I wish I had an Oreo update, but...

I wish I had an Oreo update, but I have been calling Animal Medical Center for 30 minutes and can't get an answer. My anxiety is through the roof. I just want to hear that he's doing ok.

It was incredibly hard to leave Alabama today not having him with me. I waited several hours after my planned departure time to hear from the doctor because if the news was bad I was going to be there with Oreo until the end.

Thankfully the update was positive, but that doesn't erase my worry that something could still go wrong. I know he's tough - he's lived through a lot of terrible things already, but he did not look well the last time I saw him.

I guess that's all for now. I updated his GoFundMe (https://gofund.me/a475896e) with more information and a new donation goal. I'll call the hospital tomorrow to see how much the bill actually is, but I'm sure it exceeds the new goal - or it will by the time Monday rolls around. 😬 If you would prefer to make payments directly to the hospital, it's Animal Medical Center and the phone number is 256-236-8387.

Thank you all for caring so much about this sweet guy! ❤️

Oreo update:

Oreo update:

Old buddy is hanging in there and showing some improvement. He's eating small amounts on his own and keeping it down.

He's still dehydrated and the doctor wants to keep him until Monday. His liver has some issues, but the doctor is pretty sure it's due to aflatoxin. They've changed up his meds.

Still has clots, but he only had one dose of thinner so it's not worse.

I'm going to update his GoFundMe when I get to a hotel this evening. This hospitalization isn't cheap. But he's not giving up yet, and neither am I. If anyone wants to donate towards his hospital bill, he's at Animal Medical Center and the phone number is 256-236-8387.

Paws crossed we keep getting positive news.

Y'all, I am really sorry, but I do not have good news.

Y'all, I am really sorry, but I do not have good news.

Yesterday morning around 6 I woke up and Oreo wasn't on the couch with me. I thought "Oh no. Let me find him." He was in the laundry room on his plush bed. He felt a little cool to the touch. I curled up around him and thought "His heart feels slow. He's dying." So I laid there crying and holding him and telling him he was a good boy... Until he got up to pee. 😂 I was like "Well, that was unexpected, but I'm happy he's still with me."

He came back to the couch after and seemed lethargic, which is why he ended up at the vet. Dr. Cooner noted that his heart seemed slow, so I knew then that I wasn't crazy for thinking that.

Today Dr. Nelson checked him and said that his symptoms are not typical of heartworm infection (although he does still have them) and scanned his heart. He found clots. 😭 He said it could be caused by ingesting mold or bacteria while scavenging for food. They've got him on blood thinner to see if that will help.

There is also some concern that his liver isn't doing well. They are going to syringe feed him in the morning and test his blood again to check those levels.

We won't know until after testing if any of this is reversible or treatable, so we wait. 😭😭😭

I am hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst. If the news tomorrow is not good I will take his plushy bed and favorite treats to the hospital and send him off with all my love. If he's treatable, but unable to travel then I have a temporary foster home lined up until either I can come back or a friend brings him to me. If by some miracle he's able to journey home with me tomorrow that would be excellent news, but I don't think it's likely.

My heart is heavy, but I would like to thank all of you for taking this journey with me and this sweet fella. I hope tomorrow is not the end, but if it is I take great comfort in knowing that I won't be grieving alone. ❤️

I haven't heard from the doctor yet...

I haven't heard from the doctor yet, (there's only one and he's in surgery), but Oreo is probably staying another night. I went to visit and my buddy doesn't look well. He's not eating and he didn't want to see me - he wanted to go lay back down. I feel bad for disturbing his rest, but I was afraid he felt abandoned and I didn't want that.

I petted him and kissed the spot on his head and left him to rest. I'll update again when I hear from the doctor.

I called to check on Oreo.

I called to check on Oreo. He's drinking water and has eaten a little bit on his own. They haven't needed to give him the appetite stimulant or anything for vomiting yet. Other than that, he's just resting. I am thankful that he's doing ok. ❤️

I love and miss my sweet husband.

I love and miss my sweet husband.

When I called him today, the first thing he said was "What happened?!" (He got a notification about the large charge from the vet on the card, as I knew he would). I love that his first concern was Oreo and not the money.

Then while we were talking he checked the mail, and Oreo's house key had arrived.

I know that he's more pragmatic about things than I am and that he wouldn't have jumped in with 2 feet like I did with Oreo, but he is wonderfully supportive of me in pretty much everything I do - even if he's concerned it's not the best thing for me. And believe me:  He didn't think that picking up a starving stray was the best thing for my mental health or finances or the ease of my life on this trip.  And he's right.

But my heart is full. I've missed fostering and helping animals. I don't want to be overwhelmed like I once was - at the end of my rope with compassion fatigue and no possible way to physically or financially take in another. But I do miss helping.

And I'm trying to keep it positive over here, but I do worry that Oreo won't make it home with me. And that thought makes me incredibly sad. I've fantasized about buying him his first pup cup. About him feeling healthy enough to play with Cub. About him piling into our super soft bed at night and never being alone or uncomfortable again.

I just don't know if that will be our reality. And I'm trying to be ok with the thought that a few days with us in an Airbnb might be the best he gets, even if he was not feeling well. That he was happy to see me despite all the trips to the vet where he was poked and prodded. That he endured a hard life and only got this much time to know comfort.

It doesn't sit well. It doesn't sit well at all.

So yeah. My mental health has taken a little hit. But I'm ok and no matter what happens, Oreo has been worth it. Every single one of my fosters were worth it, and I'd do it a thousand times over again. I think the important part for me is having the space to recover before jumping in again. That is why my husband and I make a good team. He protects me because I don't when I see them needing help.

I wish we all looked out for each other like this.

Oreo has been admitted to Animal Medical Center.

Oreo has been admitted to Animal Medical Center. We did bloodwork and the vet said it was "surprisingly boring" which is a relief. Thankfully there were no major red flags. Electrolytes were good. One liver enzyme was a bit elevated. I think that means his organs are doing ok.

He's staying overnight to get fluids. They are going to try to get him eating again. Entyce (an appetite stimulant) is a possibility. He's down from 37 lbs to 34.5, so it's a priority.

I don't have a ton to report; we will know more tomorrow after he's hydrated.

This is my buddy right before being admitted. I hate to ever have to leave their side, but he's in good hands. I'm hoping with everything I've got that we can get him turned around.

Send him all the love and good vibes and prayers. We also wouldn't mind seeing his GoFundMe shared again if anyone feels inclined to do so. The vet bill today was over $1400, and I easily DoorDashed $200 worth of food and supplements the other day trying to find something he could eat and keep down.

❤️❤️❤️

https://gofund.me/a475896e