Friday, June 18, 2010

New Labbie for adoption (New pillow in honor of our faithful friends)

Her name is Spice and you first met her on the May 7th post here.  Within a week she was placed in what became a temporary home.  That family was unable to keep her so she'll stay with us until the right situation comes along. Today I bought her the requisite leopard print collar and her own leash.  She is resting comfortably in front of Kenyon (see September 11, 2009 post).  Lovely girl, don't you think?  She is also very sweet natured, affectionate, and absolutely blossoms when around other dogs.

Today I was told she has tested positive for heart-worm. Heart-worm disease is a serious and potentially fatal condition caused by parasitic worms living in the arteries of the lungs and occasionally in the right side of the heart.  This disease is transmitted by mosquitos but doesn't show up for almost 6 months which is the amount of time it takes the larvae to becomes adults.  Spice is about a year old.




The heart-worm infects the heart and if allowed to multiply will kill the dog.  There is no treatment for cats.  There are three stages for treatment once diagnosed.  She will begin an antibiotic series used in humans to prevent malaria and this will kill the young heart-worms.  We are picking that up tonight. Next, she will receive a series of shots in order to kill the adult heart-worms.  The following 1-3 months after that treatment is the most important as she must be kept quiet while the medication is killing the adult heart-worms.  The goal is to cease all activity that will increase blood-flow to the heart. Finally, she will remain on a preventative medication for the rest of her life.  Her prognosis is good.


Now, timing is surely everything, no? We've been in our new home for six months and it was only last week I got all new product made and photographed.  It will be up on the website this weekend.  All new proceeds from BellaRusticaMarket will cover the associated costs for her care and recovery.  



In addition, I finally decided on a pillow design to honor our faithful friends.  You cannot imagine how much thought goes into something like this! Over the last year I have had many inquires about such a pillow but I did not want it to be breed or animal specific.  I finally chose the Italian phrase Sempre Fedele which translates "Always Faithful".  I deliberately chose not to have an image with the phrase but instead to extend the phrase boldly across the the entire width of the pillow and to attach a small Saint Francis of Assisi  (Italian Patron Saint for Animals) medal on the lower, right side. Another option is to attach the animal's tag or another personal symbol or simply nothing at all.

12 comments:

  1. Poor little thing! We have a lab puppy also. She's 6 months old and so far we haven't had to deal with anything like that.
    I love the new pillow. Very sweet.

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  2. Dear Kim
    Sorry to hear about Spice's problems but know she is in good hands now... boy.. how will you keep a 1yr old lab quiet????? that will be tough....

    You are such a kind person Kim.... Spice is really lucky to have found you.. and your pillow sums it up well... Forever Faithful... I love it!! Love the quote and love the pillow!!..

    Take care and have a lovely weekend.. xxx Julie

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  3. Good morning,

    she is a real beauty ! And a lucky girl that she found you ! What a tremendous gift that you care for her, she is so young and will surely give you all her love back for your help !
    Its good to read that you do care for animals who need help and shelter.

    Wishing you many years with fun and love with your dogs !

    Eve

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  4. Aww! I have a Lab. He's 2 now and he's our child in nearly every way. I hope your new puppy is doing better very soon.

    Blessings to you and your fur babies,
    Shanna@RevampedFrenchMaison

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  5. I'm so glad to hear there is a good prognosis. We lost our Ridgeback to heartworm and my Mother's lab to that dreadful disease. They were both much older, but could have lived 3-5 years longer. If we had only known about the monthly preventative. I'm hoping her treatment isn't too hard on her and she finds someone to love her as much as you do.

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  6. Such a great idea for the pillow!! LOVE IT!!! ;)

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  7. HI Kim, its great we have people like you in the world to take care of mans best friend...you are a gem. I love the cushion and must organize myself to buy some now i am finally hooked up with the bank with the right facilities...thanks Amanda x

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  8. Kim, I am so taken with your love for animals. Love the new pillow design. Need to skip over to your shop now. Hugs to your 4-legged ones :-) Cheryl at Casual Cottage Chic (located within Serendipity Antiques).

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  9. please dont misunderstand, this not a plug for my work, but i frequently work with parasites in animals and humans with huge success. be in touch if you would like me to explain.
    your pillow is beautiful!
    ~laura

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  10. Hi Kim,
    I've been MIA on my blog but checked to see what's going on with you and I see poor, sweet Spice. That is a vaccination that all dog owners must take very seriously! You are so kind to take her to your lab-ful home to nurse her! I still picture her in her pink nail polish! As always, your pillows are beautiful and so carefully thought out!
    ~Nancy

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  11. Beautiful blog -- love the stories and pictures! I found you through Mammabellarte; I met Rita at the Chateau de Fleurs Marketplace in June. Keep up the nice work, Diane

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  12. Spice is adorable & I hope she finds her forever home ♥ Six months ago we adopted our lab Ernie who is 11 1/2 and were so thankful that all his tests came back negative! I hope after treatments that Spice is healthy and well. Your pillow design Sempre Fedele is absolutely gorgeous ~ the ideal phrase ♥

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