Happy Friday!

Hug your pets extra tight this weekend!

~E

The kitty cat...

Bentley thinks squirrels are kitty cats.  This guy showed up on the back stairs yesterday.  I wanted to keep him and call him NUTZ...

 

 

 

Can't you see him living with us and calling me Mama? ;)

~E

HURLEY IS IN FULL REMISSION!!!

DID YOU HEAR ME?  HURLEY IS IN FULL REMISSION!  HURLEY IS IN FULL REMISSION!  HURLEY IS IN FULL REMISSION!  After only 3 treatments our boy is in full remission!!!  One day at a time and one week at Tufts at a time now, and he will complete his full 15 week course of treatment and we will just hope for a long remission!

~A HAPPY PUPPY MAMA

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend 2013!  I can't believe it is already Memorial Day Weekend, but I am glad to be spending it on the Cape for some much needed rest, relaxation, and family time.

 

Enjoy your weekend,

xoxo

~E

Live with what you have; And make the best of what's to come...

One more before the long weekend...

TELL ME A STORY

"Tell you a story and it starts with time
Moves to how you live, and learn how to die
Another phase in this world that brings death to life
So don't believe in everything you see
Because what you want might not be what you need
Hold your breath, jump with me and we'll survive
Cause you are the song that leads me to the light

Hope is just a ray of what everyone should see
Alone is the street where you found me
Scared of what's behind you
And scared of what's in front
Live with what you have now
And make the best of what's to come

Tell me a story long and true
We aren't what we say
We are what we do
Just pieces of a puzzle to find where we stand just confused
So you are the moon that pulls me through the night

Hope is just a ray of what everyone should see
Alone is the street where you found me
Scared of what's behind you
And scared of what's in front
Live with what you have now
And make the best of what's to come

Live with what you have
And make the best of what's to come

Hope is just a ray of what everyone should see
Alone is the street where you found me
Scared of what's behind you
And scared of what's in front
Live with what you have now
And make the best of what's to come

So you are the sun that leads me,
You are the moon that pulls me,
You are the light that leads me,
You are the moon that pulls me."

 

Phillip Phillips

 

ILY

~E

When life leaves you high and dry...

I have become an overnight Phillip Phillips FAN...uber fan maybe.  Yes, he sounds a lot like one of our favs Dave Matthews, but there is not a bad song...in fact they are all really good...on his album, and I even downloaded a few covers from his time on American Idol and they are fantastic.  As a Dave lover I'd heard about him from his time on Idol but we didn't watch his season.  I liked his first "coming out" song, Home, and how he has a new song released from his album Gone, Gone, Gone that I LOVE, so I downloaded the full album and I am in uber fan mode.  Ya, ya he already sounds like one of my fav artists but his songs and lyrics are really good...I guess in light of things going on I've been posting lots of quotes and lyrics lately - I go to music when I need a pick me up (I get my love of music from Dad and sorry Mum but unfortunately my musical non-talent from Mum)...and some good lyrics and jams...

GONE, GONE, GONE

"When life leaves you high and dry
I'll be at your door tonight
If you need help, if you need help
I'll shut down the city lights,
I'll lie, cheat, I'll beg and bribe
To make you well, to make you well

When enemies are at your door
I'll carry you away from war
If you need help, if you need help
Your hope dangling by a string
I'll share in your suffering
To make you well, to make you well

Give me reasons to believe
That you would do the same for me

And I would do it for you, for you
Baby, I'm not moving on
I love you long after you're gone.
For you, for you.
You would never sleep alone
I love you long after you're gone
And long after you're gone, gone, gone.

When you fall like a statue
I'm gon' be there to catch you
Put you on your feet, you on your feet
And if your well is empty
Not a thing will prevent me
Tell me what you need, what do you need

I surrender honestly
You've always done the same for me

So I would do it for you, for you.
Baby, I'm not moving on
I love you long after you're gone.
For you, for you.
You would never sleep alone.
I love you long after you're gone
And long after you're gone gone gone.

You're my back bone,
You're my cornerstone
You're my crutch when my legs stop moving
You're my head start,
You're my rugged heart
You're the pulse that I've always needed
Like a drum, baby, don't stop beating
Like a drum, baby, don't stop beating
Like a drum, baby, don't stop beating
Like a drum my heart never stops beating

For you, for you
Baby I'm not moving on
I love you long after you're gone.
For you, for you.
You would never sleep alone
I love you long after you're gone.
For you, for you.
Baby I'm not moving on,
I love you long after you're gone.
For you, for you.
You would never sleep alone.
I love you long, long after you're gone.

Like a drum, baby, don't stop beating
Like a drum, baby, don't stop beating
Like a drum, baby, don't stop beating
Like a drum my heart never stops beating for you

And long after you're gone, gone, gone.
I love you long after you're gone gone, gone."

ily always
~E 

Rated R...

Here is an R-Rated posted that I just cannot help.  I LOVE the movie Ted...and I love thunder and a good storm.  My friend reminded me of thunder buddies the other day and with this humid, thundery weather I just can't help watching this over and over.  CLICK HERE TO WATCH MY R-RATED VIDEO FROM THE MOVIE TED.

Sincerely,
Your Thunder Buddy ~ I never waver in the face of thunder, for any of you wussies.
~E

HURLEY Update!

Hi all,

With everything going on I feel like my only updates lately are of Hurley's status, but he is our main priority right now.  Otherwise, the kiddos are doing well and we are hanging in there as best we can in light of a long and difficult 6 months or so. 

I have lots of pics to post from Easter all the way to Grace's birthday party - don't worry, I won't forget...

HURLEY'S WEEKLY UPDATE! 
Other than some diarrhea episodes Hurley is doing great and you would still have no idea he is sick. His best buddy Jax came to play yesterday. Today he had a break from chemo - he is in week #4. GREAT NEWS! He is still considered in partial remission but he had a remarkable result from last week's doxy treatment so we know he'll respond well to it. All of his vitals are normal. All of his lymph nodes were either decreased in size or within normal limits. He is NOT in 100% remission because although they are very teeny, the nodes in his still neck are still apparent and the 'new' nodes in his abdomen/groin that appeared last week although remarkably smaller, are still there. But other than those two areas, his all his nodes are in normal limits. Next week he has his first 'double' chemo treatment of vincristine & cyclophasphamide. Thanks Hopie for watching over us, my angel girl.

When we picked him up Bentley let out a big "HEYYYY, BUBBYYYYY!!!! You're a good boy!!!"  And I have to share that I just went to check on Bentley as it is "quiet time" and I could see on the monitor 1) he wasn't in bed and 2) Hurl was in his room.  So I peeked my head in to see Hurley laying at the door and Bentely had nicely covered him in one of his favorite blankies, his winter snowman blankie. ;)  My sweet boy.

We are headed to the Cape for some much needed family R&R this weekened...

~E

Hurley's Update

So everyone knows by now that our dearest Hurley has been diagnosed with Stage 5A lymphoma.  Please click here for original post.

On his first visit he had several tests to confirm the full spectrum of his disease, including a physical exam, blood work, ultrasound, and X-ray.  The full diagnosis is Stage 5A lymphoma as it is in his neck/chin area, two front shoulders, two rear 'knees,' abdomen, spleen, and blood.  The oncology residents and treating oncologist have said it is the most common cancer in dogs, and that chemo has a high sucess rate. 

A week ago I dropped him off for his second round of chemo.  Before administering any medications, they first do a full physical exam and second order bloodwork to check his platelets and lymphocite count.  I was shocked when the oncologist called me around 1PM to tell me that he was already in partial remission!!!!!!  We were so excited.  So he really responded well to the first chemo drug he was given.

He has been having some diarrhea at home still, but other than that no nausea and acting like his usual self.  I asked about changing his food but because they don't know if its a response to his cancer or the food they don't want to change it now.  In addition to his anti-diarrhea med he has fortiflora for his food now, which we just sprinkle on it and is supposed to promote GI balance. 

He is now allowed on the couches and in bed with us.  No more rules for this guy.  SPOILED ROTTEN ~ MORE THAN USUAL!

Yesterday the drug he was supposed to receive in his third treatment is abbreviated "doxy."  It is the most potent of all the drugs.  When administered over time, it can have a negative affect on the heart.  Although the doctors had heard no murmurs or arythmias in any of his previous exams, they gave us the option for him to see a cardiologist and have an EKG before receiving the drug.  We opted for a big YES PLEASE.  Better safe than sorry.  I dropped him off around 9AM.  A tech called me not long after to tell me that 1) his physical exam looked good and his heart sounded strong, 2) the lymph nodes in his neck, "knees," and abdomen had actually grown back up in size since his week 2 treatment.  Also, his "inguinal" lymph nodes (I think in his abdomen/groin) were normal last week and swollen this week now.  So I immediately freaked.  Ultimately, he did not respond well to week #2's treatment.  He had not seen the cardiologist yet but she wanted to call me with that news and they were soon after taking him in for his EKG. 

I forgot to ask about the results of the B cell vs. T cell (T is less responsive to treatment) test that he received in week #1 so I called back and after a couple of hours called again and they paged the doctor.  She confirmed that yes, he did in fact have B cell - which is good in terms of responding to treatment; but also those particular lymph nodes I mentioned had increased in size somewhat again, and new ones were swollen.  When I was on the phone with her he was in getting his EKG.

So a short time later the phone rings again and its the oncologist AGAIN.  I knew it was an "OH SHIT" moment.  Although his physical exams revealed nothing they could hear, his EKG revealed both a murmur and an arythmia?!?!?!  WTF.  Murmurs are rated 1-6 and his is a level 2 in his aortic valve.  They also identified some abnormal beats so he does in fact have an arythmia.  Between the oncologist and cardiologist, however, they believed he was strong enough and his heart muscles were contracting well enough to proceed with his doxy treatment (and his white cell count revealed also that he was OK for treatment).  There is another drug that is similar that they could administer but it doesn't have the same potent effects - and since they were both comfortable with it, and knowing his lymph nodes had increased in size again and new ones were swollen, I said YES to moving forward with it.  They were drawing blood as a 'biomarker'  (called a baseline troponin I value) to evaluate his cardiac function.  There is a count in that blood value that can better identify his heart's condition vs. an EKG so they will have that as a baseline along with the EKG for tests and treatments moving forward.  The tropinin I is a type of protein that can elevate after cardiac damage or degeneration, suggesting cardiac disease.  His levels yesterday were normal but they will continue to monitor those values to evaluate his heart condition throughout treatment.   

Next week I will bring him in for bloodwork and a physical only, and he has a week off from treatment. 

From there, in week #5 he starts bi-weekly chemo - one week he will receive a combination of drugs from the 1st and 2nd weeks; then doxy which is administered alone.  Each time he goes in he will get his usual physical and blood counts done, but before each doxy treatment they will do this different 'biomarker' blood test to evaluate his heart and see if he's stable enough to receive the doxy that week.

I am so worried.  He is a strong dog and he is a fighter like his Mama but I am just devastated and am afraid this is a set back after such great progress in week #1.  I am trying really hard to take it one day at a time.  It is so difficult to be home without him here - I am NEVER home when he is not here and I can't stand it.

There is a clinical study going on but he would have to be hospitalized for 6 straight days and have regular biopsies of his lymph nodes.  I talked to the doctor about it briefly but it sounds like WAY too much for him OR us to handle being away that long, and too stressful for him.  We are not going to pursue this option.  I asked the vet to send us home with some information on it, but based on what she told me on the phone I am not even going to read it - it is just not an option to have him gone for 6 days going through constant testing and stress.

It melted my heart when Chris went to pick up Hurley and as soon as he walked in the back door Bentley yelled "HI, BUDDY!!!!!" He was so happy.  Hurl slept in bed with us most of the night and seems a bit tired so far today, understandably so...

I don't know how I'm going to make it through the next 6 days of unknowns, until next Thursday's testing...

~E


 

TWELVE MONTH UPDATE!

So Gracie had her 12 month appointment yesterday.  She is 18 lbs / 9 oz = 28.15 percentile; 28 & 3/4 inches long = 28.78 percentile; and her head is 17 & 3/4 inches around = 52.7 percentile.  At Bentley's one year appointment he was 22 lbs / 38.4%; 29 1/4 inches long / 33.6%; his head was 18 inches around / 31.2%.  We thought Bentley was on the smaller side but I other than her beefy legs I guess Grace really is a peanut!

She is scooting around and furntiure "surfing" like crazy.  She will walk if you hold her hands.

We already ditched her bottles and she's moved onto milk.  NO more bottles!  NO more boiled water!  She seems to like the milk so far.  Otherwise she just has water.  With Bentley I gradually did milk 3 times per day with half milk/half formula but for her I'm just goin' cold turkey onto milk and water.   

She's got teeth popping up left and right and has had a bit of a runny nose due to that we think.  Because otherwise she's showing no signs of sickness.

All-in-all it was a good appointment and she is happy & healthy!

~E

FAITH

John Hiatt, Have a Little Faith:

When the road gets dark
And you can no longer see
Just let my love throw a spark
And have a little faith in me

And when the tears you cry
Are all you can believe
Just give these loving arms a try
And have a little faith in me
And

Have a little faith in me

When your secret heart
Cannot speak so easily
Come here darlin'
From a whisper start
To have a little faith in me

And when your back's against the wall
Just turn around and you will see
I will catch, I will catch your fall baby
Just have a little faith in me

Well, I've been loving you for such a long time
Expecting nothing in return
Just for you to have a little faith in me
You see time, time is our friend
'Cause for us there is no end
And all you gotta do is have a little faith in me
I said I will hold you up, I will hold you up
Your love gives me strength enough
So have a little faith in me

~E

The love of a pet...

I know some people aren't "animal people" or "pet lovers" but to me, I cannot comprehend that.  I am such a deep animal lover.  In the Pet Cancer Support Group on Facebook someone wrote recently about her recently passed pup..."You have forever awakened a part of my soul and taught me how to truly and deeply love...and I will never be the same."  I truly believe that loving an animal is like no other love, it is unconditional no matter what and my wish would be that everyone in the world could experience that feeling.  It is beyond incredible. 

I still cannot make sense of this diagnosis.  I try to find a reason in everything that happens, as I do truly believe that everything happens for a reason.  I know Hope came into my life for a reason and we needed each other; and now I know that reason was to prepare me for Hurley's diagnosis and battle with cancer.  But I cannot understand why MY baby had to be diagnosed.  The only sense I can gather right now is that I need to learn to live in the moment, live for the day, and stay in the present - that is the best gift I can give him and myself. 

 

When I am having a particularly hard time, I find a lot of comfort in music.  I get that from my Dad.   

This is not from a song, but from Bubba Stewart, a Motorcross/Supercross racer the hub and I follow:
"Forget yesterday - it has already forgotten you. Don't sweat tomorrow - you haven't even met. Instead, only focus on what u can.... today."

Also not from a song:
"God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen." 
- Reinhold Niebuhr

"I am not asking salvation from you;
I'm just asking to be saved for awhile;
In a timeless search for love that might work;
Still we're already paying the price."
- Stevie Nicks, Secret Love

"Keep the earth below my feet;
For all my sweat, my blood runs weak;
Let me learn from where I have been;
Keep my eyes to serve, my hands to learn;
Keep my eyes to serve, my hands to learn.
Just give me time;
You know your desires and mine;
So wrap my flesh in ivy and in twine;
For I must be well."
- Mumford & Sons, Below My Feet

"Not talkin' 'bout a year;
No not three or four;
I don't want that kind of forever;
In my life anymore;
Forever always seems;
to be around when it begins;
but forever never seems;
to be around when it ends;
So give me your forever;
Please your forever;
Not a day less will do From you.

People spend so much time;
Every single day;
Runnin' 'round all over town;
Givin' their forever away;
But no not me;
I won't let my forever roam;
and now I hope I can find;
my forever a home;
So give me your forever;
Please your forever;
Not a day less will do;
From you."
- Ben Harper, Forever

"Battered and torn;
still I can see the light;
tattered and worn;
but I must kneel to fight."

"Hope is alive;
while we're apar;t
only tears;
speak from my heart;
break the chains;
that hold us down;
and we shall be;
forever bound."
- Ben Harper, I Shall Not Walk Alone

"What started as a whisper;
Slowly turned in to a scream.
Searching for an answer;
Where the question is unseen.

Amen omen,can I find the place within;
To live my life without you?

Amen omen, can I find the strength within."

- Ben Harper, Amen Omen

"I will not be broken;
I won't be turned away;
When it's too cold to breathe;
and too dark to pray;
I will not be broken.

I've come too far to give up;
or to be turned around;
I will not be broken;
I will not go down."
- Ben Harper, I Will Not be Broken

"Nothing is as beautiful;
As when she believes."
- Ben Harper, When She Believes

Kinda corny, sorry!

~E

 

Our Beloved First Child

I just cannot explain how much I love this dog - he is a child to us, an integral part of the family.  He has such great intuition and he feeds off my energy.  When I was pregnant with Bentley, he slept with me all the time - either with his head across my belly as a pillow or above my head.  When I was pregnant with Grace, about a month before she was born he was just sitting at my feet all of the time shaking - like he knew it was coming.  He is just so in tune with my emotions, anxiety, and feelings.

On his third birthday, I wrote a long post about all the things I love about him.  CLICK HERE TO SEE MY ORIGINAL POST.

I just love him so much.  Even though he needs to go to 'leather eaters anonymous' because of all the shoes we have that are leather he chews up.  But I still can't get mad at him.  One year he pretty much cleaned out all of my flip flops/sandals and I was forced to re-stock.  Recently, before we went to San Antonio I bought a cute pair of suede wedges with ankle straps, as well as a small 'traveling' purse.  Within one day of having them packed in my suitcase - but not zippered up - he chewed through the strap of my new leather bag and chewed the leathe ankle straps off both of my new shoes.  But even then, I just look at him and I cannot get mad.  He's my baby.

Take a look at my original post of all the reasons I love him - and maybe it will inspire someone else to think/write something similar about their pet.

~E

Words to Live by...

So one of the supercross/motorcross racers we like posted something great on Twitter the other day...

Forget yesterday - it has already forgotten you. Don't sweat tomorrow - you haven't even met. Instead, only focus on what u can.... today.

Thought I'd share.

~E

Some Serenity...

So those of you who know me the best know I am not a religious person.  I was raised Catholic but other than weddings or funerals I have not set foot in a church probably since my Confirmation.  But now I have actually been going to Sunday morning masses at a local church (New England Chapel) with my friend.  It is about the least, most non-churchy church there is, and is non-denominational.  It has a live band so the one hour service basically consists of a prayer, a LOT of music, and then a fairly short "lesson" from the pastor. My friend invited me after Hope passed and I took her up on the offer; and have been going together for the last few weeks.

Anyways, I wanted to share the Serenity prayer and hope it sticks with me and gives me some strength for Hurley...

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

--Reinhold Niebuhr

~E

Our Beloved Hurley...

So as many of you know by now, our beloved Olde English Bulldogge Hurley has become very ill very suddenly.  On Monday when petting him I noticed what seemed to be a few 'lumps' under his normally flabby chin - by Tuesday, they had become worse.  I immediately called Tufts Animal Hospital for an emergency apppointment.  This was at 2:30 Tuesday and by 3PM they had me in there for an appointment.

Since it's a teaching hospital, a resident came back with us, examined Hurley, and went to meet/review with a doctor.  Not long after she came back with a doctor.  They had both felt Hurley's lymph nodes in his chin area and determined they were extremely swollen.  They used small needles (but it wasn't a biopsy...) to pull some fluid out of 3-4 of the lumps.  It also seemed he wasn't clotting properly as he was bleeding more than most dogs who have this test.  The doctor said it could either be systemic, like Lyme's, or it could be cancer.  They took the samples out back to look under the microscope and of course, results were inconclusive.  I was instructed to call back on Wednesday afternoon for results from his urine sample, blood sample, and pathology.

While I was getting my hair done on Wednesday, the doctor called. She confirmed that it was in fact cancer - lymphoma.  I was told 80-90% of dogs with this diagnosis go into remission from chemo so it has a very high success rate; BUT there was a strong chance he would only have about 6-8 months.  She immediately booked us an appoiontment with Tufts oncology for today. 

The oncology resident and oncologist today again confirmed the diagnosis and said it is the most common cancer in dogs, and that chemo had a high sucess rate.  They confirmed that in addition to his neck, he had swollen lymph nodes in both of his shoulders as well as the back of both of his 'knees' on rear legs.  We discussed further testing options...
1) An ultrasound to see if there were any internal lymph nodes that were swollen.
2) Chest x-rays to see if anything had spread to his lungs.
3) Blood work to see if he was clotting normally as we have noticed a significant red/bruised area on his belly.  Also, sometimes with swollen lymph nodes in their abdomen, that can lead to bruising.  She actually opted not to do this test after we left because she felt very confident it was bruising due to the masses in his abdomen and his poor clotting.
4) They have sent some of the samples from Tuesday to a hospital in Colorado (a test called PARR I think...) in order to have them re-checked. This test can tell if he has B or T cell lymphoma - "B" being the better option in terms of responding to treatment.  It also tells what lineage of lymphoma he has.  They could have also seen but not fully conclusively via x-ray if he potentially had B or T.  We are hoping that since she said she saw nothing in his lungs, that it is the "B" category but we have to wait for a week for final results.

Staging tests were performed and we received the most devastating news - that he was actually in stage 5 - although I literally felt like it came up overnight almost.  It is actually stage 5A vs. 5B - 5A was a little reassuring because it meant that he was otherwise "himself" and not having other physical side effects from the cancer.  The vet assured us that this normal for this type of cancer to come on so suddenly.  We obviously agreed to have all of the above tests done in order to have a full idea of his status/health before we developed a game plan.  We left him for the day for these tests, as well as for his first treatment of chemotherapy. 

I received a call in the afternoon from the doctor and Hurl was worked up so they had to sedate him for the ultrasound and x-ray.  So although the "good" news is that he is in the "A" category, it is still stage 5.  The tests confirmed nothing had spread to his lungs.  However, he did have swelling in his spleen and abdomen lymph nodes.  The stage 5 diagnosis was primarly due to the fact that the cancer (lymphocites) is also in his blood. 

We had already decided earlier in the day that we would be proceeding with chemo, and he started today.  There are 4 meds - for the first 3 weeks/1x per week he will receive one each of the three injectible treatments.  He is now also on prednizone at home.  Chemo to start will be once per week, then once every other week for a total of 15 weeks.  We are hopeful that he will respond well but the doctor said by around week 6 we will know if he is responding to treatment or not. 

We were sent home with prednizone, an anti-diarrhea med, and an anti-nausea med depending on how he reacts to the chemo. 

We will need to monitor him closely as the chemo and prednizone can result in excessive thirst and frequent peeing.  But other than maybe some nausea, we have been told that dogs typically do better on chemo than humans in terms of side effects. 

The four drugs for his treatment thus far are:
1) Prednizone
2) Doxrubicin
3) Cyclophosphamide
4) Chemo

Three are injectible shots, and the prednizone we will taper off in the coming weeks.  He will require blood draws before every chemo session to check his white blood cells. Right now, his platelet counts are normal as is his calcium level. 

I also asked about changing his diet and/or holistic supplements but the doctor said there is no proof that they work and they could in fact interfere with his treatment.

We are so hopeful that he will be responsive to treatment and that in the next 15 weeks at some point will go into remission.  BUT with that said the cancer can still come back.  If we opted for no treatment they gave him only about 1-2 months, whereas with chemo treatment he could go into remission for as long as 6-8 months or longer.  I have been doing a lot of research and joined a couple of groups on FB to get input from others who have been in our shoes.  Some of their dogs with lymphoma lasted up to 2 years, and one even 8 years!  So we are desperately praying for a miracle.

Please please pray for Hurley.  We are devastated and desperately hoping for response to treatment.  He truly is one of our children and such a big part of our family.

~E

ONE YEAR OLD!

Yesterday our Gracie Girl turned 1 YEAR OLD!  I cannot believe my Grace Harper is 1!  Here are some pics in her birthday shirt...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
One of her last bottles ever!  And big brother wanted his pic taken, too...

~E