Critter Alley

Critter Alley

Monday, April 2, 2012

Good News Makes a Great Day Even Better!




















Notice anything different about this book cover? Today I received the good news that Chicken Soup: Messages From Heaven has become a national best selling book. My true story, "A Little Nudge" is in the book along with many other inspirational stories of messages from beyond the grave. Perfect reading for Easter, or any other time. Woo-hoo! I'm excited and thrilled!

In other good news, On March 23, my Indy boy had his 12th birthday! We celebrated this special day with treats, toys, and a touch of triumph.



















As many of you know, our vet diagnosed Indy with liver failure in November, 2010. She predicted he'd survive only a few weeks to a month longer.

I decided to research his condition and see if any treatment protocol existed that might help him. After reading and considering tons of information, I decided to continue him on his home-cooked diet (as found on Dr. Michael Fox's website), feeding him twice per day, and added the following:

One quarter tablet Metroclopramide (anti-vomiting, anti-diahrrea med) before each meal
1-225 mg Denosyl tablet one time per day about one hour before dinner
1teaspoon of low-fat plain yogurt with breakfast
1 tablespoon of low fat cottage cheese with dinner
NO high fat foods of any kind

Here we are, one year and 4 months later, and he's doing pretty darn well by any standard. My take-away from this? Look into other strategies to treat chronic illness. You don't know what you may discover that could gain at least a temporary reprieve. Do keep your vet in the loop. She/he may have some other suggestions, or at least assist you with providing any necessary prescription meds.

I'm sure not every case turns out as well as ours has (so far, fingers crossed), but I think our result speaks volumes.

A very happy birthday to my sweet and special Indy-boy!!  : )

Of course, every party has to have a pooper...



















I will not accept any appearance of cone-headedness, for any reason whatsoever!

19 comments:

Bassetmomma said...

Awwwe! Happy belated 12th Birthday Indy! Your Momma sure has taken good care of you! Congrats on the book! I'll have to get it and read your story! :)

Alittlesprite said...

Congrats on your book and Indy! both awesome achievements. lol@ the last pic :)

Debbie said...

Happy birthday indy so glad your doing well!

BECKY said...

You're right, Pat! A great day, made even better...that doesn't even seem possible, but YAY for you! Congrats on being in a Best Seller! And Happy B'day to Indy! I'm so glad you found other ways to help him. And I love your line about a party pooper....We used to sing that...."Every party needs a pooper, that's why we invited you. Party Pooper! Party Pooper! :D

Rubie and Poots (her Mum) said...

We didn't know that about Indy....thank goodness he has responded well to the diet.

Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!

Tail Wuggles, Rubie

The Furries of Whisppy said...

Happy 12th Birthday, Indy! We are so happy you're doing as well as can be!

Anonymous said...

Well isn't that cool you have a story in a best selling book! Congrats!:D

Happy Birthday Indy! You're lookin really good my furiend :) You've got a great Momma that doesn't give up just because someone says she should. Good job with the research and health regimen! :D

Waggin at ya,
Roo

Sketching with Dogs said...

Congrats to you Pat and a very Happy Special Birthday to Indy!
What an incredible thing to happen after what the vet said. It just shows, sometimes we can carry on against all the odds, Indy always looks so happy, it is hard to believe there is anything wrong with him.
That Bogey, he is a scream!
Lynne x

Ann Summerville said...

Congrats on your story in Chicken Soup. My dog had cancer and the vet didn't think he would live long because during surgery she thought it had been impossible to remove it all, but that was three years ago!!! I think love goes a long way to prolonging our pets lives too. I'm glad Indy is having another birthday.
Ann

Leigh said...

Congratulations on your story in the book! Happy Birthday Indy - it sounds like your Mum knows just how to look after you the very best way. Our Kaska lived way beyond the vet's expectation with his spinal trauma after my peeps did all they could to help him. Indy you're an inspiration - enjoy your day! Woofs and licks from Magic xx

Donna Volkenannt said...

Hi Pat,
Happy birthday to Indy and congratulations on your wonderful achievement of being in another Chicken Soup book.
Great news!
Donna

Mariodacat said...

Happy Birthday Indy boy. You have been doing great and we hope you sitll have a few more good years left. You have a pawsome ooman.

Lassiter Chase and Benjamin said...

Happy Birthday Indy! Love the party pooper picture too of Bogey! And Congrats on the book!

Teddy said...

Happy Birthday Indy! You're a survivor with a caring, smart mom! Thanks for stopping by my blog!
Licks,
Marley

Marlene said...

Congratulations on "A Little Nudge" and Happy Birthday to Indy!

Linda O'Connell said...

What a great mom you are to your fur babies. The party hat cat should be a poster. Happy birthday to Indy.

Lynn said...

Congrats on the CS book! YAY! And Happy Birthday to Indy! YAY! And poor little party pooper... still a cutie though.

haopee said...

Happy birthday Indy! And I know what you mean about different treatments and never giving up.

I used to have a black lab. The vet told us that he only had a couple of months to live and that the best thing we could do was to make the last days of his life comfortable. So I and my mom decided to give him to a friend who had a farm in the province so he can enjoy roaming around a wider lawn and enjoy his time with lots of dogs... He spent three more years with my friend before the rainbow bridge showed up.

Huggies and Cheese,

Haopee

Tammy said...

Congratulations to you for your story and Happy Birthday to Indy! He is a lucky boy to have a smart and loving mom who's willing to take such good care of him. Happy Easter.