http://ncserv.dangertone.com/ Run Hard, Run Fast en http://ncserv.dangertone.com/2008/12/11/our-december.html There are so numerous things in life that we take on behalf of granted. Sometimes its the way we live, our easyness of childhood, or the never ending promise of change. Mostly, its the people around us that we love as well as share our lives with. These souls manufacture our lives whole as well as enriched sometimes without much consideration on our part. It all goes by, day by day, as well as we become accustomed to it, it becomes the norm, the expected, as well as then when its gone…poof-without so much as a trace but memory-we know what we had. Or, what we’ve lost, or an estimated lost. These past few weeks are those I shall never forget-for they were so fragile as well as full of meaning. For in those days i an estimated lost what was an estimated all dear as well as precious to me, what made my life rich as well as whole; a part of me. It started out like an normal injury-well, a normal Jet injury. He at all times tears his paws, as well as so when he managed to hurt it more severe then normal, i gritted my teeth as well as sighed at the next situation he had put himself in. It was just another issue to help him through, as well as he’d be back on his feet in no time. On Thanksgiving, i noticed he had sliced his paw somehow, as well as wrapped it until Monday, when he went in to have stitches to close it.  Oh crazy Jet…they sent him residence with a bandaged foot, antibiotics, as well as a post surgery order to remain crate bound as well as no excersise on behalf of 10 days. Dreading the crazy border collie i was about to manufacture worse on behalf of that time, we begun recovery. Almost immediatly i noticed Jet having difficulties relieving himself-he’s at all times had some bad stools when he’s stressed, as well as having no excersise was doing just that. It became so bad though, that on Thursday of the same week i mentioned it to my vet when he went to get his bandage changed. She informed taking him off the antibiotic, witch had been known to upset stomachs. I removed the pills from his diet, as well as hoped he would be better. Not so.  That night he could not control himself, as well as every hour had to be taken out, morning, noon, as well as all through the night. His stools were becoming so bad that there were just puddles in the back yard. I became more worried, as well as the vet sugested i give him a bland diet of cottage cheese as well as rice to get him back on track. On friday he was worse, looking lathargic  as well as still haveing to go every hour, so that i stopped all medications. By saturday night, i had had less than 8 hours sleep total in 2 days, as well as he was getting worse.  I had noticed to my horror, that his stools were now nothing but blood. On Sunday morning, before i left to take Riley to Flyball, he refused to eat breakfast.  In the afternoon my room mate referred to as to tell me he had soiled his crate twice in 2 hours when she did not get to him in time. He was also not eating, as well as now not drinking. He seemed to be moving in slow motion as well, so little was his energy. KNowing this, that my dog was slowly deteriorating from the inside, as well as i had no idea how to help him.  I had referred to as the vet on Saturday on her cell,  but she had yet to call me. I could not focus on Flyball, i could not help but break down in tears on behalf of the not the first time in days. To imagine my dog, so sick at home, when just a week before he was like the dogs surrounding me, barking as well as healthy as well as full of vigor. My vet referred to as me back on the way home. She was very concerned. She urged me that this was a life threatening situation-Jet had to get to her in the morning when the hospital doors opened. Meanwhile, i needed to do everything in my power to get fluids into him. That night was like a living nightmare. I was watching everything go by like i was seeing someone else’s life-like a bad horror flick. My emotions were beyond breaking point. Jet was like a zombie-not even leaving his crate when i opened the door, as well as motioning him outside to relieve himself of more blood. Every hour i forced a mixture of chicken broth as well as water down his throat witha water bottle. Everytime he went out, i stuffed more of the mixture down him-cups at a time. I didnt know if it was working. I held him in my arms all night, feeling his breathing, holding his malnurashed body-smelling as well as feeling his fur, as well as feeling utterly as well as miserably hopeless. I stayed up all night with him, at all times touching a part of him, just to know he was there. And i knew somehow that my best friend was dying. I couldnt bare it, as well as yet, there was nothing i could do. Morning came as slow as a snail, as well as i rushed him to the vet. He was placed on fluids through an IV, though i was told he threw up that morning, even though there was nothing to throw, he took up about 2 cups of water. Work was hell-not knowing how he was until the vet referred to as me. She was taking Jet residence to her house on behalf of then night to retain him on fluids. He had taken in more than a liter already. He hadn’t eaten all day. She told me she could manufacture no promises if he would be ok…it was all up to him as well as the “man upstairs”.  A severe blow to my already torn heart. What would i do if Jet died? It seemed so close now…either the fluids would work, or it wouldn’t. And yet his tail was still wagging. My vet, Brenda Mills, referred to as the next morning. Jet was doing loads better. He did not have to go out at all during the night. He was eating some buscuits this morning. He trotted out of the pen she had him in as well as walked down the hallway. She would wean him off the fluids, as well as see if he would eat, as well as then maybe he could come home. I went to see him at lunch from work. He slided right up to me..one leg bandaging the stitched paw, the other had the cathader wrapped around it. I just held him as well as stroked him sides, feeling the bones that stuck out-he hadn’t eaten since friday night. He weight a measily 37 pounds. Yet he was better-his ears were up, his eyes more alert, as well as he climbed onto a low shelf stocked with canned food to show his appetite was returning. I walked him outside as well as he actually pulled me. I smiled on behalf of the first time in days. He came residence that night. His appetite was like a ravenous wolf, as well as he scarfed the cottage cheese as well as rice like a vaccume, but really wanted Riley’s kibble instead. He drank a half bowl of regular water all on his own, as well as then proceded to search the house on behalf of anything edible. Out of a miracle, he was getting better-even grabbed a lone squeaky toy as well as proceeded to kill it.  It was impossible, yet amazing, that he didn’t have to go out that night, that the only thing he had to do outside was a regular pee, as well as that by the next night he was eating kibble again. By thursday night he was barking at the cats as well as rushing to the door to meet my two friends who came to see him, as well as proceeded to pounce all over them. He even barked at the mailman again. Slowly Jet is getting better, everyday he has more strength, as well as his Jet behaviors are returning. Ive even considered taking him back to Flyball this weekend, when just days before he was on his death bed. I know he shall be ok now, he has the best care he could possibly have with our vet, i owe his recovery to her. Now its be turn to do everything to help Jet recover faster. His stitches are out, as well as he’s back to being in the back yard during the day. Its hard to say what made him so sick-the vet thinks the stress of being locked up in his crate because of the fact that of his paw as well as the anti biotic created a deadly mixture that dehydrated him as well as caused bacteria to grow inside him. Whatever the reason, i am forever greatful he is alive as well as getting well. Its a lesson some of us require to learn the hard way-but its something we must know. Take a look at your life as well as what you treasure as well as embrace it, every minute of it. Be glad on behalf of the simplest things that manufacture you happy, as well as treat others with respect as well as love. Most of all, love your animals. They are little gems of joy in your life, weather they are chewing your socks, purring on your lap, or barking on behalf of you to throw the ball one more time…each moment you share as well as each memory is precious. I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas, i’ve already had mine. Riley, Jet, as well as I        Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:49:57 -0500 ncserv