Bichon Rescue 'Willie'

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Precious WILLIE Whew! It was soooo cold and blowing so hard when we met wonderful Bichon Rescue volunteer Julie Hoskinson up in the mountains!! None of us were impressed with that nasty weather! Let's get out of here and go to Tennessee where it's warmer and there is green grass.
	I was pretty stinky but we went directly to vet appointment for CBC/SMAC & bile acid test. I had been fasting in preparation.
Then we went to Ms. Margaret's house for a nice lunch, bath, haircut & blow dry. AM I ADORABLE OR WHAT??!!??!!
►► March 25, 2005 UPDATE & PHOTOS ◄◄ In Willie's Name
I learned the doggie door in about 20 minutes Now I can go in & out to the yard when I want.	Me 'n Ms Margaret are gonna be best pals.

3/11/05: Test results are back ... get ready to cry .... It has been confirmed that I have failing health because of a liver shunt. Sadly, I am too sick and too wak right now to be a good candidate for surgery. Please pray that Margaret, my Bichon Rescue foster mom, can help me get a little strength so I can have that life-saving surgery. love 'n slurps, *Willie*
In response to the helpless feeling in our hearts, wise Kathy Schark/CT has reminded us: "The joy is not always to be found in helping to cure, but in helping."
UPDATE of March 12, 2005 Based on this weeks extensive test results, surgery is not recommended due to his already significantly compromised condition. We are fortunate to have one of the leading United States liver shunt specialists right here in Knoxville, but alas, even she cannot turn back the ravages of this terrible disease. Willie's foster mom, Angel Margaret Hunter, is totally devoted to providing whatever palliative care Willie needs to remain as healthy as he can be for as long as he is without undue pain. Willie has such a diminished appetite that it's very difficult to get anything into him, and he now weighs only 7 lbs 9 oz. However Margaret is very determined and creative and devoted so if anyone can coax him to eat something, it'll be Margaret !! Friends ...there will be no heroics, there will be no fanfare of drama, our commitment is to comfort this tiny angel boy ..... .... lots of tender lap time, quiet administering of his meds and concentrated bittersweet cuddles by all of us who have grown to love this little prince. No sweeter little dog ever graced this earth ... Thanks to Dr. Cathy Johnson/Town & Country Animal Hospital and Kim Campbell of Nanaimo, British Columbia for collaborating to get Willie onto a 'cocktail' regime of the most supportive meds we can procure. Please friends, lift this little guy up in your thoughts and prayers. He's brave, but this is a very grave situation indeed .... Thank you so much - your presence in good times and bad mean the world to myself and the dedicated bichon rescue folks I work with on a daily basis. This is difficult, and we just plain need your support to continue on ... especially through such heartbreak as providing for the precious little Willie's of the fluff world. with infinite love and appreciation, Your (usually) Joyous friend UPDATE MARCH 19, 2005 Little Willie is doing quite well given the gravity of his disease. He eats pretty good on most days and is very interested in all of life and living, following Margaret around as she works at her new business. INTERESTING FACT: Dogs with liver shunts should not have animal protein tissue (i.e. meat) and Willie seems to know that meat will make him feel awful, so he will only rice, cereal, a little egg and a little cottage cheese. It's like he read the Liver Shunt Diet!! He really seems to know what's good for him! His prescription cocktail seems to be helping him feel a little perkier and have some appetite. We will love him, comfort him and provide everything we can for as long as his health and happiness gives him pleasure. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS FOR WILLIE!!