Annie

Hello, hello, Annie is here!

I can't believe summer has already ended and it is officially fall! Of course, I continue to thrive and enjoy the cooler weather!

I had my routine vet visit and bloodwork, and everything was good. My liver enzymes are back to normal, and I don't need to be seen monthly anymore since I am doing so well on my medication. I really like the vets I have been seeing, but it still feels good not to see them quite so frequently... :)

The cooler weather makes our morning walks very pleasant, and Foster Mom has started taking us out for afternoon walks as well. We are so happy to be out and about twice a day! There are so many different smells and creatures to discover. Every day is a new adventure!

The garden is winding down, but we still have some leftovers to enjoy. Foster Mom's previous foster pup, Riley, also spent a week with us recently. He is a young, energetic boy, and my big brother absolutely loves him. They wrestled a lot, which is just way too much for a girl like me! I tried to keep a safe distance from them. These boys never seem to understand that a quiet life is a better life! :)

Foster Mom has also been working on our weight control. She was crazy enough to buy a large, animal-vet-style scale, so now we have to step on it weekly, if not daily, to prove we are not getting too many treats! I have learned not to drink too much water before hopping on the scale, and that trick seems to work. ;)

There hasn't been anything too exciting going on this past month, and Foster Mom says life is good without drama. So I guess we are learning to appreciate the calmness! We have been spending more time outside in the yard while she works in the garden or trims the bushes.

My big brother and I are secretly looking forward to the first snow... well, Foster Mom just turned her head and gave me a very bad look. Apparently, my hooman does NOT like this idea. LOL!

I will chat with you again in the next month or two. Hopefully everyone has a wonderful fall!

Hello!

Annie is here! I can't believe it has been another month already, and Foster Mom told me it is time to say hello to my fans and let you all know that I am doing good. Yes, I am still fighting and enjoying every bit of my life to the fullest!

I had another visit to the vet and, of course, they drew a lot of blood. I was told that my liver enzymes were slightly elevated, probably due to the medications I am taking. So I started taking liver supplements—one more thing added to my list! Hopefully, my next blood test will show some improvement. Honestly, I don't care that much, but Foster Mom worries about everything. She always worries too much, I guess. :)

There wasn't much excitement last month. The weather finally cooled down, so we all enjoyed our morning walks and met up with my canine friends. But I don't really play with them. I just concentrate on my own pace, my ball or stuffed animal, and, of course, "petting" their hoomans. :)

I did gain some weight, so Foster Mom told me she is going to limit my treats. What a mean thing to say! I am only fluffy—can't she tell the difference? And have you seen how much fur comes off when she brushes me? It is never polite to tell a girl she's fat!

Foster Mom's veggie garden has been doing great this year, and we continue to help her by consuming cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, zucchinis, green beans, sweet potatoes, and eggs. (Yes, we have chickens too!) The fresh food tastes so good. Yum yum!

Love,
Annie

Hello from Annie!

Foster Mom reminds me that it's time to let my fans know how I'm doing. I can't believe it's already been two months with my new family! Foster Mom also told me I'll be staying with her for a long, long time—until the day I finish my assignment on this planet!

I continue to do well. I just completed two courses of strong antibiotics—yes, very strong medications to fight those evil bacteria! I'm also taking antifungal medication. I did great, and my most recent blood work was perfect. During my checkup, everyone adored me and treated me like a hero who's fighting hard to live a happy, healthy life!

Foster Mom has now switched me completely to fresh food. Mealtime is always exciting, and the smell of fresh food is simply irresistible! I've also fallen in love with her garden vegetables. Every morning, my foster brother and I go out to the garden to pick fresh veggies and share cucumbers and tiny sweet tomatoes. They're so fresh and delicious! I also love all the fruits she gives us—berries, bananas, apples, peaches—and I especially enjoy our afternoon yogurt and goat milk smoothies!

My allergies have been under control. I haven't needed my monthly allergy shot, my ears are clear, and my skin is much less sensitive. I still have some minor flare-ups from time to time, but they're well managed with a topical treatment. No more crazy scratching or chewing on my paws!

It was super hot and muggy last week, so our morning walks were shorter than usual. Instead, we played lots of mind games during the day. My foster brother is a master at snuffle mats and nose work. I just follow him around, and as soon as he finds a hiding spot, I swoop in and claim the treat! He doesn't seem to mind at all. What a wonderful big brother!

Everything is going well. I love my daily routine and enjoy every single day as much as I can. I'll keep you posted, and I'll see you all next month!

Love,
Annie  

Hi, I am Annie, the prettiest Golden girl you can imagine.

My foster mom tells me that at least a hundred times a day. It would be impolite to disagree with her, so I happily accept her observation and enjoy the compliments.

I came to RAGOM from a loving family. My mom and caretaker took wonderful care of me and spent years dedicated to meeting my medical needs. Oh yes, I have a bit of a complicated medical history to share, so sit tight. I don't want to scare you!

In my 8.5 years of wonderful Golden life, I have collected quite a few medical conditions. The most notable include immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (ITP), a recurrent infected forehead wound, a chronic nasal fungal infection, and bilateral Horner's syndrome. I also have one of the most annoying dog problems ever — allergies! That means chronic ear infections and hot spots. I won't even get into the multidrug resistance or the side effects of long-term steroid use, including muscle loss and a poor hair coat.

I bet you're already feeling overwhelmed by my long list of medical issues, so let's move quickly to my new chapter with RAGOM.

To better understand my diagnosis and prognosis, my owner decided to seek help from a rescue organization. That's how I landed in my foster mom's home.

I settled in beautifully because, honestly, I feel like I belong here. My foster brother is the best big brother a girl could ask for. He takes care of me by keeping a respectful distance. I've startled him a few times by sneezing loudly in his face, but he has never been upset with me.

I had a diagnostic CT scan last week, which confirmed the fungal infection. Unfortunately, the infection has destroyed my nasal turbinates (the tiny bones that help filter debris from the air I breathe), and my cribriform plate has been breached. That's the thin bony structure that separates the nasal cavity from the brain.

We missed the opportunity to catch this nasty disease in its early stages, so localized treatment is no longer an option for me. I will likely need antifungal medication for a long time, possibly for the rest of my life. I may always have some degree of nasal congestion and sneezing.

But you know what?

As long as there is room for improvement, I am going to keep fighting.

I still enjoy my morning walks. My appetite is strong, my spirits are high, and I still chase bunnies and tennis balls whenever I get the chance. I also have a special talent for product testing. My most recent review involved an "expensive" fabric cone, which I successfully reduced to a wrinkled mess in just two days. I also make it my responsibility to supervise Grandpa while he's eating, just in case he accidentally drops something delicious.

My road to recovery may be long and bumpy, but my foster mom and I are not giving up. My foster brother and Grandpa are always there to provide moral support.

I love my new home, my foster brother, my foster mom, and my foster grandpa — even though he never shares his meals with me.

I have started treatment and will keep you posted on my journey.

Love,

Annie