Blood Test

Dear Friends and Family,
My mommy and daddy are getting ready to take me and Moxie on a long trip, so they took me to the vet for a well check before we leave. They wanted to check with the vet and make sure that I am healthy enough to be gone for over two weeks. The doctor did a general exam and said that I look healthy, which I think really means I'm getting too fat. Then they took me into the back to take a little bit of blood. I moved a little while they were taking the blood and now I have a big, purple bruise on the side of my neck. It doesn't really hurt, but it looks pretty gnarly.

The next day the vet called with the results of my blood test. She said that my liver enzymes are pretty high. I don't know what this means, but it has mommy, daddy and the vet pretty worried. See, I started taking some new medicine for my encephalitis a few weeks ago, and the doctors think that this is what is making my liver enzymes so high. The vet in Bellingham, Dr. Brita Kifney, talked with my neurologist in Lynnwood, Dr. Kline. They decided that even though the new medicine might help my neurological issues, it is not worth the risk to my liver. I am now off the new medicine and taking some good vitamins that should help to fix my liver. The vet wants to see me again next week to take a blood sample and do the test again. If everything is good with my liver again, then we know for sure it is my new medicine making the enzymes high. If the test is not good then it means that the new medicine is not the issue.

When Daddy got off the phone with Dr. Kifney he looked very sad and worried. I heard him telling Mommy that the vet said that I am a very special boy and that all my doctors are learning from me and the difficulties I have had. They are in "uncharted waters" with my condition and my issues and are doing their best to take care of me. Despite all that they are doing for me the doctors don't know if my issues are temporary or permanent and if they are leveling off or if they are getting worse. All in all, I am living on borrowed time. Nobody knows if I will live for 20 days or 20 years. I know that Mommy, Daddy and I all hope that it will be closer to the 20 year mark.

For now I will keep fighting and Mommy and Daddy will take the best care of me that they can. Mommy says that she will help to give me the best life she can no matter how long or short it is. I like that, and as long as they love me and give me cookies, I will fight each and every day to get stronger and healthier.

Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers!!!

Love,
Ferdinand

Practicing with my new ride...

I have been out practicing again with my new wheels. Each time I get a little faster and a little stronger. Mom and Dad and I are hoping that I will be cruising around the yard in no time. I will just have to keep practicing and see what happens. I gotta run so I can go practice a little more before it's my bedtime. See ya soon!

Check out my latest video at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEadJD4Sprg



Thanks to K9 Carts in Langley, WA for my awesome new ride!

Mobile Again!!!

Well, everyone. Something exciting is going on in my life right now.... I got a new wheelchair. It is a little scary, but the more I get used to it the more I love it. I can move around without anybody helping me. I missed being able to get around. I am moving pretty slow right now, but just wait, pretty soon I'll be cruising around the yard and the house like I never had trouble walking at all. It's awesome. I have to go now. I gotta get back to the park so I can practice with my wheelchair again. Bye for now!

Wheelchair

Hi everybody. I have some news: Mommy and Daddy ordered a wheelchair for me. This is pretty good news. Since my legs have not been working properly I have been pretty sad and depressed. I want to get up, run around and play with my big sister, Moxie. I just haven't been able to do that for a while. I am hoping that when my wheelchair comes and I get used to it that I will be able to race around the yard and go for walks again with Mommy and Daddy. Don't get me wrong, i love it when they carry me around, I am just soooo ready to move around on my own. I have really been enjoying the swim therapy that I go to. I spend about 30 minutes every week or two at the Lap of Luxury pool, and another 10-15 minutes almost every day swimming in the bathtub. I like going to the pool better because there is so much more room for me to move my little legs.

My friend Amanda, who I call Auntie Nummy cuz she shares nummies with me, gave Mommy a book that she checked out from the library. It was called Wheels for Willy and is all about a little dog like me that needed a wheelcahir. At the end of the story Willy was sooo excited to be able to chase the cat and the other dog around the house. I hope that my story will also have a happy ending when I get my wheels. I can't wait to bug Moxie again and run after Mommy and Daddy in the yard.

I guess that's about it for now. Right now my life is all about swimming and waiting for my wheelchair. Once it arrives I'm sure I'll have a lot more to tell you about.

Have a great night!