Victor Goes to College

Our beloved Shih Tzu Victor after getting a wonderful dog check up 4 weeks ago, collapsed with a heart attack. I gave him mouth to mouth and cpr and brought him back. Our vet sent us to MSU small animal hospital. Victor  had a physical exam, EEG, blood work, xrays, ultra sound, and stress test.

 He is in wonderful shape-except for a bad heart.  His little heart mummer has gotten worse and the left ventricle of his heart is enlarged. They gave him medication to help his heart pump-it should buy us 6 months to a year. When the heart fails there is other medication-but after reading about the side effects we have decided this is the only step we will take. We have seen too many family members suffer, and want to enjoy him and allow him to spend his finally time lively and happy.

The little guy stole my heart and made me into a dog person.Vido below shows the MSU Animal Hospital.

It has been a crazy 6 months. I lost my cousin Skip, my cousin Susie, my Uncle Sam and my sister-in law Terri. My Aunt was in and out of the hospital for knee surgery, I got diagnose with diabetes, and then fell on the dock injuring my knee.  The days were filled with  tears, hospital visits, prayers, funerals, visitations, and unless work. The pool pump broke, the pool filter broke and we had to replace the main power lines coming into the house. It was like an out-of-body experience. Sometimes I felt like a total stranger even to myself.We just dealt with life as it happened to us...it was all that we could do.

 Terri, Randy at the table

Jon Cousin Susie and Aunt Jean

Aunt Geri, Uncle Sam and Aunt Jean Popma

Cousin Skip and his wife Pat

Along the way there were some happy moments. My son Jamie came home to visit in June, and I spent a day at my best friend Gary's cottage. The pool has been my refuge during the long hot summer, and I've read many, many books on my ipad. I have a couple of weeks of summer vacation left and hope to get in some time for fun.

Tim and Jamie Star gazing