Monday, may 08, 2000 - 6:07 PM

Precious came out of her room today, and tried to play with Blossom! She also came up to me on her own! This is big progress, as she had to be dragged out of her crate and shook when I touched her. Right now she's laying in front of my desk, watching the TV. She's amazed by it. I know she has never seen or heard one.

She doesn't like being outside still. The noises out there frighten her. So I'm using wee-wee pads in her room and "forcing" her to go out several times a day. She will start to pee outside and midstream hears a noise and jumps (which stops the pee process). I know that I have a long way to go, but wanted to share. She also brought a toy back into her room. She retreats in there as she paces around when she gets nervous.

Megan

Thursday, May 11, 2000 - 3:38 PM

Again she amazes me!! Yesterday, after just one desensitizing session, she went up and down the stair with only voice encouragement! Big feat for a dog that has never had much life stimulus. She has also been pawing me to invite play behavior. Coming and licking me and then retreating. She has even wagged her tail slightly in response to kissing noises. With all of the interactions with me I have used other dogs to help her feel more secure in approaching me. She had only approached me or touched me before when I laid on the floor.

I have been starting every feeding by hand to encourage good relations to humans. She also is now holding her ears evenly from time to time where before the left one went up and over the top of her head. She also stands up on her back legs and looks over the baby gate to see me on the computer. She loves the puppies and I "caught" her giving one "flea nibbles." She also barks to get out of the crate when I get home. I know most people try to break dog of this, but for me it is exciting because it is normal dog behavior which she none of when she got here. She wouldn't walk at all. She just was curled up and had to be carried everywhere. She also shook when ever she heard any noise and looked completely shell shocked.

She is such an amazing animal. Her hair is growing back on her neck. I think you won't even see the bald spots eventually!!! There capacity to heal is so unreal. Unfortunately the "bad guys" already know this. Housebreaking is a special challenge because I can't us my voice in a negative way when I catch her in the act. I think she is progressing quite nicely considering.

Well, as you can see I am much more optimistic and excited about her future than when I first got her. I will wait to spay her (her heat is almost finished) until she is mentally more sound and doesn't spiral downward as rapidly. Keep thinking good thoughts.

Precious Video

Megan

Tuesday, May 30, 2000 - 11:04 AM

Thursday, June 1, 2:24pm

I'm sooo bummed. After 4 hours at the Vet's she is unable to be spayed due to anemia. We are unsure of the pathology. The lump on her foot appears to be a old bone injury, but we'll watch it. She's now having abdominal x-rays, CBC, Chem Panel, etc...so sad. She's heartworm negative though!

I'll update you shortly. Hopefully the Vet will call me with the results soon.

Megan

Thursday, June 1, 7:39pm

Well, I have bad news...

She has Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia. Her blood work results are not good, and her spleen is enlarged. She ate half of her normal amount 2 days ago and only 1/4 yesterday. This morning she was facing the back of her crate (depression). The vets are talking Lymphoma. They want to hospitalize her immediately. I'm so exhausted from working 3 14 hour days that I can't think straight...I've worked so hard on her mentally that I can't believe it's a physical question. I just want to cry. Actually, I am crying. I'll write more when I pull myself together.

Megan

Friday, June 2, 6:33PM

Wow!! So many people have e-mailed me with thoughts and prayers for our girl. It helps as I am feeling a little defeated.

Today's new is that her PCV continue to climb (good news) to 31% She is Coomb's negative so the anemia may not be caused by auto-immune disease. However 10-30% of the dogs do still have AIHA (Auto Immune Hemolytic Anemia) even with Coomb's negative result. She is still hospitalized and so I am going for a visit at 7 pm. She will remain hospitalized over the weekend with 24 hour care. Over the weekend she will be in a Internal Medicine Specialist care so I feel very comfortable with her being there. We may begin treating her as if she has AIHA with prednisone or as if she has a tick disease.

All of the thoughts and prayers are very appreciated. Thank you.

Megan