Syringomyelia/Chiari Malformation

[Phyrie]

Has anyone else noticed the names of all of your Cavaliers? Barring mine, you have all named your dogs with human names, and such charming ones, too! I mean, a girl named Charlie? How sweet is that? And just READING the name Georgia makes me smile! And the formal-type ones: Oliver, Henry, Jacob? Adorable!

Just thought I'd mention it. Makes me smile.

[Georgia's Mommy]

Thanks Phyrie! I love the names, too. I got the name Georgia b/c I was originally getting a boxer puppy. I thought Georgia Forman would be a perfect name for a little boxer. I then found a litter of Cavaliers and couldn't pass up the sweet face. Her name was originally Nelly but Nelly/Kelly wasn't going to work for us! haha I went with Georgia Grace and planned on calling her Gigi but she is a Georgia. She's a keeper!

No acupuncture this week. I've been laid up with ear/sinus/throat infection and too sick to take her. Hoping to catch her up with treatments next week.

I hope everyone is having a great week!

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Kelly, I do hope you feel better soon.

I too was amused by Phyrie's comments. Don't forget CathyC's gang of Seamus, Bartholomew and Molly! For some reason, I think Cavaliers suit a human name. Georgia reminds me of a sweet peach, and Charlie as a girl reminds me of a more formal name like Charlotte being shortened.

Kiba is a lovely name and is unique without being totally "out there" like "Apple" or "Trey/Tray". Besides, it suits your little fellow.

Hopefully Georgia is loving her Mummy, Kelly, back to health. They have an uncanny way of doing that.

Oliver had a minor blip today and I'm not entirely sure if it was the weather, or the fact that all four of us humans in this house forgot his bedtime dose!!! It's the very first time that has happened in 3+ years, and I was beside myself last night at 2:00 a.m. when I realized.

Since he was only due his Lyrica and Diuretic, and was at the hour closer to his next dose than missing his past, I made an executive decision to skip the dose as the instructions say to do. He had his Heart Meds at his usual time this morning, as well as his Lyrica and was fine for most of the day. Around 5ish, he was no longer able to handle the stairs, inside or out, at all. Guilt, Guilt, Guilt!

Oliver had his morning meds and this came on very late in the day, so I'm chalking it up to weather. Besides, he has seemingly bounced back already. We were all so wrapped up in our other commitments last night, but even the boys felt so terrible, that I'm sure it won't happen again.

It reminded me of the morning where I held Oliver back while I slipped Henry the medication! All the muscle memory was there, and at the very second Henry swallowed the pill, I realized what I had done. Everyone survived that.

I hope all of our Cavaliers, as well as any other dog afflicted with this horrific disease, is managing well right now. As always, I'm sending huge hugs and keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers. ♥

[RayC]

Hi all. I hope all my US and Canada friends, human and furry, are not finding winter too stressful. It's down to 38F here in North Wales (probably a bit of a heat wave to some of you) and, shock horror, we had some sleet today

I love Phyrie's diversion into the names we have given our Cavvies. I can claim no great inspiration when it came to naming Charlie, in fact when she was a puppy our idea was to spell it 'Charley' with the thinking that that was the feminine spelling. Unfortunately our friends bought Charlie her first name tag and spelt it with an 'ie'! So that's what she became. It was only later that we latched on to the suggestion that it was a form of Charlotte.

Debbie, you mustn't beat yourself up over forgetting Ollies meds. I'm sure he'll forgive you after all the love and attention you've devoted to him these last 3+ years.

Kelly, I hope you're feeling better now and that you and Gorgeous Georgia are back to supporting oneanother. I love the picture you posted of Georgia with her 'bed-head' and accupuncture needles looking as if it's the most natural thing in the world What a great story of how Georgia got her name.

You're all in my thoughts and prayers.

Ray in North Wales ( at 12:25 am Friday )

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Ray, I love that avatar of Charlie! She is just so precious, and cheeky is written all over that loving face.

I think it's so sweet that your darling girl has a cheeky name. No girl can pull off "Charlie" as beautifully as yours does if she doesn't have the personality to match.

Cavaliers turn me to mush. The first one with whom I ever had an opportunity to be close, was a Tri female. She was the most loving little madam I'd ever met. I was smitten and wanted a Cavalier so badly. When Oliver became available, I was over the moon. I still am about that wee chappy of mine. Henry just completes the Cavalier circle of loving that I had wanted for so long.

Fortunately, my misstep with the medication seems to have been short lived. It's rainy and damp here today, much like I expect the weather is for Ray. Oh, it's a cold that creeps into one's bones! Sometimes the frigid cold is easier to take, just stay indoors! Oliver is back to Oliver's normal. ♥

He just loves it when I've had my hair cut, which I did today. To have two Cavaliers, one on each side, schnizzling through my hair, checking out all the new scent of different salon products, to find an ear into which to exhale. Lovely!

[me123]

He just loves it when I've had my hair cut, which I did today. To have two Cavaliers, one on each side, schnizzling through my hair, checking out all the new scent of different salon products, to find an ear into which to exhale. Lovely

Awwwwww! I'm away from my little snuggle bug and I have to admit that brought a tear to my eye. I miss those lovely damp-nosed snuggles. Two more days....

[jacknyc]

Awww I love those ear schnizzles! I'm in Arizona for two weeks and miss my baby boy sooo much already. He is with "grandma" and being spoiled. I actually call and have my mother hold the phone to Jack's ear - she says he starts wagging his tail ( although we all know it doesn't take much for a cav to wag their tail:)

Ray- I originally had Jack's name as Charley, I kept it for a week, changed it to henry then jack. Poor dog must have soo confused those first two weeks

Glad to hear everyone and their pups seem to be doing ok

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Tina, you are sweet! I know all about missing them when I'm away, and it's so hard.

Irene, I'm so glad to hear that Jack is doing well this winter! I'm sure he's being spoiled rotten and has probably forgotten that he ever had any other name than "sweetheart" or "darling" (or some other term of endearment) in his life. He'll come to "Jack" I'm sure.

Having spent the entire evening (from 5:00 until 11:00) with my son and his elbow from a Biking accident, in the Emergency Room, I was heartily greeted once again when I finally came home. Elliot's fine by the way. We just had to make sure.

Oliver has been glued to me since I came home. Henry was as well, but Elliot had a long day and wanted to go to bed at a reasonable hour of midnight! Henry wanted to stay with me, but he also wanted Elliot, so it's a win/win.

Oliver was so cheeky once I was home and "settled". He started making a fuss about having a treat, and was relentless. I think he wanted attention more than anything. Now he is snoring blissfully under my desk.

The nice thing about coming on here when we're away from our pups, is that we can generally see them either in our avatars, or by just looking at the profiles we created. Irene, I think that's so adorable that you talk to Jack on the phone. I do that as well, usually with the speaker phone, if I'm away. The dogs will start looking for me in the house wondering from where my voice is coming. There is recognition. ♥

[princelover]

That must be a dog owner thing...to call home when we are away to talk to the dogs on speakerphone. I thought I was the only one who did this.

[me123]

Caru sleeps with me. The first morning after I left, my son told me he found her asleep with her head hanging off the arm of the couch so she could see the door. That broke my heart. Son relented and she has been sleeping with him ever since.

Has anyone ever done a video chat? Caru watches tv and she will watch the computer if I had a video on with dogs barking. I have resisted because I'm afraid it might make her look for me. It might seem silly, but I don't want to make it harder on her. I was in Hyde Park yesterday and I just sat on a bench to watch the pups. One was a big time squirrel hunter. Mom had fastened some bells on so the squirrel could hear the dog coming, she said he managed to catch several before she figured that out. I can only imagine him wondering why he suddenly can't catch a one.

Being able to login and read stories about furkids helps me a lot.

[Georgia's Mommy]

Deb, Glad your son is okay!!

Me123, Georgia video chats with my friend's children all the time. It's adorable to watch her head go back and forth when they say her name!

When I go away, Georgia also stays with her grandparents. She NEVER hears the word "No" from my mother. What Georgia wants, Georgia gets at Grammy's house!!! It takes me a week to get her back on track with eating.

I have a quick question. Georgia's head rubbing is getting better but she is getting an increasingly more noticeable bald patch above her left eye. Does this eventually get better or grow back? I've noticed more head rubbing b/c I had to skip her acupuncture due to my illness. Worst virus ever!! I'm hoping when I get her back next week the rubbing will continue to subside. Overall, she's been really good since starting acupuncture. She seems to be on a good path with her medication, too.

Glad everyone is doing well.

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Kelly, if Georgia stops rubbing her face, the hair should grow back. However, that is an itchy process as well, or can be. If it doesn't start to grow back, and her face rubbing stops, I would pop back into the Vet and make sure nothing else is going on.

I'm the first to admit that I tend to err on the side of caution. I would much rather hear that I've wasted my time than "why didn't you bring this dog (child/yourself) in sooner?" I do hope you start feeling better soon.

I think that's adorable that Georgia enjoys video chats. I'm sure some dogs would and others wouldn't have a clue. Oliver will watch television, but Henry never, or rarely does. Oliver only started doing that when we acquired a 50" flat screen, that was lower to the floor on a stand. When Westminster was on, he would run and jump up on the television! He thought those dogs were coming straight out of the screen and into our house. Now he'll watch, especially if there is food around, and keep guard over any running animals on any size TV. Henry is oblivious.

Irene enjoy your vacation, or time away. I think it's so sweet the way our Cavaliers are spoiled by their "Grandparents". My Mum is a titch too casual for my liking, however, she is the one I wish to go and visit so she's out of the question for 6 months of the year.

Tina, I can't say I blame your Mum for putting Bells on Caru. I'm sure your son enjoys having her in his bed. I know Elliot can't sleep anymore without Henry. ♥

Elliot is much, much better today. The swelling has subsided and he's quite sore. I've been quite fortunate raising two boys as this was my first trip to the ER with either one of them, with the exception of when they were wee babies and violently ill in the middle of the night. My older son is 20. I'm probably over protective, but as I said at the start of this thread, I prefer to err on the side of caution when it comes to my charges.

Sher, I think it's amusing that you thought you were the only one! Everyone I know talks to their dogs. Men tend to shy away from using the telephone, but will still do it if they think no one else can hear.

[Georgia's Mommy]

Thanks for the info. Today Georgia's eye is quite swollen. I think it might be a rough day. My poor girl has been rubbing her head against everything today and it's only 9:00 am. Breaks my heart. </3

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Kelly, that's not good angel. I'm sorry to hear Georgia is suffering so badly. When is your next Neurology appointment? (Forgive me for forgetting.) I think it's time you went back in with her and demanded some relief for her. When Oliver is "untouchable", he goes on a 10 day course of Prednisone, with Pepcid to avoid tummy upset. We haven't had to give him that for 2 years now, almost.

Whatever Georgia is taking isn't working as it should be. Either that, or something is wrong with her eye. Whatever is the case, she needs some relief. My heart goes out to you, and of course to sweet Georgia. It's torture seeing our dogs in "discomfort".

When Oliver hurts, all he really wants is to be held all the time, in my lap. He leans against me, and we just talk and stroke it all away, to the best of my ability. I imagine you've had a very long day indeed.

Please let us know how things progress tomorrow, or later tonight. I'm sending huge healing hugs your way. ♥

[jacknyc]

Deb I just read your post about your son, I am so thankful he is fine, what a scare!

Kelly, I love your avator, I just want to give sweet Georgia a big kiss on that cute snout. How is her eye today? How about the rubbing? Are you feeling better?
This past fall I had a horrid case of pneumonia. I remember I was so weak and sick that I had to prepare my medication dose to coincide with Jack's potty time in order to have the energy to walk him. Big drawback to living in the city is no backyard THankfully he has a strong bladder and was able to sustain on going out only 2x's a day