Queso

10/25/2014

Wow... I am overwhelmed right now and don't even really know what to say. First of all, I am out of town for our annual work meeting right now. I am in complete awe of all of the text messages that I have received and I want each and every one of you to know that even though I have not been able to respond, those messages have meant the world to me. Secondly, it has been an unbelievably humbling experience for us to receive such love and support that we have from all of our FB friends. Many of you have never even meant Queso and don't really know his story. All that I need you to know right now is this... He was a rescue, and at 6 months old he became a part of our lives and I think I would have traded him in if I could have! He was a bit rambunctious, to say the least. Not even a month later, we wouldn't have traded anything in the world for him! We called him the "simple dog" and that's exactly what he was. He never required much more than anyone's love and attention. We, of course, fell in love with him in return, and are so very grateful for the 5+ years that we were fortunate enough to have him in our lives. We, truly, hope that you all understand how much your continued thoughts and prayers mean to us.
Adios and vaya con dios (goodbye, and go with God) little man! We love you and our "Sunday nights" will never be the same!!
Much love,
Jai, Julie and Sophie

10/24/2014

Hi everyone... I wish that this update came with better news... I started out my day getting on a plane to go to Omaha for my annual work meeting. Julie started hers out getting ready for work and preparing herself to bring Queso home by herself because we were finally told that he could come home to us! I was sad that I couldn't be there but sent her texts and emails throughout the day assuring her that she could do this!! As I was landing in Omaha at around 5:15pm today, I missed a couple of calls from her and called her back within a few minutes. She was waiting in the waiting room for the vet staff to change his bandages, like they have done every day for the past couple of weeks, and he went into cardiac arrest. They did everything that they could but could not save him. I'm sorry that I can't bring myself to say much more at this point but I wanted to let everyone know how unbelievably humbled and grateful that we have been for all of your love and support. This was completely unexpected and is so overwhelming. Again, we appreciate all of you more than you will ever know. I will try to post more info tomorrow and especially want to thank Amanda Relle, Erin Delany and Kacie Braud for being there tonight with Julie and Sophie Jo since I couldn't be there myself... RIP my sweet little prince.

10/22/2014

Hola amigos! I have lots of updates for all my fans! So yesterday was pretty tough. I was supposed to be able to go home when my mom came to visit me but I have some bacteria in one of my wounds that requires medicine that isn't good for my liver so I have to stay in ICU for 5 more days on an IV. The IV is now around my neck to get the meds in my system better which is what the bandage is in the pic below. Regardless, we had a great visit and I even showed her how I am leaning to stand on my braces! Just check out how proud I am in my pic! My moms came to visit me tonight and brought my sister Sophie! I was so excited! I just wanted her to know I was ok and coming home soon! They also brought our October Bark Box and I had some delicious treats! I was eating them up like crazy! I ran out of chicken and gave in to eating that hospital dog food ugh! But I know I need the nutrients and am doing everything I can to get better and return home to my family! My vet is looking into some alternative meds so I can get outta here. Wish her luck and please keep praying for me and supporting my family! See y'all soon! Q

10/18/2014

HAPPY GAME DAY EVERYONE! I just wanted to give an update on my progress before I go watch the game with Mike! I am still in the hospital receiving antibiotics via my IV and have a catheter in so I will be here a few more days. My surgeons are trying to get me off of the IV but having trouble finding a good antibiotic that won't hurt my liver. Hopefully we will get some good news when my labs come back on Monday. Otherwise I am doing pretty good! My favorite vet Sam wakes me up every morning and i get lots of rotisserie chicken (i mean seriously why would i eat dog food when i have a whole chicken in the fridge) then we go outside for a bit and she is teaching me how to get used to my bionic legs. I can't walk on them but I am trying to stand. I have stitches across my belly and the bandages came off today. Now I have to wear a stupid cone head because I want to lick them. Well they itch people, what am i supposed to do??!! My mom's visited me yesterday and brought me a doggie pina colada smoothie and it is so delicious! I don't like the taste of my meds so Sam gives me some so it will taste better. Mama Julie visited me before she went to work this morning and i was so exhausted I fell asleep while we were Face Timing my grandma Cindy. I also got to Face Time Mama Jai! Ok, I gotta go get the salsa music ready for our tailgate! Thanks for all of your prayers and support for me and my family during this hard time. Mucho amore! Q www.gofundme.com/queso

10/16/2014

Pic 1...Sometimes I just hangout and hold onto my braces. Mama Julie was so happy they were wrapped up...for now! You can see my terrible new haircut in the other. And don't worry that is my belly wound and skin folds so don't be reporting me to Facebook for being inappropriate and stuff 😉

10/15/2014

Buenas tardes!! I just wanted to thank everyone for their prayers yesterday!! I was up and at it this morning and even took a "walk" (well my student vet held my legs in a sling while i figured out how to walk on my front paws) but am a quick learner and they were all cheering me on! I am still refusing to eat that terrible hospital food but that is only because of the strong meds I am on. My IV will come out today and hopefully I will get my appetite back! Really I just want to get home to my mom's delicious homemade dog treats! My moms get to come see me after work today and the super nice vets here are even going to let them come after visiting hours since mama jai can't get there before 5pm. I will be so excited to see them and hopefully get to come home tomorrow. As you heard last night the surgery was much more intense than expected and I had to stay here an extra day so my moms and I continue to need your prayers and support!! Thanks again for cheering me on and I can't for all of you guys to come visit me soon!! Q http://www.gofundme.com/fqg66s

Hola... My name is Queso and I am a 5 year old black pug. I am a very curious little guy and found a way to escape from my back yard on Friday night, October 10, 2014. There is a restaurant near my house that had a band playing and I just wanted to listen for a bit. Since I am normally a very...

10/15/2014

Hey everyone... Queso is still very sedated from his surgery but we wanted to let you all know how things went. His doctors have been working on him since 10am this morning. My mother had open heart surgery and I don't think it took this long!! 😳😳 From 10am to 11am they had to prep him and take more X-rays, etc.. His actual surgery lasted from 11am to 4 pm!! Please remember how tiny those little bones are. It was a VERY challenging procedure. They had to put the external fixations on the outside of both of his back legs (I have attached pics of what these things look like). We knew that this would be the case but actually thought that his left limb would have one on the inside as well. His right leg had some joint damage also but they were able to fuse them together in hopes that they will heal properly. They were also able to remove dead tissue and close most of the open wounds but there are still a couple that will need to be monitored very closely. After all was said and done, they were able to get all of the bones and joints in place and have very high hopes that Queso (Rocky Balboa, as we have started calling him) will, eventually, be running the bleachers and jumping rope again by this time next year!
From 4pm to 7pm they were doing post-surgery tasks such as closing wounds, (including one on his belly), bandaging, etc... As of 8:15pm he was still under but hopefully will wake up within a couple of hours. Being under such long term anesthesia can also take a toll on their kidneys, apparently, so they are monitoring this as well.
I would like to now express how grateful and humbled we are by the outpour of love and support that we have received from everyone. This has been, and will continue to be, a very emotional and trying time for us and there is no way that we could do it without your continued love and support! Our appreciation is unfathomable. We will continue to keep you updated as we hear more.
Lastly, I would like to give a VERY HUGE shout out to Dr. Legallet and her staff. I would have not one single inkling of a problem trusting them with my own life. You guys have our undying admiration.

Much love,
Jai, Julie and Sophie

10/14/2014

Buenos Dias everyone! Today is the day. I go into surgery this morning at 10am. I am a little nervous but am in good spirits.
Last night my mom came to see me and I even got to Face Time with my sister Sophie. She is sometimes a little bit snobby and acts really bossy but I know she really misses me. I have included a picture of us below and I'm sure you'll see what I mean! I have also included a couple of pics that my mom took of me last night.
I have been a lot more alert since I've gotten to visit with my family. Please keep me in your thoughts today. I know that I am in good hands here with Dr. Legallet, Dr. Grimes and the rest of the amazing staff at the LSU vet school but it's also really really comforting to know that I have so many other people rooting for me!