Annie came into my life a little after 7:00 a.m. on April 12th, 2016. I was headed to work that morning. I turned onto NE 24th Street, and noticed a little white ball in the middle of the street. As I passed it, I realized it was a dog and she was still alive. I made a quick u turn and drove up to her. As I got out of the car, and stepped over to her, she looked up and tried to crawl away. I gently picked her up and put her onto the back floor board on my car. Bless her heart; she was so scared and extremely starved and skinny. She crawled in and cuddled up to hide. As I looked down at her, I noticed how starved she was. She was in bad shape. What in the world am I going to do with her? As I drove to work, I looked back at her. Who in the world had done this to her? This poor baby. I drove up into the school parking lot. Grabbed my things and ran into the building. I found an old t shirt and came back out to the car. As I opened the back door to the car, she had moved from her original position and looked up at me. I bent down and wrapped the t shirt around her cold, shaking body and held her close as I walked into the building.
April 12th: Took her to the Vet this morning. Started IV. She is in bad shape. Went to Vet to check on her. Still in bad shape. Sugar level is low…moving a little. But not wanting to stand up. Very very weak. Not sure if she will pull through. Praying for this sweet girl.
April 13th: Went to check on her today after work. Talked to Dr. Johnson. Her gums are pink and her sugar level is better. A bit more hope. I stayed with her for a while. Talked to her and told her to fight hard. She threw up a bit and is still very weak. She is still not out of the woods. Very weak, but a small improvement. I told her to fight hard and that I loved her.
April 14th: Annie’s eyes are more focused and follows people around. She seems more alert today. Still very weak and throwing up and diarrhea. Small improvement. She looks better than she did on the 13th. I saw a big difference with her being more alert today. I am hopeful. She still has a long way to go. Dr. Johnson gave her a Vitamin B-12 shot.
April 15th: I am off work today. Went to see Annie this morning. She is alert but still very weak. I stopped by again this evening and talked to the Dr. Dr. Johnson will check on her this weekend. I stayed longer and petted and massaged her. Talked to her a lot today. She seems more alert but physically, she really has to overcome a lot.
April 16th: Dr. Johnson called me this evening and told me that Annie ate some chicken she gave her. And as we were on the phone Annie ate on her own the chicken Dr. Johnson left in the cage with her. She is sitting up a bit now. Very encouraged with her progress. Baby steps with this sweet baby.
April 18th: Vet Clinic called me this morning at work and said Annie was doing ok. Still throwing up and diarrhea but holding her own. I will go see her today after work. They are open later on Monday’s. I am so amazed with this sweet baby. I went to see Annie today after work. She is eating a little on her own. She has a bowl of food in her cage. I stayed with her awhile and petted and talked to her. Dr. said she had thrown up alittle but did keep some food down. Still has diarrhea. One step at a time.
April 20th: What an incredible day this was for Annie!!! She was standing up and wagged her little tail when I came in. I even got a little lick/kiss from her today! Lisa came with me and we got to hold her!!! She got a bath also. She is still having diarrhea pretty bad, but she is out of the woods with the Parvo. This little girl is amazing!
April 22nd.: Annie is hanging in there. She seems a bit tired today. She is not eating as much, and is resting. She has slept a lot today.
April 25th: Annie is sleeping a lot but doing ok. I held her today and talked to her. She really loves being held. Hope I can bring her home soon.
April 29th: Annie is not eating well today. She is very very tired and not eating. They gave her some eggs and she ate them, but not eating like she was. Her gums are very white. I am really concerned. Dr. Johnson will start steroids on her and check on her this weekend.
May 2, 2016: Today, I went to the Vet to see her, and she was not doing very well. I held her as we put her to sleep. Annie was only in my life for 21 days, but she greatly impacted my life. I will always be amazed at how animals impact people’s lives. She knew she was loved these 21 days. Her spirit will always be close to me. I know that Jack met her at the Rainbow Bridge yesterday. She can now run and play and feel free. Lessons learned from each animal in our lives stay with us through eternity. You will always have a special place in my life. You were mine and were loved for the last 21 days of your life. You are free now. Love you Annie.