Priscilla's Story

When I took Priscilla's picture that morning I some how new it would be her
last morning at home. I made her a special breakfast of her favorite food
and spent extra time snuggling her. She spent the day at our vet clinic as I
had to work. Priss liked the clinic where she had lots of folks who loved
her and spoiled her. She spent most of the day in someones arms or on a
fluffy cushion in her kennel. She had a choice spot where she could see all
the comings ang goings, but she never saw the vets actually working. SO she
got to see lots of people and lots of pets.

That afternoon I went to the clinic and Priss and I spent about an hour
outside. Priscilla loved the sunshine. We sat and watched the birds and
shadows dancing under the trees. I told her how much I truly loved her and
how much I'd miss her. She was my little heart beat. She spent most of her
time she came to me either in my arms or close by me. She went everywhere I
could take her and a few times we actually snuck in to a few no dog places.
Priss went to church on Sundays and she seemed to really enjoy the music and
the people.

Priscilla was small in stature but she had a huge impact on this world. She
was an inspiration and a little educator. She caught the hearts of every one
she met. Priss we always and forever be my little angle and even though she
has left this world she will stay in my heart forever.

Thank you to every one who touched her life and loved her. Every single
person she met meant something to her. Priss brought so many people in to my
life, caring and kind people why wanted to hear her story and to encourage
her.

Life will never be quite the same.

Good by my little heart beat...

 Here is Priscilla's first day at her foster home

Miss Priss is doing well so far. She ate part of a hamburger on the way home from her first vet visit. She is in a puppy pouch as I write this snoozing and occasionally glancing at the monitor. Despite all of the misery she must be in Priss is absolutely adorable. She perked up enough to snap at my crew if they got to close to her earlier. She likes the little Min Pin, Gordy, and allowed him to give her kisses.

As you can see her legs are a mess,. The breaks are older, not healed by any means. She has learned to hop on her hind legs like a little kangaroo in her crate. Her teeth are a disgusting mess and who knew she’s in heat. Poor baby is nearly bald on top of it all. All of her problems are treatable, just a matter of priority at this point. We see the orthopedic vet tomorrow so I’ll have more information to share after that visit. She is on antibiotics for her mouth so a dental can wait a bit so her legs can be addressed. She can be spayed when she gets her dental since we have to wait for her to get through this cycle. 

Please Keep her in your prayers!

5/29/06 

Priscilla is already famous at Pet Med where she has captured the hearts of
all of the staff. I took her in on Thursday to have her splints checked and
we barely made it through the door before she was whisked out of my arms by
one of the techs.

I carry Priss in a puppy pouch or baby sling and she seems to like being so
close and so secure. We limit our outings though to avoid over exerting her.
For now we ask that folks just look and don't touch to keep the germs down
and so she won't feel overwhelmed by so much attention.

Friday Priss went to the dentist with me and while we waited for my daughter
to see the dentist Priss caused quite a seen. Techs, clerks and other
patience all wanted to know her story and offer up lots of kind words of
encouragement. Priss was particularly drawn to the receptionist's voice.

After the dentist we went to Nashville Pet Products for dog food and treats.
Everyone there was kind and amazed at how such a tiny little IG could be in
such good spirits after all she'd been through.

Priss loves soft blankets, loving arms, and having her little bald head
rubbed. She is so full of love and hope. Nothing but a happy, healthy future
for this little girl.

Priss loves her perch above all the chaos of the other dogs. She gets to
watch while I cook, prepare every ones bowls and go back and forth doing chores. She doesn't like to be left alone for very long though, so if I have to switch rooms she comes along to a new resting spot.

5/30/06

Priscilla went to see Dr. Beckmann today and we are both exhausted. Priss
will be undergoing surgery on her two front legs on Tuesday June 6th. Dr. B
will plate both legs unless the left leg has already calcified and become
solid. If this is the case the leg will not be pretty, but it will be stable
and strong. After the front legs heal he wants to work on her back leg,
freezing the joint because the injury/break to that leg severed the tendon
that stabilizes the leg.

Good news! Priss has gained about eight ounces in six days! She is growing
some hair and seems much more alert. Also Dr. B feels that the legs should
not be very painful at this point so that means she is more comfortable.

All your prayers and good thoughts are very appreciated.
 

 6/13/06

Here is Priscilla waiting on our ride to the orthopedic doctor. Priss really
enjoyed the great outdoors. She did a little walking and a lot of lounging.
One of her favorite outside interests seems to be the birds. She would cock
her head and listen to them chirp and follow them as they flew from tree to
tree. I wanted to make the day before her surgeries special so she'd have
something to dream about while she was recuperating.

Well Priscilla is home now and resting well. She wanted every one to meet
Dr. Beckman her favorite orthopedic surgeon.

Priscilla did very well and is now sporting two plates along with screws.
Heaven help us if she ever has to fly. She had two separate operations as
her temperature kept dropping during the first operation on the May 30th and
Dr. Beckman didn't want to compromise her health or push her little body too
far. She came through the second surgery on Jun 1st like a champion and came
home on Friday the 2nd. The prognosis is good and with all the prayers and
support I know Priss will do just fine.

Priss is still holding her weight at seven pounds, but don't worry she eats
like a little piggy most days. Her favorite foods are boiled chicken, whole
milk cottage cheese, whole grain pasta, hamburger with soy or rice cheese
and A/D as gravy. I sneak in Life Exxtention once a day along with her
antibiotics and pain meds.

So far the worst complication is some dermatitis caused from the tape on the
splints she had before surgery. We are going back to see the doctor on
Thursday to check the casts and skin. I am able to treat a few of areas
above her casts so those places are healing very well.

7/4/06 

 
Hi Every One,

We have been waiting to post this update to make certain that Miss Priss was doing well and progressing. Priss didn't want to alarm or worry any of her friends as she was having a pretty difficult time this past week.

On June 27 Priscilla underwent surgery and was out for nearly two and one half hours. She had her spay, dental and a very ugly mass removed from her side. Poor girl lost all but about four teeth. Just prior to the surgery she was having some tummy trouble and needed a quick vet visit to make sure she was good for surgery. She and her tummy settled down so off to hospital she went.

 
Post op was very difficult and we are still having some troubles. Priss did not eat a single thing until Thursday evening. I had her in to the vet Thursday morning for sub Q fluids and it was determined that her pain management was the issue so the pain meds were changed, increased and off we went. Also she had a bit of irritated tummy from the stress of the surgery so she got a nasty shot to calm her intestines down.

Since the change in meds and some tummy relief she seems to be headed towards a full recovery. She is however very upset with her new look, tongue hanging out of one side of her mouth. I say she looks adorable she says she looks silly. Either way she's over the worst of her physical troubles and now all she has to do is heal and relax.

 
We see the orthopedic doctor on July 10th and hopefully he'll x-ray her legs and we'll get a good report.

 
I'll try to get photos posted to the web site this week.

 
Take care and happy 4th of July

7/20/06

We saw Dr. Beckman yesterday and the news was not very good. Priscilla’s legs are healing, but at an extremely slow speed. She will be in half casts for another four weeks. Also she has to stay on very strict kennel rest for the duration and she is pretty unhappy about that.

Priscilla is eating kibble now! She was spayed and had her dental and low and behold she has decided that she likes Enova Evo! I cried when I saw her go for the dry food. It was cute how she dove in with the other dogs… I was filling the dog food container and thus the lid was up and suddenly out of no where the herd came a running and Priscilla joined in. She was so proud of herself and I just stood there in shock and then cried.

Speaking of food, Priss now weighs a whooping 6.6lbs. She came in at 6 pounds and after a recent bout of tummy trouble she lost a few ounces, but is back on the right track. Her personal vet and biggest fan believes that Priss should have an optimal weight of 7.5 to 8 pounds. Right now it is hard to pork her up because her appetite is low since she isn’t doing much, but never fear there is always a nibble available.

October 4, 2006

 It is with a very worried heart that I write this note this morning. Priscilla is not doing well and the prospects for her at this time are not good. She has developed an infection in her left leg that has caused a very high tem 105, she was seen yesterday evening and was given two antibiotic shots, Pepsid injection and tons of TLC. At this point the only solution for the leg would be amputation and unfortunately her right leg can not support her alone. We will take x-rays today and make a decision of some sort this after noon. I cannot describe to you how desperately I want her to live and how deeply it pains me to know that this is the crossing point for her. I vowed that she would never have to live in pain or live with out joy and at this time she is in pain and there isn’t much hope for joy. She has had two months of uncomplicated living, she’s played, eaten and gained weight, really blossomed in to a darling little Iggy. Now I’m not sure what the future will hold.