[Dailydrool] Many thanks -- and update on Toby

[Susan Randolph]

Many thanks to all the kind Droolers who offered support and advice on my 
big boy Toby's recent diagnosis of chronic kidney failure. I received a lot 
of great suggestions (including joining the Yahoo group K9KIDNEYS, with many 
knowledgable people). My big lug has been on an antibiotic for a week now 
and seems to be improving slowly. He's still drinking (and peeing) like 
crazy... but is back to eating again and seems to feel like his old 
troublemaking self again. It seems that an infection is the trigger, but the 
kidney issues will take a long time to manage. The support of those who have 
dealt with the challenge is incredibly encouraging. So much so, I've even 
started experimenting with a raw diet (I'm a newbie but slowly learning how 
to combine supplements and traditional foods with natural options ... and 
the dogs are LOVING being guinea pigs...)

Of course, for all the pawsitive signs, there are negatives. And bad news 
comes in threes... or in my case, in twelves... I'm on furlough from work 
(better than layoff I suppose, but a 20% cut when facing big vet bills is 
never good), my NEW windshield cracked for the second time in two months, 
Toby's peeing ruined the hardwood floors in my rental (cha ching for my 
landlord), and my Daisy is just overcoming some health issues of her own... 
surely the end must come soon, right? The signs that Toby is feeling better 
are giving me hope that things may be taking an up-turn... and the kindness 
of Droolers in offering their experience and insights is PROOF that 
pawsitive vibes can make a difference.

So thanks and please keep that helpful drool flowing for all the pups who 
need a little help...

Drool on,

Susan (slave to the Tobermeister and Daisy)