Ty, September 4, 2012, morning update

A couple of changes worth noting.  This morning the crease in his nose leather (the one they all have, that runs up/down, between the nostrils, down to the lip line) started to bleed, and there were several spots of blood on the floor.  We took him outside for a hose drink, and he dipped his nose into the water bucket several times.  The bleeding seemed to stop.  I took a couple of photos afterward.  I was so worried when I discovered the blood, I didn't stop to take photos.  It looks better following his drink, and dunk.  Not quite as shocking as it looked with blooding dripping down into his mouth.

And don't think for a minute I did not notice that sweet eye, looking up, full of trust, into Cliff's caring and gentle face.  I believe he knows we are doing everything possible to help him get well.  That sweet eye tells me at least that much...

As for the rest...

Mouth sores continue in a holding pattern.  Nothing new, but no improvement, either. Breathing remains difficult through his nose, and he is continuing to pant very heavily.

He sleeps most all the time.  He needs assistance to get up and down, as he is so weak, but once up, he moves about fairly well.

Overall, we are just not seeing improvement.  The nose is much worse over the past several days, though everything else seems to be holding.

Just so hard...I wish I could take on his pain, so he could be free from it.  I know I speak for Cliff, too, when I say these words.  He is just a shell of his former self.  Come back, baby boy.  Please come back.  Whatever we need to do, we will do, until...well, until you tell me you are done with the fight.