Luke Hutchinson

25/11/2024

Tuesday evening Luke went on a 45 minute walk with his Dad. Wednesday I let him outside. He came into the sunroom as he always did. He was very reluctant to come up the 3 steps into the bathroom where I was waiting for him. After about 5 min. I let him outside again to get a drink. Shortly after, I heard him crying & his woof call that means he needs something. He was right outside on the ground with his back legs splayed in an odd position. Having had 3 other Danes with the same thing I knew immediately what was happening. My sweet boy had lost the use of his hind quarters & could no longer stand up. This has been coming on slowly for a couple years & had gotten worse the last couple weeks. It is a neurological issue where the nerves of the spinal column basically deteriorate. We carried him to his favorite bed along the side of my bed. For the next 2-3 hours many of those who loved him came to comfort us & give him nothing but love & his favorite treats. Our wonderful Vet came and sat with him while we talked & laughed about the 10 yeas he has been Luke’s Vet. Luke was his first patient when he joined the practice. Rachel, our Grand daughter who Luke chose as his person when we made a working visit, was here. We hugged each other tightly as we cried while talking about that visit. About 2 hours after the Vet arrived he lovingly, with tears in his eyes, euthanized our sweet boy. Luke was surrounded by many people who came into his life over the past 10 1/2 years and loved him as much as Jim & I did. He was by far the quirkiest animal I have ever had but it is those irritating quirks that I greatly miss now. Our boy was loved beyond measure until his last breath by every one he ever met. He helped a number of humans in their dying days & tolerated any number of visiting animals into his territory. He never took food off any table or plate without an OK or jumped on anyone. He barked hello at the front window when his neighbor friends came home. He wouldn’t walk on one of our wooden floors unless he absolutely no choice. He would only come when he wanted & was a very stubborn guy!!! He didn’t like when I told him to look at me but when he was on his bed he looked me straight in the eyes without being asked. He clearly told me it was his time to go. My boys, Zeus & Luke, are together again but now they can run & play like when Luke joined our lives. Auntie Fugen, the pillows you gave Luke & Zeus will remain in their corner of the living room. We will carry him in our hearts with all our other animals & continue to love him. I want to sincerely thank Megan & Kati for choosing to us to be Luke’s lifelong caretakers and for all out there that loved him.

18/11/2024

We had a boarder for 10days. Luke & Bentley played musical beds!

09/10/2024

17/09/2024

Beautiful sunset to end the day 🌅

30/07/2024

Luke meeting with his girls where our yards meet. He stands there & barks for them to come out

31/05/2024

31/05/2024

Believe it or not my Mom is FINALLY going to update you all!! Hi, Luke’s Mom here. First of all, Luke turned 10 years old May 2nd! He is definitely showing his age but still likes his walks with Dad & occasionally runs, but not like the wind. He doesn’t run weekly anymore, is on medication for his thyroid & his heart and sleeps a lot. His hind end is weak so he doesn’t jump into the car or jump on our bed & has trouble going up & down steps. However, he remains our sweet, stubborn, hardheaded, weird, funny, loving, lumpy Luke. We have new neighbors. The 13 year old daughter & Luke developed a bond. They absolutely love each other. He can see her house from our living room & porch. He is an exceptionally nosey neighbor! He will go to the corner of the fence & whine, woof or bark loudly for her. When she visits he is by her constantly. It’s so heartwarming to see. He reaches out his paw & taps me when he want some loving so we snuggle on his Barker bed for as long as he wants. I know his days are numbered so we let him lead the way & do what he can, when he can, as long as he can, hoping that number is high. The video shows his wonky run. I can’t put photos with video so I will put them in another text.

02/05/2023

Luke’s Mom here……now I know why I don’t post more often 🥴I have trouble attaching pictures & videos. Here’s another video

02/05/2023

HELLO!!! HAPPY 9th BIRTHDAY TO ME!!! Mom says this post is my birthday present. That makes me happy❤️. I know you have been thinking about me & wondering how I’m doing so I’ll tell you the good & the not so good. I’ll let Mom tell you medical stuff later. On my good days I run & go on walks in the hills behind us, play with my dog friends in the back yard & also play with my stuffies. Most people don’t realize I have any problems however, my Nurse Mom can tell. On the not so good days I sleep a lot. I do much better when it’s cooler outside. The heat & humidity make it harder for me to breathe. I don’t cough or anything like that which Mom & Dad like. I play more with my pillows, my puppy & my giraffe. I don’t eat as much so I’ve lost some weight & I don’t run with Angela anymore so Mom says I’ve lost my sexy bum (I tell her not to say that ‘cause it’s embarrassing 🥴.) I do admit it’s true, though. Angela came over for a little party. She has had a party every year for my birthday. This is the first year we didn’t have it at our running park. I miss her a lot & was so happy to see her my teeth were chattering. (Listen closely on the video). Mom will send another post shortly. Love you all so very much 🥰😍❤️

24/01/2023

Please don’t go Daddy

01/01/2023

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! 🎉🥳🎊Mom says if you are reading this consider it a New Year miracle because she has tried unsuccessfully many times to post on my page. Since FB made a change on it nothing she tried could make it post. I know ya’ll have been thinking about me because I can feel the love you send. Since my Dr. found out I have an issue with my heart I have been taking my medicine which seems to be helping. Mom & I talked about it & I keep reminding her I AM 8 1/2 years old so we must keep that in mind, too. I let her know how I feel each day then we go from there. Some days I feel like sleeping a lot & other days I feel like taking walks or playing with my best girl Tru—- by the way, she’s a younger lady & quite a beauty 😉. I haven’t been running with my human girlfriend but am considering trying it again, just slower. I miss running & Mom tells me I’m losing my hip muscle that made me look so handsome. I’m eating better which makes my parents happy. They say I’m getting more vocal & sometimes they aren’t too happy about it 😂. Mom says no matter what, I always have to have the last word🥴. She’s so funny. Mom showed me a picture of my sister Victoria & had to point out that she is not nearly as grey as me!!! I didn’t think it was as funny as she did🤨. I must say, though, Victoria is a beauty. We had a very nice family Christmas. I was happy to see my girls Alyssa & Rachel because I miss them. They are young ladies now & can’t visit as much as when we were all younger. If you don’t know, I have loved them from the first time I saw them @ SDP when I was only about 6 or 8 weeks old! The video is of me & Dad walking in the field behind our house. As you see, I don’t run as fast & need to take a little rest or stop to smell something but I still have pet in my step. Always remember I love you all bunches & everyone please help make this a kinder world😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘. Mom here—he eventually made it to me. Soooooo many distractions when the wind is blowing❤️

02/09/2022

Luke’s Mom here again. I talked to the Vet today. Luke’s blood work indicates he is developing cardiomyopathy (heart muscle thickens which makes it harder to beat properly). This is not due to grain free dog food. There are no signs of congestive heart failure at this time. Definitive diagnosis involves EKG, Holter monitor & echocardiogram none of which we are going to subject him. He’ll start on a medication to hopefully slow the progression of disease & we’ll treat him if/when any issues occur. His running will be curtailed as necessary. Luke has always been very anxious & fearful. We are very cognizant of this in everything we do for & with him, thus our plan of treatment which we will change as necessary. He lives his life a moment at a time. We live ours thinking of the future. I think he will do much better at living life than we will as we go forward. Our hearts are hurting 😢. He stopped to smell the flowers on his run & came home to rest. I must thank Fugen again for the pillows she sent Luke & Zeus almost 8 years ago. They are a great source of comfort to him. Keep loving our boy, send prayers, healing light, good juju or anything else helpful & join us on our journey.

26/08/2022

Mom didn't forget---she hasn't gotten any results of the lab work yet.

18/08/2022

Luke’s Mom here——I think I posted Luke’s latest update on EPW-unrelated by mistake. If you have not seen it please go to that page or his page. Follow up from Vet appointment: all his lumps are fatty tumors which is good. However, from 4/1/22 to 7/28/22 he lost 2.9 lbs & from 7/28/22 to 8/16/22 he lost 8 lbs. He also indicated pain when Dr Hill examined his neck & back. I have been seeing & watching various changes especially over the last few months so was not surprised but am concerned. Dr Hill did not find any other explanation for his weight loss so he ordered a comprehensive blood panel. We are waiting results. Send good juju while we wait. I have had a number of Danes over the years & well know the realities of the breed. I watch Luke for any indications of developing issues & address them quickly. He is still running weekly, just slower & taking more breaks. Angela knows him well & is very in tune with his needs. Just like his Dad & me, we are all making “aging adjustments” as necessary. Will keep you posted on his blood work results. One thing that has not changed is the amount of love and attention from all who know & love him!

15/08/2022

Oh my! Oh my! Facebook has made many changes that Mom REALLY DOESN’T LIKE!!! 🤯. First we couldn’t find my page for a long time. Plus, once we found it Mom had to find a way to get back onto her page. She can’t just click on my page & back to hers & there are many posts on my page that HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH ME!!!!!! Even I don’t like that part🤨. Anyway we are finally checking in to say hello. Not a whole lot of new things to tell you. Mostly I’ve been making even more friends when Dad & I go to the park. It has been so hot & humid that I’m not running as far. Angela & I used to run 4 miles at a time but now we are down to about 2 at least until it’s cooler. I have had a few swimming visitors——that is, they swim & I watch from afar. 🙄. After last winter I have even less interest in the swimming pool than I did before my “dip”. I have to go the the Vet tomorrow. I’m getting some lump things different places on my body & Mom wants to get them all checked. We’re pretty sure they are nothing bad but want to be sure. It will be nice to see all my friends there. Here are some of my new friends. Love you all😘❤️