For those of you who don't know my English Cocker Spaniel "Shadow" let me introduce you! She will be turning four years old next month and she's been struggling with a *low blood platelet count for about the same amount of time as I have been on ActiveRain. A year and a half.
Anyway, Shadow is a happy puppy (she'll always be our puppy) and no matter how fat she got she was happy. From the beginning of her 'steroid' treatment she gained weight quickly and ballooned up to 39 pounds. She maintained that weight until last week when I took her for her checkup.
Shadow lost FIVE POUNDS!
Shadow has been on a reduced fat diet for the past six months and we changed her 'wet' food to 'lite' Science Diet. She is still on a quarter tab of the steroid pill every day but her blood tests have been great and so far hasn't affected her organs.
Shadow's proud of herself too. She no longer looks like her middle is a balloon and she's healthier and has more energy.
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*LOW BLOOD PLATELET COUNT: Usually, the platelet count is about 150 to 350 thousand platelets in a microliter of blood. With a low blood platelet count bleeding is likely to happen even after a slight injury. When the platelet count is very low (below 20 thousand), massive bleeding may occur even when there is no injury and it may be life threatening.
(Shadows count was 24,000 the day she bled all over the floor and we rushed her to the vet.)
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In Celebration of her milestone the following are the stories I've written about her.
- Quit Blogging and Let ME In! 8/28/2008
- Shadow and the Fourth of July 7/4/2008
- My Dog Rolls in Sashimi.....Does Yours? 2/17/2008
- Dad's Home...... And Brought Me A Toy!! 12/8/2007
- Growing up (Literally) Shadow 8/29/2007
- There's a "Shadow" in Our Midst! UPDATE 8/3/2007
- Talking for Shadow 6/20/2007
- UPDATE#4....Virtual Tour of My Dog Shadow 5/8/2007
- UPDATE! Shadow doing better! 4/25/2007
- My English Cocker Spaniel "Shadow" 3/31/2007
Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate® and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocations, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents, Home Buyers and Sellers.
© 2007-2012 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman's Hawaii Real Estate and Relocation Blog.
All rights reserved.
Awwh Sally - your dog is adorable and obviously much loved! love the frame around your photo..:-)
Awesome story about Shadow's health and weight success. It's awesome to hear that she's lost 5 pounds while staying on her meds!
Liz: I love my poochie. She loves us and we love her...but she sure doesn't like people coming to the door or the car!
Vickie: Thanks! It's been a journey...let me tell you. Oh...I just did lol!
Great, Sally -
And, Good Job, Shadow. We love you here in Chicago, and glad you're getting better.
Dogs are such an important part of an owner's life. We don't know how our humans can get along without us!
See our Blog Archives - Lil' Buddy's Blog - for the stories we have written, with our own four paws! We're the most active Dog Bloggers on the net, you know!
YOUR ACE REPORTER(S) ON FOUR PAWS,
BUDDY HOLLY MOSS & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
(and, don't forget, NEW PUP REPORTER, GRACIE MOSS!)
And this is why my daughter is studying to become a veterinarian...not only does she love animals, she knows she'll be able to make a great living from those that love their animals enough to pay for their care! (Low Blood Platelet Count???)
Dean: I'll check it out...thanks.
Rebecca: I have the definition above for the low count...and it's just like humans...we care enough to pay for health insurance for our own care.
Sally, I am glad Shadow seems to be doing better with her weight. Is she better from her episode the other day? Bless her heart. My dog is my child, they are so special. Maybe I will try the science lite diet too? Do you think it works for humans?
Shadow is lucky to have such a good mom!
Well Happy early Birthday to Shadow! That's just wonderful news that she has been able to start losing weight and is doing well on the meds.
Sally, Gracie and Peanut send their birthday wishes to Shadow. Here they are:
Happy Birthday Shadow!
Shadow is ONE LUCKY PUP to have a Mom like you and the care you've given her (and her vet, of course)... I had NO idea about blood platelets, much less what LOW ones can do to a DOG. Glad she is well on her way to a long life! Ruff!
Audrey: That picture was from the other day LOL. I don't know if it works for humans but it smells like corned beef lol!
Jim/Maria: Thanks much! She's a heck of a lot better!
Fred: Thank you Gracie and Peanut!
Kat: Thanks for the 'ruff''! I hope so...we just decided to stop all the two week blood tests and it was about four months so I took her in. It had gone up to 120,000 so we must be doing something right. The trauma of blood work (and they hit a nerve in her neck taking blood and she had a droopy foot for two months.) we just wanted her to be happy.
Woo-Hoo: Man, she has gone through so much (and you, too). When our kids (pets) are sick, it is heartbreaking, because they can't tell us what the heck is wrong! SHE LOOKS great, though.
Hi Sally
It has been a while since I have been active in AR and have been checking in some of my favorite bloggers these past few days. So of course I dropped by to see what you have been up to lately.
Anyone who knows me, knows I LOVE my dog, my Golden Retriever, "Harry" who will be 8 next month. So when I saw your blog about Shadow, (great name) I had to respond.
I'm so glad that Shadow is in your life. and more importantly that you are in his. Congratulations on the weight loss and all the love and tenderness that you return to him. Comes back multi fold - doesn't it?
What a sweet little guy.
Kat: She's still mean lol!
Linda: Thanks...she's a dolll and there is nothing finer when your kids won't produce grandkids lol! She is our 'little girl' and there is nothing better after a hard days work to walk in the door to a greeting smiling happy to see us poochie!
Shadow is so lucky to have you. Take care of the doggie...all they want is love!
Hi Sally,
Great news, thanks for sharing. I know you are elated and Shadow looks fit and trim. Hope she continues to improve to the point she won't have to take the medication.
Sally,
Just trying to make this
A dog and pony post!!! Thanks, Fran
Thanks Gary! She deserves it for all her undying love for us.
Hal: I think we're pretty much okay with whatever happens. She's happy and enjoying life and doesn't even know what's going on ...... until she goes to the vet. I cut it out...only every few months...the every two weeks was traumatizing her.
Fran: That's so adorable! Thanks!
Hi Sally - So this is Shadow! She is a cutie and when I have more time I want to read the posts you have done on her. I think the one about rolling in sashimi will be the first one to investigate! Sounds interesting! Bless her and her health issues....I know ya'll are taking special care of her!
Sally,... I remember you talking about Shadow when I first met you on here. It's sad to hear this about her or any animal.... but glad that she has hung in there....
Sally, Shadow is looking good. But I think that I gained the five pounds that she lost ........ LOL
That is really great for Shadow. What an adorable dog and I really love the pic with the little paws.
Hi Sally, What great news! I bet she is acting like a puppy again with the weight loss. Make us all feel younger! Cheers, Harley
Sally, Yeah....our puppies are so important and really all our pets whether they be birds, goats, sheep, horses or what ever! Our golden retriever Gigi is the heart of our family and my solace in life. My puppies always have been. They give you nothing but love. I am so glad your puppy is doing better!
C Sally C, I'm glad your sweetie pie is a trooper and that she is hanging in there. I will keep you guys in my prayers for a full and speedy recovery.
Ann: Yup...she's our baby!
Jeff: She's doing better and we're just so proud she lost weight!
George: You and me both!
Chastity: Thanks much.
Harley: Is that why she's running all over now? :)
Jeanean: I love my pooch...she is our smile when we're down ...that's a fact!
CTS: She's doing well...just bragging she's lost 5 pounds! This has been an ordeal with the steroids. They make her act psychotic around food :)
I didn't realize it has been 4 years already. It seemed like a short time ago when you brought her home.
She is so precious! Glad to hear she is doing much better!!
Wow, Shadow's been through a lot in four years! Glad to hear the platelets are up and the weight is down. Have a happy birthday, Shadow!!
Hi Sally,
I Just wrote a post about you. Please take the time to check it out the link is:
http://activerain.com/blogsview/714194/The-ARchie-Awards-have
Thanks,
Marlene
Sally~ I have never met "Shadow" and she is adorable and I am sure a very 'happy" part of your family. Her name suits her too! Vickie
Hi Sally,
Five pounds! That's like 25 in people pounds. I have a heck of a time keeping my Molly at a reasonable weight. She lives to eat!
your post inspired me to go out and change Monty (my dad's dog) dog food to something healthier. He's being eating something from the vet but hasn't been able to drop a lb. So, since I do sit for him all the time I decided I was going to change it up ... Here's hoping Monty can be as successful as Shadow!
:::wink:::
Randy: No kidding! We got her at 4.5 mos. old. Wow...she still acts like a puppy...but boy is she territorial!
Thanks Teresa!
Thanks John! She is doing very good now.
Marlene: I did. Thanks!
Vickie: You know...like "me and my shadow" song? lol!
Susan: I soooo happy...she looked like a butterball turkey :)
Dez: Hey girl! i hope it works! I use weight control dry stuff (Eukanuba) and Science Diet "lite" (smells like corned beef lol) Did you get my thank you for the BDay card?
She looks so sweet! Thanks for the update! Good work getting her weight maintained, not an easy task I am sure.
Thanks Terrie! Not when I got a fiend for a pooch lol!
Hi Sally,
Shadow is looking very good five pounds makes a big difference on her! :)
What a great story Sally! Shadow is very lucky to have such great "parents" that love her so much!
Sally,
You should be real proud of your "puppy." She is in good hands.
Sally - It is proven that having a pet helps relieve stress in your life and this pup is absolutely adorable!!!
Sally - Shadow is darling, and glad to hear she is doing well with her new diet, and medication.
Thats great news about Shadow! Hopefully she will live a long and prosperous blogging life!
Way to go Shadow! Keep up the good work. And happy upcoming Birthday!