I think it's my time to say good-bye

I'm sorry I haven't written the last few months...Mama got so busy with work that we let our blogging slip. It was a nice autumn - I enjoyed the nice sunny days with Mama and Auntie Val and Lillian.  Lillian went to obedience school again, which was nice for her.  


The past month or so, I've been sleeping more and more during the day.  One day, last week, Auntie Val texted Mama to tell her that I didn't get up until 2:45!  Then, yesterday, I started not feeling well...I didn't get up so Auntie Val brought my dinner upstairs to me.  I only ate about half.  I've been coughing a lot and last night I had a hard time walking - I couldn't stand up on my back legs and the laminate floor in the dining room was giving me a hard time.  Mama said I was listing, too, whatever that means.  Mama had to carry me up the stairs to my bed in the bedroom.  I feel a little anxious and find it hard to settle down.  Mama didn't sleep much at all last night because she was listening to my breathing and my moving around. She's been very sad yesterday and today.  I keep telling her not to be because I had a nice time here with her and Lillian and Auntie Val, and Maggie when she was alive.  


I think I'm kind of tired now.  Mama says I don't have the same light in my eyes anymore, no more pep in the step.  I'm sad to go because I liked it here a lot.  It was a nice home with other dogs and nice people (who were occasionally annoyed because my big head was in everything), and my own soft bed at night in a warm room with other sleeping people.  I had a nice time in the Spring when we met Auntie Val for the first time and an even better time this summer when I got to lay in the grass in the sun on those beautiful days while Mama and Auntie Val worked in the yard.  The Fall got a little gloomier, but it was okay, too.  But I think I'm tired and it might just be time to say good-bye to all you nice people.


Mama keeps telling me that there will be all kinds of other dogs I will meet where I am going.  She says that you all love me very much and that there are a bunch of dogs and people who will meet me where I am going.  I've really appreciated all the attention and love everyone has shown me since Auntie Erica and Auntie Ali found me in New York last Winter.  Mama was hoping I would make it through to the Spring again, but I don't think I can.    Mama knew that when I first came here, that it would be a little bit of a crapshoot about how long I would be able to stick around.  She's said before she didn't think I would make it this far.  But I did!  That's how I roll.


So from the bottom of my big heart, I want to thank you all for all you've done for me.  I had a nice several months that surely wouldn't have been possible without everyone's help.  Mama is very, very glad she had the chance to take care of me, even if I did poop on the floor sometimes.  She says she learned a lot from me about how even old dogs can love and be loved...she says she's kind of an old dog, so it helped her learn that it was okay to love Auntie Val.  She says she's not sure if she would have taken the chance if it hadn't been for me!  So I got to be an important dog, after all!  I am grateful beyond measure.


All My Love, 
Henry

Sadness

Mama went on a car ride with Maggie on Friday, but Maggie didn't come home with Mama.  Saturday morning, Mama and Auntie Val went on a car ride together and when they came back, they were both very sad.  They tried to explain it to me and Lillian, something about Maggie was really sick and she wasn't going to get better no matter what they did.  Mama cries a lot now.  She's wishing she had spent more time with all of us this summer and worrying that Maggie was sick longer than just a week.  I try to cheer her up with my patented fall-on-the-floor-and-roll-on-my-back routine, and that works sometimes.  I also try to remind her that we had lots of nice days laying in the sun outside.  I think she needs to lighten up a little, but I'm not sure she's ready.


Lillian doesn't know what to do either - she keeps looking around the house.  She even came to sit down on me this morning, something she always did to Maggie, but never with me.  I didn't mind.  I just sat there.  Anyway, we're a pack of two now...and I'm not getting any younger, though you'd never know it to look at me.  Mama changed my Dogbook profile picture the other day because I don't look like I did when they first rescued me.  I look like a real dog now.  


Well, I gotta get a nap on here...
Cheers, 
H

After the Party

On Friday, Mama and Auntie Val had a lot of people come to the yard to see the garden...they called it a garden party.  Maggie and Lillian and I couldn't really hang out much with the people because there was too much going on for Mama to keep an eye on us and host at the same time, so we stayed in our crates while all the excitement happened.  Each of us did get out at some point or other, but by the time I got to be outside, it was dark.  Oh well.  


Anyway, on Saturday, Mama and Auntie Val slowed it all down a notch - they've had a busy, busy time lately with all their traveling and construction, and whatnot.  They sat on the couch and talked quietly for some time.  While they did that, Maggie laid down on the dog bed...then I laid down next to her...and eventually, even Lillian came and laid down with us.  Here's our picture (taken by Auntie Val):

Usually, the ladies don't pay me much attention or they just up and leave...I guess I don't smell that bad anymore!


Cheers, 
H

I love my life...

I haven't written in quite some time, and I'm very sorry.  I've been busy, hanging out in the yard with Mama and Auntie Val.  They built a garden together and now Mama seems to be tearing out shrubs and putting up a fence.  She's kind of crazy, since she's digging post holes in 90 degree temperatures while I sit with Maggie and Lillian in the shade.   You can see me lying here in the distance behind the giant pumpkin plant...

Then, those two came inside and started tearing out a wall to make something called a closet.  I don't know what that is, but it is making a mess.  They seem quite excited about it, but I just wanted to be near my Mama, so Auntie Val brought in my bed to the room where they were working so I could sit near them.  I like to be near my people. 


I have to say, it is very nice to sit in the grass on a summer day, though I sure don't like it as hot as it's been.  Thankfully, Mama's house has central air conditioning.  But to sit in a yard on the grass in the sun is truly lovely.  People tell me that I look great, which is nice.  I pretty much look like a normal old dog now, not all skinny and whatnot.  Mama even cut my nails herself!  Mostly what I've been doing this summer is sleeping...it's nice to have soft beds to lay on.  


That's all for now...I'm going to take a nap,
Cheers!
H

Sittin' in the Sun...

So yesterday, I had the opportunity to sit with my Mama and Auntie Val in the driveway...they were having some coffee and I just like to be near my people.  Auntie Val really likes me a lot, so she took some pictures of me. I was staring at Mama Al in this picture...

And in this picture, I was enjoying myself in the sun.  

I sit down like an old man because my hips are in terrible shape, but I like to run around the yard and pee on my sisters.  I also like to throw myself around the bedroom and roll on the floor loudly while Mama is just going to sleep...it's quite fun!  I don't even think I remember New York City that much anymore - I am just glad to sit in the sun here in Michigan.
Cheers, 
h

Pep in the Step

Here's a video Mama Al took of me the other day...she wanted people to see what I look like now because she ran across a photo of me from the clink the other day and she can't believe I ever looked like that.  This is me now!

Cheers, 
 - h

Spring Has Sprung...

Well, I know it's been some time since I last wrote an update...Mama Al was away at a conference in New Orleans earlier this month and then she got really busy with work.  But what I am really excited about are two things - first, it's spring and the grass is starting to get green and I really like running around in the back yard. Granted, it's been rainy, but when the sun does come out, it sure is nice to have grass under my feet and sun on my face.  I'm so glad I came to live in Michigan, even though the winter was really long.

The other thing I am really excited about is the new human that comes around our house.  Her name is Valerie and she likes me a lot.  She takes me on walks sometimes and talks nicely to me.  She seems to like Mama Al a lot, too, which is why I think she comes over.  Mama Al likes her, too.

On a sad note, a couple of weeks ago, while Mama Al was away, my kitty-brother Sam was having trouble breathing.  Our nice housesitter took him to the vet, but Sam didn't come back...I learned that Sam had congestive heart failure and Mama made a decision to let Sam go.  She told me it made her sad and that she wished she could have been here with Sam because she doesn't like us to feel alone when it's our time.

Sorry to end on such a sad note, but it's time for bed...
cheers,
 h

Real mandogs...

don't each quiche.  Well, I would eat quiche if it were offered to me, but the point is that Mama Al spent most of Thursday and Friday last week trying to clean the house.  And I spent most of the time standing in the way...either standing in the middle of the room or right in front of the vacuum.  Mama Al kept swearing and yelling "Henry, you are SUCH a man!"  I'm not exactly sure what she means by that, but I guess after doing five loads of laundry and cleaning the bathroom, she wasn't in the bestest of moods...oh well...
Cheers, 
 - h

Can you smell the smell?

It's been about a week since I started sleeping with everyone upstairs and I am doing great!  I love it, really, being with everyone else.  I sleep on the floor to one side of the bed, Lillian sleeps in her nest on the other side of the bed and Maggie usually sleeps with Mama Al.  Sometimes, she even sleeps under the covers - I've seen her do it!  I can't get up on the bed, but that's okay.  My Pawrriffic Bed is up there and it's nice and warm.  I just don't want to feel alone. That said, I'm not a big snuggler, but I sure don't like being away from my people.


Mama Al told me the other day that I don't stink anymore.  I guess that's a good thing.  I've only had the one spritz bath, so she thinks it's probably my diet and supplements.  I take a 1000mg fish oil every day and also something called Glycoflex.  Everyone, even the cats, likes the Glycoflex...Sam nearly took Mama Al's finger off to get one of those chews the other day!  I have a couple of cups of Orijen Senior food for dinner every day.  So we think the moral of the story is that if you eat well, you smell better.  It kind of makes sense.  It's not to say that I'm completely without a smell, but I don't stink like I did when I lived with Mama Marisa...my system probably hadn't had enough time to switch from the lower quality food I was getting in the shelter and whatever I was scavenging prior to that.  Mama Marisa started me on Orijen and my supplements, so that's why I smell better now.  


So that's the update for today...I'm going to take a nap in the sun now...I'll catch up with you nice people later, okay?
Cheers!
 - h

Bunking with the Pack

Mama Al has finally caught on and last night, she let me come upstairs with Maggie and Lillian to go to sleep.  She even brought my bed up for me.  I settled right down and stayed asleep all night.  My bed is by the door and we left the bathroom light on so that I can see if I need to get down the stairs.  I prefer to be with everyone else and I am certainly glad that Mama Al caved...

So THIS is how the other half lives?!?!

It's been a while since I last wrote.  Since my surgery, I have been enjoying living here in Kalamazoo with my family.  Mama Al has been trying to spend more time around the house to keep me company and yesterday, Lillian actually sat next to me on my bed!  Maggie sometimes steals my bed, which confuses me, but I don't think she's being mean, I think she just likes the bed.  I don't really mind sharing.  


I get a little sad at night because everyone goes upstairs to go to bed and I have to stay downstairs.  That's pretty much the only bummer I have to report.  I can get up and down the stairs, but Mama Al says that it's not easy for me.  That's why she wants me to stay downstairs.  But I cry at about 4am every morning so Mama Al comes downstairs to let me out to potty and then she goes to sleep on the couch.  Maggie usually comes down, too.  I know it's not easy for her, but I sure appreciate it.  


S.E. Brown kitty is the only person here who seems to not like me.  It might have something to do with the fact that I stick my big fat head in her face and she hisses at me.  She smacked me in the face the other night, but I didn't take it personally.  There isn't much I take personally, really.  Mama Al dropped pie on me the other day and I just took it in stride.  That's how you gotta roll when you're my age.


Well, it's getting late here - I just wanted to check in with you nice people.  Thanks again to everyone who helped me get here - I like it.


Cheers, 
 - H

Nad-free and Lovin' It!

I couldn't write before today because our internet was out here at the new house I live in.  I got my Pawrriffic Bed in the mail on Thursday evening and I LOVE it!  If you don't have one, you should get one.  You get to choose the fabric - Mama Al picked a nice manly pattern for me, with brown and blue bones.  It's fleece, so it's nice and warm on these colder evenings in Michigan.  

I was kind of peeing on things in the house, which was making Mama Al a little mad.  I was just trying to let people know I was here and everything, but apparently that's rude.  So Mama Al went to Barks Fifth Avenue and got me a belly band.  It's kind of like a diaper, but it looks like a burberry plaid and it matches my collar, so it's fashionable.  

Yesterday, I went to the vet and she gave me a shot that made me feel very sleepy.  Then I don't remember anything until when I woke up, my teeth were all clean and I didn't have my boys anymore!  Honestly, I don't even care...Mama Al says I smell better and I gotta tell you, I feel a ton better.  I don't act like I'm sore or anything.  It's a relief to be free of those things...I highly recommend this to all the pups out there.  Trust me, you won't miss them!

So we are starting to have a schedule here and I'm starting to get the hang of this family thing.  I like to be brushed and I enjoy hanging out with my mama.  My sister, Maggie, likes to spend time in the room with me, while my other sister, Lillian tolerates me.  There are two kitties who live here too, one of whom is older than me!  Last night, all five of us were in the room at the same time.  I'm sure there will be more things I need to learn, but this is pretty nice...

Cheers!

  - h

Operation Henry Recon a Success!

I'm sorry I couldn't update you earlier - Sunday I got transported from Mama Marisa's house in Utica, NY all the way to Kalamazoo, MI where I am living now, but there was an ice storm that knocked out the power to my new home and I couldn't write before now.  Auntie Patricia, picked me up from Mama Marisa and then we went to pick up Auntie Meg, and Auntie Tracy who were kind enough to ride along from Buffalo to keep us company!  Auntie Patrica baked me some tasty treats for the road and Auntie Meg gave me a new Nylabone.  Auntie Tracy let me sit in her lap all the way to Erie, PA, which was very nice of  her because I still have my man junk and because I have terrible breath.  Not my fault, nobody's ever cared for my teeth before...just sayin'...


Of course, I had no idea where we were going, all I knew was that I left Mama Marisa and I didn't understand why.  That made me kind of sad.  She's so very nice.  I really love her.  

We had to wait in the parking lot of the McDonald's in Erie for a little while and then two new ladies came to say hi.  Everyone was so excited because they kept saying "There's your new Mama!"  It's too bad I'm deaf and can't hear them, but I could feel that everybody was happy and excited, so that was good.  I had to wait a little while longer because all the humans had to eat something.  Then they came out and I pottied and they put me in a new car with two new people.  They were both very nice, but I had no idea where we were going.  I cried for a little bit and then settled down.  We had to drive through some really crappy weather, but my new Mama is a good driver and her friend Lissa was a very helpful passenger.  We drove all the way to Michigan, the last hour in an ice storm!  I could tell my new Mama was pretty stressed out, but wow, she's quite a good driver!


Right after we got to my new house, the power went out and it was really late.  I was pretty confused, so I cried for about half an hour in my crate before I decided it would all be okay.  We still had no power in the house on Monday and Mama Al stayed home most of the day with us, my sisters and brother and me.  There are two kitties who live here and two other girl dogs.  One of the dogs, the white one, is a little nervous, but she's very chill.  I haven't met the other one yet.  The man cat hissed at me, but that's because I am a knucklehead.  We went to the vet in the afternoon on Monday and she's a really nice lady.  She gives lots of treats.  I got a shot and weighed and I weigh 45lb.  I'm putting on weight!  Then we went for a drive in the car again so Mama Al could juice up her cell phone.  I got to visit two different pet stores!  Everyone thought I was cute.  Then we went home and Mama Al started a fire in the wood stove to keep us all warm.  She tries so hard.


The heat finally went on early Tuesday morning and I think that made Mama Al feel a lot better.  She had to leave us to go to work and as much as I don't like my crate that much, I'm grateful because I can sleep through most anything.  Tuesday was a much better day for all of us.  


This morning, I gave Mama Al some mid-high tail wags - I think I'm starting to feel a little better.  I take my antibiotics and I had a nice breakfast and I think things are going to be fine here...
cheers, 
h

Road trip planning...

It's official, I'll be moving to Michigan on Sunday!  I don't know anything about Michigan.  Mama Marisa tells me that I will have two new pittie sisters, one of whom is almost my age.  My new mama has food for me and a new bed is coming for me from Pawrriffic Beds.  I understand there is a whole team of people who are taking me to Erie, PA to meet my new mama.  Wish me luck, because this is another transition for me...
 Cheers!
 - h

I gained ten pounds!!

Mama Marisa said that I have gained weight since I arrived!!  I still look mighty skinny, but hey, I've been getting three squares of Orijen Senior every day, warmed up with water added.  I really look forward to my meals, as you might expect.  And look at my digs!  This is where I sleep at night!  This is awesome!! I did get my "bath" the other day, but it was more like a sponge bath....only fitting, really.  I still feel much better.

That's one big heart!

I've been hearing people say that I have something called CHF, or congestive heart failure.  It is what causes my cough.  This is what it looks like on an x-ray.

Most importantly, I'm warming up to people and looking for affection. I follow my people here around.  Of course, I have to go out sometimes, but I gotta tell you, it's c-c-c-o-o-ld out here in Upstate!  How do you people stand it?  You don't even have fur?

So that's what I have for the moment.  I think I heard some rumblings about taking a trip at the end of February, but I have to gain a little more weight...I'm tryin'!

 Cheers, 

  - h

Upstate Update

I have been here, up near Utica, for a week now.  I have met everyone in the house at this point - the cats, the short people, and my favorite person, the man who lives with Mama Marisa named Steve.  I got to hang out with him while he cleaned out the freezer the other day.  It's nice to do man things with a real man, someone who cares for his family.  I like that.  I also like the older short person - she's very kind and calm.  Pretty much nothing phases me...

Since the last time I wrote, I went to the vet again because I have had a few little fainting spells this week.  I guess I was in much rougher shape than I thought - they took blood, which I didn't mind.  I kind of like going in the car - I wear a nice looking jacket!  

But I feel a ton better at the moment.  Really, I do.   I have very nice food and the people here are going to give me a bath sometime, so I can get a little of the shelter stink off of me.  I'm not sure I've ever had a bath.  

Cheers!

 - h

This gettin' old is a b@%^h, pardon my language...

So Mama Marisa took me to the vet the other night, I think it was Tuesday.  I liked them, they have cookies.  Anyway, they took some x-rays and it turns out that I have an enlarged heart and infected teeth.  Some people might be alarmed by that, but I'm not, really.  I am interested in my breakfast.  Someone said that I should start on some medicine called Lasix in addition to my antibiotics.  It's for my heart.  That's fine by me.  All I know is that I have a really nice place to sleep with blankets and pillows, someone who comes in and looks in on me now and again, and warm food.  That's right, Mama Marisa warms my food up for me!  I've never really had that before, so  I feel pretty good about things.

There are two short people that live with Mama Marisa.  They seem very nice.  It's nice to have visitors.  I also met the cat the other day.

I heard somebody say that I'm supposed to go to Michigan, but I think they'd like me to feel just a little better before we do that.  I already feel better...you don't ever know what it's like to have someone take care of you if you've never had that before - it's like a miracle!
 - h

[cough, cough, sneeze]

Well, as is often the case when you wind up in the clink, I've got an upper respiratory infection.  The clink is full of bugs - who knows where half of those people have been?  So I'm feeling a little rundown.  Mama Marisa will probably take me to the vet in the next day or so.  She's hoping to catch whatever it is before it gets into pneumonia or something like that.  Maybe they can take a look at my 'nads while I'm there, to see what's going on in the back there.  I'd like to get on some canine Flomax, if I can...this getting up every few hours is a pain...

Backstory...

So I had a nice dinner and a good night's sleep at Auntie Marisa's.  She keeps giving me treats and this stuff called yogurt.  I don't think I've ever had yogurt before.  She says it's good for me, but I just think it tastes good.  Now that I've had some time to gather my thoughts, I thought I would tell you what I can remember...
Somehow, I was found on the 24th of January, on the 19th floor hallway of an apartment building in a place called the Bronx.  I guess that's why I peed on the ACC door in Manhattan...it was my version of the Bronx cheer.  The people who found me said I was barely able to walk.    And, Auntie Ali and Auntie Annamarie gave a bunch of papers to Auntie Marisa.  They say that like many older men, I have  an enlarged prostate.  I wonder if they have the doggie version of Flomax. Also, my left testicle is enlarged. I'm not sure what that means. Oh well, I suppose I'll just go and take a nap for now...
-h 

Roadtrippin' through NY

I left Manhattan this morning, peeing on the door of the ACC on my way out.  Just wanted to let other people know I had been there.

Aunt Ali took me part way to where I was going, and introduced me to Auntie Annamarie.  I think I really have a thing for Italian women...

People keep telling me that I'm skinny.  I'm not sure what that means, but they keep taking pictures of my body.  Here's one now...

I hung out with Auntie Annamarie for a while and then another one of my aunties came.  I had to say goodbye to Auntie Annamarie.  I had a very nice time with you!  Thank you!

Auntie Marisa said I could stay over at her house for a little while so I can feel a little better before I go out west.  I sure was tired by the time I got to Auntie Marisa's car... 

I gotta tell you, it's been a pretty eventful day.  I just know that these people all seemed to like me and I've been kinda quiet.  I overheard somebody ask if I had had my cheeseburger yet...I don't know what a cheeseburger is or why that's important.  So I will wait and see what that is all about...

In the meantime, I've gotta go lay down...this is all a little overwhelming...
 - h

Sprung!

My name is Henry and I'm an old man pit bull.  I'm not sure how old I am, but I'm pretty old.  And I'm pretty skinny.  I haven't had my nails taken care of in forever.  Some time ago, I wound up in the clink at the city pound.  People found my picture on FaceBook and someone I haven't met yet thought maybe I could join her family.  So this morning, a nice lady came and got me out of the clink.  Her name is Ali and she took me for walk and I'm going on a car ride with her.  I don't know where I'm going, but it seems like it's a lot less noisy than where I was staying - all that barking can get on your nerves over time.  Her car smells nice, too.  

So, I don't know where I'm going, but I know it's way better than where I've been...I'll keep you posted on my adventures.

  - h