Hello activerain and others who may follow my blogs!  In case you haven't noticed, I've been away for a loooong time.  I've gone through some happy and not so happy times in the past 4 months.

The worst thing that has happened to me is the loss of my dog Annabelle.  You may have read my previous blogs from when she first became ill.  I stopped writing because it was becoming a burden- between taking her to the vet several times a day, working, trying to get ready for the baby, morning sickness in the last trimester, and the remodeling we had going on at home.

After 2 weeks of treating all of Annabelle's symptoms we had to say goodbye.  Everyday a new symptom developed that required a new medication, sadly we just couldn't let her suffer any longer.  My poor doggy.... she was just laying there everyday looking at me with those sad eyes and was moaning and groaning all day long.  The steriods made her rapidly gain weight, but everything inside her was moving around so when you pet her back all you felt was bones.  When she rolled over her belly was protruding.  She had big bruises on her legs and chests from all the bloodwork being done and her blood had stopped clotting.  Part of me was hoping she might pass at home so we wouldn't have to make the decision.  I will never forget that day, May 2nd... at least we let her go with a full belly, she had steak for dinner and breakfast and we fed her full of one of her favorites- popcorn. 

In loving memory of Annabelle.

I've been under a lot of stress lately worrying about Annabelle and her health.  Today I thought I'd take a minute and view some of my favorite beach cams.  Let's face it- I really could use a vacation right now being almost 32 weeks pregnant and trying to decide about Annabelle.  Feel free to add your own favorite links.

Crown Reef Myrtle Beach SC

Grand Shores Myrtle Beach SC

Royal Caribbean Voyager of the Seas

Tradewinds Resort St. Pete Beach Fl.

I wish I could teleport myself to one of these places right now.  I think I'd like an oceanfront beach chair and a non-alcoholic pina colada.

You can read part 1 of this saga here. 

Annabelle stayed at the hospital overnight Sunday where they administered fluids, steroids, and an immune suppressant medicine to keep her immune system from destroying the red blood cells.  Monday morning I picked her up and transported her to her regular vet.  Overnight her red blood cell count had slightly improved, going from 20 to 23.  They kept her there all day and I picked her up around 5:00. She was still lethargic and didn't have much of an appetite.  I guess it will take a while for her to get her strength and appetite back.

Tuesday morning (April 21, 2009) I took her back to the vet so they could recheck her red blood cell count and administer some more fluids.  When I picked her up they said her blood cell count was great, it was 33!  She even ate a small breakfast and a snack of chicken breast and some canned prescription food for upset stomachs.  However yesterday afternoon and dinnertime was a different story.  She would only eat a few bites of food, plus she did not move her bowels all day long.  I called the vet back to see if this was a problem.  Dr. Bridges was concerned that her appetite seemed to decrease and asked if I could bring her back in Wed. morning to have her blood count checked again.

Today is Wed.  Annabelle actually got up with me this morning and followed me around a little bit!  I could not believe my eyes!  She wasn't all that interested in her breakfast and would only eat the chicken breast and not the canned food.  Right now she's at the vet where they are checking her blood count again.  Dr. Bridges thinks that as long as her red blood cell count is the same or higher then Annabelle should recover from this episode.  However, if this anemic disease was caused by Annabelle's cushings disease (which most likely it was), then it will probably re-occur.  She said some dogs will be good for a couple months, some may even been good for a year.  Only time will tell I guess.

***  Edited to add that Annabelle just got home from the vet (Wednesday).  Her red blood cell count went down a little bit- to 28 or 29.  Her white blood cell count is still elevated.  They sent her home with 3 more medicines, 2 to help calm her belly and 1 antibiotic.  This sucks.

We have been very busy at our house lately trying to get everything ready for the baby to arrive.  We decided that since we needed new carpet (didn't think pink carpet was appropriate for a baby boy), that it was the perfect time to have new interior doors and trim-work installed.  Apparently the previous owners of our house were very rough on things, doors were scratched up from their dogs, some of it had been painted sloppily etc.  And so the preparation began... moving all the furniture around, packing up some items to store temporarily in the basement.  Pretty much everything has been shifted around.

The construction work officially began Friday (April 17, 2009) morning.  About a month ago Annabelle was diagnosed with Cushings disease and the medicine to control that can cause loss of appetite.  I had noticed the day before that Annabelle seemed to be acting a little strange.  She didn't really want to eat unless I coaxed her.  I gave her a piece of my apple and she barely ate it (usually she scarfs down fruits and veggies).  The next morning, Friday, she didn't even come out of the bedroom.  Normally both dogs get up as soon as I do and follow me into the bathroom to get petted.  Eventually she came out and slowly wandered into the living room.  I invited her to sit on the green chair- the only chair they are allowed on- and she just looked at me.  Eventually she hopped up there but then she wouldn't move for a while.  I noticed she was very lethargic and just looked kind of yucky, but wasn't sure if she was sick or if she was scared because of the construction.  She would not eat anything.  I called the vet on Friday and explained everything to them.  They agreed that she was probably just scared because of the construction and the furniture being moved around.  She only ate a few carrots and some popcorn on Friday.  

On Saturday morning she looked about the same and still wouldn't eat all day, barely even eating carrots, which are one of her favorites.  Her eyes just looked so sad.  Sunday morning she still looked really bad so we decided to call the emergency vet.  They said to bring her in right away.

Jay got ready and took her in while I stayed home and prepared for an open house and then our baby shower which was that afternoon.  The only thing I knew before the shower was that Annabelle had an enlarged spleen and really low red blood cell count, it was 20.  After the baby shower Jay told me what they found.  Apparently she has some immune anemic disease, called Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia.  This is a very serious disease and she only had a 70% chance of surviving. 

I was devastated.  Annabelle is my baby (well both dogs are my babies).  She is only 10, how could she be so sick and possibly leaving me already?  We've only owned the dogs fo 3 years, we got them when they were 7.  She is such a good dog.

Annabelle stayed at the hospital overnight Sunday where they administered fluids, steroids, and an immune suppressant medicine to keep her immune system from destroying the red blood cells.  Monday morning I picked her up and transported her to her regular vet.  Overnight her red blood cell count had slightly improved, going from 20 to 23.

Part 2

Annabelle is the tan colored dog.

7880 Bentwood Cir. in Arlington Meadows

Open house Sunday April 19th, 12-2

Nice 4 level split nestled on the cul-de-sac of a quiet neighborhood in Jackson. 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms. Home has new flooring, carpet, fresh paint, and new Pella windows. The large master bedroom has a full bathroom. The new deck and backyard will be great for entertaining this summer!

View more details and photos at http://www.polarbearhomes.com/3011129

Contact Chrissy Moock Cutler Real Estate for more information or to schedule a showing. 330-936-2519

Open house in Jackson township March 22, 2:00 - 4:00

7880 Bentwood Cir. in Arlington Meadows

Nice 4 level split nestled on the cul-de-sac of a quiet neighborhood. 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms.  Home has new flooring, carpet, fresh paint, and new windows. The large master bedroom has a full bathroom and a balcony that overlooks the semi-private backyard. The new deck will be great for entertaining this summer!

View more details and photos at http://www.polarbearhomes.com/3011129

Contact Chrissy Moock Cutler Real Estate for more information or to schedule a showing.  330-936-2519

If you have heard anything about the stimulus plan, you may have heard about the tax credit that is being offered to first time homebuyers.

In case you haven't heard, here is some information:

- Home Ownership Tax Credit - A non-refundable tax credit of up to $8,000 will be available for buyers who purchase a home this year-before December 1, 2009-and who have not bought a house in the previous 3 years. This tax credit amount is based on 10-percent of the home's purchase price, up to $8,000. To qualify, homeowners must keep their home for at least 3 years.  There is more detailed information at:  http://www.ChrissyMoock.com click on tax credit.

Contact Chrissy Moock 330-936-2519 for more information.