This one brings a tear to my eye, but it’s a happy tear. You don’t know how much you miss eye contact from your dog, until it’s no longer there. Resting pretty comfortably next to my desk this morning. =)
I have been so touched and moved by all your kind comments, the virtual hugs, and words of support over the past few days. Thank you, too, for your prayers and healing vibes… I’m scared to make a definitive statement that Girlfriend is on the mend, because the veterinarian in me knows that she could have another vascular incident at any time, and the one she did have might never fully resolve… but I can say this: today she’s making eye contact with me for the first time since Sunday afternoon, she’s interested in what the other dogs and cats are up to, she’s eating and drinking, and she’s on the move.
Keeping the wall to her left helps her make forward progress. Priscilla looks on.
Granted, she still compulsively circles left, so if she tries to go counter-clockwise in a room or space, it’s nothing but circles. However, she’s learning that if she goes clockwise, with the wall to her immediate left, she is able to make forward progress, plus lean against the wall as needed for balance when she needs a break. She’s made several circuits of the kennel area in this fashion, and now she is resting in a bed in my office, content. I feel like I can breathe for the first time since I found her Monday morning. =)
preoccupiedwitharmitage 
That’s cautious good news, thanks for the update. Brave little thing, taking steps again. Sure, she must be confused too, that she is missing a limb? Keeping my fingers crossed. x
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Yes, I can’t imagine how confusing it all must be. Not only missing a limb, but unable to turn in that direction to take a look. (That’s the one positive about the stroke- she can’t try to mess with her incision site, because it would involve turning around to the right and she just can’t manage that!)
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Will keep you guys in my thoughts.
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Thanks, Serv. =)
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Thanks for the update. I’m pulling for Girlfriend, and you.
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I’m soooo hoping there won’t be a different kind of update in the next little while. She’s always been a tough little dog with the best pain tolerance and positive attitude, and that helps, I’m sure.
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awww, she has such warm eyes and so nice to see her looking at the camera, almost smiling 🙂 They are such brave little creatures to try and adapt even with her challenges. Glad she is improving and i think it helps you have her so close and she sees the other friends as well.
Priscilla and her furry tale is funny 😉
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Lol… Priscilla WAS funny this morning. She arched up like a Halloween cat when she saw Girlfriend coming. Don’t think she’s ever seen a dog move with such a peculiar “hitch in her get-along”… but they sniffed noses and she realized she knew Girlfriend, after all. And yes, this dog has always been a brave little creature. =)
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Great news. I am keeping everything crossed for you both, including my eyes which would explain why I keep bumping into things…..
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Lol! That’s above and beyond the call of duty! =)
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Glad to hear that the little lady is doing better!!!! All the best for both of you!!!!
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Thank you, Herba! I’m very encouraged by her get-up-and-go attitude today. =)
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Sorry to hear that your doggie is unwell. She looks like a sweetheart! Keeping you and your furry friend in my thoughts and prayers! Hugs!
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Thank you, Grati! She’s incredibly sweet (so much so that it saved her life 8 years ago!)
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I will continue praying for Girlfriend and you and your family.
Every dog and cat I’ve ever had has been a rescue. I always think: I’m so glad [pet’s name] decided to keep me. 😊 They are such a blessing. ❤️❤️
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Yes, I generally have rescues, too. It tends to come with the profession. My guard dog, Shania, is the only non-rescue that we have. Even the purebred clinic cats were in need of re-homing. =)
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How is Girlfriend doing?
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Thank you for asking, Buffy. She is hanging in there, making slow progress. Her balance is much better! I know she has a brain lesion, because she still turns circles and drifts to the left, but it’s interesting to see how she navigates. Sometimes she will stick to the wall on her left to prevent the circling and go the long way around a larger room, but if it’s a shorter gap of maybe 6 feet she has to cross to get from point A to point B, she can make it if she starts across and does a 3/4 turn in the middle. She does know us and comes when called, but we have to be patient for the time it takes her to arrive. =) She’s still the same sweet and loving girl! Huge relief.
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That’s wonderful news! I hope she continues to make progress. Sweet puppy. 🙂
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Oh Jen, and Girlfriend, I’m so sorry you both are having to go through this.
I’m keeping positive thoughts for you Girlfriend! Sweetie, you’ve got the best doctor possible!!
Jen, I’m pulling for you too, hon.
Warm regards,
Sue
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Thank you so much, Sue. It may be a long road ahead for her, and I’m worried about the neurological symptoms she shows because it’s always a guarded prognosis, but as long as she’s not giving up, I won’t give up, either. =)
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I am so relieved by this update – I have been waiting for it as I am so touched by Girlfriend’s story! Still keeping everything crossed for you and her. ❤️
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Thanks, Helen. I was so relieved to have some positive news to relate, rather than the opposite. She does have a good story, and I just pray it will be one with a good ending. =)
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I will keep my fingers crossed. You are a good team 🙂
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Thanks, Elanor. I still can’t help but feel like we shouldn’t have done this, but hindsight is 20/20. We can only go forward. =)
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FIngers crossed for your little girlfriend, that sounds good! She looks very attentively and not confused or disoriented 🙂
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Yes! She is still pretty weak and sleeps all the rest of the day after she’s been up walking in the morning. But it’s understandable, and yes… the eye contact and improved alertness are a huge relief.
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That picture goes right to the heart. And she’s game for anything. What a little sweetie!
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She really is quite game, and I’ve always wished I could make a funny inspirational poster for the exam room with her. Whenever clients complain about e-collars, that their dog can’t do this or that or hates wearing one. Girlfriend always hated wearing one whenever her bad leg would develop a sore, but she managed to make the most of it. She just loves to hunt for gophers, but she never has any success whatsoever. That is, unless she has the e-collar. Somehow that cone always helps her to locate the gopher’s position, or trap it, or something… but she gets a lot of them whenever she has the cone on.
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Wow, I had no idea that the cone could confer such powers! She really does make the best of it 🙂
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Dare I ask for an update on Girlfriend? I’ve been away a bit so may have missed something… But I really hope that no news is good news. 🙂
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Oh, Helen, you haven’t missed anything, because I haven’t updated. Thank you for thinking of her, and us. I’ve been avoiding an update because Girlfriend passed away in Hubby’s arms, very peacefully, 10 days ago. The house seems very empty without her. Little sister was devastated. The day before we put her to sleep, she had suffered another devastating stroke, and seemed to just lose the will to live. She stopped eating and drinking and when she attempted to stand, she was just too weak. She was very ready, I think.
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Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that. My sympathy to you all. I know what you mean, though, about being ready to go – I remember my cat reaching that stage and although it’s heartbreaking you know you’re doing the right thing. Big hugs to all.
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Thanks, Helen. And yes, we did have complete peace with our decision, painful as it was to say goodbye. We’ve shed many tears, but we’re also just very grateful for the time that we had with her and the many happy memories. =)
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I’m so sorry, preoccupied. I hope you’re all okay.
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We are. Thanks, Serv. It was a hard several days, but now the kids are starting to ask about whether we might get another dog, and I suspect we’ll find ourselves ready to embrace another little dog in need of a rescue one of these days.
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I am so sorry – but what a valiant effort both you and Girlfriend made. I was so pulling for a better result.
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I was, too. She was always so resilient. But that was part of what made us know the time had come, when she lost that will to carry on.
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