Champion of My HeartA real-time memoir about life with a fearful border collie, by Roxanne Hawn

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As I begin budgeting for 2013, let’s look at just how much it has cost to keep Lilly alive following the onset of vaccine-induced meningoencephalomyelitis (inflammation of the brain, lining of the brain, and spinal cord).

To recap … My perfectly healthy, brilliant, strong border collie girl received a rabies vaccine January 23, 2012, and she hasn’t been the same since. It hasn’t been cheap trying to save her. Before her massive relapse in August 2012 (after our 4th attempt to wean her off steroids), Lilly’s prognosis was good. Afterwards, her true prognosis became unknown. We just don’t know how this is going to turn out or how long it may go on.

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Last weekend, Lilly got her 3rd cycle of cytarabine injections (4 sub-q injections over 2 days). She handles it like a champ. Honestly, other than the fact that everything about her reeks of medications, you’d never know she was getting pretty aggressive treatment for rabies vaccine-induced meningoencephalomyelitis (brain inflammation). This week, we saw some improvements.

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In addition to continuing to chronicle Lilly’s treatment for rabies vaccine-induced meningoencephalomyelitis (brain inflammation), I’m trying to glean some valuable lessons YOU can learn from our experience. For example, do you know your dog’s “normal” vital signs? Trust me, it’ll help you know when something is wrong and when / if to worry about your dog. Read the rest of this entry »

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We’re making up our own rules for today’s Be the Change for Animals #BTC4A. Think of it as Being the Change for pets and our military veterans. Lilly and I encourage you to vote in America’s Pet Debate from Purina. For each vote in the Team Dog or Team Cat contest, Purina will donate $1 to Pet Partners’ Veteran Programs (up to $100,000). You can vote once a day.

Of course, we’re Team Dog all the way!

So, we’re bummed to tell you that Team Cat is winning. C’mon, dog friends. VOTE!

In addition to the main site, you can find the debate folks on Twitter @Petdebate and on Facebook – America’s Pet Debate.

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Today is World Rabies Day, which is meant to “raise awareness about the impact of human and animal rabies, how easy it is to prevent it, and how to eliminate the main global sources.” Nine months into a life / death struggle following Lilly’s severe adverse rabies vaccine reaction, I look at things a bit differently.

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It’s official. I hadn’t added everything up since the end of June, but I did on Friday, and we topped $15,000 in expenses to treat Lilly’s severe rabies vaccine reaction. To be exact … $15,095.01. People have been asking, so I’ve again set up a chip-in, if you’re so inclined. No pressure. No expectations at all. Read the rest of this entry »

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Via a daily news brief of veterinary-related news, I learned of 12 dogs in Mooresville, North Carolina, who were put down after one of them — a puppy — contracted rabies. Many people were also exposed at a recent fish fry and are receiving treatment. The case raised a critical question: Is a current rabies vaccination “enough” to protect dogs exposed to rabies?

I’d always thought the answer was YES. Apparently, the reality is more complicated.

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What started as a futon dog bed sensation in Scotland has become Tuffr Dog Beds made right here in Colorado. I met the Tuffr team at the American Animal Hospital Association veterinary conference earlier this year. These beds looked awesome for both home and professional use — veterinary hospitals, kennels, daycare, etc.

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Evenings out are rare. Last Saturday, however, date night consisted of wine, tapas, and a painting class at Art on the Brix in downtown Golden, Colorado. So. Much. Fun. The results? Well … see for yourself.

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Our friends at Be the Change for Animals have designated today, July 23, 2012, as “Bloggers Unite for Dog Rescue.” We missed the chance to take part officially in the hoopla with a post on July 15, but we’re playing along anyway with news of a Shine a Light on a Shelter $10,000 grant for one lucky animal shelter / rescue group (from Purina ONE Beyond and GOOD magazine). Nominate your fav! Details and deadlines below.

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