marvin the wonder dog

Going to Buffalo

2008-12-22T20:33:00.001-08:00

So tonight, she told me that we are going in the car. I literally started to shake. She asked me not to - said it would mean I was in pain again. I tried to stop it but the thought of getting back in a car and going to another vet - geez. Then she told me we aren't going to the vet - we are going to Bflo to see Grandma and Charlie - her 4 legged companion. Charlie is OK but you know - he's small, I'm big - he's fast, I'm slow. We don't have a lot in common.

It will be nice to be in Buffalo though. Sure, there is a lot of snow there but I loooovvveee snow. And there are real side walks there - and really good smelling planting strips - and less stairs. I will let you know how it goes. I feel so much better with the drugs but I guess I can't have them forever. It was a little harder today in the ice. Grandma has better food than she does. She gives me more of it too. I wonder if there will be any sauce - or almond anything. I love almond. I always thought maybe I got switched at birth. I think I am really Italian - I love Italian food. I don't even know what kind of food Labrador has. Where is Labrador? I think I am really an Italian Labrador - with a little soul thrown in - I mean come on, I am named after Marvin Gaye.

home, and preparing for snow

2008-12-18T07:59:00.000-08:00

Mommy picked me up late last night, and I'm resting comfortably at home now. I hear that we're in for big snow tomorrow, and am hoping that Mommy gets to spend the day snuggling and playing with me. As you can see from my photo, I love the snow. Hopefully we'll have some new photos of me in the snow tomorrow. I've been practicing building snow men and making dog angels. More to come later...I have lots of work to get to now. Woof.

Coming Home!

2008-12-17T13:35:00.001-08:00

MY MOMMY IS PICKING ME UP TONIGHT!!!!

Letter from my mommy

2008-12-17T13:07:00.000-08:00

Dear Marvin-philes,

Thanks to many of you for your concern about Marvin. I am happy to report that it looks like he is as good as he can be, we think.

I took him to Tufts last night in the dark and rain (it was bad) to check him in for his MRI today. The doc said that after a long MRI, it looks like Marvin will not need disc surgery. The doc said that he has 3 or 4 herniated discs in his neck but none bad enough to indicate surgery. He will be on prednisone for a short time to reduce the swelling, etc. and then he should be in a lot less pain. The bad news is that the doc saw an increased mass in a nerve root that goes to his front right leg - it might be a tumor. Normally, the vets would amputate the front leg to stop the spread of the tumor to the spine, which causes paralysis. In Marvin's case, because he has neuropathy and is losing mobility in strength in his two back legs, he is not a candidate to lose the use of one more limb. If it is a tumor, it will most likely be slow growing - so he would have another year before that paralysis sets in - that is about how long he has on his back legs so a year from now should be fun. So, I have to watch for the hobbling on the front leg (which would indicate a tumor) - that will be soooo easy.

The doc said that he personally fed Marvin tonight and Marvin was a pig, so he has still got it. And, I won't have to have a bake sale every Tues, Thurs and Sat at the Y to finance the surgery - only Tues and Thurs to finance the MRI.

Love,
Mommy Moe