A Note From Mom

On December 19, 2006 I was sent from my doctor straight to the hospital for being extremely anemic. Several months prior to my admission I had been experiencing extreme joint pain and my muscles felt like they were on fire. I was only 21 years old and I could not get out of bed, tie my shoes, brush my hair, walk, or even go to the bathroom without the help of my loving and committed spouse. Doctors could not figure out what was wrong with me. I had been coughing up blood for at least a month and my doctor said it was due to chronic bronchitis. The only reason I was hospitalized at all was because I was nearly dead from lack of blood.

During a horrible eight day stay over Christmas filled with needles, operations, medications, tests, and a lot of tears the doctors found out I had nodules in my lungs. My whole family came and stayed with me every day and my spouse Tristan stayed every minute even sleeping on a cot next to my bed. We didn't know if I had cancer, and if it was so bad that an x-ray could show the nodules if I would even survive. I was put on very high doses of steroids and had to undergo a lung needle biopsy. They ruled out cancer and the steroids seemed to be diminishing the nodules. I was released from the hospital without a diagnosis.

I was later told after results from tests they had done came back that I had this extremely rare auto-immune disease called Wegener's Granulomatosis. It is basically where your body attacks itself thinking that it is attacking cells that shouldn't be there, and often results in kidney failure. My father's research online indicated that I probably would not live longer than five years. Hearing your parent tell you something like that is indescribable. I was only 21 years old.

I went through chemotherapy and was taking over twenty pills a day. Life was hell. I was in pain, I was having adverse reactions to my medication. I couldn't sleep. My vision became impaired from the steroids. I didn't know if I could survive through it all.

In November of 2007 I had a dalmatian puppy flown from Georgia. She was to be my first show dog and I had been in love with dalmatians since I was twelve years old and already had one from a shelter.

Milla was eight weeks old when we picked her up from the airport. I still remember the first time I saw her little spotted face looking back at me out of her crate. I was instantly in love. She was perfect in every way that I could ever imagine in a dalmatian puppy. She hadn't even used the bathroom in her crate through the entire flight!

We decided that Milla's registered name would be Good Fortune since we definitely needed some good fortune in our lives. A month later on Christmas Eve I went to my rheumatologist where he gave me the news that my disease was in full remission! That little dalmatian puppy really did bring the good fortune I needed. She has pushed me to recover so much faster by giving me the job of being her mother (having a dalmatian as a daughter is a HUGE job!).

Milla will be two years old on September 15th and her next bit of good fortune that she wants to bring to her family is to win this contest for us. Since I was diagnosed with my disease I am basically uninsurable and my medical costs are through the roof! Winning this contest would be such a relief to know that I will never have to suffer undiagnosed like I did before. I have to go regularly to my rheumatologist to have blood tests and chest x-rays to make sure that my Wegeners isn't trying to make a comeback.

Thank you for listening to my story and please vote for Milla. We really appreciate it!

http://www.cutestdogcompetition.com/vote.cfm?h=259DAF 6347814613086624CF053FBD2D

First Day of School

Yesterday was my first day at school. I guess seventeen months is how old your supposed to be to go to school? Anyway, it was with the Obedience Club of San Diego. At first there weren't very many dogs around, although Otis was there much to my dismay. We stood around for a while and then a lot of dogs started coming to stand around us. I saw another dalmatian with blue eyes and a round belly, she was okay. We sniffed each other and then she left. Then a man came and was talking to Mom and Dad about how pretty I was. Then this liver dalmatian bitch came kangaroo hopping at the end of the leash toward us! I could tell by their scent that this dal belonged to the man. I didn't like her but Mom and Dad seemed to, they said she was cute. She came over to sniff me and was standing on her back legs right over me! The nerve! So I gave her a warning growl to back off! I then got in trouble and Dad made me sit and be calm. Then the class began and we mostly did heeling and sitting. I already know how to do that so I got kind of bored by the end. But I still had a good time with my parents. They seemed really happy and proud of me, even the little shih tzu demon was happy.

March 15 & 16 Dog Shows

For my six month birthday I got to go to my first dog show! Mom was freaking out the day before but she sucked it up and took me into the ring. I got really excited when the judge came over to me. I wagged my tail and squiggled around to show him how cute I was. We didn't beat the other puppy there but it was still fun. Today I did a little better with standing still for the judge. She was really nice and excused my puppy behavior so Mom would feel more relaxed. I'm very tired from the whole ordeal. Mom got so brave the second day that she took Tavis into the foxhound ring! She said it was easier showing him than it is to show me, but I like giving Mom challenges.

Saint Patrick's Day

I was trying to get ready for St. Patty's Day by rolling around in the freshly cut grass. I got bright green. No pinching here. But then Mom and Dad told me it was still half a month until the holiday so I had to get a bath. : P I hate baths. I'll have to go green again before the seventeenth.

Dog Show

Last weekend my parents took me to a dog show. My brother Tavis was entered and I got to go along for the experience. People kept being mean though and made Mom really unhappy. The second day we were practicing in an empty ring that was done being used for the day and a guy yelled at us that the ring was for judging. Mom kind of lost it and we went home before Tavis could go into group. I liked all the attention I got there. Everyone wanted to pet me because I am so cute. Mom wouldn't let me jump up on them though which is the best way to get petted! I'll have to break her of that. : ) I'm entered for my first show the day I turn six months old on March 15. I'll get to show off how perfect I am. Hopefully no one will make Mom sad. I think I should be allowed to jump on those people at least.

Valentine's Day

Mom and Dad went out to dinner yesterday for Valentine's Day. They left me home with aunt Kat puppysitting me. Not that I need a puppy sitter. . . Anyway! We watched All Dogs Go To Heaven which is a very cool movie. I peed on the floor. We played with the toys and aunt Kat took pictures (mom and dad told her too because they thought it was cute that I had a puppy sitter). It was a lot of fun.

Rain

Alright, now that I'm older I think I've got this rain thing down. Now I feel a little embarrassed that I wouldn't go out into it before. Yesterday the drops of water were falling from the sky so I decided to go on the defense. I attacked the evil little droplets trying to chomp on as many as possible. Mom and Dad kept laughing every time I'd snap at the rain, but I think I got through to it. That bad ol' rain shouldn't be bothering us again anytime soon, and if it does, I'll be ready.

A New Friend

Yesterday when Mom and I were out on our walk behind work, we came across a man with a Boston Terrier. We ran up to each other when Mom let me get close enough and started to play. Paws were flying. It was awesome. Her name is Daisy.

Turkey Brain

My parents always talk about how Tavis has a small roasted turkey in place of his brain. I didn't believe them until I went sniffing around in his ear and I could smell it! I tried to get in by chewing his ears but that didn't work. So I thought I might be able to get to the turkey through his mouth, he hated when I started pulling on his lips. I was unsuccessful in my hunt because Tavis kept screaming at me when I would bight too hard, hounds are such wimps.


Click Here To See The Inside Of Tavis' Head

Here is another view of his turkey brain

Singing In The Rain!

A couple days ago I went outside with Mom in the morning to go potty. I didn't mean to wake her but I really had to go! Every time I would step off the porch into the yard I would get water poured on me! I kept trying different parts of the yard but water was falling from everywhere. I really had to go! So I just went on the porch. I had done that when I was really little so I figured it wasn't too bad to do. Mom explained that it was just rain but I didn't quite get it, I just haven't liked being outside these last couple days. Today it was sunny. I went on the treadmill and loved it. I did so well! I'm eleven weeks old today. Mom and Dad keep freaking out about how big I'm getting. I know my name now when Mom calls me because I can usually expect a treat, sometimes she just gives me a rub down which is kind of a let down but at least I get treats sometimes. Dad tries to call me but there are no treats so I don't listen.

When we were going to work on Friday Mom and Dad saw a dog running down the sidewalk completely soaked from the rain. Mom pulled the van over and Dad got out and the dog came over to her. She put the dog in the back of the car in the spare crate and we went to work. Dad bathed the dog and called the owners. It got completely pampered because the owner was at school then had a doctor's appointment so the dog stayed with us all day. Dad brushed him out and he looked really cute. He looked like a little Soft-Coated Wheaton Terrier mix. Mom put a Christmas bow on his collar. The owner was really thankful but had obviously had some bad news at her doctor appointment. I hope all ends up well.

Click Here To See Some Pictures Of Beckham