Athena 08-132

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Athena is a 5 year old girl who made the trip up from Iowa yesterday. She and two other goldens were surrendered due to the owner's health issues. She puts no weight at all on her left rear leg. We have no vet records on her, so I took her in to be seen today.

The vet took x rays and said the problem is in her hip. It looks like she will need hip surgery. We are waiting for an orthopedic surgeon to look at the films. She is now on a pain relief medicine as well as an anti inflammatory. Both ears have a yeast infection, so she is getting ointment for that too. Other than hip and ears she appears to be in good health. She has lovely clean white teeth.

She is very friendly and easy to handle. Last night after her LONG trip up from Iowa she was very patient with me while I gave her a bath. She has growled at my resident dogs a couple of times, but who can blame her? She was just letting them know not to crowd her as she has a painful hip. She gets along with them just fine. I crated her last night and while she did not want to go in the crate, so was good all night long.

She weighs 70 lbs and is a lovely red color with curls! She loves attention and will be a great dog for someone who likes to pet! 

   

At a Glance #08-132

Golden Retriever Born: May 2002
Female 70 lbs

Status: Deceased

Profile

Athena is a 5 year old girl who made the trip up from Iowa yesterday. She and two other goldens were surrendered due to the owner's health issues. She puts no weight at all on her left rear leg. We have no vet records on her, so I took her in to be seen today.

The vet took x rays and said the problem is in her hip. It looks like she will need hip surgery. We are waiting for an orthopedic surgeon to look at the films. She is now on a pain relief medicine as well as an anti inflammatory. Both ears have a yeast infection, so she is getting ointment for that too. Other than hip and ears she appears to be in good health. She has lovely clean white teeth.

She is very friendly and easy to handle. Last night after her LONG trip up from Iowa she was very patient with me while I gave her a bath. She has growled at my resident dogs a couple of times, but who can blame her? She was just letting them know not to crowd her as she has a painful hip. She gets along with them just fine. I crated her last night and while she did not want to go in the crate, so was good all night long.

She weighs 70 lbs and is a lovely red color with curls! She loves attention and will be a great dog for someone who likes to pet! 

   

Updates

Monday, July 14, 2008

Athena is doing remarkable for a dog with bone cancer. We have been going as often as we can to a nearby lake for an early morning swim. You should see Athena swim out after the ball. She loves it and I think it is good therapy for her leg. We usually meet another friend and his retriever named Bo, and it’s a contest to see who can get to the ball first. Once there were two balls in the water and Athena held one in her mouth and pushed the other one with her nose all the way back to shore. It was so funny to watch her.

She eats good, sleeps good and takes 30 minute walks daily with her foster dad and her two resident sisters. Her favorite place to sleep is right outside our bedroom door with her belly against the wall. Strange position, but guess it works for her. I know it might sound crazy to some, but I have been doing a therapy called Healing Touch to Athena’s cancerous leg. I figure it can’t hurt, and of course I keep hoping her cancer will miraculously go away. She still takes 3 pain pills in the morning and 3 at night.

We have fallen in love with this beautiful, spirited, courageous girl and have applied to adopt her. What’s one more dog? The more the merrier! I have attached some recent photos of her.

Her foster mom & dad & Athena

   
   

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Hi from Athena, the wonder dog. We can’t explain it, but this girl continues to thrive, despite her cancer in her left leg and hip. She’s been with us for about 5 weeks now. She weighs in at 77 pounds, loves her long walks, plays like she’s a puppy with her golden buddy named Bo, and eats like a horse. She hates vacuum cleaners but is calm as can be in a thunderstorm. Go figure.

She had x-rays 2 weeks ago and the cancer apparently is growing, but you would never know it by her. She takes her pain pills in the morning and night with peanut butter, of course, and that helps to keep her going. Her favorite toy is an orange ball that she loves to play “keep away” from Bo. Here’s a picture where she actually dropped the ball and took time out to clean Bo’s ears. Now that’s a friend!

We don’t know how long Athena will be with us, but each day is a blessing to have her. So for now, we will continue to give her the best life she can have and let her know she is loved. We’ll keep you posted on her progress.

Athena’s foster mom & dad,
Jill and Keith

   
   

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Athena came into her new foster home and into our hearts about 3 weeks ago. She has osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer, in her left back leg. She has learned to walk and run on her 3 good legs and she keeps up well with our other 2 resident dogs. She is such a sweetheart and gets that tail of hers really wagging when it’s time for a walk. She fetches the tennis ball, climbs the stairs (carpeted stairs), and chases me around the yard like a young pup.

She takes her pain pills (with a dab of peanut butter, which she loves) around the clock and she seems very comfortable. I think we have found the right combination for her. I keep hoping that the cancer will just somehow fade away because she seems so healthy otherwise.

She greets us at the top of the stairs with Molly and Stella, her foster sisters. She gets lots of hugs and kisses from everyone she meets and she returns the kisses. She’s a happy girl and is enjoying her life, and that’s what it is all about. One day at a time and we sure love having her around. Thanks for following this gentle gal’s story and we will keep you posted.

Athena’s foster mom and dad

   

 

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Happy April Fools DAY.

Athena is hanging in there – we just wanted to send a few pictures to let you know that she is now taking care of Max and Rocky. She feels like she must make everyone feel loved. What a nice girl.

 
Max (back), Rocky (front), Athena (right)

  

 
Athena and Max

Friday, March 28, 2008

Athena has had a couple of great days and continues to amaze us with her excellent attitude. Athena has allowed us to bring in three fosters since she has been here. She makes sure they all know that under no circumstances are dogs allowed to play by her. Once the foster dogs and Sophee understands and follow this rule. We are good to go.

Athena has been doing a lot of hopping and no longer really uses her bad leg, but that is fine, she is getting along great on three legs, actually better than when she was trying to use all four.

I have added just a few more pictures, but all is great and we continue to thank everyone who watches her. We have no idea how long she has, so we continue to just let her hang out. However, if there was a special family that would like to love her, we would be willing to share.

The one picture I have attached has Athena, Max, Rocky, Sophee and Mistee – only dog we are missing is Coal in this one. Maybe that will be tonight at bed time!

Thanks for watching her, she is a lovely lady.

   

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

I just had to share these pictures of Athena and Sophee. But the best part is where all the fur kids sleep at night – Add that Max (06-557) is spending some days and night here too; it gets a little crowded in our bedroom. But that is the way we love it here. Bacon (08-149), Mistee Bubbles, Sophee Bear and Coal are all in this picture along with Athena (08-132)

Hope you enjoy these!

   

 

Friday, March 21, 2008

Angelina is doing so well, we are thinking about tapering her meds down just a tad since she is doing so well. She is actually using her leg just a little more and she seems to be comfortable. Now is this because of the meds or because she LOVEs the snow? Not really sure but she was sure having a great day in the snow.

If Rick is able to go to the Highland PetCo event with me we will bring both Bacon and Angelina to meet everyone from 11 to 12. So please come out and see us!

   

Monday, March 17, 2008

Angelina fell today and I am very worried that we are getting closer and closer to the time and it is moving way too fast. Bacon and Angelina have become inseparable and constantly make sure each other is okay.

They sleep on the same blankets; they eat next to each other and they potty outside. They even moan at the same time, it is like they are reassuring each other that things will be okay.

Please keep them both in your thoughts and keep your paws crossed for Angelina’s best friend Bacon 08-149. Bacon is looking at the camera and Angelina is saying I am too tired to look.

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Angelina is hanging out at the hospice center in Apple Valley (our house!) and doing well now that we upped her meds to the max. She for the most part eats fine, takes her meds great with cottage cheese and is greeting us at the door 90% of the time. I like it when she does that. She was hoping to go to PetSmart yesterday but just did not feel well at all – so she had to stay home while we went and visited all the dogs. When we got home she was not at the door, but later she was feeling much better.

Angelina is going to get a new foster brother at the house, Bacon 08-149 is going to come and hang out for a few days. We are going to see how it goes, we know we can not stress Angelina out and she has to come first for the time she has left.

Here are some new pictures of Angelina and thanks for thinking of her!

Foster mom and dad

   

Saturday, March 8, 2008

Athena came home with me a week ago from Ottumwa, IA and went to her first foster home since I could not keep her at the time. Athena has had a tough couple of days and had lots of tests to go through to see what her real medical condition is. Athena will be going in to have a biopsy done on her back hip to see what is really going on back there. I asked her current foster if I could have her back since I fell in love with her on our ride home. I talked to them (Athena, Venus and Zeus) all the way home and told them I would make sure everyone was cared for and given lots of love. Her first mom could only keep her for a week, so she was willing to give me the pleasure of Athena’s company.

So what do we really know about Athena – not a whole lot, she is in need of more medical attention for the back leg, does that mean surgery (at the very least she will need surgery), does it mean cancer, it's possible and that is what we need to find out. It looks like the back hip was broken when she was around 1 year of age and never treated and that is part of her medical issues. Athena grew up with an older gentleman that was put into an assisted living situation and could not keep his dogs. He did love and care for these dogs, they all came in up to date on shots, they all had a city license and all were pretty well groomed.

Athena arrived at our house around 2 and met the two Newfs (Mistee Bubbles and Coal) without any issues, she even met Sophee Bear the Rescue Golden with tail wags and a bit of good old fashion talking. Athena wants everyone to be careful around her since she is in pain and it looks like all the girls are respecting her on that one. I took some more pictures and wanted to give you an update that Athena is now at her permanent foster home. We are not sure of her status, but she will continue to thrive while she is waiting on her test results. We will give you another update in a day or so to tell you how things are going. Plus next weekend we will be attending the PetSmart event. I think it is important to socialize Athena even though we do not know her status, so feel free to come and give her a kiss and wish her well!

Welcome Home Athena.