Libby is a 12 year old Chihuahua who appears to have been loved during her life. Sadly, at her advanced age she was left to die in a Kentucky shelter. When she was admitted into Hopeful Hearts' care, Libby was diagnosed with geriatric Vestibular disease (which means she holds head at a crooked angle and staggers about like a drunken sailor), a Grade III heart murmur and was found to be in Grade IV kidney failure; she was given only days to live. It was heartbreaking to watch this tiny, frail girl fight for her life even though her organs had begun to shut down.
With nothing to lose, the vet tried new medications and Libby was given the tools to fight. For several weeks she was force fed several small meals a day and, within the first month, gained some weight which brought with it hope and new found energy. Within a few months, Libby's health had not only stabilized, but the kidney disease actually marginally regressed. Today, she enjoys a normal diet of low protein kibble served only three times a day. After eight months in foster care - long after she was expected to have passed away - Libby is a healthy, happy and very loved little girl.
Because of how gregarious she is, Libby's foster mother believes Libby is a Lab stuck in a Chihuahua body. Libby has yet to meet a person, dog, cat, bunny or goldfish who isn't her BFF. In fact, because of how well Libby reads people and dogs, she routinely assists her foster mom with home visits; she is Hopeful Hearts' equivalent to Cesar's Daddy.
If you have room in your heart for this pint-sized
No comments:
Post a Comment