<p>Berurah,
Thoughts and prayers for a full and easy recovery for Patch. Pets are so special to us…they give us their all and ask for nothing. How anyone could be so heartless and cruel is beyond compreshension. My heart goes out to your entire family, Patch included.</p>
<p>I came to the Cafe to see how Patch was doing. We have a 6 year old Golden Retreiver that thinks he is still a puppy. I dont’ know what we would do if something happened to him. I’ve been appreciating him a little bit more since hearing about your dog. Hope your family has a good evening.</p>
<p>Berurah, just wondering, how is he doing?</p>
<p>Big hugs and best wishes for a speedy recovery for Patch. Sadie, our corgi, sends her love, too.</p>
<p>I wonder if it’s possible that because of all the snow and ice on the road, the driver thought he had just gotten a piece of ice or something stuck underneath. 
At least it would give me some slight consolation to think so. Sending more hugs and virtual treats along to Patch. Here’s hoping he lives up to his name and feels all “patched” up soon!</p>
<p>Berurah, I so very much hope your doggie gets better. My bunny also sends good wishes (even though she is scared of dogs), because she remembers how kind you were when she was sick. :)</p>
<p>Hi b and “woof” to patches,
Hope that things are going well for patches and that he is not in too much pain. Hang in there b and family and patches. We love the four-legged creatures who give so much unconditional love and expect very little in return…a scratch on the head, some food, a nice warm place to sleep, a little attention…</p>
<p>Hi again, my friends~</p>
<p>I <em>SO</em> wish that I had something more positive to share with you all. Your loving messages and beautiful sentiments have continued to sustain us during this stressful and worrisome time.</p>
<p>We were very disappointed this morning to see no improvement in Patch. He still has virtually no use of his hind legs. It is <em>really</em> hard for me to express how heartwrenching it is to see him in this condition. He’s SUCH a sweet and loving dog, and my heart is just BREAKING to see him so incapacitated. :(</p>
<p>The vet wanted him to come back in and stay for a few days there. He is apparently needing to have daily cortisone injections, and it is much easier for him to be cared for there in this state as the cortisone makes him extremely thirsty and he’s constantly drinking, so he has to frequently get out to the bathroom, which is extremely difficult right now, as you can imagine. <em>sigh</em></p>
<p>I had a long talk with the vet this a.m. He really has no way of giving us a prognosis. He’s not entirely sure what caused the relapse because he was doing BEAUTIFULLY at the end of last week. He said that what happened to Patch was akin to a 72-year old person’s falling and breaking a hip and then seeming to recover, only to suffer complications and relapse. The problem could be caused by inflammation in the spinal cord area, or he could have some compressed discs. No way of knowing at the moment…the x-rays revealed nothing significant.</p>
<p>In the worst case, Patch’s condition won’t improve, and then, our only option would be surgery that 1.) might not be effective, 2.) would be VERY hard on a 13-year-old dog (he might not be able to survive such intrusive surgery), and 3.) would cost an ung-dly amount of money for a family like ours. I really can’t even go here yet mentally and emotionally, but it’s hard for me not to ask “what if?”.</p>
<p>It just seems like such a cruel trick of nature that he could have appeared to be making such an excellent recovery–and then relapse like this. I just feel like we had such HIGH false hopes, only to have them shattered.</p>
<p>I just want to let each and every one of you know how very much your support has meant and continues to mean to all of us here, menagerie included. </p>
<p>We are <em>SO</em> hoping for some positive news by tomorrow. I’ll update as soon as I talk to the vet’s office. Tomorrow is D2K3’s 16th birthday (and this coming Sunday is mine–well, not my 16th! 
). Patch’s recovery is all that each of us wants…it would truly be a gift of the highest order. </p>
<p>With much love and gratitude, ~berurah et al</p>
<p>Sorry to hear that. If he doesn’t get better, I suggest taking him to the Kansas State vet school hospital. No offense to your vet, but serious surgery might be better handled there.</p>
<p>I am so sorry to read of your dogs health problems-
Ican tell what a well loved member of the family he is.
We are thinking of you.</p>
<p>Berurah, I’m so sorry to hear that you have this terrible waiting time . . . and the possibility of terrible decisions. Know that you will do the thing that is best for Patch AND your family, whatever it is.</p>
<p>Berurah … I am sorry to hear that things don’t seem to be going well. What my vet has said to me in similar situations – and what I say to my friends and acquaintances at this point – </p>
<p>“Listen, not to your own heart, but to your beloved pet. He will tell you what to do, and you must speak for him.”</p>
<p>Thank you for the update. I am sorry that it isn’t good news now. Still keeping Patch and you and your family in heart and mind.</p>
<p>Hope your night goes well and the morning brings some positive changes.</p>
<p>our family has had a dog hit by a car and i know how heart-wrenching it can be … sending positive e-vibes … do keep us updated!</p>
<p>I’m so sorry Patch isn’t recovering as well as you had hoped. I hope you get much better news Wednesday.</p>
<p>Berurah, very sorry to see this, can you share more re the surgery matter?</p>
<p>Good luck to Patch from me, Stormy, Molly, Woody, Abby, Saturn, Venus, Neptune, Tootie, Bug, Snowshoe, Percy, and AJ, all rescues ('cept me 
).</p>
<p>Charly (120 pound Golden) sends a big lick to Patch.</p>
<p>And there has been no change in Patch’s condition. It has now been 48 hours since he began receiving the cortisone injections again. I was really hoping for some reponse by now. We will be going out to see him as soon as possible. We’re getting hit with yet ANOTHER snow storm this morning, so it may be later on this afternoon before we can navigate the roads (the vet’s office is between our little town and the next one). I thank you all again for your thoughts and good wishes for Patch. I know this seems silly, but I’m printing out this thread to tack on the wall in Patch’s area at the vet’s. At this point, I’m willing to try anything!</p>
<p>{{{{{grateful hugs}}}}} to each and every one of you and soft caresses to your wonderful assortment of furry (or feathered or finned or scaled) friends.</p>
<p>love, ~berurah</p>