Straydog UPDATE posted MONDAY 8/11/03 at ~11:59 p.m. CT

Bill Arnold's Daily Straydog Log

MONDAY AUGUST 11 2003

Report from Erin ...

Fuzzy has cancer of the stomach

     Fuzzy can't get nourishment from even the force-feedings. It was after the normal clinic hours when Shannon got to talk to the oncologist. We decided to leave Fuzzy with the all-night staff in the cushioned kennel with an IV and a little pain medicine. Fuzzy was still wagging her tail, and she put her paw up ever so gently to touch Shannon and the other technicians.

     All the technicians there at the Diagnostic Clinic with Fuzzy were in tears along with me, Shannon said, because there is nothing that can be done to fix this. ... Fuzzy will get to see Mom on Rainbow Bridge tomorrow.

Shannon visited Anthony today

     Anthony was very happy to see Shannon! He got in her lap and wouldn't let go of her shoulder. "You can't even tell!" Shannon reported about his jaw surgery. We have Anthony's new, large inside kennel all constructed for him now, complete with rugs, blankets and pillows. We're looking forward to this sweet dog's two-week stay in an inside kennel with us, eating specially prepared, soft foods.

Julie's sugar level is good!

     Julie had another glucose curve test, and we are now down to 71.8 (from a reading of over 300 the last reading). (Seventy-seven to 125 is normal range.) Dr. Morton adjusted her insulin slightly to accommodate this new reading. We are working with her diet and hope we can really get Julie's glucose levels very stable soon.

Pierce and Veronica are new kennel mates, as are Benny and Willie

     Even though Pierce is so much smaller than Veronica, the two get along very well, and it is fun to watch them play! This was the first day that Benny and Willie were together in Willie and Pierce's old kennel. This match seems to work fine too! Willie has a friend again!

Hailstorm brings cool air

     We had a hailstorm for a few minutes late this afternoon after Dad left to teach his class at Trinity Valley Community College. I watched Jack and Jill high tail it to their shelter! Then, Jack came back out to sniff and feel the hail, but it was only a moment before he ran back into the dog shelter again.