GRIFF Graduates!

So many of my readers knew our Max, our 11.5 year old PBGV who died in September '08. His loss is still with us. However, after six months sans dog, we adopted another PBGV, whom we have named Griff! Griff is now 5.5 months old, quite different from ole Max, but adorable and fun nonetheless. WE'RE JUST OLDER!!! (read that "Too old!" perhaps!)

Griff was born on January 20 in Florida at Charlen Kennels. He came home with us on March 17. There are a number of earlier photos here in the set labeled "PBGV." For those who don't know this breed, it stands for Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen. Now doesn't that help??? It's a French breed, the translation of which is literally Small Basset Hound from the Vendee region of France. Full grown, he'll be about 35-40 lbs, non-shedding, with a diverse voice, and a happy personality.

Griff is about 20 lbs now, so he has a ways to go.....um.......in growth as well as in comportment! BUT.....he DID graduate from Puppy Pre-School last week, and here are photos from his graduation "ceremony!" Going to these four training classes at Dog Train in Wilmington NC were the highlight of my weeks. At a difficult time in our lives, this weekly hour of training, discussion, and free play made me laugh my head off. Pretty lame to have this the highlight of my week, but so it is and c'est la vie!

Here is a group photo of his GRADUATING CLASS!

Monday Update on Max!

It's been a L O N G few days, but Max prevails! So far anyway! He is one sick puppy - if you can call an 11 and a half year old a puppy! Yesterday and again this morning, we got the devastating news that he has what appears to be a large malignant tumor on his heart with some nodules on his liver and spleen. NOT GOOD! However, after draining fluid from his pericardium yesterday, he is able to breathe better, rest better, and he had a very good night.

I thought he wouldn't make it through the night, however. But in fact, he did and rebounded this morning. How do we know? He licked my spoon and oatmeal bowl when offered. He perked right up and almost ran to the door when asked if he wanted to go for a ride. I thought perhaps this could be his last ride, but not for this little guy! He sat up the whole way to the vet, looking out the window, alert and perky. When we just picked him up, he RAN into the room, wagging his tail, and making NOISES!!!! This was astonishing, for this dog that had the vocal range of a cat, a baby, and a grizzly bear combined had been absolutely silent for too many days! He sat up the whole way home, smiling, and eager to come in. Then he ate some real food, drank some water, and now has been sleeping well.





He is not long-term, and we are adjusting to that. If the fluid builds up again tonight or tomorrow or this week for that matter, we will end his journey and relieve his suffering. But the vet doesn't know - it could be two months or so! So.....we are in limbo!

So I took some photos this morning of our little guy! And I am including photos of a sculpture my husband did several years ago that so captures the essence of Max - even if it is quarter-size.