Happy has a huge heart, in more ways than one. She has had a horrendous cough ever since her surgery and it’s kept her up almost every night. I’ve slept on the couch the past few nights just to try and keep her comfortable. I was giving her cough medicine every 4 hours, and honey, and Benadryl to help her sleep a little. I was also doing accupressure massage and had the vaporizer running non-stop. It all helped a little but not enough. Happy was trying to be happy but I could tell she was just exhausted.
I took her to Dr. Mel first thing this morning and he basically concurred that she’s a hot mess but there’s hope for little Happy! Her heart is huge, which is basically congestive heart failure…I don’t know how there’s space for anything else in that little body of hers:
Because her heart is so enlarged her trachea is being pushed up which is causing her cough. We are now home with a huge chart of medications and her cough is already better. We didn’t even have a chance to cover any of Happy’s other ailments. “One step at a time,” Dr. Mel said. I think Happy was onboard that!
It warmed up a little this afternoon and I took Happy out to bask in the sun for a little while. All the chickens came to see us but then Happy sneezed and the whole flock took off in a panic. Happy didn’t even notice all the commotion. I love how content she looks in the sunshine, even with that bum leg in the back not cooperating:
Happy also had her sutures taken out today. When the nurse was trying to get one last stubborn one out Happy tried to take my thumb off, except she has that broken jaw so it felt I was being bit by a feather. But Happy’s snarl made me think that she must have been quite a feisty little gal back in the day!
It’s Happy’s fourth day with us and I think she’s settling in great. She has some separation anxiety and follows us around the house as much as she can. If one person leaves she wimpers for a little bit watching the door. These things will get better with time as she comes to realize that we aren’t going to abandon her. Oh, on top of everything else, she’s also being treated for worms. She hasn’t had much pep in her step this evening but I just love watching her sleep. She’s so tiny, and she always has a little smile on her face. She reminds me of a tiny werewolf:
(If you are just meeting Happy today here’s the post about how she came to be part of our family!)
Happy’s heart is enlarged because of fluid accumulation but your heart is enlarged because of the love and compassion which fills it. Thanking you for sharing your days with so many.
Sad to hear her heart is so enlarged. Sadie, my 13 year old dachshund had that same condition and finally lost the battle a few years ago. I pray your sweet Happy will get to feeling better and bask in the love I know she’s feeling right now. Love hearing about her, thanks for sharing all your stories. I feel like I have met y’all. Merry Christmas and only the best in the New Year!
Your a beautiful person. Im falling in Love with Happy just by reading your post. I pray for Happy everyday. There is nothing but Love in your home.
Thanks for sharing you love of your furred and feathered friends. I read you posts to my husband. We have a little Yorkie that makes up smile every day. Hope little Happy gets some relief. I know she feels all the love from your family!
Happy is destined to have a happy ending with your family. Let’s hope she lasts a long time to maximise the joy!
So glad the vet was able to give Happy some relief! So glad she will get some relief. I love seeing her & hearing her updates. I’m sure the chickens were surprised at her sneeze. Glad to know she’s getting good care & live from all of you. Bless all of you in the House on Hospital Hill.
Sending up many prayers for Happy and all of you. Such love you are giving this precious creature, making her safe and comfortable and loved! Blessings to you all!