Here is how it happened. In a previous post I shared how we had to put Buddy to sleep at the beginning of August. Our rescue dog that we had for 12 years, lived a long dog life with us. We still have Spot who is 12. Hannah said before we put him to sleep that we needed to get a puppy because that is the best way to get over the loss of your dog. I wasn't ready for that at all. But over the course of the month I found myself pet looking, just looking. Telling myself they are hard work and it was nice being down to one cat and one dog, 3 guinea pigs and several fish tanks. I did pretty good talking myself out of it. I was thinking kitten. But the kids weren't for that but they are easier I think.
The kids started school and I don't know what was up with the cat and the dog but since I am not working, they followed me all day. I was in my room, they were there. I go to the kitchen, they follow me there. Spot seemed depressed. So I was in conflict now. Then Kelsea came to visit and says out of the blue she wanted a puppy. And there I was pet looking again. Then there were some Chihuaha/Dachsunds that showed up. And there was another small dog but that one didn't pan out. So Kelsea had pictures texted to us and they were super cute. So we went to meet some puppies in Caldwell. We were offered two for a good deal. We were told they had their shots but needed round two on Sept 1st. But we brought home one. Kelsea liked the super active one. I was looking at the calm one thinking how much easier it would be to handle a calm one. But we left with Kelsea's choice and he was adorable. I almost wanted to turn around and go back for the other one. But we didn't. So the first puppy Kelsea named Dobby after the house elf in Harry Potter.
Dobby is a bouncy happy little guy. Full of energy. But Kelsea felt bad that I didn't get the other dog. She and my mom got together and Kelsea came home the next night with Yoda. Dobby was having some issues being alone. He seemed a little depressed that night until Kelsea walked in with his brother and he got real excited.
Yoda is really reserved and shy but what we soon found out was that he was getting sick. They ate a bunch of food that night before bed. Sometimes when puppies start eating new food they can get diarrhea. So I wasn't sure if that was what was wrong and if that was why Yoda threw up twice that night. Yoda the next day was looking for love and wanted to be held. I am not sure why but I was worried all day that something more was wrong. I talked to a couple of vets offices to get their input. It was either adjusting to new food and stress or they mentioned Parvo and I had read about it already and didn't want it to be that. They told me how expensive it could be to treat that and we should give the dog back. The people we got him from would not be able to take care of him, I knew. I was hoping it was stress. But that next night he started throwing up at 3 and didn't stop. He looked bad. I called the vet as soon as they opened. I brought the dogs. They didn't want the dogs to come out of the car. They tested Yoda and he was strong positive for Parvo. I had hoped so badly it wasn't that. The said he would be best to be treated in the vet hospital and they told me it could be $800 or more for just him. Who can do that? They brought up putting him to sleep. I really couldn't do that this close to when we lost Buddy. It was tearing my heart out what to do. (I am a ridiculous animal lover as well as thinking of my kids broken hearts as well as my own) The vet tech said he looked bad. With Parvo it's only a 50/50 chance they give you and Yoda was in bad shape. They gave me another option and that was giving the pups fluids under their skin. I would come in the morning and they would give them meds and fluids and there was no way to know how long it would take. The dogs needed to be quarantined in my house. Everything blanket or towel they touched would need to be bleached. The house would need to be bleached. Where they had pooped would have to be fenced off until the dogs got their shots. We would have to be extra careful entering and exiting that space where they were quarantined. The dogs couldn't be with each other either. Needless to say, after the three rough nights I had with seminary driving at 6am each day I was already exhausted but I did everything I was told. I didn't think Yoda improved much that day but I had to take him back that afternoon before they closed to get him and another antinausea shot. Then they found out they could give him a stronger antibiotic than the one they gave him that morning so they gave him that. The vet tech said she thought he looked better. So that gave me a boost. I had been in tears over the heartbreak of how serious it was and I wanted them to make it because it was already hard to ease the pain from Buddy. Dobby had been getting sick but he was caught super early so he felt like he was being tortured by having to be locked up in a room alone all day. Kelsea came home that night. She spent hours alone with Dobby and slept him that night. They were quarantined in her room. All Yoda did was sleep. The next day, more fluids under the dogs skin around their necks. Yoda did not throw up. That night I was told to try offering a little water to him and if that stayed down after several times he could have a little food. I tried to offer him water and he wanted more at first and then later I had to dropper him some water because he wouldn't take it. Then I tried to offer him food. He wouldn't take it either so I mixed it with some water and droppered that into his mouth. If he didn't take some food soon it wouldn't be good for him either but it needed to stay down. I made the mistake of leaving water in his pen that night so he had too much and threw up. I was upset over my mistake and hoped it wasn't a setback. But Dobby was not needing to go back to the vet because he was doing great but he didn't have the all clear to be released from quarantine. That was hardest for him. Day number 3 I only bring in Yoda. I don't think he is doing much better but he pooped all over his carrier on the way to the vet. She thought it didn't look too bad. She said she was amazed at Yoda how he was recovering and they were happy to see he was improving and that they didn't expect to see that but they knew I was doing everything they asked. So he needed to eat food and not throw up and stop having diarrhea and he wouldn't need to come back.
Yoda in quarantine on Day 3.
I couldn't get him to eat the food they gave me. He just sat where I put him on the counter and he wasn't interested at all so I kept giving him dropperfulls determined to help him get better. My third time that day feeding him, he left where I put him on the blanket on the counter in the kitchen. He was looking for something. He went to the bowl where I had the puppy food he had eaten the first night at our house. It was in water soaking for Dobby. He wanted that food. I gave him some and he ate it on his own! Every half hour I offered him more and more. I left Kelsea with Hannah and the puppies so I could run to Costco that afternoon. Kelsea texted me and told me that Yoda was barking! I nearly started to cry in the store. He was looking for attention finally! So we kept doing what we were doing. That night he kept getting better but he hadn't pooped yet and that would tell us if he needed to go back to the vet. This morning-Day 4 all indications is that he had recovered from Parvo and didn't need to go back. Today we have finally gotten to know out little guys. They have been played with, crate trained, some house training and loved a bunch. Yoda is little more dachsund looking. He is shorter than Dobby. Yoda still tires easily but also still has a very reserved. cautious and shy nature about him. But he loves to sit in your lap or cuddle on under your chin or on your shoulder. Dobby doesn't look like chihuahua or dachsund. He looks a little like a miniature beagle only brown and white. Dobby plays fetch and tug of war, and can squeak his squeaker toy and is quite the entertainer. He sleeps in the funniest positions and loves to snuggle up to people when he sleeps. Now we get to find out what Chiweenies are all about. But I never want to deal with Parvo ever again.
Sidenote-I totally offended the cat with our new additions and Spot is totally put out by her tiny little yard right now outside the pet door. Yesterday she wanted to play with Dobby. Today she is not sure what she thinks.
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