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<DIV><SPAN class=343345501-26082008><FONT face=Arial size=2>Dear Drooler
Family,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=343345501-26082008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=343345501-26082008><FONT face=Arial size=2>It will be 8 years
ago on September 23rd that my husband and I took in our first foster for AZ
Basset Hound Rescue. Dena and Walt (the founder/President of AZBHR at that
time) was fostering her and going out of town for Nationals and needed someone
to keep her fosters for the weekend, so we stepped up and took Baylie, (named
Serenity at that time). Well, she crawled into my husband's lap and in 5
minutes we KNEW we were adopting her! She was rescued from Tucson,
AZ from a lady that was trying to breed her and she wouldn't have it!
She is our Alpha girl. Well, one year ago exactly she was diagnosed with
Apocrine Gland Adenocarcinoma. She did surgery to remove her left anal sac
and the tumor and she underwent 5 rounds of Carboplatin chemo and then
developed eye ulcers and had eye surgery in January. February through July
she was our "normal" old girl.......happy, tail waggin', eating and romping in
the grass. The last few weeks have been hell on all of us.
The chest x-rays don't show any metastasis, but the ultrasound shows fluid
all surrounding her kidneys......an aspirate showed no cancer, but it was all
blood........we don't see any tumors at all, which is the weird thing, but it
could be a flat laying tumor that is oozing blood or a blood clot/aneurysm
somewhere, either way, she will probably have a stroke or the aneurysm will blow
and she will pass in her sleep. She is eating gingerly (lots of home
cooking, of course and lots of holistic supplements), but she has lost that
sparkle in her eye that she always had. We know our hours/days are limited
and were hoping that our Drool family woiuld please keep us in their prayers, if
your the praying kind. I only find solace in knowing she will go be with
my first Basset, Barnie and run and play again and eat at the buffet at The
Bridge, but gosh it sure leaves a huge hole in my heart and she isn't even gone
yet. I want to thank all of you for your support and love during this
difficult time, but I know so many of you have "been there, done that" and know
my pain. My 3 year old son is so sad. He only understands that
Baylie is sick is going to go see Jesus soon. I have a Vet to come to
house to help us if/when the time comes and I have meds on hand to make her
comfortable if she does have a stroke or start bleeding or anything........but
gosh, this is so hard right now......the anticipatory grief is dreadful!
Thank GOD for Skipper, Jennie, Joey and Sophie Jo as they are a huge comfort to
us right now! Along with our foster Verbena. She's an oldie with
issues too, so she helps me knowing we are saving another lost soul.
Anyways, I'm rambling........I want to thank AZBHR and specifically Dena for
rescuing Baylie back in 2000 and want to thank all of you who do rescue work for
without you all I would not have my precious Alpha girl Baylie (Baylor
Butts).........if anyone has Dena's e-mail please forward this to
her! I lost her e-mail when my computer crashed last year and we had to
get a new one! ; ( My thoughts and prayers are with each and every
one of you who have lost a baby or have a sick baby.....I truly know how you
feel and wish I could just hug you!</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=343345501-26082008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=343345501-26082008><FONT face=Arial
size=2>Luv,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=343345501-26082008><FONT face=Arial size=2>Monique
Merola</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=343345501-26082008><FONT face=Arial size=2>AZBHR volunteer,
Foster Mom, Media Coordinator and whatever else I find time to do! :
) </FONT></SPAN></DIV></BODY></HTML>