It has been nearly two weeks since Buddy (Sol) died. We still often find ourselves about to pet him, to greet him or to get him to the window to "wave goodbye" (a family tradition), or to get his leash on him for a walk. The house seems so empty. To understate it, we miss him.
My prayer, though, remains that this blog will be of help to others. With that in mind, I am sharing the foods and supplements that brought Buddy back to life when he was nearly gone.
Royal Jelly- he got one teaspoon once a day, on an empty stomach. Among other benefits, royal jelly contains vitamins A, C, D, E, and all (yes ALL) of the B vitamins. It's especially rich in pantothenic acid. It has antibacterial properties, strengthens the immune system, lowers total cholesterol and triglycerides.
Other claims for royal jelly include: increased appetite, general vigor, retards aging, boosts longevity, accelerates healing, and has antiviral properties.
Specific claims have been made in connection with a number of maladies: asthma, Parkinson's disease and other nervous disorders, arthritis, depressed immune system, insomnia, fatigue, ulcers, and a slew of digestive and skin disorders. Besides all that, it is used in skin creams and cosmetics, shampoos and conditioners as a moisturizing agent.
As with other things, always start cautiously when first ingesting, in case you or your pet are allergic to it.
Royal jelly comes with or without propolis. We gave it to Buddy with propolis. This is a resin that bees gather from tree bark and leaves, and combine with nectar. One use is at the hive entrance, to sterilize themselves as they come and go.
Propolis has all the known vitamins (excepting vitamin K), plus 16 amino acids have been identified.
Hippocrates used it to heal sores and ulcers both inside and out.
Buddy was not nuts about the taste. I wrapped it up in a bit of whole wheat bread and he thought he was getting quite a treat.
Google this for more information. I looked at HealthVitaminsGuide.com and www.pureroyaljelly.com/propolis.html/
Next time I'll share the first herb capsule with which we treated him. One of these times, I'll share more about Buddy himself--his breed, how we adopted him, what he was like, how he was trained...
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Sol's Supplements
The first few things I'll mention are not herbs, but have their place in Buddy's healing.
HOW MUCH TO GIVE?
Buddy weighed 60 pounds, so I gave him half of whatever the recommended dose for an adult, or for me in particular. This would correspond to a child's dosage.
MOLASSES- specifically, blackstrap molasses, extracted from pure cane sugar. It is rich in calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron. Even some doctors will recommend it to people suffering from anemia, as it replenishes the blood supply without the side effects of iron supplements. Buddy got about a tablespoon a day. To discover more, search "molasses and tumors". Three Web sites with good information are www.earthclinic.com, http://healthmad.com/nutrition/the-benefits-of-blackstrap-molasses/
and
www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=118
COD LIVER OIL- I found Carlson's brand of Norwegian cod liver oil. It comes in smallish, dark bottles, which protect it from going rancid or losing potency. If you use it within two months, it doesn't need refrigeration. I gave Buddy one teaspoon per day. He loved it. Cod liver oil contains vitamin A (for the immune system, helps resist bacterial adn viral infections, benefits vision), vitamin D (helps maintain strong, healthy bones and helps ward off many types of cancer, one of which is lymphoma), and omega-3 fatty acids (anti-inflammatory properties, which relieve arthritis and other inflammatory conditions).
Note: use caution if taking along with aspirin, since both lower blood pressure. Also monitor how much vitamins A and D you take, because it is possible to reach a toxic level of those if you're taking supplements or if you are in the southern or summer sun a great deal.
Check out www.zhion.com/COD_LIVER_OIL.html
and www.avianweb.com/codliveroil.html
Or just Google "benefits of cod liver oil".
HOW MUCH TO GIVE?
Buddy weighed 60 pounds, so I gave him half of whatever the recommended dose for an adult, or for me in particular. This would correspond to a child's dosage.
MOLASSES- specifically, blackstrap molasses, extracted from pure cane sugar. It is rich in calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron. Even some doctors will recommend it to people suffering from anemia, as it replenishes the blood supply without the side effects of iron supplements. Buddy got about a tablespoon a day. To discover more, search "molasses and tumors". Three Web sites with good information are www.earthclinic.com, http://healthmad.com/nutrition/the-benefits-of-blackstrap-molasses/
and
www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=118
COD LIVER OIL- I found Carlson's brand of Norwegian cod liver oil. It comes in smallish, dark bottles, which protect it from going rancid or losing potency. If you use it within two months, it doesn't need refrigeration. I gave Buddy one teaspoon per day. He loved it. Cod liver oil contains vitamin A (for the immune system, helps resist bacterial adn viral infections, benefits vision), vitamin D (helps maintain strong, healthy bones and helps ward off many types of cancer, one of which is lymphoma), and omega-3 fatty acids (anti-inflammatory properties, which relieve arthritis and other inflammatory conditions).
Note: use caution if taking along with aspirin, since both lower blood pressure. Also monitor how much vitamins A and D you take, because it is possible to reach a toxic level of those if you're taking supplements or if you are in the southern or summer sun a great deal.
Check out www.zhion.com/COD_LIVER_OIL.html
and www.avianweb.com/codliveroil.html
Or just Google "benefits of cod liver oil".
Caring People and Healing Herbs
Before I talk about Sol's herbal supplements, I have to say that my family has experienced an outpouring of sympathy and caring from many people. My music students are grieving along with us, as they miss Buddy greeting them with a couple of happy barks at the door and lying at their feet listening to their lessons. He adored them (who will let me know when somebody has arrived now?). Even if he didn't come down to the studio immediately, pretty soon we'd hear thumpity-thump down the stairs, and then thud as he bumped open the studio door and came in. I'd always have to get up and close the door behind him so the family's noises wouldn't disturb the lesson (or vice-versa). I never did figure out how to train him to shut the door behind himself.
Then there is our neighborhood. We have the loveliest folks on our block, so sad when he was struggling to walk, cheering and amazed at his progress, and spreading the word at his loss. We've had cards, facebook messages, e-mails, and phone calls, not to mention three little neighbor children showing up at the door with hand-made cards and very big eyes, windows to their hearts.
Also our friends, supporting, praying, caring, saying sweet things about our Buddy, letting us know it's okay to grieve over a dog. He wasn't "just a dog", but a member of our family.
Thank you, everybody.
Now the herbs. One thing that I've learned about herbs is that there will be a group of them that all do roughly the same thing. One group may soothe the digestive system. So you can pick any of those, it really doesn't matter. This also means that you can use one for a few months, and then switch to another just as good, so that one's system doesn't become desensitized and stop responding to the first herb.
This is also good to know because if you can't find the exact product sold by the same company, you can easily substitute another.
A good practice is to administer an herb for five or six days, then take two days off.
Something else I heard conflicting viewpoints on is that dogs' digestive systems, being shorter and faster, absorb herbs better in tincture form than in leaf form.
I don't know how true it is, but we gave Buddy both forms. Obviously they worked either way, considering his improvement.
Hey, let's go on to the next day to get specific about herbs, okay?
Then there is our neighborhood. We have the loveliest folks on our block, so sad when he was struggling to walk, cheering and amazed at his progress, and spreading the word at his loss. We've had cards, facebook messages, e-mails, and phone calls, not to mention three little neighbor children showing up at the door with hand-made cards and very big eyes, windows to their hearts.
Also our friends, supporting, praying, caring, saying sweet things about our Buddy, letting us know it's okay to grieve over a dog. He wasn't "just a dog", but a member of our family.
Thank you, everybody.
Now the herbs. One thing that I've learned about herbs is that there will be a group of them that all do roughly the same thing. One group may soothe the digestive system. So you can pick any of those, it really doesn't matter. This also means that you can use one for a few months, and then switch to another just as good, so that one's system doesn't become desensitized and stop responding to the first herb.
This is also good to know because if you can't find the exact product sold by the same company, you can easily substitute another.
A good practice is to administer an herb for five or six days, then take two days off.
Something else I heard conflicting viewpoints on is that dogs' digestive systems, being shorter and faster, absorb herbs better in tincture form than in leaf form.
I don't know how true it is, but we gave Buddy both forms. Obviously they worked either way, considering his improvement.
Hey, let's go on to the next day to get specific about herbs, okay?
Friday, July 31, 2009
Saving Sol/Buddy From Lymphoma
I've decided to continue this blog. I feel more strongly than ever about the holistic treatment we gave our Buddy. I am convinced that if I had been braver to get him completely weaned off of Prednisone, he would have lived longer yet.
I've learned so much; through experience and through reading (and reading, and reading). Also through others' expertise and experience. Let me pick up where I left off in the July 1st post, after I discovered that some people had saved their dogs from lymphoma through diet and herbal remedies.
As I called around to health food stores and any place I thought might carry herbal tinctures, John Kessenich, owner of the Baraboo Grainary, gave me an hour of his time and advice. He also gave me the name of a lab breeder north of the Dells. Kathy Turbett had recently saved a dog of hers from lymphoma. The dog had lived so far six months with no evidence of cancer. She recommended I wean Sol completely off Prednisone, that it was like a poison, weakening him daily, taking away his appetite and strength. I had no reason to doubt that.
Kathy advised me not to try to detoxify Buddy until he was off the Prednisone, as it would create something of a war inside him; the detox herbs trying to rid his body of the steroid. I should stick with healing herbs. They'd take a week or so to really get into his system, anyway.
Sol was to have only one of his two pills that day. I gave it to him early in the morning, and then two hours later offered him breakfast, which he refused. I was distressed, but resolved to wait till later before giving in to panic. On Kathy's recommendation, we would give Sol only one pill a day for five days, then every other day for awhile.
That day I bought lots of healing things for him. When I got back home, I gave him a can of chicken stew for dogs from the Grainary, which he ate hungrily. He also ate a teaspoon of cod liver oil, and an herb capsule wrapped in organic cheese. Cheese always had been his favorite. I bought a juicer that day, too. With everything else I had to do, learning to use the juicer was overwhelming. I waited a week for that. Kathy also recommended lots of petting and massage for Sol, and keeping stress to a minimum.
Next time I'll begin to describe the herbs and how they work.
I've learned so much; through experience and through reading (and reading, and reading). Also through others' expertise and experience. Let me pick up where I left off in the July 1st post, after I discovered that some people had saved their dogs from lymphoma through diet and herbal remedies.
As I called around to health food stores and any place I thought might carry herbal tinctures, John Kessenich, owner of the Baraboo Grainary, gave me an hour of his time and advice. He also gave me the name of a lab breeder north of the Dells. Kathy Turbett had recently saved a dog of hers from lymphoma. The dog had lived so far six months with no evidence of cancer. She recommended I wean Sol completely off Prednisone, that it was like a poison, weakening him daily, taking away his appetite and strength. I had no reason to doubt that.
Kathy advised me not to try to detoxify Buddy until he was off the Prednisone, as it would create something of a war inside him; the detox herbs trying to rid his body of the steroid. I should stick with healing herbs. They'd take a week or so to really get into his system, anyway.
Sol was to have only one of his two pills that day. I gave it to him early in the morning, and then two hours later offered him breakfast, which he refused. I was distressed, but resolved to wait till later before giving in to panic. On Kathy's recommendation, we would give Sol only one pill a day for five days, then every other day for awhile.
That day I bought lots of healing things for him. When I got back home, I gave him a can of chicken stew for dogs from the Grainary, which he ate hungrily. He also ate a teaspoon of cod liver oil, and an herb capsule wrapped in organic cheese. Cheese always had been his favorite. I bought a juicer that day, too. With everything else I had to do, learning to use the juicer was overwhelming. I waited a week for that. Kathy also recommended lots of petting and massage for Sol, and keeping stress to a minimum.
Next time I'll begin to describe the herbs and how they work.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Goodbye, Dear Sol, Dear Buddy
Sol (not the name we called him by; the boys gave him the name Buddy when we adopted him) died today at 11:45. He appeared to have either a heart attack or a seizure. He woke up early not feeling very well at all, but he had only about ten minutes of real distress at the end. A few yelps of pain, some thrashing of his head, fear-filled eyes looking to us, and he was gone. My sixteen year old son and I petted him and held him to the end.
We are so very grateful to the Lord for extending Buddy's life for four months beyond the longest he was given to live. Also for allowing him to pass quickly, at home, and not from the cancer. We didn't have to make a decision to euthanize. What a blessing.
So three hours have passed, we took him to the vet and they will take care of his body.
The first wave of grief is over, and the second just hit just now when my son left the house to mow his grandparents' lawn. Always Buddy and I look out the window together to "wave goodbye." This will not be easy, but we have a wonderful Lord to comfort us, and loads of memories of the best dog that ever lived (at least with us!).
We are so very grateful to the Lord for extending Buddy's life for four months beyond the longest he was given to live. Also for allowing him to pass quickly, at home, and not from the cancer. We didn't have to make a decision to euthanize. What a blessing.
So three hours have passed, we took him to the vet and they will take care of his body.
The first wave of grief is over, and the second just hit just now when my son left the house to mow his grandparents' lawn. Always Buddy and I look out the window together to "wave goodbye." This will not be easy, but we have a wonderful Lord to comfort us, and loads of memories of the best dog that ever lived (at least with us!).
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Sol's Diet
Sol began to eat. This was (and is) the diet we put him on:
1/3 cup of oatmeal poured into boiling water and soaked for 20 minutes (or natural brown rice simmered for 45 minutes)
1/2 cup cooked ground turkey (or boiled and rinsed lean ground beef, or 2-3 eggs cooked)
1 heaping spoonful of plain yogurt
1 heaping spoonful of plain pumpkin (out of a can, the kind you'd use to make pie)
As I researched and shopped the natural food stores, I added some herbs and tinctures. I'll tell you what they are in maybe the next installment.
After three days of eating, I thought Sol looked a tad less emaciated. After the fifth day I knew he looked better. He was drinking a little less, eating three to four meals a day, sleeping much more restfully, and getting outside to the yard without help.
I knew he wasn't out of the woods yet, and we still had to play the balancing game of weaning him off the Prednisone. So how did that part go? Stay tuned...
1/3 cup of oatmeal poured into boiling water and soaked for 20 minutes (or natural brown rice simmered for 45 minutes)
1/2 cup cooked ground turkey (or boiled and rinsed lean ground beef, or 2-3 eggs cooked)
1 heaping spoonful of plain yogurt
1 heaping spoonful of plain pumpkin (out of a can, the kind you'd use to make pie)
As I researched and shopped the natural food stores, I added some herbs and tinctures. I'll tell you what they are in maybe the next installment.
After three days of eating, I thought Sol looked a tad less emaciated. After the fifth day I knew he looked better. He was drinking a little less, eating three to four meals a day, sleeping much more restfully, and getting outside to the yard without help.
I knew he wasn't out of the woods yet, and we still had to play the balancing game of weaning him off the Prednisone. So how did that part go? Stay tuned...
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Hope for Remission
I found Web sites for a few people whose dogs, having lymphoma, went into remission and lived out their normal life spans. How did they do it? I had to know. As I read, I prayed for wisdom and jotted down things that didn't strike me as quackery.
I also read more about Prednisone. I determined to begin to wean him off of it. I mean wean, too. You must never just stop Prednisone. It closes down the adrenal system, and can even cause death. A friend and neighbor who has experience with the drug and dogs, confirmed this. She also looked closely into Sol's eyes, and said, "This dog has good years left in him. You go ahead with this." Yes, I had hope.
The morning after Sol ate the eggs, we cut the dose of Prednisone in half. I called around to all the natural health places in a 50 mile radius. I couldn't find the specific brands or some of the herbs listed on the sites, but a couple of herbalists gave me some hints and encouragement. That evening Sol began to eat again.
I also read more about Prednisone. I determined to begin to wean him off of it. I mean wean, too. You must never just stop Prednisone. It closes down the adrenal system, and can even cause death. A friend and neighbor who has experience with the drug and dogs, confirmed this. She also looked closely into Sol's eyes, and said, "This dog has good years left in him. You go ahead with this." Yes, I had hope.
The morning after Sol ate the eggs, we cut the dose of Prednisone in half. I called around to all the natural health places in a 50 mile radius. I couldn't find the specific brands or some of the herbs listed on the sites, but a couple of herbalists gave me some hints and encouragement. That evening Sol began to eat again.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
I Had Hope
As I was saying last time, after I prayed that desperate night, there was a definite change somehow in the unseen realm. Not that I can lay my finger on it, but I knew something was different. I interpreted it to be nothing but acceptance and peace on my part.
I went in the house and got busy with choir or private lesson business. Quite suddenly, it occurred to me to offer Sol a raw egg. I broke one into a dish and he lapped it right up. This was his first taste of food in three days. I gave him a second one. As I shed a few tears of happiness, I began to wonder how much protein was in an egg. I went online and found out it was 6 or 7 grams. Then I wanted to know how much protein a dog ought to have each day. Answers varied rather widely, but they all mentioned an amount considerably higher than what his prepared dog food (CD prescription by Hills) had given him. Some sites suggested that a lack of protein over the long run would predispose a dog to things like cancer. I don't know about that, but this dog food had cured him of the regular bladder infections he'd suffered with the first year we had him. Hard to know.
I read voraciously. I'm very sorry now that I neglected to jot down the names of the sites. And I don't remember them. But a few that I found gave me what I'd not had in weeks: HOPE!
Hear more next time.
I went in the house and got busy with choir or private lesson business. Quite suddenly, it occurred to me to offer Sol a raw egg. I broke one into a dish and he lapped it right up. This was his first taste of food in three days. I gave him a second one. As I shed a few tears of happiness, I began to wonder how much protein was in an egg. I went online and found out it was 6 or 7 grams. Then I wanted to know how much protein a dog ought to have each day. Answers varied rather widely, but they all mentioned an amount considerably higher than what his prepared dog food (CD prescription by Hills) had given him. Some sites suggested that a lack of protein over the long run would predispose a dog to things like cancer. I don't know about that, but this dog food had cured him of the regular bladder infections he'd suffered with the first year we had him. Hard to know.
I read voraciously. I'm very sorry now that I neglected to jot down the names of the sites. And I don't remember them. But a few that I found gave me what I'd not had in weeks: HOPE!
Hear more next time.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
What Happened to Sol
On the surface this blog is the story of our dog's fight with lymphoma, but it's far more than that. It's about listening to the Creator and Sustainer of Life, the Lord Jesus Christ, and doing what He leads us to do. This blog is a step of belated obedience. I should have started it at least a month ago. When people have asked me about Sol and his progress, I have not always mentioned that it's entirely the Lord's doing. I don't like the looks of skepticism and seeing the words "religious freak/wacko" pass through their minds. Also, when I recently told the vet what we're doing with Sol, I didn't even mention prayer. Let me tell you now what God has done.
Sol is our dog, rescued 9 years ago from the humane shelter. Sol is not the name we call him by, but it was the name on his cage's sign. We wouldn't have noticed him, he was so quiet, but his earnest gaze compelled us to look closer. He never barked. Just revealed his soul through those intelligent eyes. We gave him a different name on the way home, but he's still part-Sol. After all, the name is derived from two Hebrew names, Saul and Solomon, and means "prayed for". We went into that shelter praying for God to lead us to the right dog for us. Never was there a more "right" dog!
There's another reason I'm not using his real name. It's because when I talk about him and this disease to anyone, he gets so uncomfortable. He acts foolish, hangs his head, seems depressed. I've grown to respect this dog as well as love him, so for this blog, he's Sol.
Here begins my account of the past few months.
"Canine lymphoma", said the vet, "quite advanced. Without Prednisone, Sol has four weeks. With chemo, he could have twelve weeks. With Prednisone, he could have six, eight at the most." This was the middle of February, 2009. Sol had developed what looked like a rash on his tummy. It turned out to be bruising. What I had thought were harmless fatty tumors were swollen lymph glands. Our vet knows her business, cares deeply, and did her best for us. She sent in samples of each lymph node, and in each lymph node, 75% of the cells were cancerous.
We couldn't afford chemotherapy, but we wanted to make our sweet dog as comfortable as possible. Though we knew Prednisone to be a harsh drug, what were the options? We held off a week before we thought Sol's discomfort warranted its use. He was put on the standard dose for a 60 pound dog with this disease-- 40mg per day. One 20mg pill twice a day. We were warned that he would crave food and that he would urinate more frequently.
We went online to discover all we could about canine lymphoma and the Prednisone treatment. When is the best time to give these pills? What could we expect? I printed out a "quality of life" assessment to help us know when we should end his suffering. I looked around for other treatments, and found none.
Poor Sol. The Prednisone really did a number on him! Within a week he drank more than a gallon of water a day and had to go out every 15 minutes. Even at night he couldn't wait over half an hour. He did not develop the hunger expected. He slept little, and restlessly. Since he shares our bedroom, we didn't sleep much either.
As Christians who believe in the omnipotent, omniscient God, we prayed unashamed for a miracle healing. God's power is unlimited. His Word says He's aware of every sparrow that falls to the ground (and we are worth much more), and that He cares about all that concerns us. I took the story from the Bible, Luke 18, where the widow keeps knocking on the unjust judge's door. He finally gives her what she wants just to get rid of her. I determined to be that widow, knocking on God's door in prayer. He's a loving and just Judge. We would not give up praying for Sol's healing. Not that we demanded. But we asked. We waited. Nothing happened except God seemed to be saying no.
Sol quickly began losing weight. Daily he grew noticeably weaker. His muscles would twitch, and he would groan and moan. Our hearts were breaking for him. Clients who came to the house weekly shook their heads, so sad.
After one week he no longer wanted to be a 60 pound lap dog. After two weeks he stopped jumping up on the bed. He walked slower every day, and less. He began having scattered accidents at night. I bought a used vinyl tablecloth to place under him to protect things.
At three and a half weeks he showed little interest in food or anything else except his people. His backbone was prominent, ribs showing, no energy for walks.
At four weeks he refused food altogether, his backbone protruded over an inch above his back, rib-cage was totally visible, and he stumbled when he walked. His groaning was nearly incessant. His neck resembled a pelican's pouch. Always a slender dog, his hind end was now not more than two inches wide. Nearly a skeleton dog. Once or twice I caught the hint of a look in his eyes, as if he were almost, but not quite, ready to be delivered from it all.
We arranged a visit with my parents and my husband's, so they could see him one last time. I called our son, away at school, so he could be prepared for the end and speak once more over the phone to his dog.
We figured we had two, possibly three days at the most before he'd be gone. We hadn't stopped praying for that miracle, either, though I think our hope was diminishing. At that four week point He began wetting himself and lying there in it.
As I got him outside that night and watched him weave and stumble in the street, I prayed out of my agony. I told the Lord,"I understand and accept if Your answer is no, though I know You could easily heal him in an instant. You have the power to do it. In the name of Jesus the Christ, I ask You to extend this dog's days. If there is anything at all that we should be doing, please show us." As I prayed, something felt different. I had a sense of peace, of having done all. I helped Sol back up the steps into the house.
Please read again in the days to come to hear what God did for Sol.
Sol is our dog, rescued 9 years ago from the humane shelter. Sol is not the name we call him by, but it was the name on his cage's sign. We wouldn't have noticed him, he was so quiet, but his earnest gaze compelled us to look closer. He never barked. Just revealed his soul through those intelligent eyes. We gave him a different name on the way home, but he's still part-Sol. After all, the name is derived from two Hebrew names, Saul and Solomon, and means "prayed for". We went into that shelter praying for God to lead us to the right dog for us. Never was there a more "right" dog!
There's another reason I'm not using his real name. It's because when I talk about him and this disease to anyone, he gets so uncomfortable. He acts foolish, hangs his head, seems depressed. I've grown to respect this dog as well as love him, so for this blog, he's Sol.
Here begins my account of the past few months.
"Canine lymphoma", said the vet, "quite advanced. Without Prednisone, Sol has four weeks. With chemo, he could have twelve weeks. With Prednisone, he could have six, eight at the most." This was the middle of February, 2009. Sol had developed what looked like a rash on his tummy. It turned out to be bruising. What I had thought were harmless fatty tumors were swollen lymph glands. Our vet knows her business, cares deeply, and did her best for us. She sent in samples of each lymph node, and in each lymph node, 75% of the cells were cancerous.
We couldn't afford chemotherapy, but we wanted to make our sweet dog as comfortable as possible. Though we knew Prednisone to be a harsh drug, what were the options? We held off a week before we thought Sol's discomfort warranted its use. He was put on the standard dose for a 60 pound dog with this disease-- 40mg per day. One 20mg pill twice a day. We were warned that he would crave food and that he would urinate more frequently.
We went online to discover all we could about canine lymphoma and the Prednisone treatment. When is the best time to give these pills? What could we expect? I printed out a "quality of life" assessment to help us know when we should end his suffering. I looked around for other treatments, and found none.
Poor Sol. The Prednisone really did a number on him! Within a week he drank more than a gallon of water a day and had to go out every 15 minutes. Even at night he couldn't wait over half an hour. He did not develop the hunger expected. He slept little, and restlessly. Since he shares our bedroom, we didn't sleep much either.
As Christians who believe in the omnipotent, omniscient God, we prayed unashamed for a miracle healing. God's power is unlimited. His Word says He's aware of every sparrow that falls to the ground (and we are worth much more), and that He cares about all that concerns us. I took the story from the Bible, Luke 18, where the widow keeps knocking on the unjust judge's door. He finally gives her what she wants just to get rid of her. I determined to be that widow, knocking on God's door in prayer. He's a loving and just Judge. We would not give up praying for Sol's healing. Not that we demanded. But we asked. We waited. Nothing happened except God seemed to be saying no.
Sol quickly began losing weight. Daily he grew noticeably weaker. His muscles would twitch, and he would groan and moan. Our hearts were breaking for him. Clients who came to the house weekly shook their heads, so sad.
After one week he no longer wanted to be a 60 pound lap dog. After two weeks he stopped jumping up on the bed. He walked slower every day, and less. He began having scattered accidents at night. I bought a used vinyl tablecloth to place under him to protect things.
At three and a half weeks he showed little interest in food or anything else except his people. His backbone was prominent, ribs showing, no energy for walks.
At four weeks he refused food altogether, his backbone protruded over an inch above his back, rib-cage was totally visible, and he stumbled when he walked. His groaning was nearly incessant. His neck resembled a pelican's pouch. Always a slender dog, his hind end was now not more than two inches wide. Nearly a skeleton dog. Once or twice I caught the hint of a look in his eyes, as if he were almost, but not quite, ready to be delivered from it all.
We arranged a visit with my parents and my husband's, so they could see him one last time. I called our son, away at school, so he could be prepared for the end and speak once more over the phone to his dog.
We figured we had two, possibly three days at the most before he'd be gone. We hadn't stopped praying for that miracle, either, though I think our hope was diminishing. At that four week point He began wetting himself and lying there in it.
As I got him outside that night and watched him weave and stumble in the street, I prayed out of my agony. I told the Lord,"I understand and accept if Your answer is no, though I know You could easily heal him in an instant. You have the power to do it. In the name of Jesus the Christ, I ask You to extend this dog's days. If there is anything at all that we should be doing, please show us." As I prayed, something felt different. I had a sense of peace, of having done all. I helped Sol back up the steps into the house.
Please read again in the days to come to hear what God did for Sol.
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