Are you sure you’re not from the South? Apologizing for something you have no control over and you’re updating something any decent human being would care about – Da TBoggs and da TDogs. You should relax yourself, much as you can and besides – the Stupids seem to be in control of the media and McCain’s inner Junior. It’s not pretty. Don’t even look.

(…you try and get a container between the ground and a basset penis) ....but if it’s all the same to you, I will skip that one.

Call me irrational – (pause…silence, please) but I figure it doesn’t hurt to send off a request of two to my favorite kitty’s spirit for these kinds of things. He was named for St. Nicholas because we adopted his homeless self on Christmas Eve, and what the hell – it can’t hurt to ask.
He was a tough one. We thought we’d lost him, he came back, kicked ass for another year.

Best thoughts and basset-sized prayers.

Man, you’re just having a massive lack of fun, aren’t you? Kidney stone? Been there, did that, didn’t enjoy a second of it.

The late Pepper the Wonder Hound developed kidney trouble late in her life, evidenced by a sudden appearance of unprecedented-for-her incontinence. Eventually, a change in diet (prescription food, so I saw more of the vet’s receptionist) relieved the problem.

Good dog, good doggie daddy. Best wishes to you both.

I’ve never heard of a dog with kidney stones – but I haven’t had a dog since i was a kid, so what do I know?

But, being a long-time CatMom, I have certainly heard of Feline Urinary Syndrome. Crystals form in the urethra – it’s very *very* bad news. And FUS does tend to attack older male kitties most often. Is there a canine version of FUS? If so, then maybe ol’ Satch should be checked for it.

Hastily adding: FUS is very bad news because it blocks the urethra – once it’s diagnosed, it *is* quickly treatable.

Oh and thanks for the video. Harry Nilsson has been a favorite songwriter/performer of mine for years, loved “The Point” and the song since they first came out …and so here’s something back.

“I was on acid and I looked at the trees and I realized that they all came to points, and the little branches came to points, and the houses came to point. I thought, ‘Oh! Everything has a point, and if it doesn’t, then there’s a point to it.’” — Harry Nilsson

thank you so much for thinking of us

best wishes for healing and comfort to a boy and his dog

TBogg, you’re killing me here. Nobody loves dogs more than I do. Note that I said “more.”

I don’t go back far enough to understand yours and MrsBogg’s love of bassets, so I’ll just assume you got one a long time ago and learned to love them, which is easy, since they’re dogs.

But I gotta tell you, being an amateur dog-whisperer and all, that you gotta go to the shelter and get a mutt next time. For some reason, mutts just don’t have the health issues most pure-breads do. Somehow the mixed breeding of dogs tends to bring out the best characteristics of all of their ancestors. I don’t claim to know why, I just claim to know it is true.

Now, I say this with great love for your bassets. One of my best friends had a son, Fred, who happened to be of the basset breed. GREAT dog. Much loved, by me too.

It’s just that sharing your pain, along with MrsBogg’s and the LTC’s, is truly distressing to me. I can’t stand dogs and their loved ones in pain and said loved ones worrying all the time.

All that being said, I’m stuck by my dog-love (but only as friends) to feel your pain. It’s like reading K-Lo’s posts. Psychologically destructive, but compellingly so.

I sure hope Satchmo is OK.

A lot of us love your dogs like we love you and the rest of the family. OK, I do anyway.

Best of luck. Kidney stones would be good.

Keep us posted. And worry not about the rest of your “duties” as a somewhat popular blogger.

I hope you and Satchmo feel better soon. You must be hurting to miss Eddie Izzard. I’d never heard of him until you started Friday Eddie Izzard blogging at the old site. (I don’t have any pay cable channels and never saw his shows.)

Thanks for the update, and take care.

One of the best things about coming here is the beautiful pics of your bassets, and the stories about them. I’ve linked friends and family to your place just to see them. Some have even gotten fond of your snark.

I’m hoping for the best for the lovely Satchmo.

What a sad face the old boy has. And I can relate to the stones: I have number 4 lurking about right now . . . a truly joyless experience.

I hope it’s something easily treatable that he can recover from quickly. And I want it figured out soonest. It’s lousy that they can’t tell us what hurts and where . . . .

I’m guessing even those FDL folks who haven’t been following the TboggDogs very long are still the finer type of people who either love the critters as much as the rest of us or at least will not begrudge your gracious updates.

It really only takes one look at the wise and wonderful Satchmo to develop a serious love affair with that old gentleman. Sorry to hear about your kidney stones, but that just shows what a good dad you are to be suffering yourself and still worrying so about the Boys.

Thank you for keeping us posted because there are a lot of us who care.

Don’t worry, he’ll be fine.

Hope Satchmo gets better, TBogg and don’t sweat the blog.

Of the two dogs of my childhood one was a basset (Clyde) and I’ve been very fond of them ever since. (That and black labs. If I ever have the right living arrangements, the plan is one of each. Hmmmm.)

Again, best of luck.

He’s beautiful, and we want to know how he’s doing. Please don’t apologize.

Keeping us updated is an act of kindness, nothing less. You are all in our thoughts. Thanks for taking time to write.

I’ve been reading only now and then because I’m still not done with my Cypress enough (she died in May)that I don’t burst into tears at the thought of anyone else’s beloved pets suffering, but I can’t just ignore it either.

I know what you mean about grasping at every upturn in the situation… But I’m still hoping this is the corner. We’ll keep you and Satchmo in mind, and our fingers crossed.

We’re kittysitting Pam’s daughter’s cat Samantha, while daughter Michaelle, hubby Randy & our grandbaby Isabella are in Wisconsin.

Furry 4 legged people are wonderful family members. We laugh at what we perceive as their goofiness, and we sympathize with their distress. We take comfort in their affection, and treasure their presence in our lives.

I hope Satch comes through this medical issue with his penis held high, with clear and sweet-smelling urine, and that he cavorts mildly yet sincerely (he is close to the ground, after all) once again with familial devotion.

I well know the frustration of wishing a Furry One could tell us what’s the matter. I am sure that both of you found a measure of comfort in each other’s presence while the female contingent was enjoying Izzard. Take care of one another, and blessings upon the urinary tracts of all in Casa TBogg, whatever the distance between penis and the ground.

Love is Dog.
I hope you’re both better very soon.

Boggs, my heart goes out to you as you watch your friend’s decline. I know the feeling very well.

If you believe that you always gave him the love and devotion you would have when he has departed from you then there is no need for grief, but only joy to have particpated fully in his life.

http://www.able2know.org/forum…..hp?t=60139

Remember this, it is posted above my wall over my pc.

Tribute to a Dog

The best friend a man has in this world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son and daughter that he has reared with loving care may become ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us, those whom we trust with our happiness and our good name, may become traitors to their faith. The money that a man has he may lose. It flies away from him when he may need it most. Man’s reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill considered action. The people who are prone to fall on their knees and do us honor when success is with us may be the first to throw the stone of malice when failure settles its cloud upon our head.

The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his DOG. A man’s dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground,where the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he may be near his master’s side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer, he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounter with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wing and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens. If fortune drives the master forth an outcast into the cold, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him to guard him against danger, and to fight against his enemies. When the last scene of all comes, and death takes his master in its embrace and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by his graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws and his eyes sad, but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even to death.

-Senator George Vest, 1870.

Please, give Satcmo a scratch behind the ear and let him smell you as you hug him for me.

Good luck to you and Satchmo, Tbogg.

Well first of all… those lucky wankers, Mrs. Bogg and L&T Casey! Sorry that you couldn’t make it.
I LOVE Eddie Izzard.
Take care and God Bless. We will still be here.

I wonder what Satch has et?

Arthur used to eat rocks, but being a seriously primitive form of DOG it didn’t disturb him. Satch – saintly and refined – something’s caught in the works?

Let us know, TBogg.

A couple of months ago our ten year old Bichon had to have bladder stones removed. She had seven or eight the size and shape of chocolate chips, and one that looked like a golf ball that had been smashed by a sledgehammer. Displayed in a ziploc bag, those have been surefire conversation starters! She was experiencing frequent, painful, and not very productive urination. Our vet said the stones are calcium buildups, and for whatever reason, some dogs (and people, for that matter) just don’t process the calcium to get it out of the system properly. Probably has to do with diet. Anyway, Stone-girl bounced back immediately after they were removed, and is 100% now. Hopefully Satchmo’s problems can go away as quickly. We’re rooting for everybody (and hopefully your stones don’t get that big)!

Thanks for your updates and best wishes for healing of all the afflicted at Casa TBogg.

Satchmo has such a sweet face. Be sure you keep it covered with kisses.

I have observed that dogs are on to us completely.
Sure, they con us and do whatever it takes to get our attention, even if that means pissing us off.
How else can they show us who we are? They, after all, do definitely have Buddha Nature.

I have friends who will never “have” a dog, even if they purchase one and provide it with food and lodging. Food and lodging are everywhere for a dog, so providing it is no great shakes to the pup.

My wife “has” every dog she encounters because she provides them with the things dogs really crave. Friendship and love.

That’s what creates the bond and dogs need it. All of us who are posting here know that.

The friends who can’t “have” a dog don’t know that and the dogs recognize it right away.

We don’t “have” dogs. Dogs give themselves to us.
Love.

That’s what the Tboggs have.
They have shared it with us all and given themselves to us, and for that I am truly grateful.

Hang in there Satch and Tboggs and pups.

I appreciate your updates and wish you the best possible outcome. When I was a teen, we had two bassets (Clifford and Mandy), and they had two wonderful litters of 7 and 8 basset puppies. All puppies are cute, but I’ll always think that basset puppies are the cutest, with their ears dragging in their puppy food dishes…

I’d like to pass a warning along to dog lovers. I was looking to adopt an 11-month old Harrier (I have an old guy, Dash, approaching his 15th birthday this month). Anyway, the youngster and 3 others got into some groceries which included some Xylitol (a sweetener), and they ate a pound of it. It is not just a rumor – it can be fatal. Although 3 lived, the dog I was to adopt was put down last Thursday. Fatal liver disease. 3 are still alive, one had transfusions, and they may recover. The toxicologist isn’t sure, as this could be the worst case on record. But Aidan won’t be my next dog. So, if you have dogs in the house, I strongly recommend not using Xylitol to make non-sugar baked goods or to sweeten your coffee. I poured our remaining few ounces of Xylitol powder down the sink.

Again, good luck with Satchmo, and keep us updated. Many of us care a great deal about your dog’s health.

- Bill

I just suffered through the loss of our beloved Maui a few months ago. Like TBogg, we have bassets, and yes, hybrids do tend to be healthier, but there’s just something about bassets. I’ve been dreading reading bad health news about Satchmo for awhile, since I’m aware of his advanced age and have been there. My thoughts are with you, your family and him.

Isn’t that just like St. Satchmo to develop sympathy kidney stones! Bless his heart, and yours.

Dear Satchmo, hope you feel better soon, buddy. We’re all worried about you.

(((((Satchmo)))))

Satchmo, Victoria, Sweet Pea and Hoover are all purring together (which is a first and completely in your honor) in hopes that you feel better soon.

TBogg, if anyone gets pissy (no pun intended, much…) about basset blogging please feel free to indicate the location of the door. And I hope that your kidney stones (OUCH!!!) depart with a minimum of misery. I’ve heard that cranberry juice helps…

De-lurking here. Don’t give up on Satchmo…My basset is 14 and 2 months old and she still begs for food any chance she gets! Bassets are stubborn…as if you didn’t know that! Satchmo won’t give up that easy.
My 10 year old lab-mix had epileptic fits which were getting closer and closer together and I found that if I stayed calm, she did better. It is REALLY hard to be relaxed in these situations, but it might help you and Satch a bit…positive thoughts and all that. She is also proof that dog food makes a difference: I changed her food and she hasn’t had a fit since.

Kify sends “Arroooos” and healing slobber in your direction…

Whew, I can’t believe I finally got to register and log in. Registration times out repeatedly in Firefox. For some reason it suddenly seems to be working in IE v.7.

I’ve been a huge fan of Satch from day one. He’s my favourite of all your boyz and that’s not saying the others aren’t worthy furry fellows…it’s just “there’s something about Satch”. He’s classic, like an old Bentley; not sure they make bassets like him anymore.

I am crossing fingers and toes this isn’t old age bearing down and that Mr. Soul will be around for a long long time to come.

If it is kidney stones, I’m told that apple cider vinegar (diluted in water) dissolves those buggers so that you don’t have the agony of having to pass them. I’m not sure how you’d ever persuade a hound to ingest the bitter flavour of this particular beverage but maybe adding honey to it and mixing it up with his food might help? If the problem is stones, that is.

Apropos of the new agey fellow who spoke about the homeopathic approach, wheatgrass is also very good for what ails animal and man. Animals nibble grass when they are sick for a very good reason: it is loaded with healing chlorophyll. Wheatgrass is a most potent source. Hideous flavour but very good for the body. It’s given to elephants at the elephant sanctuary for what ails them.

Satchypoo, please get better. The world needs your sweet little face, even if it’s only every Thursday. Praying to the basset gods for your speedy recovery.

Cheers to Beckham (who must be wondering what’s wrong with his best friend) and the new zany addition to the household.

What a nice de-lurk! Between the healing slobber and the “arrooooos” I have a feeling that Satchmo will improve. (At the very least Fenway will have some “arrooos” to respond to.)

Keeping my fingers crossed for the Satch. And don’t apologize: if any of the boys is sick, regular readers will want — nay, DEMAND — frequent updates.

We love the TBoggs and the TDogs.

Oh, and TBogg? This too shall pass.

Satch, my Molly has had the hots for you since we’ve started watching the Thursday nite B Blogging. She’s a 15-year-old Beagle/Jack Russell mutt who, like you, descends from royalty and also carries herself low to the ground. She awaits the day when you and your crew return to full strength. Best wishes, Satch.

That will get his attention…Satch? Hear that? You still got “it” buddy.

Tbogg, my heart goes out to you and your family. My basset Wally is the love of my life and I dread the day when he too will pass. I raised him from 6 weeks and he has been the most devoted, most stubborn, most loveable companion I have ever had the honor to have in my life, there is nothing quite like a basset hound to make your life complete. I hope that all goes well and Satchmo makes a full recovery, best wishes to you and Mrs. TBogg.

Kidney stones are not common in dogs but bladder stones, unfortunately, are. Furthermore, bladder stones come in two varieties — oxalate-based and calcium-based — and of course the preventative measures for one can actually encourage the other. So, good dogfolks, don’t try cider vineagar, cranberry, or similar human-approved folk remedies on your bladder-stone-afflicated dogs without talking to your vet first!

PSM aside, Tbogg, has the vet suggested an ultrasound for Satchmo? Our own beloved Buta-Hime-Sama undergoes an ultrasound every six months to check for more bladder stones (she’s had surgery for BOTH types, ’cause she is Special) and the last session revealed not only another batch of stones but a “suspious mass” that turned out to be a golf-ball-sized intestinal tumor which she had not bothered to complain about. Since ultrasounds can usually be done without anesthesia, the only collateral damage will be to your wallet & it’s past the point where you’re worrying about ’sunk costs’…

The other thing about bladder stones, apart from the pain, is that they frequently serve as a “hiding place” for bacteria. Dog is suffering with a bladder infection (and the only signs may be hunching & white cells in the urine), gets antibiotics, does better until the stones bang free another batch of bacteria. Doubt this would explain everything that Satchmo is going through, but the added pain & indignity of an other minor issue can be the Last Straw for a geriatric dog with other problems.

Hugs to you and Satchmo both. I’ll say a prayer for you both tomorrow.

I know, I know, but it can’t hurt, can it?

And if it makes you feel any better, I too was cheated—cheated—out of my chance to see Eddie Izzard back in June. And he was at the Ryman, the best house in town.

Thanks…I used to foster for Basset Rescue in NC and hang out on the “Daily Drool” message boards….If a basset passed away everyone would take their broods outside to howl “Arrooos” to help him/her on the way to the rainbow bridge. The slobber has been known to have amazing healing properties…usually you forget your troubles when you have to clean it off your walls:)
When my husband was deployed on a ship ‘99-’00 and my mom was in Kosovo everyone sent them “Basset Christmas Cards”…I still have the cards with at least 200 beautiful bassets on them. Basset owners are a special breed….don’t ask me what that means

Hoping things are taking a turn for the better. What a pic…are those expressive eyes, or what?

I figure you & dogs don’t drink out of the same bowl, but I bet you drink from the same tap. What’s your water source? Has it changed recently? Don’t you love it when some anonymous person off the net asks you some stupid question like this one?

Hey, John, what’re the chances of that?

But I gotta tell you, being an amateur dog-whisperer and all, that you gotta go to the shelter and get a mutt next time. For some reason, mutts just don’t have the health issues most pure-breads do.

Not to (further) derail the thread, JohnO, but telling someone enthralled by a particular breed of dogs that randombreds are “better” is like telling an opera buff that the local folk coffeehouse is “better” because it’s all the same narratives and you don’t have to dress up for it. Plenty of people enjoy both opera *and* folk music, but someone who’s made enough effort to call themselves an opera-lover is no longer measuring their enjoyment on a cost-per-note basis. Far as I can tell, most of the supposed ‘hybrid vigor’ mixed-breed-dog advantage is that pound puppies with obvious health issues are euthanized rather than sucking up expensive veterinary resources. But every vet I’ve talked to, during the last 30-plus years, has treated far more dogs of unknown antecedents whose health problems put their human companions through emotional & financial distress.

I have to put in a good word for the rescue organizations, though. No matter how rare & esoteric your favorite breed, there will be at least one & usually several groups working to keep “their” dogs from ending up as kill-chamber statistics. One of the things for which the internet has been a blessing is that our last three Papillons have been rescues from out of state, dogs needing new homes we’d never have been able to find otherwise. And most of the “beauty-contest” purebred dog clubs are generous supporters of their particular rescue groups, in case you’re wondering — for much the same reason that the Knights of Columbus support Catholic Charities.

GuyFromOhio has a point. The local tap water is hard on the kidneys of older cats because of the high mineral content. It can’t be much better for dogs. The Boyz may just need that hoity-toity bottled water in their bowls.

The parents of a friend of mine recently were asked to dog-sit the basset belonging to a member of her extended family. The basset apparently made itself right at home by attempting to jump on their bed. But having that low-slung, chunky basset physique, it wound up flailing its hind legs while hanging onto the comforter for dear life with its forepaws. It was such a pathetic sight, and my friend’s parents were such suckers for those sad basset eyes, that they immediately moved a step-stool over so the dog could come and go as it pleased. Much to my friend’s mom’s chagrin, the dog insisted on sleeping with them every night. She has succumbed to the inevitable and bought a box of baby wipes to clean up the errant dog drool.

While we are committed to our bassets, we are also lovers of all dog breeds. I work with a local organization that has one of the most comprehensive animal welfare programs in the country, the Helen Woodward Animal Center. Here’s a link to their website.http://www.animalcenter.org/ One of their most progressive programs is an educational curriculum that focuses on “retraining” management and staff at animal shelters to “run like a business” and promote their animals in the same way a retail store would….using marketing techniques to increase adoptions and eliminate the need to euthanize ANY animals. They also sponsor an adoption program called Home for the Holidays and in a cooperative effort with over 2500 groups in 15 countries and their goal this year is to place 1 MILLION animals into loving, lifetime homes during the holiday season. We all have such busy lives and sometimes just keeping our heads above water is a challenge, but working with groups such as this or your local rescue organization brings rewards you can never measure. Kind of like our relationships with our own furry friends.

Kudos on the work at the animal welfare center, and what a forward thinking approach to getting homes for the many that need them. We acquired our current cat from a no-kill shelter; she’s a trouble-free, well mannered, super playful 10 year old who gives excellent massages. Go adopt the older ones if you can find the room, they really appreciate it.

I’m thinking healing thoughts for Satchmo many times a day, and I hope the vet has actionable news for you very soon.

I’m not sure about having an animal shelter put up a sign saying “EVERYTHING MUST GO!!!!!”, but “Adopt one, get one free” might have a certain appeal.

For the last few years I have been donating to a lady who has a retirement home for bassets. It’s called “The House of Puddles” in Maryland and she usually has 12 or 13 senior bassets, all with their respective health issues. I cannot imagine the emotional strength it takes to have four or five furry friends pass away every year. Marilyn always needs donations for healthcare costs, as you can imagine. I really don’t lack for anything and usually ask my family to donate money to her for my birthday/christmas presents. When my sweet Kify passes, I will definitely adopt a senior basset:)

My mom actually volunteers at the ASPCA in NY City taking care of cats…she is slowly turning into a cat lady (with my sister’s help) and trying to rescue street kittens….and I wonder where my love of animals comes from:)

I’m with the rest with the well-wishes. Sometimes the best we can do in life is make them comfortable, which is all any of us can ask for.

Good luck, Satch.

House of Puddles serenade for Satch….

(((Satchmo)))

Even heartless bastards love hounds.

Have they looked at the possibility of disc issues? I think bassets, like dachshunds, are prone to them because of their long backs and short legs. If it’s anything disc- or neurological-related, once he recovers, keep him on an anti-inflammatory diet, including supplements like Omega 3 oil, etc.

In the meantime, we are praying to St. Francis for Satch’s speedy recovery and sending our love and our dachshund’s love!

It does look like the problem is neurological and directly related to the original diagnosis of inflamed discs and fused vertebrae. Satchmo had a full internal exam today, including ultrasound, with no new findings. We go off to the neurologist on Friday but have been given the okay to cut back on the steroids and increase the pain meds. Two good outcomes in my mind. And for those of you who suggested acupuncture…that is our next course of action if results continue in this direction. Again, thank you ALL for the outpouring of love and good thoughts. It’s wonderful how one special dog can bring together so many good and kind people. You all give me hope.

AAAAHhhhoooooooo ! My dog Ben the Basset got diagnosed and was walking on legs he was dragging this morning..Here is a link you may find more information on these elfin dog vertebral problems.

http://72.14.205.104/search?q=…..#038;gl=us

The best to you and your dear boy from me and my husband..Marie (talkin56) Green Mountain, NC