Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Puppy Prayers

These past few days have been rough for me. Last week my puppy started vomiting, got better, then a few days later she got much, much worse. Last Saturday she started getting sick again and stopped eating or drinking. At four months old, this poor little thing became super skinny and could barely walk.

Yesterday my parents took her into the vet for me and relayed some pretty bad news. Her stomach is full of foreign objects. The little shit eats everything! Last week she was throwing up pieces of my bra strap...yeah I wasn't happy when I came home to find that she'd wiggled her way into my closet. I've caught her chewing up my bathroom cupboards, brackets that hold my cable to the wall, the fake grass I've been potty training her with - even the bottom of my bed isn't safe around her.
The problem lies with me, though. I thought it was cruel to crate her all day while at work. Instead we "puppy proofed" my bedroom, bathroom vanity area, and patio. I was wrong. Unfortunately there is no puppy proofing with a sneaky pup. I now know crate training is for their safety. Luckily I live 10 minutes from work so I'll just have to visit her every day during lunch.

The vet's x-rays reveled that she's in real bad shape and needs emergency surgery. They kept her yesterday because she needed to be hooked up to an IV to get her strength back. Her heart was too weak for an operation. Right about now they're cutting her open and the doctor will meticulously feel every inch of her intestines. Each spot where he feels something lodged, he'll have to cut the intestine open, remove the item, then sew her back up. It's going to be a pretty intense surgery.

Due to the type of procedure, it's not a cheap one. Thank God she's my pup because my dad told me that had it been his dog, he would have seriously considered putting her to sleep. I look at it as she's my child. It may be costing me my entire savings (and then some) but in these past two months I've become so attached. Plus I am a huge dog lover and could never forgive myself if I had to put her down :(

I'm really hoping that she pulls through the surgery. The vet was amazing and said that he'd even bring in another vet to operate (at no extra charge) just to be extra sure they do the very best they can. He feels she'll do great because she's young enough to bounce back. I'm praying he's right.

I can't wait to see the little stinker soon. We have no idea when she can come home at this point and when she's discharged she'll have to stay at my parents' so she can be closely watched for at least two weeks.

It may sound cheesy to those who aren't animal lovers, or dog people, but please send thoughts her way. You all know I never ask for prayers but this is one of those times I could really use them.


14 comments:

k said...

OH NO!!! I will send all my best thoughts :( I was JUST thinking about you and the new pup and was going to ask how it was going!

Katy Mary said...

I hope your baby pulls through and makes a quick recovery. My heart goes out to you and you're in my thoughts

Mel said...

Hugs and good thoughts for the pup during surgery.

Staley Mc said...

Thinking about your sweet puppy! Hope everything goes alright!

Jules said...

I am thinking of you and will be praying hard for her. This breaks my heart and I hate to hear that an animal is in distress. You’re amazing for getting her the best care and I couldn’t have put her down either. She’s your pet and they become like family.

Hugs to you and please keep us posted.

Jen McD said...

I hope your puppy makes a quick recovery. My dog is crate trained and it is hard to "lock him up" when we are gone, but at least you know its safe. It might help to put something in the crate with your dog that smells like you.

Anonymous said...

Oh, your baby... so stressful. I would pay anything for my dogs. Some dogs just eat everything. I wonder if Ceasar Milan makes house calls to your part of CA. You have my prayers and then some...keep us updated. xo

tara said...

oh no!! thats so scary! my dog eats everything too! as a matter of fact, i just yelled at him for trying to eat a napkin! i felt so bad about leaving sammy in his crate all day but now he loves his crate so much. he has been super anxious and destructive the few times we let him stay out of his crate! hope your baby gets well soon!!

A New England Girl said...

Praying for you and your pup! I totally understand where you're coming from; I would spend ALL of my money (and then some) to save any one of my dog's lives. Our oldest was in the hospital for a week-long stretch a few months back for a similar problem -- she had eaten something that was causing a blockage and couldn't keep anything down. Luckily she didn't need surgery, but I know how scary it is for you to have to endure the thought of her in any pain!
I'm pulling for you both. Please update us! xoxox.

sincerely jen said...

i hope your puppy does great in surgery...hugs..

Brittany said...

Oh goodness. I am so sorry to hear this about your adorable pup!! I feel the same way you do.. No way I could put her down! She's a pup and puppies eat stuff lol. Luckily, I have a spoiled stuck up brat for a dog who refuses to chew on anything but bones and babies so she doesn't need to be crated :) haha, she won't even go near the trash! Secretly, I think she's more of a cat than a dog.

Keep us updated on CoCo! ♥

this free bird said...

I am totally praying for a smooth recovery for your puppy. I feel so badly for you and can totally relate even though mine is a cat that got hit by a car. Having to crate her and the 2 months of rehab broke my heart. Hang in there and keep us updated. I'm so sorry!!

xoxo,
Carrie

Miss Sweet Tea said...

Oh no! Praying for your puppy..she looks so sweet!

Sierra said...

sorry with what happened to your puppy, she looks so sweet and i can understand why you would have been so frightened. xoxo.