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The Spirit of the Phoenix
By Tom, Foster Dad to Phoenix
“A Seventy two hour hold.” We were told a young “skinny” female boxer was being held at the Franklin County Dog Shelter but we had to wait the seventy-two hours that is required on strays before we could pick her up. We arrived at the end of those seventy-two hours and went to see her. We went into the holding area to see what neither my wife nor I were prepared to see. In the small cage, tucked tight into the corner, was the frame of a dog - a skeleton with Boxer markings. We regained our composure and headed back to the receiving area to make the necessary arrangements to bring her home with us. We waited until a Kennel Tech brought her to us. The surprise we had over this young lady’s physical condition was soon over shadowed by her demeanor. This frail, mind bogglingly skinny dog glided into the lobby head a loft unwilling to let her body stifle her spirit. We thanked all of the volunteers and vowed to do all we could to make this girl healthy. As we left we discussed what we would call her and one name rung truer than any other - Phoenix. Phoenix is the mythological bird that after being engulfed in flames and reduced to ashes would rise and be reborn a new vibrant and unstoppable force. We agreed that this “Phoenix” would have the same battle to fight; she would have to walk thru the fire to free her spirit from the broken body that housed it. So Phoenix it was!
After an uneventful car trip home we introduced Phoenix to our dogs and then set off to the yard for her first feeding. Our hearts sunk into our stomachs as we watched Phoenix engulf the bland food and fresh water we offered as if it was her first meal. Soon there after Phoenix’s body rejected all of the food she just ingested in a violent quick manner. Over the next several hours, subsequent feedings all ended in the same saddening fashion. We knew that first thing in the morning a trip to the vet was needed.
Once there, the vet started her exam. We wondered, does she have a horrible case of worms, does she have a foreign body in her tummy, is she too far gone from being starved? The vet said they would run blood tests, stool tests, and do an x-ray. The x-ray showed some sort of shadow, so they wanted to keep her overnight to do a Barium x-ray, which would require she fast for the night. Could she even go another night with nothing in her belly? The Barium takes all day to go through her body. Final results showed no foreign body. Fecal exam came back with no parasites present. The vet wonders if she has a Liver Shunt. The symptoms suggest it. There were more tests overnight for that. Nope, no liver shunt was found. We have now had her there for 4 days and she is, at least, not dehydrated anymore since she has had an IV but still has horrible diarrhea. Nothing is stopping it. We thought this was it, we don't want her to suffer anymore. The vet said, “Please let me try one more thing. Some dogs do not have the necessary enzymes in their Pancreas to absorb the fats, carbs, and protein needed to gain weight. Can we keep her one more night, start putting this enzyme powder on her food and see if that works?” We said yes of course, although knowing this would be the last test we would put her through before letting her go to the bridge. The next morning, after she had had a few meals with the powder on it, we called the vet and asked how Phoenix was doing. The tech on the other end of the line said 2 words, "Normal Poop!" The powder seemed to work! She had firms stools, and during the week there, with the fluids and the care she was given, she managed to gain 4 lbs. She was sent home with a bland prescription diet, the pancreatic enzyme powder, and well wishes. We go back in 7 days to see how she is progressing. She is not out of the woods yet....
We now know what flames Phoenix must endure. She will have to continue to ignore what her body doesn't have and embrace the strength of character that has gotten her this far. The one troubling difference between this young dog’s namesake and her is that our Phoenix can not extinguish the flames on her own and emerging from the ashes will not happen unassisted. Who will lead her thru the fire and be gifted with a friend with renewed body and the vindicated spirit of the Phoenix…
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