I am writing today’s blog between tears as my 8 year old Border Collie Encore is in an emergency clinic fighting for her life; I am asking for your healing prayers.
Encore’s health issues started about 3 1/2 years ago when she had some sort of tick born illness. She has had reoccurrences of issues off and on since that time. Two weeks ago she stopped eating and was very lethargic, her temperature normal all but one day where it spiked for few hours at 104. She has had a series of blood and urine tests all pointing towards nothing other than a healthy dog. I took her to a holistic vet who thought it was once again the tick born issues and treated her with some tinctures, doxycycline and light therapy which seems to make an amazing difference pretty much immediately. With Encore seeming to be back to be her old self again for almost a full week, I was encouraged enough to make the trip to Florida where Feature was to be representing Canada at the AKC Invitationals. The holistic vet however advised that I leave Encore at home to rest. So off John and I went in the RV taking only Feature and Swagger.
All reports from home where great ones. Encore was romping, having a blast her normal happy self. However two days ago she showed some signs of ataxia; a minor lack of co-ordination and weird movement with her right front leg. The vet thought perhaps a middle ear infection. Lynda gave me regular updates that Encore was happy, eating, drinking, being her normal self except for this weird front leg movement.
Then yesterday I got a phone call from my friend and Encore’s rehab vet, Dr. Leslie (Lynda was too upset to call) that Encore went down with a massive seizure. She was rushed to the emergency clinic where they could not stop the seizing. The decision was made to put her into a state of unconsciousness. Under an ongoing maximum does of phenobarbital and valium she lays resting but they have been unable to bring her out without the seizures starting again.
Meanwhile John and I packed the motorhome and headed home. I wanted to fly but that would have been unfair to John to leave him to drive alone. Encore is as much his dog as mine and in many ways more. Having Feature and Swagger with us packing us all up to get on a plane did not seem as reasonable as driving the 21 hours home. Because of my emotional state John didn’t want me to do any of the driving so as I type he has driven straight through with just a brief 5 hour stop for him to get some sleep.
The goal with Encore’s vets is to stabilize her enough to get her to a neurologist. Although the situation seems bleak, I have not given up hope. Last night I thought I would post a note to Facebook because I know many will be wondering why Feature and I did not show up at the Invitational. However I mostly posted because I know God hears our prayers. Just twelve hours after I posted about Encore’s struggles there have been more than 600 messages from people lending their prayers and healing thoughts Encore’s way. Thank you everyone. Not only are your messages helping me to pass the time on our long drive back to Canada but God promises where two or more of His followers are gathered together He will be here amoungst us. With the hundreds that have written in, surely we must have His attention.
Today I am thankful for all of your prayers, for all of the vets helping Encore; especially Dr. Alix, Dr. Leslie and Dr. Kelly and the staff at the London Emerg Clinic and last but not least, I will be forever eternally grateful for my good friend Lynda Orton-Hill who has done everything she could for Missy En, including sleeping in her car in the parking lot of the Emerg Clinic when at 1:30 AM this morning they told her she had to leave Encore’s side.
Mid day update;.
More gratitude for Lynda Orton-Hill and Dr Alexandra Soltan, between the two of them they managed to make an ambulance out of Lynda’s car and drive Encore the 160 km to the specialist at the Oakville Referral clinic. I can’t begin to express how grateful I am.
Dr. Alix didn’t even have to give Missy En and meds on route. I know there are families in Connecticut that also need all of our prayers today butI am so grateful for all this community is doing for Encore. Please keep all of your prayers & positive healing energy coming. John and I are 4 hours from home, the poor man has driven 18 out of the past 23 hours . . . saving a huge dose of gratitude for him.
Many prayers, tons of positive thoughts, lots of strengths, fingers and many paws crossed for Encore and you.
We are thinking of you and hoping for good news soon too.
Susan / John – I don’t know you personnally but I have read an awful lot about you and your very special little girl Encore. You blog has struck a cord in my heart. I am sending prayers and hopes for a healthy recovery. Please get well soon Encore x.
Healthing thoughts and prayers and hugs for Encore and your family and friends.
Sending you love and prayers. Get well Encore!! xoxox
Adding our prayers and healing energy for Encore and for her family, human and canine.
Sending strength and positive thoughts to you, Encore and your family.
Susan and John, I am so sorry you are going through this. Thank God for wonderful Lynda and the vets who are caring for precious Encore. Positive thoughts and healing prayers are being said for all of you. Wish I could give you a hug.
Wishing your sweet girl well X
I’m so sorry to hear this. Thinking of Encore, you, and your family today.
Encore is a very very special dog, she has always been my favorite of all your dogs, her and Stoni, there seemed to be some mystical connection between those two. My heart goes out to all of you, I am sure you are all exhausted and the stress is horrible. I know that Encore is for you what Bryn is for me. Rob and I are sending lots of positive thoughts. Hugs to you all.
Sorry to hear about Encore. Positive thoughts and prayers for her recovery.
All of us who have ever truely loved a dog know what you are going though. I pray that your love and support will help Encore pull through.
Praying for you and your family and sending healing thoughts to Encore.
Many prayers for you all and Encore! We hope for good news soon.
Just adding my prayers for all of you.
Sending positive thoughts and prayers
Continued prayers for strength and healing.
Just heard about Encore. Hope your vets are able to pin down the problem and come up with a good outcome.
Sending a massive wave of positivity to Encore and her family.
Susan and John
My heart aches for you all…take care as you drive. God will guide the hands of those working with Encore…
Kiersten
Prayers for all of you..for healing and safe travel.
Praying for Encore…she’s surrounded by wonderful people; she’s in the best of hands. Prayers to you and John for safe travels home so you can hold your Encore in your arms again…
I am so sorry that you are having to go through watching your sweet girl like this. I know that she may be unconscious, but she still will know that you are there. Just being there beside her is more than enough for your little girl right now.
Miracles CAN happen even though the situation is bleak. Praying for you and your girl and sending healing thoughts to all of your canine and human family.
No matter what happens, you are beside her and she knows that.
I choose to look at the positives. How wonderful that Encore has by her side the one person who loves her almost as much as you and John. If you could not be there – she would want Lynda with her. How good it is that you are nearly home. How when all else fails, there is always hope. And how dogs amaze us always with their own innate wisdom of life and knowing what we need from them. And how hard they try to give it to us. Thoughts and warm wishes for you both and Encore, and a prayer for the best outcome.
Tears in my eyes as I think the most positive thoughts for all of you.
Deep prayer and healing sent your way.
Thinking of you Susan and John and prayers for Encore. My heart goes out to you! Hugs
My prayers and positive thoughts for Encore. Have a safe trip getting to her.
Sending healing thoughts and prayers for Encore and prayer for strength, safety and wisdom for you And John.
Sending prayers Encore’s way! Hoping that everything turns out for the best!
Praying for a miracle for Encore! Our family along with our Georgia Disc Dogs are sending up huge prayers for you and your hubby and Encore!
Many thoughts and prayers for Encore. Thinking of you, John and Lynda. Drive safe, and best wishes for Encore.
Sending prayers for all of you.
Sending you and John a huge hug and healing thoughts for Encore during this difficult time. She is a strong red girl and she has to pull through this.
Susan, you, John, and Encore are in my prayers. With love and healing thoughts.
Katie
Just sending all our love and hope to you and your girl as you make your way home to her. All else falls away and fades in importance when they need us. All our best healing thoughts are headed your way.
I Am so sorry to hear this about your girl. we are praying for her. be safe as you drive to get to her.
Sending lots of prayers
Oh Susan how frightening to have been so far away from your Encore during this time 🙁 Nevada and I are sending lots of strength and prayers to you Encore and John and hope they figure out what is wrong. Hang in there Encore…..
“When two or more are gathered in His name”…yes, we have gathered, and will continue until you, John and Encore are together. May God give Encore the strength and will that she so often has displayed to the world…may the girl who has given so much to so many, be given her health back!!
Only the best wishes and prayers for your beautiful Encore.
Keeping Encore, you and John in my prayers and sending positive thoughts.
Sending healing vibes for Encore and hugs to you and John from Texas…
Susan you have our prayers . God bless you & your four footed family
Cathy
Susan you have our prayers . God bless you & your four footed family
Cathy
Sending prayers and healing thoughts to Encore and to you and John. God Bless
Keeping you and yours in my thoughts and prayers.
All my thoughts and prayers are with Encore,you,John,Lynda and your family. Positive energies are being sent to her from everywhere. If sheer Will makes a difference in situations, then there is a huge undertaking throughout the World for Encore to be healed. All our prayers are asking for a full recovery for precious Encore. We all are here to support her and the ones who love her. Our strength is sent.
Healing thoughts for Miss Encore and all those who love her dearly
Healing thoughts, prayers (and tears) are sent to all of you.
Susan and John, our hearts are with you and we pray for Encore to recover from this. We are so saddened to hear this news.. Keeping you all in our prayers.
Sandy and Mike