Monday, August 30, 2010

Lucky Update....

I wanted to post an update here on our new foster, Lucky. Many people have heard about her and seen a post or two on facebook so I wanted to recap her first week with us.....
First, let me tell you the Lucky has idiopathic epilepsy, all this means is that she has epilepsy but there is no diagnosed cause for it. The vets have determined through blood tests and other tests that Lucky was probably born this way.

Don't underestimate this baby girl....her epilepsy doesn't hold her back from anything. She is about 5-6 months old, 7lbs and full of energy and life. She loves to play, run and jump. She isn't potty trained and tends to nip and bite a little. We are working on the potty training. After checking out her teeth, she seems to be teething some so we have given her several chew toys to help cut back the nipping and biting.  She is a very vibrant puppy. We think she is Jack Russell and Daschund mix opposed to what she was listed as previously, Chihuahua.


 
This is her favorite chew toy!
Right now Lucky is on Phenobarbital for her seizures. However, she hasn't tolerated it very well and we are going to look at switching her over to Potassium Bromide this week. The Phenobarbital has left her a little uneasy on her feet, almost like a "drunk" puppy. I have done much reading and the Potassium Bromide seems to be the better tolerated medication for idiopathic epilepsy.
Please keep an eye on the blog and I will keep everyone updated on her progress. As soon as we get a medication that she can tolerate then she will be posted for adoption.
After a hard day at play....she really has a tough life!!
This video was taken the one day she was off her medication....


Thursday, August 12, 2010

Happy Go "LUCKY"....

I know.....we said we would wait.....we said we wouldn't do it.....but this is the face that stole our hearts two days before our honeymoon!

This little baby had a rescue back out on her and was going to be put down today. I knew if I could just find someone to keep her safe until after our honeymoon then I was going to be able to save her. A great lady with a wonderful rescue was able to pull her for us today and is keeping her safe until we return. Lucky is part chi/jack russell mix, she is about 6 months old. She has seizures and we aren't sure at this point the severity of them. I can't wait to get back from our honeymoon and meet her!!

Cali Furever Home....

Our last of the "Camden three" was adopted last weekend. Cali had a little bit of a struggle but such a happy ending! Cali was pulled June 19 out of Camden, SC. She had just got spayed the day before and came strait from the vet that Saturday morning. As soon as Cali came from the vet Chad picked her up and held her while I was getting Kidd and Heidi. Cali just froze and stared strait in the air. Little did she know at that moment the loving arms around her would become her saving grace and best friend! It was obvious Cali was not used to any human contact and very scared. Cali tested heartworm positive when she was vetted at the shelter so we knew we were in for a challenge, especially never having cared for a heartworm positive dog before. We were definitely up for the challenge and were willing to do what we could to give this angel a healthier and better life.
It took Cali a while to adjust at our house. She was scared, confused and definitely not used to being loved. Just as soon as Cali started to come out of her little shell, she had to go to the vet for her heartworm injection treatments. After the shots we had to keep her very calm and inactive for the next four weeks. During the four weeks Cali broke out of the shell regardless of her not being able to be active. She started showing affection, relaxed when you held her, she didn't cower when you reached for her, she even started giving little nudges and kisses. Chad and Cali became a pair. She got really attached to him and he didn't seem to mind one bit.
A few weeks into Cali's treatment we got an inquiry from a very special family wanting to adopt Cali. We decided to wait until her recovery period was up and to see if Dr. Love cleared Cali to return to normal activity. On Aug 6th Cali was cleared to return to normal activity.
Ralph and Marlin LaSalle could not wait to meet her! We took Cali over to their house to visit and stay for a sleep over the next day. We were really skeptic about Cali and how or if she would ever adapt to a new home. She was very comfortable in our home and extremely attached to Chad.
They always say dogs just have that sense about people. We don't pick the dogs, the dogs pick us. Cali knew and let us know, right away, Ralph and Marlin were going to be her new family.
She has made her self at home and has adapted well. Cali and Ralph have become best buddies!
I am so happy that after such a rough road this little angel got the happy ending she deserved with the best family ever!!
Thank you Ralph and Marlin for choosing adoption and helping save this angel!