A few years have past since Rocky and Mati passed - and in the Fall of 2016 Rocky (yes, same name) came to me needing a home. After being in contact with Virginia German Shepherd Rescue, I was undecided. After visiting with several fosters thru meet-and-greets, I just wanted to take them all home. Clearly this was not going to be an easy decision. Then, a foster parent called me and thought I should meet "Rocky" - a newly surrendered GSD that came to him. It was a kind-of chilling moment. I thought it was a little bit more than interesting he had the same name as Rocky-I. Anyhow, we met, and chilling moment #2...he was virtually the identical image of Rocky-I - when he was young - same shape, size, color. Given all the shepherds I saw with Virginia German Shepherd Rescue, no two looked alike. I was asked if I wanted to take Rocky home for an overnight stay. It wasn't the whole day, nor hours, but maybe minutes after getting home that Rocky said "I'm home Dad" and made himself comfortable. It was a little chilling. The next day the foster parent asked me how things were going. I simply replied "I think he's home". It was set, paperwork would follow but before I got off the phone, I said "By the way, I know he's almost a year old, but do you know when his birthday is?" He replied "it's on the paperwork I have here - yes, it's 15-November." Chilling moment number 3....Well that's interesting, that's my birthday. Rocky acted as if he was home and there wasn't a moment of anxiety or trouble. We walked to Mount Vernon Alexandria, and I introduced him to the neighborhood. When Rocky joined me, he had very little training. Sit, Stay, Come... were all foreign to him. He was just a goof. On one rainy day, I was drying his feet with a towel, and instinctively I said "TURN" so I could get the other feet... and he pivoted, making a 180-degree turn. Shocking and Chilling moment number 4. I didn't teach him that - but I did teach Rocky-I that maneuver. Well anyhow, it's now been almost 4 years with Rocky and I thought it might be time to start up the GSD-Life Blog! I hope you are all well! - Love Mike and Rocky

Mati - Dec 15, 1994 - June 10, 2011

Most of you probably know, but thought I would post; On Friday, the 10th of June at 11:15 AM, sweet Mati passed away after 16 and one-half years. It was a matter of happenstance that I was with her at the time of her passing. We had just arrived home and she was taking a nap. I was by her side when she simply slipped away.

She was a loving and sweet girl and I loved her so very much. She came to Rocky and I needing a home. She became a sister to Rocky and he loved her too. They were as thick as thieves. He would steal food and she would eat it. They enjoyed each other’s company and slept side by side. Mati was the leader of the house. First and foremost with Rocky, and then ultimately with me. She told me what she needed and I was all too happy to oblige. It was fun to watch Rocky and Mati get to know each other. The canine power-shift was fast. Rocky thought he was going to lead the pack when she came to join our family…and oh how that was not the case. Rocky quickly stepped back and allowed Mati to rule… and so she did.

Unfortunately, immediately following Rocky passing, she was diagnosed with Cancer.

I have so many wonderful stories and memories of Mati. I would beep her nose and she would get so angry. But if I stopped, she would start wagging her tail and shove her nose into my hand.

I think I did all I could to give her a good and quality life. She and I spent roughly 1,300 hours in the car together, driving to and from “her offices” (her animal hospitals). She really enjoyed the drive and her hospital rounds. For Halloween she wore scrubs and a stethoscope. Her daily rounds not only included saying hello to Doctors, Technicians, and Staff, but she was also good at pointing out food along the way. The kitchen was usually her first stop.

She will always be in my heart, but I know she continues being happy, with Rocky, and free from disease.

Thanks to everyone that followed their lives, I wish you well, and I look forward to seeing your posts on your blogs!

Halloween

Hello All, It's been a long time. I know, we are bad for disappearing like this. We have been holding our own, really. For Halloween I was Dr. Mati. See my scrubs and stethoscope? Dad had scrubs (top) on too. He was my Vet Tech assistant. Gosh, being a Doctor is hard work! I can appreciate all the hard work the Doctors and Techs do!



Dad and I still go to Seneca Hill Animal Hospital every morning and then he comes back to pick me up every night after I finish my shift ;-) They are truly wonderful people there - but we miss Dr. Farnon though. Dr. Slade at the Hope Center is great too as all the folks there. We like seeing him (but of course not too much!). Things are looking good for now. The cancer is still progressing but I still feel good and life is ok. I finally topped out on my weight at 59 pounds. I haven't put on any more weight in a while, but that's ok I think.

So happy fall-time to everyone, I hope you get out to walk thru some leaf piles soon!

Smiles and Tail Wags, Love Mati

It was a good day

The rally for Bear Bear was good, a lot of folks showed up and so did a lot of TV and Newspapers too. (I am holding the orange sign).

WJZ:

http://wjz.com/video/?id=73580@wjz.dayport.com


ABC:

http://www.abc2news.com/dpp/news/region/anne_arundel_county_/several-people-demonstrate-in-front-of-the-state%27s-attorney%27s-office-in-support-of-bear-bear

FOX 45:

http://www.foxbaltimore.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wbff_vid_4889.shtml

Thank Goodness

We are thankful the Police have re-opened the case against Bear Bear's killer:

As Quoted from the Baltimore Sun;

"[...the department still has not named the officer, who they said fired his personal weapon in the shooting.

Police released a statement Friday saying that after further investigation, the officer's "legal authority to carry a firearm became questionable."

Police initially closed the incident, and said that the state's attorney's office, after reviewing the case, instructed the officers not to file charges.

The investigation into the dog park shooting was reopened Wednesday on the demand of County Executive John R. Leopold, who said a "thorough investigation is warranted." He said, "The priority is to insure the dog parks are safe havens for the dogs and their owners." ...]

Rest In Peace Bear Bear

Bear-Bear, a Red and white Husky was about three years old. He was playing in an off-leash park when a coward - a federal officer with a gun arrived with his german shepherd. The two dogs started playing. The officer pulled out his gun and shot the dog not giving Bear Bear's owner any time to get her dog. The german shepherd didn't have a scratch on him, as one paper reported. There was no need to kill Bear Bear. This man is obviously a coward who needs a gun to express himself. He doesn't deserve to have a dog, shouldn't have a weapon, and belongs in jail. Perhaps justice will be done - I hope Bear Bear's owners take him to court. But being he's a police officer, they will probably promote him and give him an award. This federal officer, who I noticed not one paper has his name printed, is scum in the cesspool of life.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/pawprintpost/post/2010/08/dog-shot-to-death-at-dog-park/1


http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/features/mutts/blog/2010/08/bearbears_dad_speaks_out_on_ki.html

All Good!

Harooo!

Mati here! Thank Roos to Lorenza, Ao4, Steve and Kat, Pippa, and JNTR. I've taken Pippa's advice and have taken lots of naps and I am following my PT's direction! My vertigo-go advice to Misery is to take the tablets and then hang your head out the car window! The wind through your fur... I mean hair will help!

Well, I'm reporting in with super great health and having fun! Dad asked the good people at PawPrints to take some candid-portraits of us enjoying life and taking some time to stop and smell the flowers!



This is at a neighbor's house around the corner. She has such a great yard filled with Azaleas and beautiful landscape.



Here I am on exploration. Don't worry! I have a lead on, but you just can't see it or my Dad!



Here we are together. When I wasn't feeling well, Dad carried me around. But every now and then he still picks me up. I let him do it for now, I think it makes him feel better!



Thanks again, everyone stay well!
Tail wags and kisses, Mati

Vertigo-go

Hello all! Just thought I would pop in and tell you how I'm doing... The vertigo is now verti-gone! That's right, no more vertigo!

I'm walking better, and although the stroke left me with a problem on my left side, Dad says I'm All Right! (Gosh Dad, that's bad!) Every day I'm make small steps to walking more straight and being able to navigate bumpy ground and things like a squishy bed. I've even shaken a few times now! (It's hard to shake when you have less control over one side of you). Also, Dad no longer has to hold me when we walk too.

Over time, (and at this rate) with physical therapy and exercises, I might get back to normal.

Thanks for keeping your paws crossed and your tails wagging!

Love Mati

I'm home

Thanks everyone for your well wishes! My Dad has been keeping me informed of everyone's messages!

Today we had a physical therapy session. I'm not so sure why everyone made such a big deal out of it, it was a snap! If it was a test I would have passed with flying colors! The Physical Therapist said I was doing great! She said my homework exercises will be increased to more difficult levels as I master them!

After physical therapy we stopped into the Internal Medicine and Emergency Room at the Hope Center to say hello. I was ready to go to my room but almost forgot I was just there to visit and not stay! They were glad to see me only as a visitor and walking around on my own too!

It's been a good day, and now I'm ready for a nap. I may have to help Dad and curl up next to him while we watch The Fifth Element! I hope he doesn't fall asleep during the movie like he always does!

Kisses and tail wags to all!
Love Mati

Good to be Home!

After careful consideration, Mati was released today!

When arriving home, she was able to walk around the house with oversight and some steady hands! She has also found good traction on the grass too! A little wobbly and with slight head tilt, she moves around with determination! She is also full of kisses too!

We have physical therapy to set up and hopes are to be walking on her own with good balance and coordination soon!

I feel a special note and huge thank you is in order of the dedicated team of doctors at The Hope Center and Veterinary Surgical Center as well as the doctors at the Iams Imaging Center and Seneca Hill Animal hospital. They are Doctors Windsor, Hickey, Joung, Slade, Smith, Rossi, Johnston, Miller, Beck, and as always; Doctors Farnon and Homan and Doctors Munizza and Pepelko.

In addition, big recognition to the talented and dedicated Licensed Veterinarian Technicians that also support Mati girl 24 hours a day, to her every beck and call, in which case there are so many I'm sure I would accidentally to overlook some names....

More updates will follow I'm sure!

Thanks to everyone for keeping their paws crossed and prayers and wishes!

Love to all!

Day 4 Update

More good news! After visiting with Mati last night, she was able to get up on her own and was able to take several steps. She was also alert. Still a long road to go to wellness.

This morning, day 4, she was already sitting up when I arrived at 5:45 and stood up on her own again! With a sling to assist and steady her, she walked outside and then back in again. She was again alert with a wagging tail. She still has a long road to go but appears to be doing really well so far!

Thanks again for keeping your paws crossed!

Better News!

The prayers and good wishes are all working!

The MRI was done and it's good news. She has no obvious disease or tumors. She did however have a small stroke. The vertigo is a result.

In addition to the MRI, they are executing some other tests. If the stroke is not
complicated by anything else, she should recover in time but will most
likely require some physical therapy.

At this point we are simply waiting to see how she regains her abilities day by day.

Mati truly is a real trooper!! She is doing so well and letting everyone do what is needed with no complaints. Even as unstable and dizzy as she is, she still gives kisses.

More news will follow, thank you all!

Hospital Update 2

Mati is scheduled for an MRI at 3PM today.

More information will follow, keep good thoughts and prayers.

Mike

Hospital Update

Just returned home from a lengthy visit with Mati in the hospital.

She still remains in the same condition but was relaxed and happy to sit with me in a quiet room for a long while.

If she is not significantly better or close to normal by tomorrow, she will have an MRI to determine any metastasis or inner ear (vestibular system) problems.

More will follow, so keep good thoughts.

-Mike

Prayers and Good Thoughts Please!

On Saturday evening / Sunday morning Mati was admitted to the hospital.

She has Vertigo.

She has had a number of brief attacks over the last week, most only lasting about 15 to 30 seconds after getting up (just like people). This last attack is still on-going, now just over 24 hours. We hope it is due to something simple and not a progression of cancer. I will update this tomorrow after speaking with the Neurologist.

This picture was taken earlier in the day, with her enjoying her new bed!



This picture was taken after I caught her texting a friend - and we thought you needed thumbs to do things!



Ever get the feeling that when you get up after being in bed that the dog will NOT take your place? (Yeah, me neither).

Hello All - Mati here. All is good with Dad and I ... We continue getting good reports from the doctor and I've gained just over 10 pounds! Even though I still can not eat, I'm doing well and continue seeing my good good friends at Seneca. I feel so good that I have also talked to my Doctor the other day too! (She needed some advice).

Some days we play hookie from work and we get to stay home all curled up together!

Here's a picture of me sleeping. (I wish Dad wouldn't take pictures of me sleeping...it wakes me up!)




I'll have him take some better photos soon!

Haroooo to everyone!
XO - Mati

PS. Thanks to Kate and Pippa too for reminding Dad that the blog was down!

01/18/10

Log Entry #1562, 17-Jan-2010, 8:47 PM, Day 151, Description "Mati admitted to The Hope Center"

Around 10 AM Sunday, Mati started feeling ill. At this point I only know that she is having problems with her esophagus (considering she has Esophageal Cancer). Think good thoughts and prayers. More will follow.

Here she is taking a nap earlier:




Update: 12:00 Noon - She is doing better. Hopefully she continues to heal and appears she will be released tomorrow! More will follow.

Update: 12:00 Noon Wednesday - She is home and doing well. Seemingly back to her routine but still a bit squishy. (Staying close and snugly). Otherwise she wags her tail at everyone and sends thank you kisses!

Oh....

Enough Said!

16" of SNOW 12/19/09


Mati and I deeply miss the Rockstar and we think of him daily. From time to time we have enjoyed checking in on your blogs, the Ao4, Pippa, Dogs of Jackman Ave, Lorenza,... and so on.

So now onto Mati. She's been tired, so she asked me to update you;

On 8/27/09 little sweetheart Mati was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, specifically in the esophagus and mouth. She is on a feeding tube since she can not eat/swallow anything but water.

Since then she has had chemotherapy, and two types of Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (Gleevec and Palladia) to stop it from growing. They are both respected drugs – especially Gleevec in the biped world. The treatments were successful in reducing the cancer tumors in her mouth by 65%. Due to complications, we are unfortunately unable to continue any more treatments without causing harm.

In addition to the drugs and chemo, she has had multiple endoscopic procedures including two balloon attempts to open her esophagus. Although we made some progress, they were not able to do the job enough. Doing any more could be harmful.

She initially went from 50 pounds to about 38 pounds. Over the course of time, she has gained weight and is up to 45 pounds today. In addition, her blood counts are constantly rising and falling. We hope they stabilize due to the serious complications that can result.

To maintain her current state, she goes to her favorite hospital during the day for medication and food administration while I am at work. It’s become a job for her as she has loves being curled up on her bed in the car as she can’t wait to get there in the morning. Once there, she drags the techs to “her spot” where she has her room with her own bed. Of course she is ready to leave when I pick her up (after
being awakened from a deep sleep of a tough day).

Recently Mati had her 15th birthday. The hospital doctors and staff had a birthday party with biped food and quadruped gifts and a balloon too! It was quite the surprise and I know she is enjoying her new bed, and shirt. (She wears shirts/sweaters to cover the tube port and tube – to discourage her from doing “maintenance” on the tube and/or site!)

I am very thankful that the incredibly compassionate hands at Seneca Hill Animal Hospital taking such high quality care for her – as I would at home. The doctors and staff are super and go over and beyond. I can not say enough about them.

I’m further thankful for the equally compassionate hands at The Hope Center. Their doctors and staff equally go over and beyond. We are lucky and blessed to have such care and places to go to.

We are now on day 121 and her 1260th medical log entry. Looking back thru all the entries, I’m reminded of when things looked worse. Today Mati remains happy and alert, and is obviously feeling like herself again. She has settled back into her routine of talking to me and pushing me around the house! I’m happy to see her happy and carefree.

I end this entry today with – Finally, It has snowed! Mati and I have been outside a few times, and we have had about 16” of snow so far (it’s still snowing, but may stop soon).

We both wish you a safe and happy holiday season. –Mati and Mike

Rest In Peace

At 2PM today, Rocky succumbed to an aggressive form of Cancer of the Lungs. He was the best boy ever and I love him so much.



A supplement to Saturday; Thank you to everyone that has posted, sent a direct email, or mail. Your words are so very comforting.

In summary, Friday morning I took Rocky one of his two favorite places to go - Seneca Hill Animal Hospital. He so loved to go there - they treated him like their own. There they recognized what was going on. We transferred Rocky to SouthPaws Referral and Emergency Center where he stayed the night. By the next morning, he was in further distress and rapidly deteriorating. I was with him to the end as he crossed the rainbow bridge around 2pm EST.