Friday, January 26, 2007

Is there any healing for Lucy?


Lucy had another seizure last night. Gary and I were sitting in our chairs just talking about our future and the way my chair is placed in the living room, I can see straight into the bedroom. I noticed Lucy stretching, which she often does, but she wasn't stopping the stretch. I tossed my water bottle in Gary's lap as I threw my blanket off my lap and said, "Lucy's having a seizure!"

By the time I got into the bedroom to her, she was completely into the spasm. Her body contorted and twisted. Wrigley jumped up on the bed to see what the commotion was all about. Ears perked, he began to shake, shiver and whine as if to ask, "What's wrong with my sissy?"

Not wanting to completely wreck him, we shielded Lucy from him incase he decided to play, all the while I was rubbing Lucy's head letting her know she was okay and we were there. I know she goes blind while in a seizure, but I don't know if she goes deaf or not. Either way, I rubbed her and talked to her. This one was one of the longer ones that she's had, although she didn't cry. I'm grateful for that! It lasted about a minute, maybe a bit longer; Gary got her a cool washcloth. Once she came out of it, I wiped her face and tried to hold her still until she regained her vision. Gary brought her an extra dose of medicine and cheese which she gladly took. She couldn't see it but she smelled it, and then wanted to get off of the bed to follow him for more. A few more seconds and her sight came back.

She went for the water and the pacing began. I was out of creamsicles but had some frozen cool whip and gave her a couple of bites to help her increase her sugar. A few minutes later, Gary took her and Wrigley outside and the fresh cold air seemed to perk her up quickly. In she came looking for something to eat. So, we fed her another full meal, of course we had to feed Wrigley some more too. She paced for a little while but soon settled on my lap. I massaged her muscles which were very tense. I just wish there was healing for her instead of just trying to maintain her illness. It's heartbreaking to watch her go through this. Please pray for her.

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Happy Anniversary Wrigley!


Yesterday was two years since we rescued Wrigley from the bitter cold, January day. His front feet frost bitten by old man winter and his ribs were sunken in from near starvation. Had we not stopped he would not have lasted much longer. Although he was skittish and scared, the spunk never left this little guy. We had our hands full trying to incorporate him into our predictable lives. Lucy (our lab) wasn't too sure about having a brother, but she adjusted and eventually enjoyed having a playmate. (That is until he tore up all of her fluffy toys!)

Trial and error lead us with instruction with our bully boy along with our vet. Wrigley was quite spirited and had a lot of energy, something we were not used to, but walks and eventually pheromones and medication helped to manage him. Not knowing how he was raised from a pup, with only his behavior to guide us, left us to believe that he was pretty abused and was actually abandoned to the woods that wintry day or days before we found him.

Now, he enjoys the benefits of being wanted and understood. Yes, a pit bull is a much misunderstood breed. High spirited and full of energy, but given the right parents, love and attention, they are very loving and devoted. Wrigley is a bit manipulative too, I must say. With his almond shaped eyes, he can give a look that will melt any heart. He loves to be held and cuddled, but only on his terms, kind of like a cat. He also enjoys going for walks. His best treats are Milk Bones, the large ones along with spray cheese. That is what we put on his medicine in order for him to take it and he drools before it ever gets on the pill. Just seeing the can gets the drool machine running. The funny thing about him when he takes his treats is it's like he's taking them for the first time ever. He is so very gentle. Sometimes when we get something new, unlike Lucy, who gulps hers down in two bites and is back for more, he looks it over, sniffs it, licks it, then takes a little bite to check it out before enjoying the whole treat. He does this all the while Lucy is standing over his shoulder, coaching him on as if to say, "Come on, eat it, it's good!" or "Eat or I will!"

He's taken Lucy's post as guard dog; actually, he's taken the dominant role between the two of them on most things. Since Lucy was submissive to Blackie, she is used to being in that role and well, there was no making Wrigley submissive. LOL! I'm thankful he is not food or animal aggressive, but he doesn't like hats.

He suffers from major separation anxiety along with Closter phobia, according to our vet. Even so, we have to keep him in a cage when we go away to keep the house and Lucy safe because he tends to be a bit hyper at times and we are concerned that if we are not home to control him, who knows what will happen. We hate putting him in there but there is nowhere else for him to go. Pray for him as you read this part as I need him to settle down in there. The funny thing about his cage is when we sit down at the kitchen table to eat supper, he wants to go inside his cage. He actually barks or whines at us to open the door so he can go in and lay down. Somehow he feels safe in there. I know, it’s twisted, but when we leave, he goes crazy while were gone and hurts himself. Just please pray for him. I’m really hoping and praying for the day that he can come out and I’m hoping it’s soon.

The last two years have not been easy, they've been quite costly, financially as well as emotionally, but having Wrigley as part of this family has been very rewarding and I can't imagine him not being one of us.