Looking for advice on how to care for "Orphan Annie" - Page 3 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

KScott · 12-11-2007, 02:15 PM

We just resuced a yorkie yesterday who obviously has been abused and malnourished. I thought she looked bad but now I see it could be so much worse. Our little yorkie has made so much progress in one day. But I can tell we have a long way to go trust wise. I hope your girl is doing better today and will continue her progress.

yorkiesmiles · 12-11-2007, 03:20 PM

Just wondering how Annie is doing and if you've been to the vet?

What a fortunate girl to have found a forever home!

jamiesaari · 12-13-2007, 05:02 PM

Hi Everyone,

It's strange because I am writing this message in tears and truly feel that you all (a bunch of strangers) are the only ones who will truly understand my pain. My mother and others who I've spoken to have all told me to just have Annie put to sleep. However I can't do that to a creature I love so much. Maybe I'm crazy, but I want to put in the extra love and effort she didn't have for the first 10 years of her life.

Today I took Annie to the vet and it is worse than I could have even imagined. The good news is that I have met an angel in the veterinarian who is taking care of Annie. He is allowing me to do work for his veterinary office in return for his services. (I own a small, home-based business where I do website design, desktop publishing, PR and more.) So the vet services are not costing me any money, just my time.

Based on the examination and a whole series of diagnostic testing , the vet said this is one of the worst cases of animal neglect he has ever seen. She needs to have every single tooth pulled out of her mouth. He said the pain she is in as a result of her teeth alone, is likely more than any of us as humans could bear.

I addition to that, she has breast cancer (which are the blue patches on her stomach). An ultrasound and x-ray found that she also has two enormous tumours inside her stomach. She also has a severe uterine infection and five large cysts on her body.

My veterinarian (who is an angel) told me in a very gentle and kind way that most people would select to have her put to sleep. He said he can, however, open her up surgically to see if the large tumours can be removed. If so, he can attempt to remove the tumours, spay her, remove the breast cancer, remove all her teeth and remove her cysts. If the tumours are not removable, he can close her back up and then we can discuss having her euthenized.

I need a couple days to cry and give my head a shake before we go ahead with opening her up. In the meantime, she's on three painkillers daily and taking dog food for cancer patients. He also gave her a strong shot of antibiotics to fight her uterine infection and the infections in her teeth.

This is such terrible news, but I am very lucky to have found a veterinarian willing to do this. He wants to see her in two weeks and I will probably go ahead with the surgery to see if the tumours can be removed.

kalina82 · 12-13-2007, 05:16 PM

oh i'm so sorry things are so bad with Annie. You are a great person for taking her in and loving her so much already. Its wonderful that your vet is letting you do work for him in exchange for working on Annie. this is a tough decision for you to make. i know her teeth are giving her a lot of pain so are you going to do that first then wait a few weeks to clear up the infection before taking out the lumps? its not good to do abdominal surgery and oral surgery at the same time because there is so much bacteria in the mouth especially if her teeth are that bad.

again you are a wonderful, caring person. Annie is lucky to have found you.

yorkiesmiles · 12-13-2007, 05:38 PM

Oh Jamie, I am so sorry it is so bad for Annie. She must be such a brave little soul. I wish I could wrap my arms around you and give you a hug. You're in my thoughts and prayers. What an angel the vet is. Please give Annie a hug and kiss for me. Praying all the best for her.

SophieRose · 12-13-2007, 08:01 PM

Oh, my...her teeth alone contribute to disease and toxins in her little body. Then cancer, my heart aches for her. How wonderful of the vet to exchange services because the cost alone will be tremendous. Do you think she can withstand surgery? My sweet Sophie was 13 and so ill; she couldn't go through exploratory surgery or dental surgery because she was so frail. It took me four weeks to get myself around the need to help her cross the bridge. Many nights of sobbing because I knew how much I loved her and would miss her in my life.

You, Annie and the vet will make the decision and don't let anyone decide they know what is best for Annie. You are her Momma and protector now.

I will keep you in my thoughts and sending a wish that Annie is protected. Warmly, Deborah

SophieRose · 12-13-2007, 08:12 PM

PS She looks so precious in her little sweater. I am so sorry Annie is so ill, and what a blessing she was rescued. No matter how long Annie is with you, it will be the best time in her life. Both of you are a gift to each other.

YorkieShadow · 12-13-2007, 10:53 PM

Im just now reading all of this I was getting so happy for Annie.
and then got to the last update.and now I want to cry. That poor baby. what a hard terrible life she has had, and then she found you. you can tell from the pictures how much better she looks. bless you for taking in little Orphan Annie. Im so sad for all that this little one is going through, all the pain. Ill keep her in my prayers and hope that she can be cured of all thats wrong with her sweet body. Bless your vet for all he is doing. and thank you for trying to give this girl a second chance.

Dan & Corinne · 12-13-2007, 11:08 PM

First of all welcome to YorkieTalk. Yes, we 100% understand your deep love for Annie, the bond is instant and the love lasts forever in your heart.

You are setting a wonderful example for your young daughter Hannah.

I'm so heartbroken to read that there are some serious complications with Annie's health. What ever you decide to do, just know this one thing...

Her first few years may have been a nightmare for her but she only knows love now and will live out her life basking in it. You and Hannah are her Angels.

jamiesaari · 12-14-2007, 10:30 AM

Hi Everyone,

After crying most of the night and dreaming about what I should do, I have made a decision today with my head and not my heart.

Another ailment that I forgot to mention in my previous email was that Annie's blood count numbers in relation to her liver are extremely high. If my memory serves me correctly (yesterday is a bit of a blur now) her liver readings should have been between the numbers 50 and 100. Annie's number was 2,000 (whatever that means.)

Yesterday I wanted to the be the super hero and do everything to save her, but today I am realizing how selfish that is. I started to imagine how painful it would be for myself to have two large tumours taken from my body, all my teeth extracted, losing a breast to breast cancer and having numerous cysts removed from my body in one surgery. I cannot put this little girl through more than she has already been through.

Today I realize that Annie came to me for a reason. It was to bring back the love of dogs that I once had as a child. Age, routine, stress and single motherhood made me believe that it was not practical to own a dog. Seeing Annie re-sparked my childhood feelings of love and adoration for dogs. She came along to help me remember this and commit the rest of my life to helping other "wounded souls." She is an angel who was given to me for a short period of time to help me remember how important it is to have a four legged creature in my family to love and be loved.

I am making that dreaded call to her veterinarian to schedule an appointment that will put her out of her excruciating pain. This is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do in my entire life. I will then put my name on the list as a potential permanent home to another Yorkie who needs a forever home.

Thank you so much for your kind words and support. Even though I don't know you, I appreciate it more than words can describe.

Warm Regards,

Jamie

TLC · 12-14-2007, 10:33 AM

I can't even begin to tell you how much admiration I have for you for taking Annie in and giving her a wonderful home filled with love. Annie will be in my prayers and so will you. Best of Luck

yorkiesmiles · 12-14-2007, 10:39 AM

Jamie,

I am so touched by your honesty and your wisdom. I am sitting her crying for you. So often it is the hardest things in life that bring about the greatest growth in our personal lives. May God bless you the peace and grace you need to get through the next few days, and the mourning of letting sweet Annie go. Another yorkie or other four-legged soul will be very blessed to you as its nurturer and will have Annie to thank for a second chance.

Hugs to you.

Anna Lou · 12-14-2007, 10:42 AM

Thank you! for easing her pain and letting her feel the warmth of a home and true love.

ryorkies · 12-14-2007, 01:30 PM

I hope I can stop crying long enough to write this message...
I am so proud right now to be a member of YT and to truly feel the warmth and love that is shining for you ... at this very moment. Although my heart is breaking for you, I cannot help but feel that Annie was sent to you so that you might understand and care enough to help her from her pain.
I do not understand how ANYONE could do this to a sweet little dog, but then she found her way to safety and love. She will go over the bridge with happy memories of a Mommy who loved her with all her heart.
God bless you......

jamiesaari · 12-14-2007, 01:45 PM

I just got back from the veterinarian office and I can barely catch my breathe from crying so hard. I never knew it would be this painful. I feel like somebody has kicked me in the stomach and stabbed my heart with a dagger.

I know my little angel is no longer in pain but the mental anguish of going through his will never leave me the same. I cannot believe how much I loved that little dog. I wish there was something I could do to alleviate this pain in my heart. I have never felt so much emotional pain in my entire life.

12-11-2007, 03:20 PM	#32
yorkiesmiles Donating YT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 9,493	Just wondering how Annie is doing and if you've been to the vet? What a fortunate girl to have found a forever home! __________________ yorkiesmiles Loved by Bubba & Roxy *Holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come*

12-13-2007, 05:16 PM	#34
kalina82 Phantom Queen Morrigan Donating Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: with my yorkie baby Posts: 10,141 Blog Entries: 1	oh i'm so sorry things are so bad with Annie. You are a great person for taking her in and loving her so much already. Its wonderful that your vet is letting you do work for him in exchange for working on Annie. this is a tough decision for you to make. i know her teeth are giving her a lot of pain so are you going to do that first then wait a few weeks to clear up the infection before taking out the lumps? its not good to do abdominal surgery and oral surgery at the same time because there is so much bacteria in the mouth especially if her teeth are that bad. again you are a wonderful, caring person. Annie is lucky to have found you. __________________ Kellie and Morgan

12-13-2007, 05:38 PM	#35
yorkiesmiles Donating YT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 9,493	Oh Jamie, I am so sorry it is so bad for Annie. She must be such a brave little soul. I wish I could wrap my arms around you and give you a hug. You're in my thoughts and prayers. What an angel the vet is. Please give Annie a hug and kiss for me. Praying all the best for her. __________________ yorkiesmiles Loved by Bubba & Roxy *Holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come*

12-13-2007, 08:01 PM	#36
SophieRose Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Petaluma Posts: 2,217	Oh, my...her teeth alone contribute to disease and toxins in her little body. Then cancer, my heart aches for her. How wonderful of the vet to exchange services because the cost alone will be tremendous. Do you think she can withstand surgery? My sweet Sophie was 13 and so ill; she couldn't go through exploratory surgery or dental surgery because she was so frail. It took me four weeks to get myself around the need to help her cross the bridge. Many nights of sobbing because I knew how much I loved her and would miss her in my life. You, Annie and the vet will make the decision and don't let anyone decide they know what is best for Annie. You are her Momma and protector now. I will keep you in my thoughts and sending a wish that Annie is protected. Warmly, Deborah __________________ Peace and Light, Deborah My Sweet Sophie 1994-2007Welcome, Charlie Barley 4.14.07 & Sofia Bella 9.13.08 http://www.dogster.com/dogs/535291

12-13-2007, 08:12 PM	#37
SophieRose Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Petaluma Posts: 2,217	PS She looks so precious in her little sweater. I am so sorry Annie is so ill, and what a blessing she was rescued. No matter how long Annie is with you, it will be the best time in her life. Both of you are a gift to each other. __________________ Peace and Light, Deborah My Sweet Sophie 1994-2007Welcome, Charlie Barley 4.14.07 & Sofia Bella 9.13.08 http://www.dogster.com/dogs/535291

12-11-2007, 02:15 PM	#31
KScott Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Arkansas Posts: 16	We just resuced a yorkie yesterday who obviously has been abused and malnourished. I thought she looked bad but now I see it could be so much worse. Our little yorkie has made so much progress in one day. But I can tell we have a long way to go trust wise. I hope your girl is doing better today and will continue her progress.

12-13-2007, 05:02 PM	#33
jamiesaari Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 241	Hi Everyone, It's strange because I am writing this message in tears and truly feel that you all (a bunch of strangers) are the only ones who will truly understand my pain. My mother and others who I've spoken to have all told me to just have Annie put to sleep. However I can't do that to a creature I love so much. Maybe I'm crazy, but I want to put in the extra love and effort she didn't have for the first 10 years of her life. Today I took Annie to the vet and it is worse than I could have even imagined. The good news is that I have met an angel in the veterinarian who is taking care of Annie. He is allowing me to do work for his veterinary office in return for his services. (I own a small, home-based business where I do website design, desktop publishing, PR and more.) So the vet services are not costing me any money, just my time. Based on the examination and a whole series of diagnostic testing , the vet said this is one of the worst cases of animal neglect he has ever seen. She needs to have every single tooth pulled out of her mouth. He said the pain she is in as a result of her teeth alone, is likely more than any of us as humans could bear. I addition to that, she has breast cancer (which are the blue patches on her stomach). An ultrasound and x-ray found that she also has two enormous tumours inside her stomach. She also has a severe uterine infection and five large cysts on her body. My veterinarian (who is an angel) told me in a very gentle and kind way that most people would select to have her put to sleep. He said he can, however, open her up surgically to see if the large tumours can be removed. If so, he can attempt to remove the tumours, spay her, remove the breast cancer, remove all her teeth and remove her cysts. If the tumours are not removable, he can close her back up and then we can discuss having her euthenized. I need a couple days to cry and give my head a shake before we go ahead with opening her up. In the meantime, she's on three painkillers daily and taking dog food for cancer patients. He also gave her a strong shot of antibiotics to fight her uterine infection and the infections in her teeth. This is such terrible news, but I am very lucky to have found a veterinarian willing to do this. He wants to see her in two weeks and I will probably go ahead with the surgery to see if the tumours can be removed.

12-13-2007, 10:53 PM	#38
YorkieShadow BANNED! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: USA Posts: 9,999	Im just now reading all of this I was getting so happy for Annie. and then got to the last update.and now I want to cry. That poor baby. what a hard terrible life she has had, and then she found you. you can tell from the pictures how much better she looks. bless you for taking in little Orphan Annie. Im so sad for all that this little one is going through, all the pain. Ill keep her in my prayers and hope that she can be cured of all thats wrong with her sweet body. Bless your vet for all he is doing. and thank you for trying to give this girl a second chance.

12-13-2007, 11:08 PM	#39
Dan & Corinne Inactive Account Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 4,387	First of all welcome to YorkieTalk. Yes, we 100% understand your deep love for Annie, the bond is instant and the love lasts forever in your heart. You are setting a wonderful example for your young daughter Hannah. I'm so heartbroken to read that there are some serious complications with Annie's health. What ever you decide to do, just know this one thing... Her first few years may have been a nightmare for her but she only knows love now and will live out her life basking in it. You and Hannah are her Angels. __________________ Jazzie Jolie Jen & I'm Corinne Loving Memory of Jewel 4/28/2003~4/18/2006

12-14-2007, 10:30 AM	#40
jamiesaari Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 241	Hi Everyone, After crying most of the night and dreaming about what I should do, I have made a decision today with my head and not my heart. Another ailment that I forgot to mention in my previous email was that Annie's blood count numbers in relation to her liver are extremely high. If my memory serves me correctly (yesterday is a bit of a blur now) her liver readings should have been between the numbers 50 and 100. Annie's number was 2,000 (whatever that means.) Yesterday I wanted to the be the super hero and do everything to save her, but today I am realizing how selfish that is. I started to imagine how painful it would be for myself to have two large tumours taken from my body, all my teeth extracted, losing a breast to breast cancer and having numerous cysts removed from my body in one surgery. I cannot put this little girl through more than she has already been through. Today I realize that Annie came to me for a reason. It was to bring back the love of dogs that I once had as a child. Age, routine, stress and single motherhood made me believe that it was not practical to own a dog. Seeing Annie re-sparked my childhood feelings of love and adoration for dogs. She came along to help me remember this and commit the rest of my life to helping other "wounded souls." She is an angel who was given to me for a short period of time to help me remember how important it is to have a four legged creature in my family to love and be loved. I am making that dreaded call to her veterinarian to schedule an appointment that will put her out of her excruciating pain. This is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do in my entire life. I will then put my name on the list as a potential permanent home to another Yorkie who needs a forever home. Thank you so much for your kind words and support. Even though I don't know you, I appreciate it more than words can describe. Warm Regards, Jamie

12-14-2007, 10:33 AM	#41
TLC Slave to My Rug-Rats Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Long Island Posts: 7,247	I can't even begin to tell you how much admiration I have for you for taking Annie in and giving her a wonderful home filled with love. Annie will be in my prayers and so will you. Best of Luck __________________ Adopt Donate Foster www.yorkie911rescue.com

12-14-2007, 10:39 AM	#42
yorkiesmiles Donating YT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 9,493	Jamie, I am so touched by your honesty and your wisdom. I am sitting her crying for you. So often it is the hardest things in life that bring about the greatest growth in our personal lives. May God bless you the peace and grace you need to get through the next few days, and the mourning of letting sweet Annie go. Another yorkie or other four-legged soul will be very blessed to you as its nurturer and will have Annie to thank for a second chance. Hugs to you. __________________ yorkiesmiles Loved by Bubba & Roxy *Holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come*

12-14-2007, 10:42 AM	#43
Anna Lou YT Addict Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Kentucky Posts: 435	Thank you! for easing her pain and letting her feel the warmth of a home and true love.

12-14-2007, 01:30 PM	#44
ryorkies No Longer a Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Yorkieville Posts: 2,860	I hope I can stop crying long enough to write this message... I am so proud right now to be a member of YT and to truly feel the warmth and love that is shining for you ... at this very moment. Although my heart is breaking for you, I cannot help but feel that Annie was sent to you so that you might understand and care enough to help her from her pain. I do not understand how ANYONE could do this to a sweet little dog, but then she found her way to safety and love. She will go over the bridge with happy memories of a Mommy who loved her with all her heart. God bless you......

12-14-2007, 01:45 PM	#45
jamiesaari Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 241	I just got back from the veterinarian office and I can barely catch my breathe from crying so hard. I never knew it would be this painful. I feel like somebody has kicked me in the stomach and stabbed my heart with a dagger. I know my little angel is no longer in pain but the mental anguish of going through his will never leave me the same. I cannot believe how much I loved that little dog. I wish there was something I could do to alleviate this pain in my heart. I have never felt so much emotional pain in my entire life.