Eve's Half-way House

EVE comes home to Duffy!

MARCH 6, 1999 Eve's first day in a home environment

It was a big day for Eve. She made the 15 minute ride around 10:30 a.m. from A&M to Springbok without incident. The first order of business was to explore the front yard sniffing as she went. She never ran into trees or shrubs, and so we hope that her vision is coming back. She still doesn't like to be held, although it's more that she doesn't want to be restrained. After completing the inspection of the front yard, we brought her into the living room and put her in a 2 X 3 elevated exercise pen. She was right next to the windows that I had opened on this spring like day so that she could enjoy all of the wonderful smells of the country. She settled down and took a good nap while Hester, Luke and I went over the orders from Lyn that had accompanied her. When she woke up, we took her into the backyard along with the old gentleman, Duffy. He was just her speed and very tolerant of her.

She got right in his face and was just kissing all over him as if to say "I remember you! You're my buddy." She even trailed along behind him for a bit and tried to grab his 'happy tail'. She negotiated the entire back yard that has all sorts of obstacles and barriers and never once did she run into any of them! I think it's got to be something more that just sensing that it's there. I think (and hope) she's seeing, and that her brain's beginning to process again; it's just not quite correct yet. I was encouraged further when I took her out at midnight to the back yard, without adequate lighting, and she ran into everything.

SOME REALLY GOOD THINGS:

She's eating the A/D very well and we'll begin to transition her back to regular food beginning Monday if Dr. Weyrauch agrees.
She barks (during the night) every three hours to go out and piddle. (Yeah! no dirty bedding.)
She's taking her medicine very well.
Her feeding tube can come out on March 12th, if it's not used at all this coming week.

OVER ALL, I WOULD SAY THAT EVE HAS HAD A GREAT FIRST DAY!

March 10, 1999

Eve is doing well! She's eating 4 times a day; A/D and ground up puppy food. We have to transition her back to solids just like starting a new puppy.
She weighs 14.5#.
She's seeing fairly well, I think, everything from about four feet away. Not really sure about great distances yet, and I really can't determine her close vision.
She's hearing some things, I'm just not sure what or if it's only a certain pitch or two.
Lyn wants to cut her valium in half starting Saturday and see how she does with half as much. 15 mg. is an extreme amount for a 15# dog.
All of her progress indicates that she may make a near complete recovery!

March 11, 1999

Eve doesn't know how to chew! I fed her a bowl of completely softened kibble today at noon and all she did was lick it like she has the A/D. I suppose in a couple of days this will correct itself.
She's also decided that playing in the big water bowl is great fun. Let's be a little puppy again! It's fun to discover all of life again!
The feeding tube comes out tomorrow.

March 12, 1999

Eve's valium was cut in half beginning this morning. It will take between 3 to 5 days for the levels to drop in her body, and then we'll be able to tell if it needs to be modified.
She actually played with me around noon. It was so cute; she just wiggled all over and was kissing me and wagging her tail.
Hester, Luke and I took her in to A&M for her 3:00 p.m. appointment.
It went very well, except for the fact that she didn't want to be held for the exam.
She weighs 14 pounds now and is looking pretty good.
Dr. Elizabeth Weyrauch removed the feeding tube.
Dr. Ducote did another Neurological Evaluation.
Both were so pleased with her progress that they don't think it necessary to see her for a month, so . . .
We came back to the house, clippered off what hair was left, much to her protest at being held still, and packed her traveling bags.
And off the little girl went back home and to Laddie.

I'll miss her, a lot, but Hester and Luke missed her too, and were so excited at being able to take her home. God alone knew three weeks ago that she would actually be going home to resume her life.
She has to learn everything over again, but she's a smart puppy and so I have no doubt that she'll overcome any of those small problems.

There will be a few updates as the months progress, but this will be the last of the daily updates on EVE'S FIGHT FOR HER LIFE!

GOD BLESS YOU ALL FOR ALL OF THE PRAYERS FOR THIS REMARKABLE SCOTTIE - THE MIRACLE GIRL!
Donna

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