June 24, 2013

White Dog and the White Dog Army deserve special recognition for their awesome abilities to adapt to change. They were awakened in the middle of the night by Puff's choking early on Saturday, but then were disrupted as we madly abandoned them taking Puff to the ER and returning without her. Then, from their perspective, Puff went missing for two days and the mood in the house was tension-filled with worry. We added a huge crate to the crowded office and spent considerable time engineering it into a not very friendly seeming "cave." Connected to the viewless hard-sided nest was a machine that makes lots of noise and it pumps and whooshes. Fortunately, Steve was able to connect the oxygen concentrator through the window to the sunporch so at least the pups are spared the heat the machine generates. But still, things everywhere they turned were being changed or made somehow different.

Puff came home but must be syringe fed her crushed meds mixed in a slurry which makes her struggle in my arms and cry out in unhappiness; this worries the others and makes them wonder why I would hurt their sister. Their questioning looks stop short of accusation but I can tell they are upset by her trauma. She spent the night locked in the ugly noisy cave; it worked in that she did not cough but she also did not rest. Steve was kept awake all night by her digging at the door and softly whining; only Nuka (our deaf girl) slept in the office with her oblivious to the noise and unrest. The others all restlessly took up positions in our bedroom.

Today has been a readjustment of our routine as Puff has spent time both free and in the oxygen chamber. And it is one of Steve's new late teaching nights as another quarter begins. Every pup is very needy for attention and reassurance. There are a lot of new things and schedules that they are being asked to take in stride. Each is trying hard, but I know it is not easy. I am hoping that as the week goes on it will require less effort from them and that we will all get the chance to just "be."

Dr. Julia called us first thing this morning (she had received the report from the hospital) and we spoke at length. She feels that we are on the right track in treatment and suggested that we give Puff most of the week to take full advantage of her new medications and the oxygen therapy. So Puff will see our trusted vet on Friday unless something unexpected comes up (please, no, we pray) and Dr. Julia will be in a better position to assess if the dosages are appropriate and the time in oxygen is working.

That gives the White Dog Army five days to establish our "new normal." And maybe take a few extra naps and have a couple more treats...they certainly deserve it!