This is about the last picture I have of him before he passed on. His heart gave up on him.
His story starts off with showing up at a guys house with a collar too small and all his bones showing. He was starved! The guy asked me to take him because he didn't want him.
So I took him in. He had no name yet so I asked a friend online if her son wanted to name him since he couldn't have a dog himself he could pick one for this guy. He gave me 2 choices, Sunshine or Thomas, yup he likes Thomas the engine. I figured sunshine didn't fit for this boy so I went with Thomas. He took to the name right away. The first 24 hours was like something outta twilight zone.
Had to take new dog to the emergency vet, let me tell you this I HATE THAT PLACE!
The vet looked him over, then told me what she thought.
vet : he needs fluids
me: ok if that will make him even a little better go for it.
vet: Why is he so skinny?
me: I got him this morning, can't say what else happened before then
vet: You need to learn how to properly feed your dog.
I'll never forget those words, God knows I wanted to smack this woman. How does she think in less than a day I made him look this way? Why didn't she bother to listen to what I said ? Was I talking to use up her oxygen? I let her give him the iv with fluids and all her orders, paid the OMG bill and left. Brought him back home knowing I would take him to a real vet tomorrow.
I did take him to my regular vet. Gave him the papers she gave me and told him what she said. I thought I was mad, but not next to what my vet said. He called her on the phone and told her off.
You cant talk to my patients like that ever, do you understand she had the dog less than a day when you yelled at her?
He did get better, put on a bit of weight to start. He was 32 pounds, vet guessed him at 4 months old Great Dane. You could count all the ribs and bones in his spine without touching him. God it was awful! How could anyone do this to this sweet dog?
Many nites of talking and caring for him, letting him know someone would be there to feed him everyday. At first it was who is gonna stand where and eat? Thomas wouldn't eat if I was in the room. He was fine with the other dogs but no way if I was there. So we did a little creative feeding. First was dry, hmm it's ok but I want something else. So I set out to find him that something that would make him want to eat. Went to the store and spotted dog gravy. What the heck is that? and would he eat it? I had to try.
First time I put it on the food was shall we say Joy? He took one sniff, and started eating. I could stay in the room as long as I didn't watch him. Ok I can look the other way so he will eat. And eat he did, the following 6 months was the guess if he wants gravy or not and which canned food I could make gravy with. Yup I tested flavors, and brands. Some were a hit, others got a sniff and laid down. I had started taking notes, just in case. Next visit to the vet went pretty good as far as the food went. He had gained 15 pounds! and was looking much better. All but his hips.
You could tell by looking at him his hips were not the greatest. So I asked if it could be fixed. Um not really since the leg bones had been starved when the rest of him starved and almost died.
So yes he looked weird but he could run just like the rest of them.
Buster, my lab mix, was his buddy. Buster came from Dixie the lab I had taken in so she could live outside instead of in this guys basement. Her story is a whole nuther thing I'll write about later.
So for the next 5 years the 2 boys were in the yard all the time. Except when I sent Thomas to be fixed. Buster was done but I wanted Thomas done too. It was an adventure he didn't like. He didn't want to be away from Buster and Buster spent the night crying and looking for his buddy. When I picked him up the next morning I was god again, at least in his eyes. I came back for him!
That was the only night I spent away from Thomas the whole 8 years he was here.
That year him and Buster disappeared from the backyard. I was freaked out! I walked the neighborhood. Called the police, called animal control, even called my vet. No one had seen them. Lady and I walked all around, her sniffing and making sure she left her scent so she could find her way back. I yelled till I couldnt yell anymore. Then each time I got back without them I cried. Where were my boys? What has happened to them? Why had no one seen them? It's not like you could hide 2 big dogs from everyone's site right? After 2 weeks there was a knock at the front door. I didn't answer it, William did. He just flung open the door and let them in. They found their way back! Thomas had knocked on the door to be let in. They had both lost weight but were in pretty good shape. Still took them to the vet to be sure they were ok. Was the longest 2 weeks I had ever been through. After that I trained them to come to me with a whistle to get a cookie. And by god it worked like a charm!
Thomas had some minor health issues, like any normal dog. He was fine as long as I was here and his buddy with by his side. We did checkups without much fan fare. Neither gave the vet a hard time about blood or stool samples. It was all part of what mom wanted. He was on heart worm preventative. And took that when it was offered. He took so many different meds for his hips and pain he was just about open his mouth without me touching him.
Many trips to the vet ended in a side trip to meet new folks. Thomas was a hit at the State Farm office. A big dog that didn't try to eat anyone and just sat next to me with all the ladies getting their turn at petting him. We showed everyone he could shake hands, they all loved that. Only one was scared of dogs, and his size made him even more scary. But I knew he wouldn't hurt anyone. He just sat there and took all the love and attention everyone gave. The one scared lady had to be helped to just touch him. He sat there quietly waiting for that hand to pet him. He never moved so she wouldn't miss. That day she found out not all dogs bite or yell. Some like Thomas just sit and enjoy life. He was a sweetie and got a cookie for being a good boy.
About 3 years ago I was at home, not that I go anywhere far anyways. Went to bed like any other night. The boys were quiet, like they usually were. Seemed like everything was about perfect.
Got up the next morning, no boys at the door for breakfast? how could this be?
So I go out in the yard looking. And there was Thomas laying next to his buddy trying to wake him up. God it was heart breaking to see him that upset. I cried, Thomas was unhappy. I hugged him for hours it seemed. Lady, my other dog, went to be with him. They would just lay next to each other all the time. You could tell he missed his buddy.
After about a month of lady being with Thomas all the time I decided to find another dog. Let me look at some rescues that need homes and maybe we can find something I explained to Thomas and Lady. No other dog will take either of your places but we got room and love for another kids, dont ya think? So for the next few weeks the hunt was on. I saw big dogs, little dogs, some looked like they had been beaten. All looked like they needed a home but it didn't hit me till I saw Bullet. Now mind you I had a male dog at home, and looking at another male dog. I knew it would work. And it did. Thomas took to Bullet like they had been old friends thier whole lives!
Thomas had days he had trouble walking around. He always had his tail wagging for me. On the days I knew he was having trouble he got his meds and in a few hours he was out chasing squirrels again. He spent lots of hours yelling at cats, yes he hated them. More than once I had to get a dead cat out of the yard so he wouldn't try to roll in it....yuck! One morning he was barking and trying to get in the barn. So I went to see what all the fuss was about. A young cat had snuck into the barn. I figured the cat would leave on it's own. But it didn't. It ran right towards Thomas, that was a bad idea cat. He grabbed the cat around the ribcage and shook his head till it was dead. I tried to stop him, but he was much stronger than I am. I gave him what for, told him the cats were to look at and not kill. Like he's gonna listen and understand what I was talking about, tail wagging the whole time. Was the last time I saw him touch a cat.
About a year ago he was sun bathing, like normal. But I could see his heart beating in his chest. I watched him for about 20 mins. He seemed to be outta breath too. Ok this is too weird, so I called the vet. Bring him in as soon as you can. So off to the vet we went. Vet wasn't sure if it was the heat or what was going on and wanted to check before he would tell me anything.
Have you ever tried to put a great dane on an exam table that is smaller than he is? I had to be there so he would stay put. The vet ran an EKG, I know that just sounds weird. He left the room with the strip in his hand and went to his office to make a call. He called a cardiologist to let her see what was on the strip. Faxed her the strip and waited for her to say what she thought. I stayed with him the whole time, holding his paw so he wouldn't move. She asked for a second strip to be faxed. Ok now she has 2 strips, what was she thinking? After about forever, or so it seemed the vet came back in to tell me his heart was missing a part of the full heart beat. I gave my huh look and listened. He explained there are 4 parts to a heart beat and the first part was missing. I'm thinking dear lord how can that be fixed? Then he says " we can put him on meds to fix that and his heart rate because it's too fast" He was wearing out his heart trying to make up for the lost part of his heartbeat. Ok doc we'll give it a shot. He had 2 meds for me to give him. Said just pick them up at any pharmacy.
Thomas was glad to be home again. He was still a little wobbly but seems ok. I ran off to the pharmacy at Walmart to get his meds. All I can say is this, who puts morons working in a pharmacy? The script said Animal Clinic across the top, so they should know it's for an animal right? HELL NO! was a fight right from the start to get those meds without talking to the vet every freaking time! When I would pick then up was always the same question with the same answer. Date of birth, I dont know when the bitch whelped him. Followed by the same look of horror. I cussed? no ma'am that wasn't a cuss that is what a female dog is called. He is a dog, not a person. Then I had to sign so they wouldn't put child proof caps on, like they work anyways.
After a week of the heart meds I noticed he was putting on weight? how could that be? So on the phone with the vet again. Bring him in and we'll have a look, he said. So off to the vet we go again. This time there was no waiting. He took one look at him and got on the phone. Back on the table again! My poor back was not liking this even a little. The vet opened a drawer and pulled out a needle, gonna see what is in there. Ok lets see. It was water, clear water! So he's not bleeding inside, that's good right? Doc says "yes and no" now what the hell kinda answer is that? Seems his heart pills had made him put on water weight. Ok so how do we get this off?
More meds. You explain to the pharmacy he has to have water pills and I'll go pick them up.
He gives me the how many pills to give how many times a day and I was off. Back to the pharmacy and that stupid question again right along with the horror look. Do these folks never read what's in front of them? OY!
I get the dog and pills home. Gave him the first dose and sent him out to play. At first he just peed and peed and peed, try watching that without laughing. Then he would run over to the dog pool and get a drink and it would start over, pee pee pee. By nite fall he was all good and had calmed down and settled in to snooze the night away. The first day was the worse on those pills. Once he got the water moving outta his system he was all good again. A little slower with the extra weight but all good. After a couple of weeks of following exact directions on meds he was back to his old happy self again. I little less water to carry around made him happy again. Then he was back on the I hate cats kick again.
He had to get that cat, and the cat would strut around like ha ha you can't get me. He would yelled till I went out and chased the cat off. The one night he escaped the yard, how? we searched the fence line till I found the spot and had William fix it. Thinking it was all good again I went to bed. That night he must have seen another cat and went under the fence again! Good lord Thomas you gotta stop this, I hate to tie you but you leave me no choice. You have to stay in the yard.
The next morning I get up to find Thomas in the neighbors yard! yes he was still hooked to the cable but he went under the fence! So I go back in the house, grab the leash and go get him. He was all happy mom was here to set him free again. Another lecture on leaving the yard, fed him his breakfast and his meds and put him back in the yard only I moved the cable so he wouldn't reach the fence. Who's the smart one now? We spent days putting fence on the ground attached to the chain link so they can't just go under it. Covered it with dirt, and kept him tied for another few days. Finally he gave up going after the cats. Thank god!
Everyday, no matter what I was doing, he got his meds. I would be playing wizard, see the clock and say so sorry but Thomas comes before this game, I'll be back after I take care of him. The folks I played with a lot knew where I was going and about how long it would take. They just giggled and waited for me to get back. New folks got told where I was or just shut up and wait for her to get back. It was something they all knew was gonna happen no matter what or where I was. Everyone got used to it.
About a month ago he started acting slower than normal. Sleeping more and not wanting to eat. I got past the I dont wanna eat thing with cheese. He would sit next to his bowl and wait for me to sprinkle it on, sniff sniff and he would eat. He really didn't enjoy his cookies like he used to, figured he was slowing down on them and that was ok. Cookies are a treat not his main food.
On March 3rd he didn't want his cookie, now that was weird. A dog turn down a cookie? So I watched him. He seemed ok. Slept in his house with his buddy like normal. He still got his meds, but seemed to be putting on weight again, water again? are his meds not right? what is going on?
March 4th, he didnt wanna eat anything, gave him his meds and sent him outside. He went and slept in the sun, but I could see his heart was beating kinda hard. So I watched him. He napped some and walked around some. Then went in his house with Bullet and had a fight! They never had a real fight, mostly wrestling. But he had a tooth mark in his forehead! So Bullet got tied to make sure Thomas was safe. I dont know what caused the fight and wasnt going to take a chance of anyone else getting hurt. Thomas went to the other side of the yard and laid down.
That just bugged me. Why did they fight? So I bring Thomas in to check his wound from the fight. I noticed he had blown up with looked like water even more than before. I call the vet. He's not in the office on Sundays but you can leave a message, so I did. I then called the emergency vet, that woman thought I was nuts! So I waited for the vet to call me back. I kept Thomas in the house with me. He followed from the kitchen to the living room and laid down next to Lady's house. The vet called me back, I explained what had happened with the fight and how he looked. While on the phone he was breathing hard like he couldn't catch his breath. I talked for about 5 mins and had decided to bring him in to see if there was something that could be done.
I was running around getting everything together. Talking to him so he could hear my voice the whole time. Leash check, seat belt check, phone, coffee smokes ...I'm ready to go. I walk over to him and he's not moving! I tried to shake him to wake him, nothing. Called his name at the top of my lungs, nothing. So I called the vet back, he's not moving I said. He says check his eyes.
Ok So I touched his eye, nothing. The vet says, it's too late, he's gone. I just burst out crying.
My god why did you take him? He was a good boy and loved me. I can honestly say I tried. I didnt want him to go. But he was gone.
I took off his collar and put it on his picture. Then told William we need to get him outta the living room. The whole time crying my eyes out for this dog I loved. I went and got a bag to put him in. William put him in the bag and put him out on the porch. I cleaned up where he had messed when he passed away.
None of the other dogs were there, I made sure they wouldn't see him after he died.
So this story should explain why I've been so stand off ish to everyone for the last month. I still cry because I miss him and will for the rest of my life.
