Friday Things
Thank you to everyone who has asked about Einstein and offered up good thoughts and prayers for him. It’s been quite a long week for us. He had a great therapy session last Friday afternoon and we immediately started seeing improvements over the weekend – he began sitting up and standing up on his own, and being able to lay back down on his own, much steadier on his feet, hardly any knuckling while walking, and he even walked from his dog bed near our entryway over to the kitchen while Joseph was eating dinner on Wednesday without any issues (they both love mealtimes!).
Less than 2 hours after we snapped that picture above, he had a seizure while I was putting Joseph to bed. My husband rushed him to the animal hospital while I waited for my mom to come and stay with Joseph. After a complete blood workup, chest x-rays, an abdominal ultrasound, and finally an MRI, our worst fears were realized late yesterday… He has inoperable brain cancer that has spread to his lungs. The neurologist put him on a steroid to reduce swelling, alleviate his symptoms and allow him to be comfortable and happy. We get to bring him home today, but the prognosis is not good… the neurologist said that six months would be the very high end of expectations.
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My heart is broken into a thousand pieces. He is just the best dog, and this happened so suddenly with seemingly no warning signs. I really thought I had four or five more years with him. I just want to hug him and never let go.
I had a bunch of other things lined up to talk about in today’s Friday Things, but they all seem trivial given the news we got yesterday, so I’ll save them for next week.
Thank you all for loving Einstein as much as we do ❤️
Einstein was the reason I have become a regular reader of your site. Years ago I was looking for a recipe and happened upon your site on a day you had posted a picture of a very young Einstein in your kitchen. I don’t recall the specific day but I remember that you were so proud of him and really loved him. I thought that a girl who named her dog Einstein and enjoyed cooking must be alright, and I’ve been reading regularly ever since. Thanks to Einstein for being such a good dog and for helping us out here have a connection with you. We’re thinking of you. :)
Michelle I read your blog all the time and never comment but I just wanted to say HOW SORRY I am about Einstein. I can only imagine the heartbreak. He is clearly such a sweetheart of a dog. My thoughts are with you guys <3
I am SO very sorry to hear about this. My heart breaks for you. I know what it’s like to lose a dearly loved fur baby. It’s so incredibly hard! I am sending you so much support and love, and huge hugs to Einstein. <3
So very sorry. Einstein is a beautiful dog, family member, friend. I am 76 years old, and in my long years of having wonderful pets (family members), the goodby times are always the same – heart-rending and nearly unbearable. On July 4, 2012, I lost my dear husband of fifty-four years and our 18 year old beagle, Bucky, on the very same day, both to heart disease and kidney failure. Bucky had been with us from eight weeks of age and no money was spared in his vet and veterinary hospital care during his long life. At this time my gorgeous Maine Coon cat, Elmo, has been missing for two and a half months. Elmo is thirteen years old and had just had his annual checkup and was in perfect health, so don’t believe he went off to die. My son and I have done everything possible to recover him, even to hiring trackers from Texas and Connecticut. We live in Virginia. Flyers, posters, nice reward – nothing.
Now, here is something I want to tell you. Fifteen years ago we had a beautiful girl cat, Sally, fourteen years old at the time. She was a grey stripped tabby. Had been ours since a baby. She came down with a brain tumor. Her very good vet did not think she would survive long even if an operation would be done. We sought a second opinion. This vet suggested we take her to The Greensboro Animal Hospital in Greensboro, North Carolina. Said they were hospital only and had an outstanding reputation. We did so. The operation cost something over $5,000.00. Sally survived and went on to live for five more years, passing at the old age of nineteen years.
I know you gave the new baby coming soon, plus Joseph, husband, Duke. If you can, I would make sure Einstein’s vet was absolutely certain the tumor was inoperable. Cornell University has a good animal hospital also, which is probably closer to you.
I do so wish this beautiful boy could be saved to be with you and your family some more years, but, I would not want to put him through the stress of any operation without an excellent probability of success and I know you and your husband feel the same. Take care of yourself, and may God bless all of you at this time, mostly, for right now, dear Einstein.
Seeing you had over 250 loving messages my first thought was that you wouldn’t want anymore. However, my heart is just torn for your family and I’m wishing you strength and peace. Your health is utmost at this moment. Please stay keenly aware of yourself and your needs. You have many adoring fans and we are all praying for you guys. I am so very sorry.
Michelle, I am so sorry to hear about Einstein. I have adored reading your posts about your dogs, and it’s clear that you love them very much. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
Oh, no, Michelle! I am so, so sorry to hear about poor Einstein. I feel just awful for you. We only have our fur babies for such a sort time as it is! I hope in the time he has, he will be comfortable so you can love and spoil him a bit more. He is so lucky to have been a part of your family! Wishing you strength as you face such a difficult time…
Michelle….Where to begin? What to say? There are no words that can ease your pain. But what you know as well as all of us is that you are a tremendous dog mom! Over the years, Einstein has participated in baking cookies, cakes, pies and even made an appetizer or two. He’s been there willingly to assist in countless clean ups and has posed for many a picture. Not to mention, he has been there for major life events including marriage, the birth of your beautiful son to whom he is a guardian and he has been a role model for his little brother, Duke. He has been a supporter as your blog evolved and probably on more than one occasion has listened to an idea or pearched his head on your knee when you needed support. As hard as it is not to focus on his illness, you have to just live in the moment with him now. Enjoy making more
family memories and loving him.
I’m so, so sorry. I am sad for you and your family. I will be thinking of you.
I am so sorry to hear this. Our pets a family members and to lose them is heart wrenching. A year ago this weekend we said goodbye to our special cat Gummy Bear and if February we said goodbye to our black lab, Cassie. All we have now is a 15 year old cat and we hope to get a few more years with him.
Sending hugs your way.
Cindi
With tears streaming down my face I just want you and your family to know I am thinking of you and praying.
Einstein has been very blessed to have such a wonderful family. Make a bucket list of all the things he would like to do and do them now. God Bless y’all. There is nothing like the love of a dog.
This is heartbreaking to read…..I have been in your shoes too many times. Golden Retrievers are the best dogs on the planet, but they are prone to cancer and are taken from us too soon. I wish you didn’t have to go through this. He is a bautiful boy, and has your heart with him.
Oh Michelle, I am so very sorry to hear the sad news about Einstein. You can just see his heart through his eyes and can understand what a vital part of your family he is. This is so heartbreaking especially at a time when you and your family are preparing for what should be a time of total joy with your baby’s due date so soon. My thoughts, prayers and hugs are with you all and extra scritches to Einstein.
Michelle,
I am so sorry to hear about Einstein. Shower him with love, my prayers are with you and your family.
So sorry to hear about Einstein. I love seeing pictures of him on your Friday Things. There are no words to express how you are feeling. He is part of the family and difficult to see him sick. Enjoy him as long as you can and give lots of hugs and kisses.
Oh, Michelle – My heart breaks for You and your Family. I, too, have My Punnum that has begun to have health issues … and we are thankful for each day she is with us. She is so much a part of our Family, not having her lay by my feet is unimaginable. Sending you a Big Hug.
I am so very sorry to read about Einstein.
I am so sorry to read about Einstein. My heart breaks for you ans your family.
I am so sorry to read this. I’ve been a reader for years and I’ve loved getting to hear about your sweet pups. I’ve used many of your birthday recipes for dog treats once I got my own dog 2 years ago. It’s amazing how much they fill your heart. Many hugs to all of you.
Oh Michelle, I’m terribly sorry to hear about Einstein’s diagnosis. We lost a dog at four and a half to lymphoma so I know how it feels. I hope that the steroids make a big impact so you guys can enjoy him and he can enjoy his life however long it lasts (and I hope he blasts past their predictions.) I will keep your family in my prayers.
Sincerely,
Denise K.
Oh Michelle, I’m so sorry for you and your family! Einstein and Duke have become a favourite part of my Fridays, and seeing Einstein interact with Joseph has been so sweet. It is so sad to lose these precious parts of our families, isn’t it? Praying for you in your loss.
My heart goes out to you and your family.
Our 10 year old Cairn Terrier was diagnosed with liver cancer back in March, and he passed in early May.
We scheduled a photo shoot right after getting diagnosed-before he began to show that he was feeling ill. We love seeing him in his glory, those pictures are a comfort-and the way we want to remember him.
I am so sorry to hear about Einstein I know just you are going through. We lost our Papillion a couple of years ago at the age of 12 he was fine one day and sick the next. We took him to the vet and found out he had liver cancer and was bleeding internally. We had to put him to sleep the same day and that was one of the hardest things we have ever had to do. I hope you have much more quality time with Einstein. Prayers for you all.
This morning’s news had me tearing up over my coffee. So sorry to hear about Einstein’s prognosis. TAke comfort that despite this, he is one lucky dog to have been chosen by your family. He has been loved and cherished. it is better to have lived a rich fulfilling life than one that is long and miserable. Prayers to you and yours.
My heart is breaking for you and your sweet family. I know you are loving on him as best you can. Give him some love from me.
Oh Michelle, My heart is breaking as well. I am so sorry to hear this about Einstein. Give him tons of kisses and ear scratches from me. Sending many prayers for all of you.
Oh Michelle, I’m sooo sorry. I’m typing this through tears, as it brings back the loss of our beloved golden to stomach cancer in June. You were so kind to send me an email with your condolences! I will be praying for Einstein and all of you as you go through this hard time. He knows he’s loved (if he only knew how many people who’ve never even met love him!). There’s just no words. Much love and prayers.
As all of your other readers have said, I send these words with tears in my eyes and am so very saddened to hear the news today about Einstein. When we let our 14 year-old Golden, Winnie, go last year I was not ready for the level of grief. When it was time, we had the vet come to our house, which many vets will do now, and that allowed us to say good-bye to her in private. Someone said to me that letting her go “was the final act of kindness and love” we showed to Winnie. It is such an incredible privilege to have a pet, but such a great responsibility too, and I felt this responsibility most at the end of her life. You have given Einstein an unconditionally loving home and he has loved you back…there are no greater gifts to give. Thank you for sharing him with all of us.
My heart is breaking for y’all :( Love him up as best you can…it will be returned 10 fold. I am so very sad to hear this.