We got Winnie (we also spell it “Whinny”) for our 10th wedding anniversary. She is now a teenager, and is 1/2 blue heeler (cattle dog) and 1/2 dalmatian. She has been the best dog. She loves to play fetch, loves to swim and play in water. She is fearless, in a good way – she never gets nervous when there are loud thunderstorms or fireworks or other loud noises. You couldn’t chase her away – no way would she run off or leave our sides.
We have been really lucky that Winnie has always been so healthy and is also the happiest dog to be around. We always joke about whatever it is she is taking, we want some! Who wouldn’t wan to have such a positive outlook on everything.
What a great traveler Winnie has been. She has always loved going on trips, including being on the road with us and the horses for 9 weeks on the 2001 XP. Getting to see the world.
Winnie loves going on long walks almost every day with our other dog, Dax– and never lets the horses get out of her sight if she goes along on a ride. Now that she is older, she doesn’t go out with the horses as much (or as far) but still does go out for walks almost every night.
A night ago, Winnie started to have difficulty breathing. She became increasingly uncomfortable and suddenly in the the middle of the night got up and would not stay still. She was clearly uncomfortable, and panting.
I took Winnie to the vet where she was diagnosed with an enlarged heart. Her heart is failing. She was placed on some medications. We can still take her out for walks, but need to cut them down to about 2 miles (or whatever she can handle).
The vet thinks it helped a lot having Winnie in such good shape and getting so much exercise her entire life that kept her going this long. You can see in the xray how her heart is enlarged and on one side is squashing her lung.
Things are better now, she’s sleeping quietly. On occasion she’ll pant a little but not like the other night. We are hoping that with the medication, she’ll be around a bit longer. We are all really worried about our Winnie the Pooh.
Oh, what sad news.
I’m so sorry for you. She sounds like a wonderful friend.
So sorry to hear about Winnie! I met her for the first time at 20MT and she was such a sweetie. I’m hoping for numerous more happy days for you both.
Melinda
Poor little Whinny!
The sadness and pain for our furry friends is so hard to bear!
But looking back at a life well-lived brings a smile!
Hopefully she has more good years ahead.
Gabe has been diagnosed with heart failure. I’ve not seen a bit of difference in him. 29 and half… still running and bucking.
Doggy kisses to Whinny….and hugs to you!
Sending Winnie healing thoughts–she looks like a real sweetie and is lucky to have you as her guardian! It is an emotional time when our furpals are not well. Appreciate all the time you take on your blog and wish you and yours the best.
Dear Karen: Sorry about the health of your beloved dog, Winnie. Hope that the medicine will help to extend her cardiac health.
With appreciation from Bob and Christopher in Fair Oaks, CA
Karen and Dave, So sorry to hear about Whinny. We certainly know the heartache news like that can bring. Our best wishes that the medication will help. Our animals bring us so much joy!
Karen,
I hope you have many more months or years with Winnie.
I too have a very special (red) cattle dog who was dropped off one Friday night about 8 years ago. He was comfortable being rolled about by my two arab horses because my other dogs didn’t want him around but they wouldn’t go into the corral. I named him Red and I’ll never know where he came from (he had a piece of hair missing from the back of his head) but he has been the best dog I ever owned. He’s about 8 or 9 and although he still chases coyotes up the mountain and chases the 2 yo blue cattle dog around, I think he’s slowing down in the heat. I don’t want to even think about him going to Rainbow Heaven yet. He’s my best boy! That’s what I tell him.
I hope you have much more time with Winny because they are the most special dogs.
Thanks everyone for your comments about Whinny. I hope she’ll be with us for awhile longer. We’ve been so lucky to have her.
Best wishes for lots of good quality time with your Whinny. Our animals fill such a need in us and I think the same goes for them.