STARFISH SWEETHEART
IN NOVEMBER 2012
25 NOVEMBER 2012
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Marti writes:
It's been just over a year now since we rescued Sweetheart,
and the transformation - in her physical condition and her demeanor -
is nothing short of amazing! Over the first few months,
we were able to successfully treat her Lymes disease and her horrible ear infection,
and her arthritis seemed to improve as well
(which tells us that much of her stiffness was a result of the Lymes disease).
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She has now filled out nicely
(she has a great appetite!),
her coat has become very
full and plush and soft,
and the cyst on her eyelid
has gotten smaller and is
no longer rubbing on her eye.
And best of all -
after a yearlong "slow-kill
heartworm treatment"
(giving Heartgard Plus every two weeks)
- she recently tested negative,
which means her heartworms are gone!
Sweetheart still has a couple
of mammary tumors and
another growth on the top
of her left rear foot.
But her blood work looks good
and she seems to feel great.
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Recently we discussed further treatment with our veterinarian,
and we have pretty much decided that - given Sweetheart's age -
we shouldn't risk putting her under
an anesthetic to spay her and/or remove the tumors.
(The mammary tumors are probably benign,
or they would have grown bigger and caused problems by now.
And the growth on her foot is about the same size as it was.
So, we've decided not to fix these things,
since they don't seem to be broken,
and they aren't causing her any problems.)
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Now that she feels better,
we have discovered that
Sweetheart has a real mind of her own.
(She definitely should run for
President of the local chapter
of Canine Red Hat Society!)
Her self-confidence
and sweet but sassy attitude
are signs that she is feeling great.
(When she knows we want
her to go one way,
she always manages
to go the other way -
and then she pretends
that she didn't know any better.
But she is actually one smart cookie,
and we know that she is just teasing us!)
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When we rescue special medical needs dogs,
they seem to sense that we believe in them even though no one else
may think they are "worthy".
The sparkle that returns to their eyes - and the love they give back to us -
are reward enough for the work, the expense (and sometimes the heartache)
that we invest in these special dogs. We know we can't save them all,
but . . . when we help a dog like Sweetheart,
we know that "It makes a difference to THAT one!"
We are so grateful to those who sent us donations
to help us bring Sweetheart back to health.
And we are also thankful for the prayers and encouragement
we received from folks who supported us along the way,
in our efforts to give Sweetheart a new lease on life.
Thank you so much for everything!
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