The circles of life

I named this blog "life with 3 special dachshunds" when we were only 3, each with a different type of special need. Then Daisy Mae was returned and Stanley came into our lives. Then it was life with 3 dachshunds with a specific special need, plus "the boys".

Life has circled back; Daisy Mae left us December 18/09 and my sweet boy Stanley left us this past Saturday, January 23/10. Again it is life with 3 special dachshunds.

Stanley has changed me forever. His pawprints will always be on my heart. Quiet, dignified, with a charm that drew people to him at first sight, he was one of those "special" furkids. He forced me to face fears and grow, to give him his fluids. Never did I ever think I would stick a needle into a living thing. Love for him was greater than my fears. Stanley's legacy is that skill. Some place, somewhere, maybe on an EARS deployment, I believe I will need this skill again to help another animal - Stanley's gift to that furkid.

I am glad that I was able to track down his first family and they were with us at the end. Stanley did recognize them and wagged his tail. However hard it was to make that drive to them, knowing what was coming, I am glad that I was able to give him and them that last meeting.

I miss him so much.

Dogspeed my little Snorey Bear

Life with Kidney Failure

We are doing pretty well. I am so touched with the response from the rescue community. I sent out an email asking for help to hold Stanley while I do his sub-q fluids. I am happy to say that we have a full rotation of volunteers; pretty well every day of the week has someone assigned to help us. Sometimes they come to us and sometimes we go to them. 10 minutes or less and my boy is good for another 24 hours.

I fuss over Stanley. If he does not eat/drink as much as I think he should, I worry. The vet said 24 hours without eating and we need to get back to the hospital. He needs to keep his kidneys flushed out. I try to add 2 cups of water per day to his food, in addition to his 100ml of sub-q fluids.

A bonus with having our "gas station attendants" is that I get impartial feed back from them about how Stanley is doing. Someone who sees him once or twice a week is more likely to notice changes that I am; seeing him constantly.

It is not easy to keep his appetite stimulated. He has not been a big eater since coming to me. He is not fond of the prescription dog food, so finding appropriate, low protein enhancements for his meals is a struggle.

I am getting much better at handling his needles for the sub-q fluids. Having someone hold him makes all the difference.

I know that we are just buying time. This is not a cure. We are grateful beyond words for the people who have volunteered to be part of his palliative care.

For now, my boy is content, eating well and taking an interest in his surroundings. He enjoys cuddles, tolerates his treatments and is just his charming, adorable self. What more could I ask for. Each day is a blessing with our Christmas Miracle.

Stanley Christmas update

I had a lovely Christmas present yesterday, Stanley ate and had a good day with us :-)

Stanley slept a lot during the day, but we had a sucessful sub-q fluid session in the morning. This was my second time EVER sticking a needle into a living thing. My first time was Christmas Eve, my stomach was one big knot all day, knowing what I was facing. It went pretty well for my first attempt. The clinic forgot to tell me about the valve that needs to be opened and closed. In the beginning, there wasn't any fluid flowing; but a friend told me about the valve and we had a good session. (The clinic sent Stanley home for Christmas with an full IV bag, I need to get fluids under his skin once or twice a day, depending upon how much he also drinks during the day)

Stanley perked up in the evening at my sister's house. He had a nice meal of rice, water/gravy and a bit of turkey. He sat up and sniffed around at his different environment.

Since his is one of the cart kids, I started the sub-q fluids in his two haunches, where he has less feeling. I needed to stack the odds in my favour for our first couple of sessions. This morning we had to move up to the shoulder area. I got the needle in ok, but he could feel the fluids more, wiggled about and the needle came out before a full session. That is ok; I will do another half session tonight and then we will be on evening sessions, in preparation for me going back to work. Mornings are too busy to try fluids then.

Monday is "decision" day, if this course of treatment will support his kidneys and give him a quality of life. One of the key factors will be if we can keep him eating. IF his bloods tests are acceptable, then we will be doing these treatments every day. Such a small thing to do, if it gives my boy more (quality) time with us.

Who knows, he may be back in his cart soon :-) for that picture that I haven't taken yet to show off his new wheelchair.

Whatever the outcome, I have to thank several quiet angels. The vet clinic has received several donations towards Stanley's vet bill. Each angel has sworn the clinic to secrecy. I can make guesses, but don't know for sure who all has been so generous to my boy. Thank you is inadequate. Without these extra payments towards his bill, he would not have this chance. Thank you too to Dr. Makawol. All the clinic staff went above and beyond for Stanley while he was in hospital. As well, Dr. M. gave us a "holiday discount" on the hospital stay.

I am overwhelmed and humbled by the generosity and love shown to us this past week. Thank you is inadequate, but all that I have. Thank you and may God bless all of Stanley's quiet angels.

Merry Christmas everyone and wishing everyone health and happiness for 2010.

In Mourning

We lost Daisy Mae to Rainbow Bridge on December 18, 2009.

Stanley has been in hospital with kidney failure. He will be home for Christmas as the vet clinic is closed. I will be giving him sub-q fluids for the weekend, and we will re-evaluate his condition on Monday.

I don't know if I can stand to lose two of my furbabies in less than two weeks.

Heidi, Valentin and Pogo are very subdued. They know things are very wrong.

New foster, Gwenyth.

This is the picture from the shelter of Gwenyth, my new foster. She was rescued in a puppy mill seizure along with her two 5 week old puppies. She is not much more than a baby herself. We will get a better picture of her, this one does not do this sweet girl justice. She is so loving, especially considering where she came from. Her adopters, whomever they will be, will be lucky to get this sweetie. In the meantime, she is certainly livening up our household.

Good tissue alert!

To My Foster Parents (and especially to Mardy from Heidi Ho Ho)

There I sat, alone and afraid,
You got a call and came right to my aid.
You bundled me up with blankets and love.
And, when I needed it most, you gave me a hug.
I learned that the world was not all that scary and cold.
That sometimes there is someone to have and to hold.
You taught me what love is, you helped me to mend.
You loved me and healed me and became my first friend.
And just when I thought you'd done all you do,
There came along not one new lesson, but two.
First you said, "Sweetheart, you're ready to go.
I've done all I can, and you've learned all I know."
Then you bundled me up with a blanket and kiss.A
long came a new family, they even have kids!
They took me to their home, forever to stay.

At first I thought you sent me away.

Then that second lesson became perfectly clear.
No matter how far, you will always be near.
And so, Foster Mom&Dad, you know I've moved on.
I have a new home, with toys and a lawn.
But I'll never forget what I learned that first day.
You never really give your fosters away.
You gave me these thoughts to remember you by.
We may never meet again, and now I know why.
You'll remember I lived with you for a time.
I may not be yours, but you'll always be mine.

author unknown

Continuing to recover, years later

To recap briefly, Heidi came to me downed. She could take one or two steps at most, on a really good day with the wind blowing in the right direction, the planets aligned, after a warm soak in the jacuzzi tub, if the TV was on the right station ...... well you get the idea.

Fast forward 4 years, with chiropractic and accupuncture treatments, supplements, and other therapy, our little girl can stand and walk in deliberate steps. Running to keep up with the others is bunny hop. She bounces more than Tigger! Everyone is thrilled for her to have come this far and have regained some of her mobility. She uses her cart outside, but can get around in the house without it.

Last night, I came home from work to find Heidi's diaper down around her ankles (she has never regained bowel and bladder control). Valentin and Pogo have tried to steal Stanley's blanket from his expen, so Stanley (14, downed, very short sighted) is sitting in his squished expen, and the mill foster in the front hallway is in danger of finger/paw painting in her poop, so Heidi's diaper is going to have to wait for a minute. What's this I hear? A tail beating a tattoo on the floor? It must be Pogo and his smooth little tail. NO!! It is Miss Heidi!!! Free of the diaper, her little tail is just a blur as it wags!!!!!!!!! This is HUGE!! She has been able to wag her tail on her own for some time now, but never this hard and this fast. Our little girl (who is probably around 11 or 12) has come so far in her recovery, is there more to come????? Maybe control of bodily functions??? I am fine with the diapers, but wouldn't it be wonderful for her!

Again, I come back to the core reason for this blog. Do not give up on the downed ones (or other "handicaps"). They will suprise you. Heidi did not get the memo that she was paralized and had no hope of recovery - so she does not know that she is not supposed to be able to do these things. And I am certainly not going to be the one to tell her so.