I don't have much, but I am glad to leave what I can.
You are in my prayers.

You're both in our thoughts and prayers. Be tough!

I won't blame you for turning me into an emotional mess right now :-) but the dog, the alcohol, the money . . . I know it must hurt like hell right now and that just gets to me. I have seen it tear up my own family.

I will certainly keep you in my prayers. God Bless.

Hang in there, folks -- you are not alone!

Rosemary, good for you for telling your friends about your crisis. It can be frightening to express a request for help. If no help comes, when it is needed so much and you have taken the damned-hard step of asking, this prospect can be so daunting as to dissuade the effort from ever being put forth.

But you did. Good for you. Good for the both of you.

I've sent my personal mail toward personal support. My financial support is on the way. This message, and the others pertaining to your crisis, is my public support.

Both of you, online and offline, are doing wonderful things. You are both very loved. Please do what you can to keep this in mind as you persevere in the face of adversity.

Folks,

Dean and Rosemary have helped a lot of us. Blogging advice, blog upgrades, etc.

Now would be a good time to help back.

I lost your snail-mail address. If you give it to me again via email, I promise not to send you anything really weird :)

Sent.

Instapundit is sending people here.

Wish it could be more. You've done so much for so many. Keep us posted.

Alas, I can't afford anything more than my best wishes, but you would have it if I could.

One of my best friends is an alcoholic. Was when we were still in high school, and I think I had an inkling then but overlooked and then forgot it until the past couple years when he's been fighting it head on. And winning. It can be done, and I know you both are strong, amazing people.

God Bless you.
Keep loving and hugging, it will get better.
Did what I can today.

Tom

Thanks, Rosemary, for letting us know what you need.

I've hit the tip jar with what I can. A paltry return for the many diverting posts I've read at Dean's World.

Thanks again for the opportunity to help. My family's been helped by many people at many points. Once, when money was tight, a family we barely knew gave us several bags of much-needed groceries. When we offered to pay them back (when we could) they replied, "Just pass it along to someone else sometime." And we have, many times over.

Soon you will once again be able to pass along to others from your own surplus. Until then, hang in.

Prayers continue here.

I chipped in a bit as well...

Stay strong folks...

I'll be praying for you as well.

I gave what I could. Alchoholism made my childhood a very troubled one. I hope you can see your way through. Be strong. My sympathies as well regarding your dog. Best wishes.

Had the same problem with our 6 year old Jack Russell Terrier, Micron, back in 1994. Same cost for surgery with no guarantees that it would make a difference. We didn't have the money. I eventually had to have him put to sleep.

We took him to vet, but we couldn't go through with it, took him home again. Two days later, I was back at the vet again, alone this time. It was very, very, hard, but it was bittersweet to finally see him lying there, not crying, for the first time in many weeks. Even now, nine years later, it make my eyes fill up just writing about it.

But I think we made the right decision. Five days after Micron died (and after we swore we would never get another dog) we got a new Jack puppy, named him Reboot. He's now nine years old, every bit the precocious Jack that Micron was, and a great friend to my children.

My deepest condolences. Both of you are in my prayers.

God bless. I will pray for your family.

Sent a tip just now via Paypal.

Also sending continued prayers and support. I've seen addiction .... a close family member's spouse struggled with it. He is sober now and their family came through it okay. We'll continue to pray that yours does as well.

The decision to care for or euthanize a very ill pet is never easy, especially at a time when other issues press close. I know you'll do what's best for your dog and your family.

Robin Burk
loved and owned by, and occasional breeder of, several English cockers and Whippets

Never heard of you, except from Instapundit's blog. And that's good enough for me. Hope my few bucks come in handy. I'll add you to the old prayer list too. God bless you and good luck.

Keep going. You can both do it.

Dean and Rosemary,
Sent what I could. Been there. Got out. It can be done. Ain't easy. Just do it.
OldGeek

I wish I could hit your tip jar also, but know that y'all are in my prayers. Hang in there.

Hit the tip jar with what I could even though it wasn't much.

If it wasn't for Dean I'd probably still be on blogspot.

Paul McCartney Song “ Let It Be”

And when the night is cloudy
There is still a light that shines on me
Shine until tomorrow
Let it be

And when the broken hearted people
Living in the world agree
There will be an answer
Let it be Let it be

Let it be, let it be
Let it be, let it be
There will be an answer
Let it be

Wishing only the best...

All of you are in my prayers, including, of course, your dog. The only time I ever saw my father cry was when our dog died. To quote Lileks, "If human souls are the size of car batteries, dog souls are AAA Energizers. But they hold the charge nonetheless." I'll hit the tipjar a little later when I get home.

been through the dog problems, and the bottle...19 years sober mext month - dig deep, you can do it...

know you are in our prayers...

Peace...PJ

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Minor Update:

I spoke with my mom (aka Rose's Mom) and asked her about the dog. She said that the dog has advanced Osteo-arthritis in the spine and hind legs. So the vet has given the dog some medicine. They will try the medication out for 10 days and see how the dog responds..

He also has heartworm.

Wish I could give you more Rosemary.

Good luck. It's never easy fighting on two fronts at once.

I'd hate for any rain to dampen all the good will shown. So if anyone or everyone thinks this is overreaction please disregard. Sending money directly to an alcoholic, even a recovering alcoholic doesn't seem to be the best solution. There are a lot of smart people out there so I'm sure there is a solution that would enable the Esmay's to get the help they need from the people that want to provide it. It may be as simple as Rosemary confirming that she sees where the money is coming from and where it goes.

Best wishes, I have a brother that is a recovering alcoholic.

Thank you everyone. I'll be more thorough later.

Don't worry Rodney. I understand what you are saying.It is not an overreaction. I have the money situation in hand. I promise you, all of you.

Thank you Rosemary That is all I needed to hear.

I hate to hear you guys are having such a rough time of it. I'll be keeping you in my thoughts (which I do anyway), and as soon as payday hits I'll do what I can. Hang in there. I know this can't be easy, but I have faith in you. Y'all are tough cookies. Best wishes.

Good luck, Rosemary and Dean - I'm doing what I can for you at the tipjar. A good reference from the Instapundit is good enough for me.

Wishing you all the best...

Please fill out an application at www.imom.org for the veterinary bills. They give grants to people who need help paying.

Heartworm treatment is awful. Basically it involves injecting poison into the dog to kill the worms. When the worms die, there is a big risk of them blocking the arteries in the heart or lungs, so for a few months you have to crate them and not allow any strenuous activity. If doggie is old, it may be best to use a soft approach of Ivermectin, which is heartworm preventitive. What that will do is prevent new baby worms from growing up, and then you just wait for the adult worms to die off naturally. Letting the adult worms sit like that can cause permanent heart damage, but with an old doggie, sometimes that doesn't really matter - and the Ivermectin is easier on them. Immiticide is a new heartworm treatment, but it's still pretty awful.

Arthritis can be a little easier to treat. Did the vet prescribe carprofen (Rimadyl)? That can work miracles. If the vet hasn't done so, make sure to run tests on liver function, as carprofen can cause liver toxicity in some dogs. You can also give glucosamine supps (you can get glucosamine treats, or powder to add to food- it's completely safe) and that will help long-term and it's safe to use with carprofen or a NSAID. Cortizone shots are also used in severe cases.

I've got a 12 year old doggie with arthritis myself. He is having surgery on Monday, dental work, extractions and removal of a cyst. It's very nerve-wracking, but the best thing you can do for your doggie is keep calm and rational and make informed choices. I encourage you to do your own research in addition to working with a vet.

Rosemary -

I have sent you a separate email. Please read it when emotions have quieted a bit. Take care.

Too late Rodney, already hit the jar. Doesn't cost big bucks to go to AA but it does cost big bucks to take care of their ailing dog.

And Dean, you took the first step and hardest step. My parents never made it that far. You have a chance to beat it and we're all behind you here.

Tonight I attend my weekly 12 step meeting for loved ones of those afflicted with an addiction.

Someone I love dearly has more than one. They can destroy your life if you don't treat them.

They ARE treatable, however!!!

I personally don't think you can battle addictions on your own; they're too overpowering. Get help. Get it wherever you can get it: AA, a treatment center, a hospital - just get it.

You CAN recover. Just focus on today. And if that's too big - think about getting through the next hour. Or the next 10 minutes. Incredibly tough. But definitely doable.

Rosemary - YOU get help for yourself, too. If anyone knows how much this can eat away at a family member - I do. Do what you must for yourself.

And very, very sorry for your doggie. We're bird people - but as far as I am concerned, pets are family. Who else loves you unconditionally?

Hang in there, Dean and Rosemary. No matter how fierce the battle - you will be delighted you fought it.

And yes - congratulations on achieving the first step - recognizing that you have a problem is the beginning of overcoming it!

Jerry, thanks for the info on Rosemary & Dean's dog.

Rosemary, if you are willing to email me your snail mail address, I will phone order and have drop shipped to you an excellent nutritional supplement for your dog. It contains glucosamine, chondroitin and other helpful substances and will not interfere with Rimadyl or any of the heartworm treatments. It will build up his general condition, help him fight the heartworm and help relieve the symptoms of the arthritis.

Crate rest is critical for a dog infested with heartworms. If you don't have a crate and bedding, let me know that fact (and your dog's breed or approx size) and I will have them delivered as well.

Y'all have a lot on your plate - I can perhaps help on the dog side while you begin to take action on some of the other issues.

Best regards and warm prayers -

Robin B.

Hope our family's small bit for you helps. Help another again when you can.

No shame here, addiction is biochemical.
Here is a list of Michigan AA intergroup offices.
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/default/US_CtrOffice/mi.html

And here is a site you might want to check out,
as coming off alcohol or any drug is a lot
easier if supported by good nutrition.
www.radiantrecovery.com

It's good for anybody, no matter how long they're
sober.

You're both in my prayers.

I don't know you guys, I'm just here because of Glenn Reynolds. But I dropped you a few bucks, because I have a dog I love and also because I am an alcoholic and I know what's involved. I had my last drink on July 3, 1999, shortly before I got nailed with a BAC of 0.278. Yes, nearly three times the legal limit at the time.

Dean, I promise you it gets better the longer you hold on. But don't let your relationships fall away as you fight it...I'm in the last stages of my divorce, 4 1/2 years after things came to a head. The marriage couldn't take the alcoholism followed by an extended period where she couldn't forgive and I didn't pay enough attention to make her forgive. A cautionary tale? Dunno, but it's a true one.

Good luck to you both, as well as your pooch.

I have no doubt that ya'll will make it through this challenge. Send me your snail-mail address and I'll give what I can.

Dean and Rosemary, I've got a check written and ready to go out in tomorrow morning's mail. I believe I've got your snail-mail address... just to be sure, shoot me an e-mail.

Rosemary and Dean,

Just sent ya a small token of 25 bucks. I comment less here than other sites, but still a weekly check in my blogs surfing.

Been there with the dog situation, intially it was supposed to be a paw problem... then cancer in the leg... removed the leg. Few weeks later, the occasional yelping, crying comes back... put her down. Vowed to never own a dog again, the pain of the loss is too hard.

Love you both... going to pray for your recovery, Dean, and both of you in general.

Another person here from the Instalanche. I sent some PayPal bucks in memory of Coconut (he has a link on My home page), the best dog in the whole world.

As for the alcohol thing, admitting the problem is the biggest, toughest step. Once you decide you are going to fight it, there are many, many resources, government, religious, and private.

Dean and Rosemary,

I read your blog every once in a while, but I've never left a comment.

Just wanted to say how sorry I am about your dog and the problems with alcohol.

Dean, if the alcoholism is complicated by depression you may want to look into treatment with an anti-depressant as well. My dad's a recovering alcoholic from a family of them and there's a strong streak of chronic depression among them as well.

You'll be in my prayers.

Found you via Suburban Blight; looked over your site. I dropped a fiver in the tip jar. Not much, but the best I can do.

I'm a pet owner too, and I've had to put down a beloved fur person before, too. It hurts like nothing else does.

You folks hang in there; be strong, keep talking to each other, and keep communicating. The myriad comments before mine show a profound level of respect and friendship. You are not alone.

hello.... i'm so sorry..... it sounds as though your life is truly very difficult right now... as a puppy person who is 'owned' by 4 small dogs, my heart breaks for you and yours...

i'll keep you in my prayers.... i wish i could do more.... but i lost my job, my house goes into foreclosure next week unless i have a miracle sometime tomorrow.... and somehow inspite of it all, life manages to go on....

i wonder.... do you live in michigan? if you do, you're in good company... alot of us are facing similar kinds of things right now. it doesn't help to know that, but sometimes if you just need someone to talk with ....we're out here...

(((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))

Come on, Dean. You can do it.

My prayers for your whole family and complete recovery for all. Have hit tip jar for what I can afford for now.

From A Tunnel Rat Independant,

RC

So sorry to hear things are this bad. Just found out. Of course, you will be in my prayers.

I admire your guts, taking it to the web. With God's help, it will pass.

Dean and Rosemary,

I am sorry about the tough times you've been going through. You are in my prayers.

{{{{{{ Rosemary & Dean }}}}}

Found you all through Chief Wiggles. My heart is with you and your dog during these hard times. I know what it's like. I've been out of work and struggleing for 9 months myself.

I disagree with you much of the time, but I enjoy understanding how people with whom I disagree reach their conclusions. Putting down a furry and loving family member is the worst thing I've had to go through so far in life. I never want to go through it again, but I probably will have to eventually. The horrible pain such a time creates is worth suffering for the lifetime of love they give you. And -- call me a Republican animal lover -- but I have a hunch that the feeling is mutual.

You're in my thoughts and prayers.

Dean and Rosemary,

I found you via Cold Fury. Very sorry to hear about your troubles.
Just sent a few dollars, wish it could be more.
Hang on in there.
Jim Braiden

Came over from Winds of Change. A few by PayPal, yep hang in there.

I look back a few years, and I see my sisters hitting me up for 2 grand for back surgery for a pekinese. A pity he was a monster pekinese from the dawn of time, his 25 pounds (very little of it fat) was too much. A pity, as Cooper (named after special agent Dale Cooper, now that dates him), too much for him.

And of course, I gave them a blank check. And of course, people are different from dogs. Why did I get on this track? I'm digging myself into a hole!
Ooooh, I know, I'll use money to dig myself out! Woo Hoo!

Well, I won't quite go that far here, but when good people need a bit of help, I will do my best.

Leo

hey hi,
I just went through and droped a little bit in the jar at amazon who gives you no opportunity to say a thing a damn thing. And they have my defunct email address. I'm the 'd.a.walker' one and just want to say - hey - I've so been there. Still suffering the fallout, years later, from "being there".
But to tell you the truth, I'm glad mine was drugs. I've always thought alcohol is harder to beat - too easy to get. But, I'm a master of addictions and I damn well know it's beatable and you folks are fighters.
I'm not good with the prayer thing but the energy is there.
Be well