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This is Hank.

Cute huh?  You’re God damned right he is.  We’ve had Hank for a full week.  In that time we have introduced him to his crate.  We’ve shown him where to go when he needs to take a dump.  He’s been, in short, a totally kick-ass dog.

On Thursday, Hank had a really, really bad day.  Hank stopped eating.  He began vomiting.  He was having horrible gas–then diarhea.  At first we thought that perhaps he had eaten something.  He hadn’t.

We took him to Shaker Road Animal Hospital who took x-rays and checked to see if he was suffering from some sort of intestinal blockage.  When they found nothing, they suggested that we go to Boston Road Animal.  It was there where hank tested positive for parvovirus.  Parvo is a potentially deadly canine condition that eats the inside lining of the intestinal track.  It’s a virus that can eventually effect bone marrow, wipe out white blood cells, and make it impossible for the dog to fight infection.

It’s a very costly course of treatment that typically involves several days of isolation and a contract course of subcutaneous fluids, pain medications, anti-biotics, pro-biotics, appetite stimulants, a bland diet, and round the clock care.

We had options that included sending to hospital, returning him to the animal rescue that we adopted him from, or caring for him at home.  We chose to take care of him ourselves.   This was he would be under the care of familiar faces.  Things have been very touch and go. He had gotten very week and would not eat.

In the last 24 hours, Hank has made a remarkable turn around.  He’s eating his food.  He’s alert.  He is sprinting to the go relieve himself.  He’s sprinting to come back in.  He’s been playful, and curious, and mischievous.  He’s hardly out of the woods.  But he appears to be fighting back with a vengeance. He’s returning back to health.  He’s a tough little man.

Thanks to all of my Facebook friends who have checked in and have offered their words of support to Hank (and to me and my family too).  We very much appreciate your kindness and the sincerity of your well wishes.  Hank, I’m sure, appreciates it….well, he could if he could read.  But we’re working on that.