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January 31 Waiting for the call...A few days ago I posted a blog about a Pitbull I recently had found. I called him "Saint" after the distinct mark in the shape of a cross that he bore on his chest. The day after the post, his owners called me and "Red-Face", (his real name) had a wonderful reunion with his family, and my kitties got their home back. I am relieved. I am happy. I am a little upset that I ever brought him into my home though.
The night before Red-Face left our home (and decreased the chaos considerably) I realized my Bella wasn't acting right. There'd been a few piddle spots in places only she could've been - being that she's such a good dog, she has access to the bedrooms without being crated at night. Then there was finding her sleeping places where either Tom and I were not - somewhere off by herself in another part of the house. Then I noticed her not eating, drinking more, and walking slower. That night it was just the look she gave me and when I called her, she wouldn't come - I don't think she had the energy to. First thing Monday morning I called to get her into the vet and couldn't get through for an hour. I finally just put her into my car and drove there. I was told the phone lines had been down and that they would see Bella right away.
Turns out, she was much sicker than I could have imagined. I left knowing they were going to take an x-ray of her back and take some blood for some tests. 3 days later, I'm awaiting a phone call that will probably be telling me to rush to the vet to say my final good-bye before putting her down. 3 days has not been enough time for me to prepare myself - even though I thought it was as I started writing this, I now realize just how ready I'm not. 5 years was not enough time with the best dog I ever had....and she was a rescue. In her situation though, it was just as much a rescue for me.
I just wish she could of made it back home to realize that big old pitbull I had brought into our home wasn't going to be staying. I know she wasn't happy about the intrusion as he hadn't learned the house rules about leaving the matriarch alone. Miss Bella was my shadow and preferred a wide berth as we moved around the house. *smile* He was a big pup that just wanted my attention while missing his family and I think she felt a little pushed aside. I feel bad that was the last memories of her time here at her home.
I know I'm sounding negative, but they aren't leaving us much hope as to the outcome. She has white blood counts through-the-roof that a broad spectrum anti-biotic isn't touching. From an ultrasound they can tell her liver is considerably smaller than it should be. One of her kidn'eys has already shut down and her blood is no longer clotting. Her blood not clotting prevents them from doing anymore of the tests they really need to do to determine what is wrong with her liver.....such as a biopsy or a bone-marrow aspiration. They've relied on that miracle drug prednisone as a last resort and not much is happening with that. They think it's either going to work or she'll bleed out. Assuring me they won't let her get to the point of suffering, we're just waiting and praying....and worrying.
I'm more tired than I thought, I'll have to finish tomorrow or whenever
January 28 I've been gone awhile, living life and allIt's been awhile since I've had the time or the urge to blog or be about much. I am just trying a little now to see if it helps kick in the bug. *smile* I've had a lot going on in the past month. The holidays were a little depressing, but ok I suppose. Think I caught a little of the blues around Christmas. I think I'm starting to come out of it though, which would be miraculous considering it's January and I'm in pain .....again. Had ultrasounds of my liver, pancreas and gall bladder and a CT of my kidneys on Friday, so I'm just waiting to here back from my doctor on the resulsts. I've had a pain in my abdomen for a few weeks now, but the past 8 days the pain has been worse and constant. I also have had blood in my urine (without infection) for a month and a half now. It's weird. Anyhow, the boys have been having some more problems, so we had Quinton to the doctor a couple weeks ago and discovered he had a sinus infection, a pretty nasty yeast infection .....yes, yeast infection in his nether regions....and had a pretty annoying cold sore from being run down so much, which also was making him so damn mean and nasty. Tyler goes to the Doc tomorrow for a prescription evaluation to see about changing up his cocktail....possibly getting him off of one of the drugs we think may be aggervating his symptoms. *rolling eyes* Add to all this, my inability to turn my back on an animal in trouble and my uncanny ability to cross paths with all of the animals within a 60 mile radius in trouble - and you have MASS CHAOS, that which is my life. My latest rescue......"Saint", A red, male pitbull I found running down the middle of the road this past Wednesday on my way to take my youngest to school.......
I took him to the County Dog Shelter only to find out that if the owner didn't claim him in 3 days, he would be put down. They don't even attempt to evaluate him for adoption. I think that's horrible. His temperpent is wonderful. Pitbull myths and owners that abuse them and nurture the inbred trait to fight are the cause for society's fear of these great family pets. This dog gets along with my 6 dogs, in fact tolerates my shih-tzus "air" snapping with incredible indifference. He snuggles with all of us, doesn't like being alone, gives slobbery kisses and wags his tail with a fury when you so much as look at him. He knows sit, stay, lay down. Comes when called....inside and doesn't jump up on you. He loves to play ball and ride in cars. You can put your hand in his food bowl and take bones and toys from his mouth without any resistance. We've had other adults over to see him and he's fouond nobody yet he hasn't liked. I'm no expert, but I'd say he's a good dog. I've had him to 2 vets in the area to see if they recognized him, and both have made comments to his temperment being acceptional. I've been making phone call after phone call trying to find someone that will take this dog in. We have no Pitbull Rescue here, all area locals that will take them in are full or have their limits on Pitbulls...dumb rule once again. I have posted flyers. Got a report filled out on PetFBI.com, as well as at the local shelters and humane societies and vets. Had him scanned for microchips and examined for tatoos. I've done just about all I can do except get him fixed and post him on some sites that are like virtual pet rescues. That means money, which I am really trying to watch right now, but I know it would be worth it....sort of like donating to a good cause....*smile*. Anyhow, the big guy is not perfect....but who is?? lol He does like to chase kitties. He's not mean to them....I can bring them to him and he doesn't attempt tp bite them or mouth them, but he does like to run. The cats aren't used to him, and since he's like a big puppy and bounds up to them, they take off, and off he goes. Needless to say, the cats of the Kuhn family are not happy right now. The local bullie expert I talked to today, told me to give it a couple weeks and the tension would probably die down a bit.....I hope she's right.....looks like he may be around a bit longer than we planned on.. Slowly thinking I may have to give up on finding his owner and start looking for a new family for "Saint". Anybody???? Steph??? I know you're a fan of the breed....*winks* I came across this article today on MSN....hoping this makes some headway for dogs like our boy Saint....
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