Precious Stormy playing with her sister!

Life could not be better for Stormy! She has settled into her new home with her brother and sister very well - she loves her new Mom and Dad and has even gotten far enough along in trusting to be able to get on the bed with her new Dad and rest her head on his feet! Go Stormy! The medical update on Stormy was not as rosy though as a chest x-ray revealed that her chest is full of buckshot and she likely has it other places in her body. There were very, very good reasons why this poor girl was so afraid of people but again, Stormy has a huge heart and so wanted to be loved and now has the life she has always deserved.

Cowboy! On his way home!

A sweet happy/sad day - "Cowboy" was the first of Stormy's litter to find his new home with Karen and Michael! He will have a wonderful family and will spend his first night in his new home in the bedroom with his new Mom and Dad.

On Thursday Cowboy weighed in close to ll lbs. 8 oz! He is a sweetheart of a pup and we look forward to many happy photo's and updates on Cowboy as he grows. He could not have been luckier to have had Stormy for a Mom and now Karen and Michael to love him through life.

Thanks to all who have cared about and supported these sweet lives.

8.8 lbs! WooHoo

Baby Ava had a great check up on Thursday - she now weighs a whopping 8.8 lbs! She is quickly catching up on time lost! She continues to be a sweet little girl and is giving her Aunt Maggie and Aunt Cupcake a run for their money! She loves latching onto their tails and being drug through the house - not sure how much Maggie and Cupcake appreciate it but they are tolerating her well :)

Ava Updates

Hi Everyone - Keep Posted Here - Updates Will Be Added to the Bottom - Please Keep Those Thoughts and Prayers Coming!

If you can help - we have added more information on the Chip-In page: http://babyavamedicalbills.chipin.com/baby-avas-medical-bills

Please forward that link along - as you will read, Baby Ava needs help to stay at UGA.

They have Baby Ava in isolation because they can't figure out what she has yet.  They have started her on a very strong antibiotic and fluids. They are concerned that she will become septic. Preliminary tests only show an overgrowth of bacteria in her body. Low estimate is $1,000 and high is $1,500 for battery of tests and treatment.

We will fight as long as she can.

10 pm update - Molly is home and Baby Ava is at UGA. They will be calling in the am with an update.

October 11 -

AM Update: Baby Ava has been rushed to emergency surgery.  Part of her intestine has turned inside out. It is unknown if any of the intestine is still viable at this point. If so, a portion will be removed and the healthy tissue will be repaired. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.  

11 AM Update: Hospital just called - it took a while to get her stabilized but she is now under anesthesia and they are ready to operate.


Evening Update: Ava awake and alert - still in ICU with oxygen support because she threw up under anesthesia and they want to make sure that her lungs are OK.


October 12 Updates:

AM: Baby Ava remains in intensive care but is a little stronger this morning.  She continues to refuse to eat.  The hospital staff is in love with her.  Still waiting on any test results and more information. 


Did not want to post the PM update pending more info from Molly but will now: UGA just called - Ava taken a very bad turn for the worst - back into emergency surgery. I told them I didn't want her to suffer but that if they could save her to try.



October 13

This morning: They called Molly at 2 am to say she survived the surgery but they had to remove much more of her intestinal tract. They swabbed her abdomen to send to the lab to try to identify what is attacking her but I don't honestly know if she can hold on much longer. 


Morning Update: UGA just called - she is in critical condition - has had plasma and now a blood transfusion - is on pain meds - they have specialists looking at her


Evening Update:  She is still alive - still critical - but fighting with everything she has. Thank you for your comments, thoughts and prayers. 


October 14: 

Morning Update: She is still with us! She is still critical but this morning she kissed the

surgeon!   They say it is the first and only kiss she has given - I know she 
knows that the surgeon saved her life.

She has a central port in so that they can continue to give her fluids and do 
blood draws without having to continually stick her - her electrolyte balances 
are still off but they are working to correct those as well as monitoring her 
blood pressure very closely.

She ate overnite and again this morning - they keep reminding me of how critical 
she is and that we are by no means out of the woods but this little girl has 
such a fight in her to live there is no way we could ever stop supporting her in 
that fight and we have to believe that she is going to win.

 

Evening update: Ava remains in critical care.  Her protein and red blood cell levels remain low but her electrolyte levels are beginning to look a little better.   She was on her feet again this afternoon and that is a good thing.  She remains on supportive care and is evaluated hourly. She is still fighting!


10-16
Evening update: Baby Ava continues to hold her own.  She remains in critical condition but was taken out yesterday for a little exercise.  Baby Ava even wanted to chase a dog that walked by her! She will be evaluated Sunday and the doctors will make a decision on when she might be able to come home, if she is still doing well.   Your thoughts and prayers are so appreciated! 

10-17
Evening Update: Baby Ava continues to improve and is eating 1/4 of a can of puppy food at each meal.  She felt well enough to chew through her IV line today so she is now on oral meds. only.  A decision has not yet been made on when she will be able to come home but we hope to hear more tomorrow.  

10-18 WELCOME HOME BABY AVA UPDATE!

Baby Ava comes home!    She was released from UGA late this afternoon and is now home!   She is on "crate" rest for a whole week but is acting like a little puppy.   She weighs 4lb. 6 oz - a good 4 lbs. below the smallest litter mate but she is eating well and will catch up in no time.

It is a miracle that she is alive - Dr. Sakals, her surgeon is holding her in the photo.    I think she gave all of us a lot of sleepless nights but she fought hard to live and had the wonderful team at UGA behind her.  The other woman in the photo is Monica who is a Senior Veterinary Student that called me with daily updates and had to withstand my daily lists of questions.   Many, many thanks to all of the staff at UGA that spent time holding, loving and cuddling Baby Ava through what were some dark days.

There are no words for the gratefulness of Southern Cross for the many, many prayers and love and help and donations sent Ava's way.   I am convinced that she had to feel the outpouring of positive energy that was constantly sent her way.   

We will keep her updates coming!

 

October 21 - Baby Ava had a little downswing after she got home, but thankfully you all kept your good thoughts coming and today we can post this:

Just got back from the Vet for her weekly B12 injection - she is a squealer and 
I also needed a weight on her .............5 lb 12 oz!   up from 4 lb. 6 oz just 
two days ago!    YAY!

Poopies are nice and firm with the addition of the Kefir to her diet and the 
e-collar was removed!     My Vet is amazed - he told me no one expected her to 
live!    With all of the positive energy sent her way I knew she would fight to 
live!

Yay!   Yay!   Yay!
Thank you, thank you thank you!!!!

 

Thank you to all who have donated and forwarded - please keep forwarding and posting - GI surgery is very expensive, but SCGSDR is committed to this baby.  
Thank you all again.

If you can donate - we have added more information on the Chip In page: http://babyavamedicalbills.chipin.com/baby-avas-medical-bills

Donations:

Jean A.

Judy L.

Deva D. x 2

Jenifer M. 

Johanna U.

James H.

Kim D.

Elizabeth T.
Vicky M. 
Ginny P.
Jamie R.  
Bianca A. 
Angela R. 
Holly J. 
Mary Lou M. 
Benjamin K. 
Erin M.
Dana B. 
Mary Jane P. 
Kris S. 
Fan & John A. 
Charlene S. 
Debra R.
Diane D.

Please let us know if we've missed your name - every donation,  forward, post, thought, and prayer is appreciated.

Chip In

Baby Ava and Cheyenne Need Your Help

Dear Friends of Southern Cross,

We know many of you have been following Baby Ava's serious illness and hospitalization. As of last Thursday, Baby Ava's intensive care bills exceeded $730. She is a fighter and we aren't giving up on her, but donations are desperately needed to continue her extensive medical treatments.

Also, you might recognize the picture below but few people know her story. This is our permanent senior hospice foster Cheyenne. (pictured in her Easter bonnet) Southern Cross rescued her along with her min pin buddy as part of a bonded pair, after they were being dumped in a high kill Ga. animal control. Cheyenne's shelter card was marked with a large red "X" to be killed by the shelter immediately but we couldn't allow that to happen. The reason was after suffering years of neglect and abuse, she has advanced inoperable cancer, and is high heartworm positive. She was placed in a permanent foster home for her remaining time where she is receiving special care, medical treatment and love for the first time in her life. Her conditions had actually improved a little and she had been doing well until the past week when she took a turn for the worse. Her foster mom rushed her to the vet and they are trying to stabilize her so she can continue knowing the love of her family for a little longer.

Every dollar collected will go directly to these special little lives, so please consider sending just $1 or $2 and sharing this chipin with others, to help us continue the medical treatment these precious girls desperately need...

Thank you Friends,

Southern Cross, Baby Ava and Cheyenne

Chip In Website Page

Yikes! Forgot this great photo of Baron

Almost forgot this beautiful photo of Baron. I honestly think his eyes are going to be Blue and so does Dr. Josh. We will have to see.

If we have 8 people willing to donate $10 each we can play "Who's your Daddy?" and have a genetic test done! Penny and Baron are two that mystify me.

Get Ready - LOTS of Family Photo's and Baby Ava!

Cowboy is such a little man! Here he is enjoying the outside cot in the sunshine all by himself!

A big day here -Baby Ava was out in the sun for awhile today and totally enjoyed it! It is warm here in GA this week and the sunshine was really good for her - she loved exploring the yard and tried to attack every leaf she found. We discovered that she likes food that is sweet so Karo syrup was added to almost everything we offered her including scrambled eggs! She still has a way to go and I say a prayer at every food that is offered her but she is starting to eat again .......I am almost afraid to say it but I stocked up on lots of baby food - pureed bananas, sweet potatoes, beef, rice cereal with bananas and some canned pumpkin.

Link looks like a little Bandit and thoroughly enjoyed chewing on the rawhide shoelace of Aunt Adrienne! All of the puppies nails were clipped today and they all got new chew toys! Yay!
They played so hard and for so long that they all finally just fell over on each other and took a nap! I think this is LILAH and MISSY - who has now been renamed MISSY the TERROR! She is unstoppable and totally adorable!
Penny who thinks she is the Queen surveying her Queendom!
Penny getting ready to pounce! She is almost catlike - she will wait for the chance and then the poor victim had better look out!
Momma Stormy and Cowboy! Stormy loves her puppies and even though he interrupted her rest she was very kind to him.
Stormy enjoying the warm weather and sunshine and the fact that her puppies were being babysat! Babysitted? hmmmm..........Stormy doesn't care - she is just feeling better.
Missy leaving the Puppy Palace! They have already managed to tear up the linoleum!

Link and Lilah sharing a puppy chew.
And the day ends as it began with Baby Ava - being held by Aunt Adrienne. She continues to show the will to live - really enjoyed her day in the sun and wants so badly to be back with her brothers and sisters. She will have to continue to eat and put on some weight before we can let that happen - We don't want Queen Penny pouncing on Baby Ava just yet!

Baby Ava tonight....

Baby AVA tonight.......she is sound asleep on my husband's chest and very happy to be near another beating heart and not in the hospital ......she still won't eat but I am syringing small amounts of formula into her about every 15 minutes. So far it is all staying down but she needs much more than that to survive. I am hoping that if I get enough into her it will settle her stomach enough that she will eat more on her own. I made sure that she knew she was home by letting her see and smell her Momma and Brothers and Sisters ............ Thank you all for your prayers.

Baby Ava, Sweet Stormy and some Bittersweet moments..

Yesterday, in the midst of all the worry about Baby Ava, I actually saw Stormy play with a toy with her puppies...............I know you are all sitting there going "what is so special about that"?, but what is special is that Stormy had no idea what a toy was until just this week. Judy and Gerry sent a huge box of toys for Stormy and the puppies and I didn't have the heart to tell them that Stormy didn't know how to play with them but slowly and surely by watching her own little pups she figured out "play"..............she now plays tug with any of the pups that will play with her. I neaten up their pen after everyone is inside the puppy palace for the night and put all the toys on their outside bed so they can find them in the morning. This is also Stormy's time outside for an hour or so without the puppies to watch. I realized over the last few nights that even though I have put the toys up for the night Stormy has been taking them and burying them in the cedar chips for herself!

I learn from each dog I foster and sometimes I think there is nothing new but then a dog like Stormy comes along and there is so much more that is new, more to learn, more to love. She adores her puppies and still loves it when I tell her how beautiful they all are - she sticks out her chest as if to tell me that she already knows and I wonder from her awful condition when she arrived if this is the first healthy litter she has ever been able to enjoy. I am thankful that we have been able to give this to her. I don't have much experience with litters because I usually take the special needs dogs to foster but I don't believe I will ever meet a braver and more loving Momma dog than Stormy and it has been one of the sweetest foster experiences I have ever had - to have earned her trust and taken care of her pups under her watchful eye is time I will always treasure. When she goes to Judy and Gerry she will take a piece of Southern Cross's heart with her.

When I arrive with the evening meal she goes and lays down on the outside cot and just peacefully watches her pups. I will try to get a few more photo's this week - Stormy will soon begin her journey home.

Baby Ava is home from the hospital but is still not doing as well as anyone would like. She is only eating a little but she did explore a few rooms of the house this evening. I think that is a good sign if I can keep her eating.

There have been so many wonderful people through this adventure with Stormy and I want to thank all of you - the e-mails of support on some really hard days remind us all of why we continue to rescue. Once all the pups are healthy and vaccinated they will be ready for new homes so please keep them in your hearts.

Baby Ava starting to eat!

Yay! She is still fighting - took a bottle of formula overnight and ate a little canned puppy food this morning! All good signs!

Baby Ava Still Fighting!

Please keep the prayers and positive thoughts coming for Baby Ava! She still isn't eating but I just talked to the clinic - she was standing up and wagging her tail - the clinic opens at 7AM - I will be there to try to get her to eat something solid. Come on Ava! You are loved!

Baby Ava Still Fighting!

Sweet Ava is still in the hospital! I went to visit her this morning and took her fresh formula. She ate some yesterday and a little bit today but she still has a long way to go and is still getting her fluids from an IV line. Here she is with Dr. Genevieve Wisdom who is her primary care giver.

Ava trying to figure out what is going on!

Ava Update

Just back from visiting Sweet Ava - she is holding her own but not much more. She needs our prayers.

Ava Update

Baby Ava will be staying in the hospital the rest of today and again tonight. She is a little fighter but she needs your prayers.

Baby Ava Hospitalized!

Sweet baby Ava has been hit harder than the rest with this awful virus - she had dehydrated to the point that everything I could do at home had been tried and was not working so it was a trip to the Emergency Vet yesterday where she was hospitalized.

I'll post updates throughout the day - please keep her in your prayers.

Stormy's Angels

>>>>>> Stormy's Angels will soon be here
>>>>>> the time is drawing very near
>>>>>> when Judy and Gerry
>>>>>> will soon arrive
>>>>>> and then
>>>>>> within their eyes
>>>>>> Momma Stormy will become
>>>>>> one of the very, very lucky ones
>>>>>> that will not only have survived
>>>>>> but live a life
where food and love is not a scarcity
but where love and care, food and fun
will be hers to have for eternity.

>>>>>> Stormy lived a tortured life
>>>>>> not loved nor cared for
>>>>>> or even fed
>>>>>> she has no teeth left, you see
>>>>>> because pebbles and rocks was what she had
>>>>>> to keep her belly full and not aching
>>>>>> Her body and heart were truly breaking
>>>>>> for it wasn't only food she craved but a kind hand and loving Grace.
Stormy's heart is huge but she has been terribly abused
never hearing loving words let alone a loving hand.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Another litter on its way and Stormy's body could not stand
>>>>>> the demand
>>>>>> of another set of little pups!
>>>>>> 15 were born on a Stormy night
>>>>>> and Mom and Pups had an awful fright
People that should have loved and cared for her
turned their backs, and called others
to come and pick up Stormy and 15 Little Pups
and take them to a place where there are many dogs and little space.
Stormy and pups were separated - not by Stormy's choice you see
but because she was scared and terrified
of those around her with long poles that hurt her neck and cut her tongue.

>>>>>> But Stormy stuck with her small babies
>>>>>> and loved just like a human Momma loves her babies -
she never waivered - not even once
and loved her pups with a fierce, fierce heart
not giving up - not turning back - though scared to death at human hand
and what she feared would soon be - for dogs can sense much more than us
and Stormy knew just what they faced.
But Stormy stayed and fed her pups
with what little resources she had -

>>>>>> 5 were lost before rescue was found
>>>>>> but then Stormy's life turned around.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> E-mails were sent with prayers attached
>>>>>> and the words were so sweet when they came back
>>>>>> Stormy would have her home
A home with Angels, Judy and Gerry
>>>>>> A sweet GSD Sister and Brother to welcome
Stormy to a life unknown
where days are sweet, no bellies ache
and only sweet, kind words are ever spoken.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Stormy's day is soon at hand
>>>>>> her Angels, Judy and Gerry will soon be here
>>>>>> there will be many, many tears
>>>>>> but tears of joy
>>>>>> and friendships made
>>>>>> and the knowledge this sweet, sweet girl
>>>>>> will soon have all she always should have had.

Stormy looks at me with such thankful eyes
it is not hard for me to recognize
the Thanks and Love this sweet Soul eminates
for what she has been given and the love she will take
with her forever
from us to her....
Forever.

Our Thanks is really that she has given
a glimpse into her canine world and the pain she has withstood

and yet retained some sense of trust
and been willing to give her love to us
and allowed with VERY watchful eyes,
us to love, play, feed, and care for her babies needs.

Stormy's day is soon at hand..............
her Angels, Judy and Gerry will soon be here...................
tears of joy will soon be shed
this sweet, sweet soul will soon be given
all and more she should always have had.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Southern Cross wants to send its love and life long friendship to Stormy's Angels, Judy and Gerry , for all they have done for Harry, Little Molly and now the life they will give our Stormy.

Brett feeds Ava!

Brett came to visit LINK today and ended up sticking around and helping feed Little AVA! Brett has been a great friend to Southern Cross and named LINK - Brett, Jake and friends arrived for a visit today with Link but because we have three puppies that are still fighting the virus stuck around to help us make sure that Ava got her share of dinner!

AVA, MISSY and LILAH are all back on antibiotics but Dr. Josh was here today and is still hopeful we will beat it. Please keep Momma Stormy and her puppies in your prayers.

Puppy Photo's from last post

Here we go - The PUPPY PACK with Momma Stormy in the back of an igloo,

Stormy thought she might get a nap but the puppies didn't think so!
Penny's ears are coming up!

The Puppy Pack is growing up!

THE PUPPY PACK!

Puppies are definitely growing!    Little PENNY'S ears are going to come up and I think little AVA's will also!

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MOMMA STORMY thought she was going to take a little nap in the sun but the puppies had other plans for her.    She is such a wonderful Momma - the puppies swarm her and she is gentle and patient with them.

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IMG_2535.JPG

 

LITTLE AVA

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MOMMA STORMY tried hiding in the outside Igloo but the puppies found her!

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The puppies were 6 WEEKS OLD yesterday!    Happy Birthday little ones!

Prayers for Little Lilah!

It was another quick trip to the emergency vet this morning. Lilah wasn't quite herself yesterday but this morning would not eat and just wanted to lay down and not play - very un-puppy like!

The awful virus that has made its way through the puppies is not quite done with us - Lilah on stronger antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medicine - another touch of pneumonia to get through.

The rest of the Puppy Pack are doing well and enjoyed a day of great weather! I will post photo's a little later this evening. You won't believe how much they have grown!