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Saturday, July 6, 2013

This and that.

It's that time of year where I travel to parks to give them a hand.  What does that really mean?  I'm behind on blogs and commenting!  Please don't forget about us - I will stop by and say hi when I can.

I just returned from Cedar Breaks National Monument.  If you are traveling through Utah, this park is definitely worth a detour.  It was beautiful and a complete change from the desert I am so used to.
The geological aspect of the park - the "ampitheater"...
When I arrived last Monday, the temperature was 60 degrees and rainy - a drastic change from the 118 degrees we were having at home.
These lovely meadows were everywhere!
We saw lots of folks with dogs - and it made me wish I could have brought Sam, Monty and Harlow along with.  They would have loved being here!
This pup made sure you left a good tip for your waiter!
 I did find the perfect beer for Golden owners - and bought one bottle for its label....
How awesome is this label?
....and now a Sam update...

Aaron and I brought Sam to the orthopedic vet on Friday.  We felt that this specialist listened closely to our concerns.  Sam was having a good day and wasn't showing too many symptoms, but the vet agreed that many of his symptoms could not be explained by his diagnosis of "tendonitis in his shoulder".  He discussed what our options were, and then gave us the best options for Sam since our boy is an older pup.  We will be bringing him in on the 15th for a cortisone injection in his shoulder joint, as well as a needle aspiration of a lump on his neck and a chest x-ray.  The lump has previously shown to be nothing, but the vet would like to rule out any possibilities of cancer causing these issues.  The cortisone injection will help us determine if it really is an issue in his shoulder as well as get him off of the Prednisone.  We will be weaning him off of the Prednisone during the next week in preparation of the shot.  We will then be doing follow up with a physical therapist.  While the vet didn't give us the cure-all we were hoping for, we felt that he has Sam's best interest at heart and appreciate the fact that he talked to us honestly and openly.  Hopefully, after the 15th, we will have some idea of how we manage Sam's issues. 
Rain in the summertime?  Gotta stick the shnooter out the window!
One thing that made us smile was he complimented us on the care and concern we have given Sam.  How could we not?  After all, he is our Sam.

29 comments:

  1. That all sounds positive, and we will be crossing all our paws and hooves that the new treatment will bring Sam some good relief.

    Woofs,
    Tommy (plus the Chans and the Vs)

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  2. We are so impressed with how many great treatments there are today in veterinary medicine. Paws crossed.

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  3. Glad you found a vet who listens and is thinking things through, instead of a prescription for more meds.

    Love the beer label!

    Wyatt's mom

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  4. We sure hope everything works out! Go, Sam!
    Camo!

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  5. Yea Sam!!! Nice smiles here knowing how much your family cares, and knowing the new vet recognizes that.
    We are awaiting good reports after the 15th!

    Road trip sounds LOVELY! With dogs, of course!

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  6. Now that is the coolest label! Mom wishes she could have that with her pizza tonight!
    Our paws are crossed for you, Sam!

    Love ya lots♥
    Mitch and Molly

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  7. We too hope you manage to find a good treatment for Sam. Our paws are crossed. No worries we will see you when we see you. Have a super Saturday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  8. Sounds like a great plan for Mr. Sam! And what a beautiful park!

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  9. Aww, glad you have a good orthopedist who actually listens to you! We hope the cortisone injection helps him out. I know that when I (Elyse, not Riley!) get them in my hips, they really help me out! Hoping the lump is still nothing, but good to know the doctor is being thorough!

    Love those pics from the park in Utah! And that dog on the roof was so funny! Wonder how he got up there?

    Elyse (and Riley)

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  10. Good luck on the 15th. I am glad the specialist really listened to you. Those are some beautiful pictures too.

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  11. So glad you found a doctor who will listen to you and has some suggestions. We've been thinking about Sam and will keep our paws crossed.

    Garth

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  12. SHE's having her next cortisone injection on the 19th hope Sam's is as successful as HER last one 9 months ago. Of course SHE's not a pup.

    XXXOOO Daisy, Bella &Roxy

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  13. Hi friends!! Hope you had a very happy and safe 4th! Dropping off some woofs & huggies for everyone, especially Sam. <3

    ~Bailey (Yep, I'm a girl!)

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  14. The parks are really beautiful--What a great thing to be able to go and see and enjoy their beauty!

    I'm glad that you've found a good specialist that you trust to help guide you through everything with Sam--It truly makes a difference, and I will hope that the answers will be found--Until then, we're sending positive vibes in your direction for him!

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  15. Oh yes we have been to Cedar Breaks. It is indeed beautiful. And right at this very moment we have a six pack of Chasing Tail in the frig. Glad the specialist is a good one. Hope this will help Sam out.
    Blessings,
    Goose

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  16. What a good vet, to recognize excellent parents! We sure hope once he gets the cortizone it gives him significant relief.

    You are lucky to visit so many beautiful places and we are quite impressed with the beer find too!!

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  17. Did the berry nice Bet Man realize that he whas in the bresence ob...
    The Sam, BIG LBBMBAWKH???

    [Berry Imbortant Golden Lubbed Berry Berry Much By All Wheu Know Him]

    Iff knot, I cood write a letter on behalf ob his fan club. Juss let me know.

    wif lubbs from Little Reufus

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  18. If nothing else it sounds like you and Sam are in good hands with this specialist. We're still praying for Sam's miracle. Paws crossed.

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  19. I am happy to hear you found a good specialist who listens to you about Sam. It's good to hear some good news.

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  20. Awww Sam, we hope the treatment brings you some relief budddie..Just love the bottle, wish they did one with me on it :) xx0xx

    Mollie and Alfie

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  21. Great pictures - what a cool place to visit!

    I like the sound of that vet! Keep us posted on Sam and I'll be praying for him!

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  22. It sounds as though Sam has found a vet who understands and is going to make progress. The White Dog Army send Sam their softest woos of comfort and their strongest healing energies.

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  23. Paws crossed that it all goes well with the new vet

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  24. Good to know that Sam is okay, the vet sounds very positive.

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  25. Good to hear someone actually listen. Hope for the best. Saw that beer at Goose blog too. Mom will look for that in the store. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar

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  26. Live day by day adorable Sam.. x x x

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  27. Good thoughts for all of you. It sounds like you have found a great vet to work with in a good partnership.

    Bentley (and Bentley's humans)

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  28. Sam I hope the shot will help you and that you're back to normal soon. Until then, enjoy the ride!

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  29. Hi Sam - just popping in to see how you are. We've been thinking about you every day even though we haven't had the chance to come visit...I'm glad to hear that you're getting more vet opinions and investigating further. I really hope the shot will help and knock this silly shoulder problem on its head, It's just been dragging on and on and must be making your humans really stressy!!

    Also, I thought I'd mention that I'm also on Prednisone - but just as eyedrops into my remainign eye, to keep inflammation down (so lower the risk of glaucoma). I was only on 1 drop per day but recently, the vet suggested my humans uip it to twice a day - and now my humans have noticed that I seem to be drinking & peeing more too! I'm getting a blood test & urine test to double check if it's anything "sinister" but it was interesting to hear that you had similar symptoms too. I don't have any of the other symptoms though - I'm still eating well & being active and alert & playing ^& enjoygin my walks...but then, I guess having eye drops is a lot less than what you're having!

    Keeping all paws crossed for the 15th!

    Slobbers,
    Honey the Great Dane

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