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<DIV>BLUEBERRY ATE TWO CHEESEBURGERS!!!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Now let me explain why this is such joyous -- and truly miraculous
-- news.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I posted here in anguish after her devastating diagnosis -- that her
kidneys weren't working. First of all, there is no way that I can put into
words here how much the incredible loving support of our Daily Drool family
meant to me. Those first agonizing nights when I couldn't sleep, the
e-mails poured in, embracing Blueberry and me in your caring and understanding
and love. I printed them all out and read them over and over and over, and
they calmed me and soothed me and gave me an anchor and hope and a giant,
protective e-hug.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>(And although other people here wondered why we were having such a rainy
spring -- I knew it was all the Drool being sent Blueberry's way!)</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Well, for almost five weeks following the initial acute onset of
symptoms and her subsequent four-day hospitalization and
diagnosis, Blueberry just would't eat AT ALL. I don't mean
picky. I mean she would eat absolutely nothing. I tried
everything. I cooked her all of her human favorites. I tried
tempting her in any desperate way I could think of. She wouldn't take even
the tiniest bit of her favorite chicken, or pound cake, or oatmeal cookies, or
doughnuts from her favorite bakery, anything.<BR><BR>Up until that horrible week
when she got sick, she had always been my sturdy little dirigible, eating
everything she could find, happily and constantly. It just broke my heart to see
her reject everything. <BR></DIV>
<DIV>What astonished me was the reaction of the vets. They offered no hope
or help. The ones at the hospital said to maybe not even take her
home. The local one, who has known her since she was a baby, said to give
up on her right then. No suggestions on other approaches, meds, tricks to
help her eat, etc.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>After my first DD posting, along came my angel -- Tawny. In memory of
her dear Oakley, she gave me not only understanding comfort, but guided me to an
incredible online support group. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>That group -- and therefore Tawny who led me to them -- literally saved
Blueberry's life.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>These wonderful people gave me so many suggestions -- from sub-q (under the
skin) fluids daily that I can administer myself, to anti-nausea meds and
appetite enhancers I insisted my vet prescribe. They taught me how to
prepare a special mixture of food in a blender and then four times a day syringe
it into her mouth, holding it shut until she swallowed, so that she could get
nutrients. They shared secrets of foods to keep her going -- everything
from baby food to Ensure.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>For five weeks, five long weeks, these people, and a host of meds and
feeding attempts, were the only thing that kept my Blueberry going.</DIV>
<DIV><BR>In the meantime, frustrated and disappointed and alone at sea after the
reaction of the local vets, I researched and found a kidney specialist --
that's all she does! -- at a vet school halfway across the state.
We've been out there twice and it's made a huge difference -- she's
matter-of-fact, positive, takes time to explain EVERYTHING. She changed
and added amazing meds and treatments, and gave Blueberry new food and
suggestions. I didn't even know such a thing existed -- why didn't my vet
or the hospital vets suggest it when I begged them for any other options?</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Then, finally, the miracle, truly a miracle -- BLUEBERRY ATE
TWO CHEESEBURGERS!! </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>It made me giddy with joy!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Every time we've passed McDonald's I've stopped and tried to interest her
in her very favorites, but she was just too sick to even try a taste. So
it's an absolute miracle that she ate -- and loved it, and didn't get sick
afterwards! </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>And she's prancing and dancing and wagging that furry butt and gaining
weight and yelling at the mailman and playing with her yorkie boyfriend and
chasing squirrels -- what a dream that was to see again! -- I can't tell
you how I've cried with joy and relief!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>And as I'm typing this, through the living room window she spotted a
strange Golden Retriever on "her" street, so she leaped off the couch and raced
out onto the porch and onto the chaise, where (in very unladylike
language) she told him in no uncertain terms to go away!!!<BR><BR>I'm
overwhelmed with joy!!!<BR><BR>Just wanted to share this with you wonderful
people -- you have been such treasured comforts and supports through this
devastating time. No-one else will understand how much this means -- but I
know that you will. You are my very special family.<BR></DIV>
<DIV>So, that's our update ... the first five weeks were devastating, and a
battle (for both of us) every minute of every day, just hanging in, praying
she'd even wake up the next morning. (Too many nights she was so sick
I was afraid she wouldn't.) Now we went on two walks today, and she ran
over, tail wagging, to greet every person and dog we passed! And she can't
wait each day for her stop at McDonald's, or my homemade meatloaf and angel food
cake, or whatever new treat I can think of.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The condition is still there, of course, and I know it will be a battle
every day of her life. And she still won't eat her dinners by herself,
though I am able to progress to spooning the mush in her mouth instead
of syringeing it.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>But I have my Berry girl back!! And I can hug her and hold her and
cherish every minute, and rejoice in her and rejoice in today and rejoice
in what is truly a miracle.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>And we both rejoice in the loving support of our treasured Daily Drool
family. Thank you, thank you, all you wonderful, dear friends. You
mean so much to me, and to Blueberry.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Love to all,</DIV>
<DIV>Beth and the woofing, cheeseburger-eating Blueberry ("Where are the car
keys? Let's go to McDonald's!!!")</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></FONT><BR><BR><BR><DIV><FONT style="color: black; font: normal 10pt ARIAL, SAN-SERIF;"><HR style="MARGIN-TOP: 10px">Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? <A title="http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001" href="http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001" target="_blank">Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food</A>.</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>