your normal client demographic, and you were super patient and kind to them. They love their new piercings!
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Post from one year ago today...
February 15, 2016
Dr. Chris Horstman's new veterinary hospital, Sirius Veterinary Orthopedic Center, had its grand opening Tuesday, November 29, 2016.
The Women's March on Omaha was January 21, 2017.
Abby was at a friend's house, so Russ, Amanda and I headed downtown to march with other Omaha folks. We met up with Dave and the kids. Sara was in DC :) I wore my Sara Jean t-shirt in her honor. We saw lots of friends. Everyone was friendly and so supportive of each other.
It was SUCH an encouraging evening.
Amanda's sign says "Keep your tiny hands off my rights."
The Mounted Police brought up the rear and kept everyone at the end of the March safe. The police were so kind all evening. They directed traffic and kept people clear of the cars. The last officer we saw closed an intersection for a few minutes so people could safely get to the parking lot to head home.
I love this picture. Amanda was in her element!
For the past several years, we have gotten our Christmas tree from Cirian's Farmers Market in Midtown Omaha.
It does not show in dog and cat vision, but the tree Abby was looking at was flocked a beautiful bright green.
"Why do you flock trees green?" I asked the person helping with our tree.
"Because we can. Why do they dye their hair purple?" he replied.
:)
Abby noticed a tree was flocked black with sparkles. So this year for the first time, our tree is not only flocked purple, it also has sparkles. What's the downside?
The tree is BEAUTIFUL! So is our floor. In EVERY room. And both dogs. Again, no downside!
Russ and Joy prepare to decorate.
My favorite picture - Amanda lifting Abby up to put Grandma Amanda's angel on the top of the tree!
One picture in full color! Because, purple you guys!
This tree skirt is missing hand prints from the years we have had pets who would have peed on it. We are missing quite a few years. Still cute though. And pee-free!
The day my friend vet tech Trey told me he saw a one star review online for the Hindu Temple in Omaha because they do not have a food court is the day I stopped obsessing about veterinary hospital reviews.
I have been much happier ever since.
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Post from one year ago today...
December 19, 2015
Deb and I became friends.
Dr. Perry graduated in 1956, and his Dad, also a vet, graduated in 1931.