At Mercys Door not all of our dogs will have an opportunity to be - TopicsExpress

At Mercys Door not all of our dogs will have an opportunity to be adopted out some are lifers some are hospice they are all just as important to us & wed like to introduce you to 1 of our hospice girls. .....meet Katinka. Katinka came into Cleveland Animal Control in March 2014. She was picked up stray on the streets of Cleveland. She quickly won the hearts of staff and Volunteers, and after 3 years of being a volunteer, our family decided it was time to take in a foster dog. She had masses on both mammary chains, her feet were swollen and red with about 60% fur loss, and she seemed deaf at the kennel. After she came home, the vet visits started. She was confirmed deaf, due to years of ear infections and scar tissue, poor girl wasnt born that way. She had severe yeast infections in her ears and feet, and she was confirmed diabetic. Her blood sugar was so high it couldve put her in a coma. We began treating all the infection and diabetes and a couple weeks later decided to do X-rays to see about the tumors on her belly. We tried to be optimistic that the mammary tumors could be removed and shes lead a long happy life. Sadly, the X-rays revealed extensive cancer throughout her body. She was given a prognosis of 3-9 months. Needless to say we were crushed. Simply having basic medical care and a spay surgery earlier in life couldve saved this girl these tumors, and now at approximately 9-10 years of age, she was nearing the end of her life. The dog we wanted to foster and see become part of a happy home, became a hospice foster in 1 vet visit. We love this girl. She is and has remained through all of this, the HAPPIEST dog on the planet. When we first brought her home we were having vet visits at least once a week, to give blood to get a handle on the blood sugar levels. With her true embodiment of joy, she won the hearts of the staff at Tremont Animal Clinic. They shared our sadness and outrage that this girl was so sick. We still visit the vet every other week for sugar checks, and shes had the occasional tumor rupture that keeps her on and off antibiotics. Katinka has a magic about her. She doesnt know shes sick, she doesnt act as if shes dying, she only radiates pure joy day in and day out. We had a scare a couple weeks ago, thought we were losing her, but her life is too great now. She didnt give up, she fought off the infection and recovered to what is her 100%. We dont know how long she will remain in this world, but we are committed to making that time for her safe, happy and comfortable. Shes made tons of friends, human and canine. She is extremely close with the neighbor kid. She couldve been a therapy dog without a doubt. She has an amazing spirit, silly and clunky, a true bull(dog) in a china shop. She makes us laugh every day. She is a gift, and we are thankful that Mercys Door is helping us give her these golden days to be the treasured family member that she was born to be.