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.
You are in my thoughts and Prayers, John do not forget your needs and health, arrive home safely, and hold on to hope
No need to ask… We are all thinking of you & praying for Encore.
Get home safe.
Keeping all of you in prayer. Warm hugs from Florida and Pennsylvania
Dearest Susan & John;
Just wanted to send my very heartfelt and sincere prayers and thoughts to you and your wonderful canine partners!
May the Lord bring you all safely home — “LOVE HAS REASONS THAT REASON CANNOT UNDERSTAND”
Sincerest Love and Prayers
Marlane, Rocky Solo and Cosmo (if dogs could pray I know they would.
I have been thinking of all of you all night and all day at work ,I will keep praying and I hope as I type this you and John have arrived safely and our with Encore now hugs to all of you
Keep my thoughts of you, John & Encore close to my heart.
Sending positive thoughts and energy to Encore.
Sending positive thoughts and prayers for Encore and to you and John. Thank you for letting us know about Encore’s problem.
Sending prayers for Encore! My heart goes out to you
sending lots of good healing thoughts and keeping Encore and all of you in my prayers.
So sorry to hear about Encore. Our thoughts are with you. We are sending our sincere wishes for Encore makes a full recovery. There is nothing worse than having a loved one in distress . Stay strong & keep positive thoughts.
Susan and John,
I am so very sorry to hear that Encore is so sick. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers and I hope that Encore recovers. Drive safely.
Mary Hunter
Praying for Encore’s recovery.
Susan, Since I’m blessed to know you, I know how you must feel right now and wanted to tell you here, that all my thoughts go out to you and encore.
You know I do not really “pray” but I can launch some of my very own magic & thoughts from France to you both :
HHhhheeeeeeeeal !
Luv’–David
I don’t know you but as one that has been in the same position as your are experiencing now I send you my thoughts and you will be in my prayers for Encore and your family. Please keep the faith, God is always there. We have 2 Shelties. May God be with you.
Prayers and positive thoughts and energy being sent to Encore.
Thank you for the update. Prayers from the South for healing and strength. Friends are truly amazing. Big ole hug to Linda for being a true friend.
Prayers said for your dear Encore. Yes, God delights to hear and answer our prayers – praying that He gives wisdom to all concerned, strength to Encore and peace to you and John.
Prayers from Denmark
Thinking of you and your Super Star girlie…..
Thoughts and prayers are with you and Encore. Healing energy is being sent to Encore.
Praying for Encore and her family. Agility dogs are determined souls, and I know Encore is no exception to that.
You and Encore are in our hearts, thoughts and prayers.
Your friends in Winnipeg are thinking of you during this time.
Michelle and Reba
Sending you lots of Love and prayers to Encore, you and John. Give all the other dogs a hug as they are also feeling for Encore.
Sending healing prayers for Encore.
Thank you for taking the time to tell us what is happening, and thank you as always for sharing such grace and gratitude. The measure of a man …
Encore! She’ll live up to her name.
Love and hope to you all.
all the best to encore!! i hope she recovers! my thoughts are with you!
Praying for a full recovery and for the peace of God to guard your hearts…
From Australia with love
Thinking about you Encore. Wishing you well x
So very sorry to learn about encore. Sending prayers for her speedy recovery
Dear Susan and John and Swagger and Feature and Encore,
Sending many wishes for all of you and healing thoughts for Encore from New Zealand.
So sorry to hear about Encore and my prayers are with your family during this time…. Keep strong and have faith….
Sending prayers of healing and comfort for Encore and her Mom and Dad and for all those who love her.
You are in my thoughts and prayers. Those of us that love our dogs so passionately must channel all that love towards healing grace. Encore we love you. Feel our prayers for your strength to pull you through.
Thoughts and prayers for you all and your darling girl from Australia.
You all are in my thoughts. I have so been enjoying watching Encore lately as I rewatch the One Jump video. Here’s hoping for a happy outcome and for you to have many more years together.
Thinking of Encore and you and John .
Our thoughts are with you and hope the best for Encore.
Wishing for a miracle for your pack, they really do happen. We were fortunate to have one with our Sheltie 5 years ago with a mysterious illness that affected him neurologically.
Blanketing Encore with healing prayers from California and for safe travels for you.
My prayers are with you & your “family” canine & human today… Much love for Missy En whose beautiful soul shines through in all your posts.
Healing thoughts for you and Encore!
Thinking of you all.
Special prayers from the UK for you, John and Encore. x
My thoughts and prayers are with Encore!
Y’all are in my thoughts…bless her heart.
Sending strong prayers your way in hopes it is in time to help Encore. Prayers work wonders!
So sorry your loved Encore is going through this at such a young age.
So sorry to hear Encore is not well. I have been thinking of her and the rest of your crew all day. Prayers for a full recovery.
Many healing thoughts & prayers coming for your sweet Encore that all will be well!
Dear Susan & John, Just wanted you to know how sad we are to hear of Encore’s situation. Thank you for posting this update. God’s speed to you home to Encore. I continue to keep Encore in my prayers. Our thoughts are with you. Gail Maidens