Yoyo was magic and Yoyo was my best friend. He fought the good fight against the cancer that had invaded his body, but on April 24, 2004, he lost. Yoyo brought unbelievable joy to my life every day. One ear up, one ear down, tail always wagging, tongue always licking, that is how Yo went through life. Whatever happened to him before we found each other, I'll never know. What I do know is that Yoyo loved all things food, loved to zoom around anything with carpet, loved to spin when he felt full of himself, loved to stand on his hind legs (because he thought he should be like humans), and HATED bicycles. He also liked the faux fur throw, the beige wing chair that faced the front door, watching the activity on the street, barking at squirrels and the neighbors to entertain himself and so he had another excuse to stand on his hind legs, and rolling on the couch before we went outside and then rolling on the new spring grass once we were outside.
Some of my fondest memories are seeing Yoyo and my old cat Duck sitting on opposite wing chairs waiting for me to get home at night. Yo liked every other dog's chewies, the cats' litter box, hitting the snooze bar until he heard the food poured in his dish, and letting all of the other little dogs of the world know that he was their king. I loved to watch him when we turned him out in a fenced area - he ran with such delight and exuberance. He would run circles around the greyhounds once they were tired, and then beg to be picked up and snuggled when he was tired. Everyone on the street knew his name, and he was a favorite of the Purdue Vet School staff. He was always spoiled so rotten when he went to the vet, he always wanted to go to the vet! He was the best traveler and enjoyed going to visit his doggy and people friends around the state. But we both knew that sitting together and sleeping curled up together were what we both looked forward to every single day. Those times were just the finest times of our days.
Yoyo helped me recover from a major spinal fusion by sleeping patiently at my feet and then helping me start to walk again. He gave me motivation and a reason to walk. He was always careful during this time to make sure he didn't trip me, or pull to hard on the leash when the evil bicycles went by. While lying by my feet during this time, he inspired me to return to school to get my master's and continue on with my education - which is exactly what I am doing. He even helped to pick the topic - a study of human/dog relationship, cross-culturally and through time.
I know I will never forget my Yo-man. He was the best. He tried the hardest. I only regret that I did not know him longer, or meet him earlier. I was so very lucky to know him as long as I did. But he lives in my heart-next to Duck. I bet wherever they are, they are resting next to each other in the sun, gazing out the window, knowing all is right with the world.
Roger
Roger and his 2 sisters lived with their elderly companion who has passed on and the family could not care for them and placed them in a shelter. Roger is blind in one eye. UPDATE 12/10/03: Update Roger is having a hard time with his itching but is a little better now that the trees are dormant. He has had his allergy test and reacted to 28 different substances, some as common as cotton! We have just begun his desensitization shots, which by the way he is NOT happy about, but he is tolerating them so far. He is such a little love!
UPDATE 04/02/04: Roger has been on the shots for three months and there has been nochange in his itching. The place that makes the shots says that it can take a year to work so we are trying to be patient. Please keep him in your thoughts.
UPDATE 09/17/04: Rogers shots didn't help him, only 50% of the dogs that get them are actually helped. Right now he is seeing a holistic vet who is giving him special oils and things to try to help with his allergies. He also takes medicine for his thyroid. We are working very hard trying to help Roger live an itch-free life.
UPDATE 05/11/05: Roger got worse during the allergy shots and didn't respond to the holistic therapy he received for twelve weeks. He is now on Prednisone for his itching although a mild dosage which doesn't make him itch free. He will be going back for bloodwork and another evaluation to increase his Prednisone enough to give him a betterquality of life. We know that this is a tradeoff for years of life but right now he is not able to be a dog. We feel he should have that opportunity as he is just the sweetest boy!
UPDATE 08/09/05: Yippee, Roger is a dog again!! Because Roger hasn't responded to conventional or unconventional treatment, it was decided to increase his Prednisone to a level which would give him a good quality of life. He spent a year+ in an e-collar but now is free. It is so good to see him running and playing like his old self. We are unsure yet what impact the Prednisone will have on his overall life so we are doing bloodwork every six months. His last test was wonderful so we are hopeful this will work long-term. He is now ready for adoption. His Prednisone costs less than ten dollars a month but he must be on Wellness Fish and Sweet Potato dog food. The only treats he is allowed are bully sticks. Some of his itching is stress related so he will have to go to a female only household, preferably one who is retired and has no other dogs as he wants to be on your lap 24/7. He is a real little lovebug and would be a wonderful lap companion for the right lady!
UPDATE 11/01/06: Roger is a little more stressed these days as he is sharing his foster Mom's time with two other fosters. Also this time of year is hard for him as the leaves are falling and he is allergic to everything. He still has the life of a dog and is also still on Prednisone. He has had two very good blood work reports to the shock of his veterinarian. Prednisone will affect the kidneys and liver eventually. He is a happy little boy most of the time but is happiest in someone's lap.
UPDATE 03/21/07: Roger began having neurological symptoms on February 12, 2007. He has been to see several vets, including a neurologist. He isn't a candidate for surgery due to his need for Prednisone so he is being treated with acupuncture and Chinese herbs. Unfortunately, so far he hasn't responded well and is no longer able to walk or stand. We are still hoping for a miracle for little Roger.
;)
King Louie
Rainbow Bridge
