* Oscar isn’t feeling well, so I need to take him to the vet. He won’t eat or drink (he even refused a hot dog yesterday) and he’s obviously not his old self.

Here he is yesterday cuddling with his Uncle Rob…

Think positive thoughts, please. Thanks!

…Adding… … They are giving him some fluids to make him feel more comfortable and then they are going to run some tests and I should know something in about an hour or so.

…Adding More… The tests all came back negative. He ate some treats but he didn’t want any water. They are now going to take some xrays.

…Adding… The X-rays were negative except that he had an irritated stomach and bowels. They are putting him on a canned, bland diet for now and giving me some medicine for his nausea. We are going home now.

…Adding Still More… We’re home and he’s eating his new food. Wolfed down an entire can. What a relief…

I’ll be posting again in a few.

       

107 Comments - frisbee - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 10:08 am: Get well soon Oscar - Politix - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 10:09 am: Oh no!!! Poor guy! Get well, Mr. Oscar. - Colin O'Scopey - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 10:09 am: Godspeed, Oscar! I hope your back on all four paws and chasing squirrels as soon as possible! - Honeybear - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 10:13 am: Wow, poor guy wouldn’t take a hot dog. That is an indicator. Last time I offered a hot dog to Steve (Jack Russel) he nearly took my hand off trying to get at it. I hope he feels better soon. Good call on getting him in. You don’t want him getting dehydrated. - Politix - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 10:14 am: Let us know what the vet says. It’s always such a painful mystery when our pets get sick. - Threepwood - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 10:23 am: My pup and I are thinking of you both. Get well little guy. - Grousou - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 10:25 am: Oscar, feel better soon! - Stu - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 10:25 am: Give Oscar some ear skritches from me… - Oswego Willy - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 10:28 am: I’ll be thinking of both of you, Rich. - The Professor - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 10:28 am: Oscar; My dog Agnes sends her best. Get well and start enjoying the Fall - truly a dogs season. . - Mama - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 10:30 am: Wishing Oscar a speedy recovery, & a shot of whiskey for his papa. - Anon221 - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 10:37 am: “You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look that says, ‘Wow, you’re right! I never would’ve thought of that!’” —Dave Barry Feel better Oscar! - Responsa - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 10:39 am: Oscar is lucky to be in your good hands. I hope it’s nothing more than a temporary upset tummy. But going to the vet is certainly wise. - illini - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 10:40 am: When members of our families are hurting, we all feel the pain. Best wishes to Oscar for a quick diagnosis and complete recovery. My thoughts with you as well Rich for your continued recovery. - L.A. - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 10:43 am: Thinking nothing but positive thoughts for you and Oscar! - West Sider - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 10:50 am: A sick pet is a special kind of hell. Godspeed and good health to you and to Oscar. - Bootleg Carhartt Designer - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 10:50 am: Our Keeshond Crew hopes that you feel better real soon, Oscar! Your Dad is very wise to take you to your vet. - Pelonski - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 10:55 am: Best wishes. Hopefully, it is just one of those minor funks dogs get into occasionally. - Tequila Mockingbird - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 10:56 am: Best wishes to Oscar. Hot dog? Those things aren’t fit for human consumption for gods sakes don’t give em to your canine buddy! - How Ironic - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 10:56 am: @Rich Miller, 1st I hope Oscar is doing ok. Our dog had a similar issue, luckily it wasn’t anything serious. The serious part was the $1800 vet bill after all the various tests, IV’s, medications etc. Luckily we carry pet insurance. If you don’t have it, you might consider it going forward. It’s relatively inexpensive, about $40/month. Well worth it. We were able to get back about $1400 of the vet bill. If you want info, I’ll email you the name of the company as to avoid ‘advertising’ on your blog. - chiagr - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 10:59 am: Sending positive vibes to you and Oscar. - skeptical - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 10:59 am: Hang in there Oscar - Issie sends you her best wishes. - Niblets - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 11:00 am: Maybe he needs a little vacation away from Illinois politics. Be well both of you. We need you for our sanity to return. - Archiesmom - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 11:00 am: My Scottie boys send their best wishes to Oscar. They both put me through some scary moments in the last two weeks, so I completely understand your concern. We all hope there is a quick diagnosis and a quick fix for your best buddy. Give Oscar a hug from us. - Flynn's Mom - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 11:01 am: He’s very cute. Good luck at the doctor Oscar! - JS Mill - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 11:04 am: Get better loyal friend! - Brian Reardon - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 11:06 am: Our Chorky had the exact symptoms a couple weeks ago. We had the Vet look at him and she prescribed a couple of drugs. In the end, we think it was related to him chewing on a pencil. He bounced back in a couple of days. Hope Oscar has a quick recovery. - MrJM - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 11:07 am: At the risk of speaking for the entire class, of all the sons-of-ß¡^¢#€$ to be featured on this site, Oscar is our favorite. Hoping for the very best for both of you. – MrJM - PolPal56 - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 11:20 am: Our cat who was raised by a dog and thinks he’s part dog sends his best. I hope Oscar is okay. - Anon. - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 11:29 am: After a long summer of depressing news, this is the worst. Hope he gets better soon. - jim - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 11:31 am: Get well soon, Oscar. - Cindy Lou - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 11:36 am: Oscar has the ability to always bring a much needed smile and chuckle to reading what can be our doom and gloom state political world. Oscar, a very speedy recovery to ya, little guy. - Mio - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 11:43 am: Hope he gets better soon - Just Me - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 11:49 am: Sounds like he ate something he shouldn’t have. Hopefully he’ll be fine in a day or so. There is nothing more sad than a sick doggy. - Norseman - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 11:51 am: Best wishes. - jerry the dog - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 11:53 am: Oscar is young ..it may be something like pancreatitis …because of….diet…which happened to Jerry When Jerry was 19 it was heart and kidney failure…Oscar will be fine I bet you get a diet lecture…. - Amalia - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 11:54 am: oh little buddy, hope you feel better! ok, Rich that was for Oscar, but it is for you too! so hard when the small furry ones are sick as they cannot tell you where they hurt and how they feel. it’s so hard for the humans! Oscar, you always make us happy. hope you are happier by later today! - Ghost - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 11:56 am: Good luck Oscar! hoping its nothing - FormerParatrooper - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 11:59 am: Feel better Oscar. My lab CeCe says so too. - Mark - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 12:00 pm: Feel better Oscar! Thoughts with you bot Rich - Carhartt Representative - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 12:09 pm: Hope the little guy’s up and running around in no time. My thoughts are with you. - Arthur Andersen - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 12:15 pm: Feel better soon, Oscar, from AA and Louis the Wonder Dog. - Anonymous - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 12:18 pm: Best wishes for a speedy recovery to the both of you from me and Oreo, our 5 1/2 year old Border Collie. Dogs can say a lot with a look or a lick, but they can’t tell you when or what’s wrong when they’re sick. Oreo gets no people food and we stay away from hers. - RD55 - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 12:18 pm: Prayers for the best. Take care of yourself and Oscar! - Behind the Scenes - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 12:20 pm: 12:18 post labeled ‘Anonymous’ was really me. Damn computer has a crummy memory. - G'Kar - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 12:23 pm: Poor puppy! Get better soon! - Belle - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 12:35 pm: My dogs wish Oscar the best with his stomach issues. We all hope he is back to his normal chipper self soon!!! - Pius - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 12:38 pm: Best wishes to Oscar, from my dogs Bueller and Anyone. - illinoised - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 12:40 pm: Pulling for Oscar. - Littleone - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 12:40 pm: I hope he feels better soon! - Langhorne - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 12:41 pm: Never hot dogs for Oscar. If he is off his diet, try white rice, cooked w some chopped chicken liver. Fairly easy to digest, and hard to resist. - Waldi - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 12:46 pm: All my best wishes for Oscar - As a dog mom I know this is a stressful time for you too. - Red Ranger - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 12:48 pm: Man’s best friend for sure!!!! Get better soon Oscar - Very Fed Up - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 1:01 pm: Hope Oscar feels better! - Fr. Murphy - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 1:12 pm: My friend’s dog had the same symptoms 2 weeks ago. The vet couldn’t find anything wrong. Then she seemed to be better - now its day to day. Hope they both feel better asap. - Bogey Golfer - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 1:19 pm: Get well, big eyes. - Njardar - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 2:02 pm: If you point out a squirrel, or rabbit, and the terrier runs to the door you know it is not serious. It works with our Scotties. Best wishes Oscar. - BobO - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 2:02 pm: No Oscar! You can’t go on a hunger strike until the budget impasse is over! - illinoised - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 2:05 pm: Great! - bluecollargal - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 2:08 pm: Best wishes for Oscar to feel better soon! Give him a good cuddle. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 2:10 pm: Great news, glad to hear nothing serious. Oscar is one great dog. - Jack Stephens - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 2:10 pm: Get well soon Oscar! - Soccermom - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 2:11 pm: that’s a relief. Gatsby and I were so worried. - What's in a name - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 2:14 pm: No one commented that Oscar’s uncle is better looking than his dad. - Aldyth - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 2:22 pm: Glad to hear that he’s okay. I’m sure you got the chicken and rice recommendation already. My dog is on her second day and her digestive tract appears to be settling down. - Politix - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 2:28 pm: Good news. And good job, Dad. - illini - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 2:33 pm: A “bland diet” and meds are relatively easy remedies. Hoping all progresses well. Keep us informed - and with you as well. - PolPal56 - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 2:34 pm: Uh, just be sure to give Oscar plenty of opportunities to go outside as he’s recovering - irritated digestive systems sometimes want to move things through very quickly! I’m happy to see the photo of him eating. Rehydration alone can work miracles. - Grandson of Man - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 2:34 pm: Great to see that the tests came back negative. Get well soon, Oscar! - Anon221 - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 2:34 pm: Good Puppy! - lurks - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 2:39 pm: woohoo! I’ve been checking in all day. Happy Friday all! - Edd - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 2:39 pm: May God Bless you & your four legged friend! - Bigtwich - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 2:39 pm: What was it Lincoln said? Something about, “Find out what he’s eating and give some to all Illinois politicians.” - a drop in - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 2:43 pm: You really need a “like” button. - Cindy Lou - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 2:49 pm: Oscar appears to really like that bland diet he got put on ! Woo-hoo, Oscar. So glad he feels better. - Honeybear - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 2:53 pm: Hope he keeps his new food down! - Zoe - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 2:53 pm: so glad to hear things are headed in the right direction - illini - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 2:53 pm: Great news. Take care of him, as I am sure he is taking care of you. - Amalia - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 2:56 pm: pobre Oscar! in cats IB issues means trying a different kind of protein while watching to be sure it does not hit the kidneys and helping them cope with how it makes their head frazzled. soothing thoughts to Oscar and all his buds. - hisgirlfriday - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 2:57 pm: glad oscar is doing ok. - Anonymous - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 2:57 pm: OMG……my wife fed me the very same meal, said it was Chili. Ahhhhhhhhh - truthteller - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 3:07 pm: So in the end let’s hope that all this was just an expensive “bad tummy.” I have gone through many similar days over 4 decades of pet ownership. - Rich Miller - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 3:12 pm: The problem was Oscar’s digestive tract was reacting in the extreme. It’s now acting in moderation. - FormerParatrooper - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 3:14 pm: Glad Oscar ok. Hope you can relax a bit too Rich. I had to call home just to say hi to my girl. - JS Mill - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 3:17 pm: @Rich- Priceless. Maybe you need to get him away from Springfield for a while! Glad Oscar is on the mend! - Pelonski - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 3:23 pm: There is something going around the local dog population. My two also had digestive issues. In my case, it didn’t keep them from eating, it just lead to messy accidents in the house. - Austin Blvd - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 3:40 pm: Big sigh of relief for Oscar. Always good when the plumbing works like it should. - Vanessa - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 3:41 pm: Glad to know he’s doing well. - phocion - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 3:44 pm: Three cheers for Oscar!!! - Albany Park Patriot - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 3:48 pm: This is the most movement Springfield will have seen in a while. - Archiesmom - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 3:59 pm: Well done, Oscar! a collective sigh of relief…. - illini - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 4:00 pm: Wow. 88 comments on Oscar ( not surprising ) and over 100 comments on the MLB playoffs between the Cards and Cubs. And I am responsible for more than a few( with apologies, but I am without my car today ). Nothing here as heavy as what is going on in our great ( or once great state ) but a great way for many of us to express our sentiments on two totally unrelated topics. Thank you Rich, best wishes to Oscar and you, and Go Cards ( Had to get that in! ). - Anon - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 4:03 pm: Good news. Hills id anyone? - cdog - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 4:16 pm: So glad he is home and ate some food. And very glad all the tests results were good. We love our furry babies!! - A guy - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 4:17 pm: Prayers for the Little Big O. Don’t eat his food no matter how good it looks. Peace. - Blago's Hare - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 4:31 pm: Lets try to make it to 100 for the most famous dog in all of Illinois!!! - X-prof - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 5:09 pm: Go big O! - Rich Miller - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 5:12 pm: Thanks to everyone for the kind words and concern. I love that little guy more than I can ever say and it just about broke my (recently repaired) heart to see him so sick this week. I cannot tell you how relieved I am that he’s feeling somewhat better now. So, anyway, thanks again. It meant a lot. - illini - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 5:13 pm: And honestly, I would rather comment on Oscar or the Cards/Cubs playoff game ( and I have done a lot on both today ) with no apologies for not getting into any discussions about our dysfunctional state government. Great relief - I get far less frustrated when talking about our “family members” and our favorite sports teams. These discussions only infuriate those who know me. - Led Hed - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 6:27 pm: Rich, glad he’s doing better. Mine had those symptoms last year. Lucky I’ve got three DVM’s in the family. Turned out to be Lymes. Do you know if he was tested for that? - Just a Citizen - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 6:52 pm: So glad to hear Oscar is better - bebo - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 8:12 pm: Try giving you dog 1 tablespoon of 100% pumpkin. within 2 hours Oscar will be perfect and healed. - Fr. Murphy - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 8:18 pm: So happy for Rich and Oscar. Have a great weekend you, too. unlike my poor Cubs!! sob - Former Merit Comp Slave - Friday, Oct 9, 15 @ 10:40 pm: I can take the worst Illinois politics can throw at us but couldn’t bear it if little Oscar got sick! So glad he’s doing better! - DonaldTrump - Saturday, Oct 10, 15 @ 12:07 am: Glad Oscar is in the pink again. Eating, sleeping, cold wet nose all a good sign. He should be playing and downing franks by tomorrow. - ah HA - Saturday, Oct 10, 15 @ 7:26 am: Get Well Oscar! Don’t forget that hot dog! - Otto Didact - Saturday, Oct 10, 15 @ 12:37 pm: Get well, Oscar!…I suspect you hit The Doggy Lottery when you and Mr. Miller became pals. Personally , I like many dogs (and cats) more than many humans I have encountered. Never been lied to or cheated by a Dog….not never. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.