Adventurin' Billy - trip #3

Thanks for posting a picture Callie.  He looks pretty darn healthy to me and maybe just needs some doggie naps for a few days.
 
Geesh, I'm tired just thinking of what you guys and Billie have been thru the last couple weeks.  Poor guy's done more traveling than I'll do this summer, that's for sure.  I completely related to the problems with David's car too.  Stuff like that seems to strike when you're least able to deal with it.  Guess it's that "what doesn't kill us, makes us stronger" philosophy playing out []. 
 
Glad the outlook is better for Billie and hopefully it's just the anemia and normal fatigue that's making him feel puny right now.  Once again, I'm hoping for a calm, relaxing weekend for all of you. 
 
 

Ya know I've GOT a good digital (a really really good one thanks to my husband) and I love it .... but by the time I get it charged, and out when I need it and and and ... and shoot, all I gotta do is take that razor out, snag the pic (no flash to feel guilty about *grin*) and email it to myself on the spot -- you guys got a picture taken literally WHEN I posted.  That, to me, is cool and EZ.  It's not super photography nor is it wonderfully in focus, but is *now* just after I got done reading all his e-mails to him ... it defines "candid" (but then MOST dog pics are *candid* or should I say ... canid??  eh STOP CALLIE *grin*)
 
 

On one of my golden retriever groups, one down in San Jaun has a sick golden, the same tick disease Billy had.  I told her about Billy developing AIHa and she was going to talk to her vet today about it--she knows Hutner's story, so knows how cruel and horrible disease AIHA is and wants her vet to be on the watch.  June Lilly has been on pred and some other drug, but i can't remember what she called it.
 
I am glad Billy is home and I pray this time it is to stay.

Im still thinking of you guys hoping for the best and that things get better for you guys and Billy... hugs to yall! 

Callie, how is Billy doing this evening?  I was happy to see the photo - I think he looks good considering all he's been through (and even taking into consideration the lesser quality of the Razor photo!).  As for laundry on the futon - with the schedule you guys are keeping, I'm surprised you can get YOURSELVES dressed each day, never mind keep on top of the laundry chores!!  Besides, I happen to think that laundry is NEVER done.  I can do laundry for hours, yet there's always something in the baskets - some weird thing that couldn't go in with the other loads because of a special setting or temp requirement.  And unless you strip down to your birthday suit and do laundry, then at the end of laundry day, you've still got the clothes on your back that need washing!  It's an endless cycle.
 
Anyway, I hope you are all getting some rest this weekend and that this stretch of Billy's stability goes even longer.  How great that Eric called to check on him - I've never had a vet (or one of my own doctors) call me at my house without my leaving a message first.
 
Okay Billy, keep fighting, and tell those baby red cells to be strong soldiers and keep on multiplying!  They're winning these individual battles, and total victory has got to be on the horizon soon! 

I'm glad to read that -- and Billy was totally excited to hear it.  (and he DID listen and went all a-wag!!)
 
We visited my own vet this morning and of course, the first thing EVERYONE says is "wow -- he LOOKS good!"  The blood is down today -- but this happens every time ... after 3-4 days it will fall some.  That seems to be 'expected' ... but the big deal comes in the next couple of days in the *hope* that his body will kick out some red blood cells to help keep his own blood 'up'.  He honestly seems 'better' tonight (knowing the blood was down to 25 this morning) than he did Thursday nite at 30!  He's been bright and happy all day long. 
 
So I'm looking for it to hold now.  (yep, hoping and praying too)  Thanks so much for asking.  Stars are nice out tonight Tracy -- one bright one in particular!!  A Tonka-sized star!!

Billy looks fantastic! He's such a handsome boy, to begin with, so I guess he doesn't have to work too hard[]

I'm so glad to hear that he's feeling good.

I came here yesterday to read how Billy is doing Callie, glad he is feeling better.  You know, I find comfort that he is pretty much able to not feel the worry that you do when he is home, happy and feeling good,,  he can be "just plain Billy" , I hope he stays feeling good now!

Ah, some good news and a pretty boy picture to boot.  Callie, you can't imagine how many times in the course of a day I think, 'need to send Billy some good thots and healing vibes'....waiting for the parade to start, DOING the parade,  (saw a cocker), even sitting in the ER.....here comes this random thot that Billy needs a good thot.  I suspect that MY buffy colored cocker is up at the Bridge sending me a nudge of two!

Yeah -- keeping my own worry 'invisible' and literally *controlling* it so I'm not freaking out hasn't been easy.  I literally have to force myself not to check his gums constantly. 
 
Today the gums are a little less pink, more in keeping with yesterday's count -- but I'm beginning to thik that's how it is -- it 'shows' in the gums AFTER it actually falls.  So I'm going to choose again not to worry.
 
he not only got up on the bed to snuggle last night but actually came up this morning and slept for a while (the small things you *miss*!).  So that means he's *feeling* pretty decent.
 
They were so adamant that I put him on a canned food "with certified nutrition" and the pet vitamins (which really don't have a lot of iron in them at all) has me more worried -- but me, being me, I'm supplementing with heart and liver.  I had to hunt all over for organic liver (holistic vet would prefer me not to use regular grocery store beef liver because of the high chemical content in the liver because it's a 'dirty' organ BUT liver is also *the* best source of iron in the body).  So I got heart first and sauted that and I'll cook the liver up today (next on my list in fact). 
 
The best part is that I got to sleep in a bit this morning -- well actually amend that to "I went BACK to bed" after I fed and did the medicine thing this morning.  The meds *must* be consistent but I was exhausted and since David's working (*again* sigh) I just plain went back to bed and got some extra rest. 
 
His gums don't look 'bad' -- just not as good as they did yesterday.  And if he can hold at 25 I'll be over the moon.  I didn't cancel the appointment for Tuesday (what would a week without a trip to Gainesville be?) just because I was too scared to, so if he lasts til then I suspect we may keep it.  We'll see.  David says it's bad form to cancel it late -- but at this point the prospect of saving a $179 'emergency' charge is far more alluring than protocol! LOL

And it's drawing on towards 7pm and the gums still look the same.  no drop -- and he's scarfing down liver now as well (Organic calves liver $7 a pound sheesh)

Stars are nice out tonight Tracy -- one bright one in particular!!  A Tonka-sized star!!

I looked for my special star when I closed the blinds last night, and it wasn't there, and I thought, "Tonka, you must be looking over Florida tonight instead of Oregon!" []
 
Glad to hear you got some rest today and the evening showed continued stability.  I'll look forward to more good news tomorrow!
 
It's a new week Billy, and you need to put off your next visit to Gainesville as long as possible (hopefully indefinitely!).  So, stay well tonight and tomorrow, and keep feeling all the thoughts and vibes that everyone is sending you.  You are being showered with them from everyone here!

Still looks good and it's Monday nite.  I spoke with Eric today -- and actually we have several "in case" appointments up there -- one tomorrow we won't need if he's still looking great in the morning.  I have one scheduled for Thursday .. "in case" ... and if he CAN hold and go all the way to next Monday, we've got one then. 
 
I hope I hope
I hope I hope
I hope I hope
I hope I hope
I hope I hope
I hope I hope
I hope I hope
 
I know Billy's being so watched over -- and someday I may even know the reason for it.  I know I'm seeing really wonderful changes in him -- like when we were at the e-vet last week and he wanted to 'comfort' everyone he saw.  This is new -- he's always been loving to me, but this dog truly is learning compassion. 
 
Maybe Tracy -- maybe it's just in the stars.  I know Glenda's been feeling the Rusty connection and I *Know* Foxy would be up there gnashing and worrying over Billy -- Billy was Foxy's "choice" that day -- and the two were very very close.  That's three points of love light shining down on Billy -- I know it.
 
Thanks again to ALL who keep track of Billy and think about him and pray for him and lift him up -- it *does* make a difference.  A big one.

I hope I hope
I hope I hope
I hope I hope
I hope I hope
I hope I hope
I hope I hope
I hope I hope

Me too - oh so much. 

I think the lesson this has taught us (me at least) is that there are special people and there are special dogs and I hope that if/when the time comes, I can rise to the occasion and be as knowledgeable and as diligent as you've been Callie.  Certainly, without your determination and perseverance with this whole issue, the story might've been much sadder for Billie (and the rest of us).  I'm glad it hasn't been.

p.s.  If this has a zillion typos, forgive me, but I just got new monovision contact lenses and my brain's still trying to figure things out []

I'm glad to hear he's doing better; I hope he still looks good in the morning and you don't need to go to Gainesville. You shouldn't worry about their insistance on him having canned dog food; they just don't want to take any chances right now and want to be sure he is getting a balanced diet. Maybe it is the stars and maybe it's the unconditional love of his mom and dad [], but I pray that he continues to show improvement. Bless him for showing compassion when he isn't feeling well.