June Update

i am smiling because live is great!

I just turned Seven Months old! Can you believe it?!!!

I am doing good every day. I am growing, and my hair is finally growing!

Not sure what my exact weight is at the moment, thinking I am about 4lbs.

I recently went on vacation for the first time ever...and reunited with my beautiful sister, Bella! I wasn't allowed to walk in the sand, but i did walk non-stop on a harness and leash in the RV park. I spent eight days in an rv with my half sisters and half brother. I loved my vacation and i enjoyed being in a yorkie pack. Just one thing, i still HATE to ride in the car. I hate it. I cannot figure out how to tell my parents why i hate riding in a car, truck, or rv!

My next trip is going to be to go visit the Tuohey Ranch in Raleigh. I will get to see my aunties and cousins July4th! I cannot wait. I do wonder how her big dogs will like me...

As far as my health, I am getting stronger every day. My parents do a great job catering to me and protecting me, but also giving me the freedom i need to be a puppy. Next up for me- I have to get Spade soon :( and just as bad, I have to get teeth pulled...I have a double rack of teeth! But, my dr is the best in the world- Jill will take excellent care of me. I miss her. 

this shows the brace i wear when i play

this is my sister, Bella- she is Very Beautiful

My best friend and half brother, Cooper!

I am tired from playing and playing and playing!

Look at all of us in one rv! ellie, demi, cooper, zoe, bella

General Update

I am happy to report - no real reason for this post!!!! Means things are going along pretty well with Ellie. She goes for about 6 days and feels great, then she has a day she gets sore/tired. We call her Great great granny Pearl on such days. She just basically says to us "hey, i am tired, my muscles are sore, don't touch me" and we listen. Ellie acts like she is 12 weeks old now. Catching up for lost puppyhood time. It is still a challenge to keep her safe around all of her other doggie friends- so far, so good. Ellie has a really big vacation coming up and I will have lots of posts and photos. She is going back to the Gulf Shores area to meet reunite with her sister Bella and all of her other half siblings! She will soon be running through the white sands and showing off her cast freedom, and her slim figure.





Today she got her new no choke harness in the mail...a very special gift in so many ways....

MIRACLE DAY

Ellie's Angels on this Earth (Dr. Keith Allen Upstate Vet SC; Dr. Jill Coleman Good Hands Vet Athens GA)

"RELEASE" what a word.

Today we had a miracle day. Ellie went to her surgeon, Dr Keith Allen (who we call our Irish Guardian Angel)- at the incredible facility of Upstate Vet Hospital in Greenvile, SC.

He was so IMPRESSED with her mobility, her love for life, her total attitude and puppy wiggliness, that he said he releases her from her care. She can wear a soft harness. She can play. She can GO ON VACATION- run with the sand under her little paws. We will always be required to exercise extra caution with her neck and spine- always protect her the best we can- otherwise her scar tissue has fused around c1 and c2 and will not need surgery. IF we were ever to elect surgery he prefers to delay for 6 months to a year, for bone growth. However, none of us anticipate that being needed. Thank you to EVERYONE for your steady prayers, support, and caring concern as we have walked this journey with Ellie- esp since Jan22 when she no longer could use her back legs whatsoever. Ellie and her family requests continued thoughts and prayers- as we must offer her protection from injury for her lifetime....many many many yorkie years we hope!!!!

ELLIE in her stroller (actually Liza's stroller) during our WONDERFUL lunch with my dear friend bonnie and my dear wonderful aunt Linda. The only thing missing on a very perfect day was my most wonderful best friend and mommie to Ellie, sweet sweet Lynnie. 

Ellie on the drive home. Looks so peaceful. But she actually cried the entire way to Greenville. She still absolutely hates the car...and I still have not solved the mystery as to why.

SHAVE

Ellie with her crazy Cast Mats.Tried every idea suggestion and technique to break up the mats...didn't work. 

She went to her vet this week for her final puppy shot. She weighed in at 3.19lbs!!!!!!!!! One whole pound since the cast came off 3 weeks ago!!!

Ellie asks for your positive thoughts  and prayers tomorrow- as she is evaluated by the surgeon. We personally think she is doing GREAT!!!!!

Ellie with her new shave. She thinks she is Beautiful- and Prances around like a Princess :) This whole week she has acted like a normal puppy for the first time ever. She is Spunky, Funny, Busy, and Cute as she can BE!

YELP

Ellie is so active- at times being so normal we forget she is an Eggshell still.
Last night she apparently ran around and played too much. Today she is crying and yelping...from just being sore, we hope and pray. Hope she will feel better soon. We are so anxious to hear what the surgeon says this coming Friday.

17 Days Left

to Reach 4 more weeks of protecting Ms EggShell.
It is a CHALLENGE...because she wants to Run Play Jump- and be with her pack. Can't happen.
She is doing well- mobility great- breathing all fixed now. She is a huge matted mess...but we will fix that down the road. Ellie is spunky and prissy....loves to play and chase us and our toes!
Next week she gets a shot on Wed April 13th, and on Fri April 16th she goes back to Dr Allen just to check her prior to her final four weeks of ambulatory care....we hope and pray.
The big deal is- do we then select surgery...or do we keep trying conservative care without a cast.
Keep on praying....attached are some recent photos. enjoy

ELLIE Major Update= NO CAST

VERY WEIRD visit to Dr. Allen in Greenville, SC on Friday. We went expecting evaluation of her skin and hair- and a cast change.
As you can see, Ellie has no cast.  Dr. Allen checked her hair and skin and although she is extremely matted, all looks good. His major concern was that the respiratory issue hasn’t seemed to improve, even with Prednisone and Clavamox and he thinks the danger of pneumonia developing is worse that the possibility of injury without the brace.  So he just took the entire cast off! Without the cast, btw, her weight dropped from 2.69lbs to 2.1lbs. She is a tiny little girl still.
He suggests no brace for the next FOUR weeks until we return for a check-up.  He feels the respiratory situation will clear up faster without it.  He also felt that fusion has begun but there would be no reason to do x-rays or CT scans today as they would not reveal much in the way of healing.  Typically when this area fuses it creates scar tissue and is visible on an x-ray or CT scan.  He thinks its too early for that to show up.
So, for the next four weeks, she is critically, critically fragile and should be either in her crate/carrier or in their arms.  No contact with other animals and no running, jumping, stair climbing — no extreme movement that would jeopardize the progress she’s already made.  If, during the next four weeks, there is any sign whatsoever of the slightest problem with her mobility, we would have to take her immediately back to Greenville for surgery.  Period, end of report.  We will no longer have an option to bypass surgery.
The next four weeks will be torture for this baby girl, since her mobility has improved tremendously and she has now shed some weight by losing this brace.  Keeping her stable will be a challenge because she is so busy- but we committed to ensure the best of care for her to heal and thrive.  
Although four weeks is the key time to achieve no injury- we do have another appointment with Dr Allen in THREE weeks...to ensure she is still doing well.
UPDATE from the weekend. It is so hard to keep Ellie separated from Liza. She has seen her briefly a couple of times...but no playing. It is so tempting to just see how they do- but we must be strict and not allow any accident. Otherwise- she is doing great. She is happy and yes very matted- even after a bath. We may have to end up shaving her mats out- but have to wait. It is wonderful to give her a belly rub and actually see a cute little puppy. It is wonderful- and it is also scary- Pray for us to be wise in her care to keep her safe for the next four weeks. THanks!!!!

Ellie - First Day of Spring 2010

First day of Spring! Ellie went outside for a little while. She loves the outdoors.

Harvey, Ellie, Liza

Ellie and Liza

Ellie in the Spring Leaves!

YUMYUMYUM the fresh Spring Air!

New OBSESSION

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCAw0J2o_V4
Ellie is totally obsessed with running up Cooper's mommie's steps....barks cries throws a fit. 

Every Monday

Every Monday Cooper and Ellie are so happy to greet each other after having a weekend apart.

Ellie Various updates

So i am a little behind on keeping this totally up to date. Lynn, Sherryl, Ellie- all have been sick with breathing issues! but on the mend now....
Ellie did not get a cast change this week- instead Dr. Coleman cut a slit in the cast across her head from Ear to Ear. That was Tues. Since then Ellie has worked her ears out of the cast forward- I don't have a good photo yet- but she actually looks a little bit like a yorkie! She was doing so well with her URI- but had a big set back this week. We are sure we all got sickly because of pulling up very old dusty carpet. Our fault. Ellie has now been placed on a 10 day round of Prednisone to help with her breathing. She is now sleeping like a lamb. Anyway- we have two weeks to go before the big appt with Dr. Allen her surgeon. Keep praying for Ellie to be strong so her evaluation will be well on March 26.

Ellie in Sun Dress

I know, it's snowing...but she doesn't have many
clothes that can fit over her cast....

Ellie on the way to the vet

UNHAPPY riding in the truck, in the snow, with Cooper's raincoat....

Ellie's Third Cast

Today Ellie had her Third cast. Dr. Coleman did a perfect job handling her with care, and applying the new trendy pink with purple hearts wrapping. She is still congested from the upper resp infection so the cast is not as tight while she continues to heal. Ellie was spunky at the vet before the cast change and wanted to get down from my arms and play with a big Sheep Dog! She has really become a spunky puppy and feels better each day. Enjoy the photos!

Ellie's Surgeon

Thanks to Good Hands Vet Hospital we were referred to an expert surgeon specializing in AAI cases. We are impressed with Dr. Allen and his conservative approach. Should Ellie have to have surgery- Her life will be in the hands of this skilled surgeon.

Upstate Veterinary Specialists, Greenville SC

Dr. Keith Allen, Diplomate ACVS

Degree in Veterinary Medicine from University College, Dublin, Ireland

Internship - Michigan State University

Residency and Masters - Purdue University

Diplomate - American College of Veterinary Surgeons

Board Certified in Veterinary Surgery

Surgeon visit

Today we drove to Upstate Vet Specialist in Sc to see Dr Allen. He was beyond pleased with her mobility and spunky attitude. She gave him a kiss too. He changed her antibiotic for her breathing and was not so worried about her chest. Instead he expressed she is doing wonderful and 'you worry too much'. We begin changing cast every week at our vet until she breathes better. Give benydril at night so we all can sleep! We go back to surgeon in 5 wks for next big follow up. He will change cast and examine skin and hair health. Then will be ready for surgery a month beyond that - IF she has to have it. We pray the bones just fuse.

Ellie has a cold.

Ellie's upper respiratory infection is not yet getting better. She is snoring honking reverse sneezing etc. Along with her antibiotics,  I have her all set up with a vick's vaporizer  and a few homeopathic calming things. So far- hasn't cleared her up yet. We go to the surgeon tomorrow- interested in what he is going to say about her breathing/stuffiness. Say a prayer for her tomorrow as she gets her progress review. thank you

Ellie is home!

Ellie is doing great. Thanks to Dr Coleman going the extra mile. Her cast was changed only slightly and she breathes and manuvers better. She does have a little resp.infection that is part of her breathing problem. Antibiotics will do the trick to kick it. Ellie visited our friends at work today. She gave and received lots of love. So next up is this Monday we go back to the surgeon for a followup visit on her progress. And ps Ellie had a blast playing with Cooper Fuller and Tucker Case tonight. Then came home to her pampering "mommie" Liza the peek. Today was a good day and the prayers are appreciated.

Day after cast change

Ellie had a tough night. Her mobility is great her breathing is not. Up all night. Back to vet today. Dr Coleman is keeping her all day at vet to monitor her. Then she will take her home to observe her, then back to vet tomorrow afternoon. Ellie is in the BEST of care and we believe dr coleman will solve it. Ellie must have this accute neck extension for bones to ever fuse and to keep her spinal system safe. We hope only slight alterations necessary. We must have Ellie comfortable enough to keep her fighting spirit strong. Thanks

Cast.Change

Ellie did get her body brace changed today. She did well and Dr. Coleman and Dave were so gentle with her! Ellie is not happy how jacked up her head and neck are again- but she can still walk. That is what matters. Today marks 3 wks in the cast. We need this cast to fit for 3 weeks too! Thanks for your support and prayers - and cheering this baby on to health. She is now almost 15 wks old. Weighs 2.13lbs. Including cast.

Ellie at Daycare

Ellie at Daycare

Ellie is upset today because her Daycare buddy Cooper is gone until
Thursday!

Sherryl Butler

This shows the size of Ellie's cast. We do get to see her sweet eyes....

Ellie and Liza

Ellie and Liza outside. Ellie loves the outside. And Liza loves her "baby"

Ellie just walking around...

Ellie and Cooper

This video shows how well Ellie walks now with her pink body cast. Cooper is her 1/2 brother, but two months older (came father). She goes to "daycare" at Cooper's house/

Ellie's AAI Xray

Ellie's xray shows the spine separated from the skull. This is why Ellie must wear a body brace for a long time...Until she gets old enough for complicated surgery to fix with screws and cement, or, our prayer, the bones will naturally fuse.

The separation is severe- which shows what miracle puppy Ellie is each day.

Ellie Outside

Ellie is enjoying her first day outside after getting her first AAI body brace.