We got our Fiona back!

It was exactly 2 months today that Fiona was at the vet's office all day practically on her death bed from a failing liver.  We tried some new medicine, Urisidol and it brought our baby back to life!

It has been a long while since she has felt good on a consistent basis.  She is happy, alert, playful and kind of bouncy!  lol  She's been back on regular walks at a steady pace and that has been good.  We take a trail that is 1/8 of a mile loop for her and she loves that walk.

She's having no problems eating and is enjoying the addition of her canned food.    It was the best way to put weight on, while being easy on her tummy when we first started the medicine.  It worked out great!  Except now she won't eat without canned food mixed in. Spoiled girl!

  Thank Woo for all your prayers and support!

I made it!!

We are so grateful for the medicine working and the fact the Fiona is feeling better.  It was pretty scary that first month and now we have two months under our collar.  Fiona getting better every day. Every day there is something new I notice that just adds to her well-being.  We are so grateful for this second chance with Fiona and we couldn't be happier!

Gifts and Blessings of Dogs

I've been struggling with depression my whole life.  It has been especially difficult this summer when we found out Fiona and Blaze have liver disease.  Despite myself, I have found under all that heaviness, the dogs are the ones that can still put a smile on this hardened heart.  They still make me laugh and dance and sing.  And as the years creep up, I find more of my time with them to be quiet and still.  Comfortable to just "be" with each other.  With lots of "eye talk."

I have found that when I am somber, they are too and we rest together.  And when I feel lifted, they celebrate with me.  Believe me there is something to be said for older dogs that have been with us from the beginning...they know you.  They feel you, they understand and they try to change you.  They have their ways and wants to get to you to smile again. 

It is one of the reasons I don't understand why people give up their senior dogs, for the only reason that they are old.  They say that a dog's prime ages are 3-7 years old, but I would disagree, I feel we are still in our prime at 12 years old.  The bond I have with each dog is incredible.  And it is more than the fact they are Brut and Silver's kids.  All four of them have distinct personalities, quirks and special gifts to share. 

And really isn't that what having a dog is all about?  Getting to know them.  Having this mind-blowing relationship with them.  All wrapped up in unconditional love. 

What a blessing we have been given to have dogs in our lives.

 

First Fiona and now Blaze

This has been difficult to write.  I have been putting it off trying to process the information. 

I told you about Fiona having liver disease, well we found out after a hunch and blood work, Blaze has it as well. 

This past year we got DNA test for Fiona and Chance.  Well we also got a health analysis with it.  At this time we already knew that Fiona had liver disease, but it was discovered that Chance carried the same gene for it.  Which lead me to getting Blaze tested after witnessing some of the same symptoms that Fiona had before treatment.  Well, Blaze's liver levels were quite high after getting blood test.  That's when we figured out that this was genetic. 

Blaze is on the same medicine as Fiona and is responding slowly.  They are both taking Urisidol and Denamarin to keep the liver going.  How long it will last is a guessing game, but for now it is working.

We will be getting blood work for Chance and Zappa's liver levels in the next few weeks.  Chance is showing any symptoms right now, but I have some suspicions about Zappa.  I hope I am wrong.

It's been a little bit of an emotional rollercoaster dealing with all of this information.  I thought the scare of Fiona was enough to last me, but now Blaze for certain and possibly Chance and Zappa.  Scary stuff. 

Keep the 24 Paws of Love in your prayers.  Thank you.