So this is what's going on in my life right now...

Elsie Marie
http://elsiemarie.chipin.com/elsies-surgery

 

If you know me, you would realize very quickly that I have a soft spot for dachshunds. Being the proud mother of four rescued dachshunds, I fell in love with their physique and proud stance, their stubbornness and their ability to love. My children, as I like to call them, are Elsie, Indiana, Livvie, and Levi. Today I’d like to share with you Elsie’s story. A very special dog, that has inspired me, kept me going, comforted me, and has added so much joy to my life and many others’. From the moment I first held Elsie, I knew she was special, but I never could have imagined how greatly she would impact my life. Almost 6 years later, I look back at all her and I have been through. We’ve shared so many good times, along with a lot of tears and pain. I always thought that I saved Elsie but I’ve come to realize it’s the other way around. Elsie saved me.

As a double dapple, Elsie was already born into the world with some issues, mainly her vision. She was special since day one and I will never forget rescuing her from underneath a trailer in the cold of the night. Shaking and covered in fleas, she curled up in my lap as I drove her home with me. I soon discovered Elsie had some severe allergies. She was allergic to every vaccine administered and even with the vet taking all necessary precautions, she had two nearly fatal allergy attacks due to the rabies vaccine.  At the age of 3 Elsie was attacked by a Husky. He went for the kill, ripping open her neck and shoulder. A very traumatic experience that left Elsie with many stitches and drain tubes going through her neck. Thank goodness, she remained the same little Elsie, as sweet as can be. I decided to add another dog to my family and rescued another dachshund, Indiana. The happy little pair ran around the house and had tons of fun together. I began to research fostering or adopting a senior dachshund when I came across two more dachshund puppies, a brother and sister, that were being taken to the pound. I decided to take them in with every intention of finding them a happy home. But, once they were in my house, I knew they were never leaving. My pack was complete. Hoxie’s Doxie’s, as my friends like to call them.

About 6 months after my happy family was complete, Elsie suddenly herniated several discs in her back. I can still hear her screams to this day. It was so terrible watching her go through this. All I wanted was for her to tell me what she needed and what I should do. Easily the worst day of my life, followed by many months of rehabilitation and special care for my Elsie girl. The pressure on her spinal cord caused paralysis in her back legs. She was in an extreme amount of pain. She spent many days at the vet’s office so that she could be kept hydrated and fed. Once she was brought home, I don’t think I slept for 3 months. Elsie was confined to her crate and I would stay up all night comforting her, practically cramming myself into the crate with her. She couldn’t walk and no longer had control of her bladder or bowel movements. I would clean her and express her bladder every day. She was put on a very expensive, prescription diet and required frequent vet visits to test her urine and her reflexes. Seeing many specialists and basically becoming my vet’s best friend, I never gave up hope. She began to make some progress in her recovery after about 5 months. First she started to move her toes when I tickled her. Then she was moving her foot and finally moving her whole leg. Being very cautious I assisted her in taking her first steps again until finally she was walking again on her own. I cried every step of the way. Elsie is getting stronger by the day. She still drags her right leg slightly but plays and rough houses with the other dogs and of course she shows them that she is still boss. She’s still on her special diet and still has no control over her bladder and bowel movements.     

After three years, I am finally paying off her medical bills only to realize that she now needs dental surgery. She has lost some of her teeth and her gums are deteriorating rapidly.  She is extremely sensitive around her muzzle. She isn’t in a lot of pain now but I expect that any day now, she won’t be able to chew her food. A similar procedure to a friend’s dachshund cost nearly $1000. I am hoping to get some funds raised to assist me with these medical costs, since I am extremely strapped taking care of her and 3 other dogs, or I am hoping to find a vet that will work with me and set up a payment plan. I will do whatever it takes to take care of my special one.

Many thousands of dollars later, some battle wounds, tears, laughter and a lot of special care and love, little Elsie girl and I have many more memories to make along with the rest of the pack Life would be so much easier without her but I wouldn’t have ever passed up the opportunity to share my life with this very special dog.

 

http://elsiemarie.chipin.com/elsies-surgery

 

Once again, there seems to sometimes be a problem getting to the paypal site from ChipIn website. 

Solution:

 

1. Go to www.paypal.com. Select the "send money" / "send money online" option. Send to email address elainelaniehoxie@gmail.com.

 

 

OR

 

2. Send check to Victoria Burrows of the Star Paws Rescue. She is sponsoring Elsie's surgery. StarPawsRescue@gmail.com

 

Make check out to: Star Paws Rescue

 

Memo should read: Elsie

 

333 W Washington Blvd #309

 

Marina Del Rey, CA 90292