NBSTR Paws and Hands

Phoenix has gone to Rainbow Bridge

On 5/6/08 Bekye writes:

IN LOVING MEMORY:  with a heavy heart and many tears, John and I said good-bye to our brave and wonderful Phoenix on Sunday.  http://www.in-memory-of-pets.com/personaltribute.php?ID=72058

Phoenix update 4/29/08

  Today Bekye writes:

Phoenix has discovered a new love:  thinly sliced roast beef.  He is not eating enough but at least he is eating.  And he still insists on going outdoors.  As sick as he is, he will not potty in the house.

Every day is a bittersweet gift, and I am profoundly grateful for each one.

Phoenix update 4/28/08

Bekye writes: Cosmo who is undergoing Cushings treatment and is suffering typical old age ailments (eyes don't work, legs don't always work, bowels sometimes work too well) comforts Phoenix who is chilled after a trip outside and his nightly sub-q fluids.  Phoenix did not eat tonight so we are on high alert quality-of-life watch.  For now, however, he is sleeping quietly, warmed by my sweatshirt and his friend Cosmo who is pretty independent.  Cosmo has not before snuggled with anyone. 

New kid Franklin just came over and licked Phoenix's eyes.  The sweetness of these little souls is truly humbling.  I feel very blessed.

Phoenix update 4/26/08

Today Bekye writes: Phoenix is hanging in there.  He loves to go outside.  He only ate a little last night but just now he was in the kitchen with the others, and he did not turn down liversausage.  I am fixing to feed in a little bit and hopefully he will want his supper.

Phoenix Update: 4/25/08

Today Bekye writes:

Phoenix had an okay day today.  He did not greet me at the door, but when I woke him up he did go outside to potty,  Then he ate a respectable dinner.  Then he slept.

A little while ago he got up and wanted to go outside.  He is shaky and weak, so I didn't want him to go out in the rain.  I put him on a piddle pad.  He stood there and shook.  Finally I took him outside and he walked to the grass, and piddled.  Then he trotted over to me as if to say, "Hey mom, it's wet out here!  Can we go inside?"

Poor little soul is dying, and yet he is not going to piddle in the house.

He is now asleep on a dog bed in my office.  What an incredibly wonderful little dog he is.  I only wish I could have gotten to him sooner.

Thanks for listening ~

Phoenix Update - Medical Prognosis: Grave 4/22/08

Bekye writes: "Please keep Phoenix in your prayers" after learning the following:

Okay, there is a bit of good news in the saga of my little train wreck.  He can extricate bits of dog biscuit from under a seatbelt and was quite proud of his accomplishment.  He ate supper and went outside. 

He is sweet and loving and lovable.  That's the good news.

The rest of it is bad.  At the bottom of his chart, Dr. Farris wrote "Prognosis: Grave."  And it is.

Phoenix does have Cushings Disease but that isn't the worst of it.  He is also in end stage renal failure.  His urine is totally dilute; no toxins are being flushed out of his system.  All three kidney values were off the charts.

Dr. Farris says he is too far gone to turn him around with IV therapy and diet ...and of course his condition is complicated by the Cushings and possible cancer ... with the location of the tumor it is likely he has Adrenal Cushings rather than Pituitary Cushings ... and Adrenal Cushings is nearly always associated with a cancerous tumor.  And he has many tumors, in addition to the evil looking one hanging down from his chest.

They gave him IV fluids to keep him comfortable.  Dr. Farris believes, left to his own devices, he has days, maybe even a week or two ... but not much more than that.  It's basically straight downhill from here.

I brought him home tonight.  He deserved better than being dumped when he was old and sick.  I cannot give him a wonderful new beginning, but so long as he wants to eat and wag his tail, I can give him love, a soft bed and warm food ... even for just a day or two or five.  I don't want to push him, I don't want him to suffer ... but I want to do something meaningful for him if I can. 

Phoenix Update 4/21/08

Our little train wreck is eating, drinking (excessively), pottying outside, and is a very nice boy.  His back legs shake when he stands, but his tail wags constantly.  He fell over my drain pipe outside and just lay there, trembling.  When I picked him up, he snuggled right in.  He is very loving and likes to be close.

He is not quite as warm to the touch as he was yesterday, but his skin is still bright pink.  And in addition to the tumor hanging down to the ground from his chest, he also has tumors around his eyes (I thought it was eye goop but it wasn't) and tumors on his head.  His mouth smells pretty bad.  His eyes are so dry they're wrinkled (I did put drops in).

He is going to my vet tomorrow ... for exam, blood work and heaven only knows what all else. 

Phoenix

Phoenix is a little shelter boy from IA. He is being fosted in Milwaukee, by Bekye Walker. From the very beginning, it was clear Phoenix was a true example of what Paws and Hands is for. His story is bittersweet: his beginning is below, UPDATES follow.

Shortly after his intake, his foster mom writes:

Holy Shih Tzu ... if there ever was a train wreck, it's this guy.  He's skin and bones and can barely walk.  His skin is flaky and his coat is greasy.  Eyes are swollen, red and dry.  He won't eat anything but soft food ... he won't let me look in his mouth but I suspect his teeth are probably rotten and painful.  And what's hanging down in the second picture ... those aren't testicles.  That's a tumor hanging off his chest.  It drags the ground.

In spite of all of this he is incredibly sweet.  Wags his tail.  Gives kisses. I am taking him to Forest Home on Monday for blood tests.  I suspect (strongly) that he has Cushings.  And only God knows what all else.

When I look at this pathetic little soul sleeping soundly and safely, I am profoundly grateful for each special needs dog we can save.

THANK YOU to Don who spent his entire Saturday trekking to get him out of the shelter and into his new life.  For lack of another name, I am calling him Phoenix after the legendary bird who symbolizes immortality, resurrection and life after death.  He certainly needs at least a minor miracle at this point. 

Phoenix's meds cost approximately $50-100 monthly.

Why do we help dogs like Phoenix? Visit Why Paws and Hands?

Donate toward Phoenix's medical expenses!

You may also send a check or money order to:
NBSTR
PO Box 63
Greendale, WI 53129
   *Be sure to note "Phoenix" on the memo line of your check.

You can also request a Monthly Sponsorship for Phoenix.

Thank you!!