Chapter 11 - A Series of Unfortunate Events

Once night while I was still at work, E came home to an interesting evening. To start, as he entered the house a lovely stench of puppy poop filled the air. Utah was whimpering in is crate. Happy, to see E, but so upset about his ‘accident’ in his crate. His cries amplified at E approached the crate to let him out. Poor Utah just couldn’t hold it and now it was all over him, his pillow and a few toys. Earl had a poopy puppy on his hands… a puppy that would be getting his first bath… as of that moment and he would have to do it alone.

Upstairs to the bathroom Utah was carried. Then placed in some luke warm water while E started scrubbing the stinky pup. He cried and cried… his puppy eyes the saddest ones you have ever seen. But E said he was good. Even though he protested through whines, expressions and body language… and for the most part… after a bit of stuggle he stayed put. He cried until his eyes turned red. E felt so bad for him, so he made the bath go as fast as possible…. But he had to make sure he was clean.

All the while, E haddn’t known that the puppy’s screams and cries had seriously upset Murphy… and apparently she had had about enough of the little buggers noises. Up behind E Murphy quietly crept. The suddenly without warning she pounces, landing on E’s back and swiping, claws out, at Utah. E shifted in time, and swated Murphy off his back. Murphy back off. But only for a moment… until she attempted her little stealth moves again. Pouncing up on the E’s back and swatting… E caught her, and saying a few choice words, shoved her out of the bathroom door… as well as keeping a very wet puppy from escaping the bathtub at the same time.

It seemed now we had no choice. We had decided before we got Utah that Murphy would keep her claws unless she gave us a reason to have them removed. She had just done so… it was something we really didn’t want to do. Utah had never chased her, never barked at her, he had never done anything but try and meet her. We really thought it was all going to work out, until all of this.

We knew that at 10 years of age this procedure would be a painful one for her. And we had hoped and prayed that we could avoid it. Now it didn’t look that way. We couldn’t take any other chances… she had taken the opportunity when he was most vulnerable. We wouldn’t play favorites. Murphy’s appointment was made the next day. She would go in, in a few weeks.


One Sunday morning I took Utah for a walk and in quick succession Utah had taken several pees. Being a bit odd, kept an eye on him, and he peed again, I noticed that the pee was very dark, and even seemed to have have bit of blood at the end. We immediately turned around and went home. I rushed to tell E, and within the hour E, Utah and I were sitting in a emergency animal hospital.

We got to talk to a Doctor who asked me to get a urine sample from him. (OH GOODIE) She passed me a little stainless steel bowl and said there was a little place to wander around outside where he might be inspired. Did I mention she smiled?!? Ugh

Surprisingly enough it was easier then I though. It had turned out that teaching Utah to ‘Go Potty’ on cue was beneficial. So after a little tour of the grounds, Utah squatted and I scooted… placing the little bowl quickly under him. HA HA… success! We walked back in the clinic… I got praise… but no cookie. As it turned out, Utah had a urinary track infection. One that the Vet thought was being caused by his food, possibly too much ash content. The vet sent us home with some new puppy food, a prescription for the UTI and a special scoop and container to collect a stool sample. Utah hadn’t been inspired enough to produce a dropping for the Vet while we were there. So they asked us to rush it in later when he went. My favorite thing to do on a Sunday afternoon, wait for my puppy to poop.

A few days later we had Murphy’s appointment for her de-clawing. And Utah had an appointment for his latest shots. E took Utah to the vet and came home with ear drops for him… yeast in his ears. And when I dropped off Murphy at the vet… I also picked up another prescription for Utah. For the parasite they had found in his poop.

Murphy was staying over night. They had to apply a patch that would make the de-clawing less painful for her and do some blood tests. Utah was taking 2 pill ever 12 hours plus 3 to 4 drops in his ears at the same time, all for the next 2 weeks. To be honest, I had been kind of disappointed about the ear drops. I had been cleaning his ears and had even been told by the vet that they looked good. I felt like a bad mommy.

So with Utah’s issues under control, we sat comfortable for about a day. At work I got a call about Murphy. Her blood work had come back. It showed she was very dehydrated, had kidney problems. She also had some very bad teeth, perhaps releasing so many toxins that her kidneys couldn’t keep up. On top of this our poor Murphy had a heart murmur. This is what made the whole situation bad. So even if they could manage to hydrate her, surgery for the teeth or claws would carry a very slim chance of her surviving. But they wanted to see if she would take to the hydration… and if they could do anything else for her. With Murphy’s kidney problems… she wasn’t retained the water she drank… and any nutrients that she needed they would flushed out. Murphy would stay at the vet for 3 days. She took to the IV hydration, and even let the vets pull the nasty teeth from her mouth with out going under and without much fuss. They were rather impressed. Though worried about what she had eaten… she had thrown up. Her spirits were deteriorating at the vet. And they asked if should could come home, to see how she did there. Perhaps the stress of being at the vet was the cause of her not eating and or throwing up what she did eat. Then they asked about how Murphy had been acting before we had brought her in.

“was she eating?”
“all her food, everyday… even meowing for us to get it in the mornings.”
“has her moods changed?”
“nope… she’s been doing the things she always does.”
“any vomiting, accidents or lethargic at all?”
“ no really, honestly nothing about her has been different about her since I met her 2 years ago. And even E says she been her normal self for years.”
“what about urinating a lot.”

Now that rung a bell. I was the one who always cleaned out the litter box… and though I had never cleaned up after a cat before in my life… I always felt like she had a lot of urine in her litter box. Though because it had always been that way… and that I have never had a pet cat before, I really didn’t think anything of it. It was just something that sat in the back of my head. The vet told me that with kidney problems… animals urinate a lot more then they should. Even releasing the water she so desperately needed.

At that moment I wished I had researched having at cat as much as I had researched having a dog. It just had never crossed my mind. She had been a package deal with I had moved in with E. Murphy had become my ‘step cat’. The thoughts that ‘cat are independent’ had fogged my mind. She was now 10 years old… and we figured she’d have a few more lives, didn’t she?

Friday afternoon, to our happiest surprise Murphy came home. Though any surgerys were out of the question, Murphy’s body had take to the hydration well. But her heart murmur would complicate things. Murphy could recoup at home. Our once 15 lbs cat had shrunk to about 11. she looked small, almost kitten like, but the hydration made her look so healthy. E took her down stairs to here food and water. She happiely climbed out of her crate and nibbled on some food and water. It seemed she was happy to be home. Hope filled out hearts. But not things were different. Murphy, after that refused all food. She still drank and only remained in the basement. She use to always come out and mingle or sit in the sun that shone in the front window. Now she was always in 1 of 2 places. On a shelf, high under the stairs or in the gym in a basket, that I had put a pillow and towel in for her. Now, she was lethargic. Now, she was not eating. She was weak and losing so much weight. 5 days and she had hardly eaten. I had asked E to call the vet, but it think it was too much for him. So on Thursday afternoon on my drive home from work, I called the vet. They suggested I bring her in so they could look at her. I called E, we discussed our options. He asked me to do what had to be done, if the vet agreed that it was in her best interest to put her down. We pretty much knew that Murphy wouldn’t be coming home..

After dealing with Utah when I got home and putting him back in his crate. I managed to lure Murphy out from the shelf under the stairs. Surprizingly she came out. I petted her and soothed her, then picked her up and placed her carefully in her crate and took her upstairs. I paused for a moment, turning to make sure I had locked the back door. When I turned back to her, she had collapsed in the crate. I worried that she had just given up right there. I called her name, she moved looked up at me and meowed. I swallowed hard as I felt my heart skip a beat. I now felt the need to rush her to the vet. Sp much hope still hung on my heart. It was the quietest car ride I had ever known her to take. I talked to her hoping to comfort her, and myself, hoping to hear her meow.

“I love you Murphy and E, he loves you so very much.” I’d pause, “You’re a great girl Murphy, we love you so much.” I struggled to tell her with out sounding upset. I took a few deep breaths, she’d meow. I keep talking to her… and her meows became softer. I knew I was telling her all this for the last time. She was so weak. At the vet she was sitting up in her crate. And in the Doctors room she came out of her crate without problem. She looked awful. I hadn’t seen her in this much light at home. She must have weighed 8 lbs. Her fur was shedding and it was covered in dandruff. Her face was starting to sink in and she looked hallow behind her ribs… her sides all sunk in. Alone in this room with her I cried. She was so sick… and I felt so helpless to help her. I could hardly speak… it was so upsetting to see her like this. I took a moment to clear my thoughts before the doctor came in.

When he came in we went over her history of the last few weeks. Things weren’t good. As he review we knew that putting her down was the only option. To save her from the pain and agony of just letting herself go like she already was by refusing to eat and our care.

I choose to stay with her, the Doctor gave us a few minutes. I told her a few more times with tears in my eyes how much we loved her and pet her in her favorite spot behind her ears… she leaned in… I could hardly feel her against me.

The Doctor returned with an assistant. They set her up, prepared me for what would happen. I pet her head. and she quickly relaxed and went to sleep. Just peace and quiet.

The doctor told me she was gone. I knew if I stayed that I would break down right there and not want them to take her away. I pet her one last time, then turned and left. Dealt with reception, they were very kind. I stayed quiet, only thanking them for their sympathy. The building that had been a buzz with owners and pets when we had arrived was now empty and quiet. I quickened my pace as I got closer to my car. I placed the empty crate in the back of the care, got in the drivers seat a cried.

Chapter 10 - Our Date with the Doc

This was our second date. Our first date had been reletivly quick and painless. At that point he had wieghed in at 11.8 pounds and we had had him for a week. They looked at him, gave him a shot and clipped his nails. The nail clipping was Utah's least favorite moment. Though we managed to get through it without much drama.

But this visit was a little different. To start we had to wait, for about 40 mins. Utah met many different dogs... or at least wanted too. I wanted to keep him at bay just incase. i mean there is usually a reason why that dog is at the vet. it the same reason i dont really like making friends in a doctors office. Germs....

So i did my best to keep him sitting by my legs and leave the other dogs alone. Utah was nervous... and i wasn't the only on that could tell. Utah was stinking out the room. I kept apologizing to the people beside me.

Thankfully the assistant told us that the Doctor would see us and asked if we could put Utah on the scale. 17.8 lbs. The assistant said that was good... and that he was really growing well. My thoughts... wow... that like 6 pounds since last time!

This time i brought the 'stool sample' (lucky me) last time i was a bad mommy and didn't bring one. I didn't know i had to... no one had mentioned it... i swear! The collecting and containing of the 'sample' wasn't the problem. That just felt like your usual stoop and scoop. But carrying a container with 'poop' in my bag/purse... that felt a little strange. I was glad to hand it over.

Once Utah and I were in the Doctors Room things went per usual. H was a little upset about having a termometre stuck up his bum... but who could blame him. The Doc that had seen him the first time had taken it by ear. Then they administered the shot... he didnt even notice and the Doc asked how he was doing 'training wise'. Other then a few accidents in the house because it was raining outside, he wasn't having any trouble. The Doc mentioned that perhaps i should consider going outside with him... instead of sending him out on his own. Explaiing that if i don't want to go out in the rain... neither with he.

I kept my comments to myself and answered that i do go out with him and i always have. The doc just gave me a 'look'. I dont think he believed me. Perhaps i looked the type that didnt like to get wet in the rain. Perhaps he considered me to be 'high maintance'. i stood there... insulted, but quiet. I really didnt feel like defending myself to this Dic. Little did he know that i was the one standing out in the pouring rain, tugging on his leash, bribing him with cookies. the stubborn puppy on the other end... warm and dry still in the house. Looking at me as though I was crazy for wanting to go out in the cold wet rain. Usually it would end with me going to pick him up and carry him outside and staying out in the rain until he relieved himself. By the time we got back inside, he would be damp... and i would be soaked. So to have this doc telling me tha i need to go outside with him and stand in the rain... kinda hurt. I knew i was a better puppy mommy then that, and that is all that mattered

So after a clean bill of health the doc send the assistant in to clip his nails. Well he squired, he cried, he backed up as far as he could, to try and get away. It was quite the scene. the kind of scene i would make if i had to get a needle. eventually it was all over, and Utah wrapped his 2 front legs around my left bicep and wouldn't let go. So i scooped him up. he cuddled his head into my neck and got as close as possible. Then he whined a little. some sad and pathenic little cried... and hiccuped. He gets the hiccups when he is really upset.

This is how we walked out of the room to the reception area. When i approaced the front desk i rested his behind on the ledge so i could finish up the transactions, while he still held on for dear life. Everyone in the waiting room cooed, giggled and commented how he was just like a little baby the way he was holding on.

"Utah", i teased him " all the other dogs are going to think you are a really pussycat for being so scared." And strangely enough within a few seconds his hiccups were gone and he wanted down.

After walking out of the Vets on his own 4 feet he hopped in the car and slept in his travel crate all the way home.

Chapter 9 – Growing up fast

It had been a few weeks since I had written anything down. I looked back and already see how much Utah has changed. Pottytime isn’t really a problem, I think it had been 5 days since his last accident. Mind you I am not about to count the one the other morning. He and I were awake. He and I both had to go. I took him out of his crate… hoping that he would wait for me. My mistake. Poor guy couldn’t hold it. But neither could I! I didn’t scold him. I pretty much understood I was asking a lot of him… but I figured that his puddle would be easier to clean up then mine! After that we went outside and he finished up. Then we cuddled on the couch and had a nap.

Easter was approaching, E and I had been invited over to my grandparents for dinner with my parents. I called my grandma and said we would be happy to be there…
“Are you going to bring the baby?” She asked referring to Utah. I was somewhat surprised. I didn’t really think her home would be a good place for a young pup. I was expecting him not to bring him.
“I would love to!” I replied…
Grandma was all excited… I was too. But I wondered how this would go. Utah hadn’t really had an accident in a while… and he had only had one other ‘excursion’ to E’s parents that I couldn’t go on due to work. His parents have 2 very large German shepards… therefore a dog proof house. Could I trust Utah not to potty in the house? What if he cried the whole time? What if he was afraid of my grandparents? Worry, I did, but I knew the visit would be good for him.

Sunday, early afternoon I packed up everything we would need for Utah.. Puppy food, treats, leash, many toys, paper towels, and other puppy ‘clean up items, bowls, blankets and ‘his’ towel. E secured Utah’s travel crate in the truck… I bribed Utah to go in it and we were on our way. My bag (purse if you will) that I take to work had been transformed in to a puppy ‘diaper’ bag.

Grandma has a nice size backyard. That, unlike ours, is completely fenced in. Safe for Puppies to run around – off leash.

Introductions went as well as we could have wished. He was shy…but then curious to find out who the new people were. Then we took Utah in to the backyard. On his leash we wondered slowly to do a little safety check. Then I unhooked his leash. He didn’t really get it at first. He still followed me around as though he was still on it. Then about an hour later… it really clicked in. Utah realized that the only thing holding him in were the 4 walls around the yard… not a leash. He was free…

He ran and ran and ran and ran… in circles, in figure eights, chasing E, tearing up the grass as he went. We were eating his dust (grass in this sense). Utah was a very happy pup… and this was heaven for him. A hidden paradise for puppies to run free.

He was so good during this visit too. He had no accidents, he gave us the look. No chewing of things or breaking of things he wasn’t suppose to. And the most impressive thing was when we all sat down for dinner. E brought his travel crate in the house and placed it in the sunroom. I put him in there, gave him a treat and soothed him for a few minutes. He curled up with is chewing bone and had a nap.

Even with all the wonderful aromas of turkey, ham and gravy filling the air, we never heard a peep from him. All the chatter and noise of dinner didn’t tempt him to cry. He quietly chewed his bone and lulled himself to sleep. My little boy made the best impression. I was the proudest puppy mom in the world.