Navigator, Road Warrior,... Harley Spotter

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Gracie continues to surprise me. he is about as social as a dog can be. Loves kids and people... never snapped at anyone.. but, Oh!, what a watchdog! Her bark is a mighty, loud, board of a BIG dog when someone rattles the door or walks close to the house. Good for momma's peace of mind.

She's also a great sidekick when I'm driving around servicing listings in the real estate business. Yep! She's a keeper.

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This is a smile on her snout... for sure! I'm not sure if it's good for dogs or not... but this pup LOVES watermelon. Just move over and let her have her own piece or she will drive you nuts! She's a little hyper right now. wonder if it was the watermelon? One thing's for sure, she's a Southern pup!

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Gracie has a few things to say:
On Wednesday, My mommy brought me home and I laid around most of the day. I went outside and  got rid of a lot of worms and things that made my tummy hurt. I slept a little and then I got really hungry and began eating for the first time in three days. I wanted a steak, but mom made me eat I/D and science diet. The baked potato she fixed for herself about made me loose my mind though! Yum!

I love all the special attention and got to spend the day with mom at her office where everyone seems to stop what they are doing when I am around. My Nana left me some money in an envelope, and one of mom's friends gave me some money to get well!  I love friends.. and can't wait to play with everyone! I love to follow mom down the hall at the office.. except for when I have to go by that BIG Coke vending machine. It really freaks me out.. and I have to get mom to pick me up and carry me around it!  I have been really hungry and been eating alot today! I feel so much better.

I wanted to sleep in my kennel on Thursday night, but I got lonely and had a bad dream, so mom let me climb up in the bed and I snuggled up and slept all night near her. It feels good to lick her face at night...even though she says to "shhh" alot. I got my first really good night's sleep.. and I think mom did too finally!

Today is Friday.. and I am even more playful..mom spent a lot f time with me this morning..and I followed her around the house and wagged my tail a lot.. she seems to like that! We went to the office again..and Elizabeth came across the street in the rain to see me. Elizabeth also gave me a present.. a really nice Christmas present and I licked her and chewed on her for it!  My mom almost cried again.. I can't figure it out.. but I licked her a lot too.
Later Lisa stopped in..and then we left. When we got home a few people stopped in,..mom still has that jewelry show going on.. and everyone that came through loved on me! Bert and Tish stopped in and Bert told me I looked like a baby lab.. maybe like a gray "Tebo", his dog! 
It's getting late.. and I am tired from playing with my toys and playing outside in the rain today...I liked that by the way.. the puddles especially! 

I thank you for helping mom and me over the last few days...I feel really good.. and now I have the hiccups again.. so I am going to curl up near mom and call it a night...

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Just brought Gracie home. We think she turned the corner. Lotsof IV fluid today. antibiotics, a strong worm medicine was the regimen today. She actually ate a few teaspoons of food and drank with no vomiting! Right now she's sleeping and I'm watching her like a newborn! Rest is probably best!

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I never thought much  about a wagging tail, don't all dogs have wagging tails?  After this morning, I dont think I will look at them the same way!

Sweet Gracie spent the night in the ER here in Tallahassee, again, a topic for another day, but a necessity last night after she became ill once more and looked very dehydrated.  She received fluids..had a glucose test,.. it was better, but slightly low, so dextrose was added. She has a pic line still for quick access for her IV's if needed.

I picked her up early this am.. and she was grunting and snuggling..trying to get comfortable but enjoying being held close.

This morning Gracie is at Bradfordville Animal Hospital.. and I'll talk more about that later. She will be monitored there for today. Dr. Steverson just called with some encouraging news of her slightly improved condition. He performed another fecal test and found other parasites, Hookworms. Seems they are nasty creatures that attach like suckers to intestines.. then let go and attach again. They leave behind little mini ulcers and their larve get into the body and can cause liver damage. Horrible, huh. The good news is that there is medication for it.. and she's about to get this. Then we watch for improvment, a returning appetite, and less depression. I've learned more about parvo and other puppy diseases than I care to know.. but think there should be a puppy film or class all new owners should take, you know!  Maybe I will work on that. Will keep the posts coming.

Until then we wait. Every hour we wait for the little wagging tail.

For more about Bradfordville Animal Hopsital  Dr Steverson and Dr. Justice are really, really the best.

Many thanks to the friends who called and those of you following Gracie's dilema..what a special puppy to have so many friends..and like her, I am blessed as well! Thanks to those on Twitter for thoughts as well! (@floridasunsales)

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Having a puppy is like having a child. In one week I have fallen in love with this sweet baby. Her little blue eyes and short wagging tail combined with the licks and love as she followed me room to room from day one, stole my heart.

She's been very social..and loves to be held close. She quickly recognized the way to the door and even marched there on her own a few times to go out voluntarily. She's not had any accidents inside yet! Gracie is really very, very smart!

On Friday she began to spit up a little foamy substance and by Saturday it progressed to worsening vomiting, only to worsen on Sunday even more.So, we headed to the Emergency Animal hospital. The vet on duty never introduced himself, not bothered to say what could be wrong etc.. he was merely a triage kind of doctor it seemed. Basically, he sucked. On of his techs, Julia, was the saving grace that answered many of my questions and even emailed me later that night and the next day to check on Gracie. After a fluind injection, some anti-nausea medicine and  $200 later, I took a still sick puppy home who became more ill during the night.By now, I could tell she was listless, and dehydrated. There was little decision to take her to De. Steverson at Bradfordville Animal hospital. He was comforting and professional, and the staff, amazing and supportive.

Gracie got an IV,.. glucose because her blood sugar was so low, and tests for parvo, a life threatening disease for which only 50% survive. Thank goodness it was negative, however the mystery remains as to what is wrong with lil Gracie.

I brought Gracie home, hoping she would rest during the night and not get worse. She cuddled, she looked up and sat up a few times,.. but seemed to be looking for a way down.. a way to run off, which is what she did when she got sick. Strange how animals run away from where the sleep and live to get sick. I remember growing up in the country, the many cats that would disappear into the woods to die. The thought made me sad. Gracie seemed to be able to go to the bathroom ok.. she  drank small amounts of water as the Dr. ordered, but after the last drink, threw up again. I can't tell you how bad this smells by now.. Like bile and blood, which scare me to death that an intestinal or stomach blockage my be the culprit, or worse a perforation and sepsis. Talks of surgery to determine what is going on, scare me. Would this little pup survive a surgery, she is so weak right now.

It's time to go back to the emergency clinic, the only one in town, Allied Animal Ermergency Center. I dread it already. Who would be on call tonight, and how much is all this going to cost this time. A very nice Dr. came out to say hello and to ask a few questions. My doctor, Dr. Steverson had already called her and asked to be called if Gracie arrived, which warms my heart that he cares and is so attentive. The estimate is for 400 - 500 for IV, glucose, bloodwork and an overnight stay.  What do you say.. what would anyone say if they could not pay it. I suppose they would be turned away and have to watch their animal die. I am nauseated myself by now. I am cornered, no where to go really,.. but to say please take care of this little creature. She has to survive.

As I leave her there, all I can think about is that it is time to get another job. Waiting on a real estate closing is not going to cut it. All the incidentals in life seem to be mounting up. It is time to reconsider what is important. Being able to take care of yourself and your loved ones, animals included is important.  tommorrow I want to be able to bring that little one home.. to see her in the AM bright eyed and  perky. I am worried about that I am sure it will be a fitful night.Tomorrow will be a day of change.

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Lil Gracie developed a really bad sickness over her 1st weeekend at home. She became lethargic and began throwing up. Knowing a little about dehydration, I took her in to Allied Emergency where she got an injection for nausea and some liguid under her skin.
She continued to worsen during the night and is now at Bradfordville animal hospital. Immediately she was given an IV and other meds.
I worried all night and she slept on my chest in between bouts of throwing up.. Prayers for lil Gracie today!

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Our little one was found with 6  other puppies under a house. Seen coming and going for some time by locals, two moms with two young litters were seen living life under a rural home near Havana, FL. Along comes sweet Nancy..with a huge heart for animals and known for her rescues of animals of all sorts, who could not turn away from these puppies. First, the mom's, followed by the puppies were rescued ...except for one,.. the little grey pup who would not come out. Fellows at a nearby store were offered $25 to help get her out, but none would help. It was the coldest night of fall, and the little pup spent the night under the house alone, without her siblings. Nancy arrived the next day, raised the offer to the men hanging out at the store to $50 and, finally, one took her up on the offer and crawled under the house to rescue the little grey holdout.

By now, I had seen the first puppy, black with curly hair, who was brought to the office by Nancy. Later the next day, she sent the picture of the last one. In my mind it was done.

My girls are both gone now.. and I work horribly long hours.. but it just seemed to make sense. Perhaps a little, needy puppy can bring some balance back to my life.. we will see.

So,.. the story of "Gracie"... the little grey pup from down under, begins

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