On this beautiful spring day our girl, the Princess Katie, is at an emergency vet clinic having surgery to take our her gallbladder. They will also biopsy her liver while they’re in there, as her bloodwork shows a marked increase in values that are worrisome.
I had planned on putting the tent up yesterday afternoon, and spending last night with her camping in our backyard. We’re having unseasonably warm weather and she’s been a bit listless. I thought she’d enjoy a night outside.
But we found out yesterday that she’s listless for more scary reasons than just being bored.
She’s in surgery now. She (and we) would appreciate any good thoughts you have to spare. She’s a senior girl, but she’s one of the strongest seniors I’ve ever met.
If any dog can get through this at her age, she can.
Our girl.
UPDATE: 11:30 am She’s out of surgery, in ICU, they are waking her up now. She did good, some biopsies were taken and are off to the lab. Now we wait for those reports. She’ll stay in the hospital for another day or so. Can’t wait to kiss her nose again.
Change Is Hard 
April 8, 2021 at 10:20 am
Prayers.
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April 8, 2021 at 11:15 am
Thank you. She’s out of surgery now, they said she did well. We’ll get another update later today.
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April 8, 2021 at 10:23 am
Oh, this brought tears to my eyes. Best, best to darling Katie. And keep us posted.
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April 8, 2021 at 11:16 am
I know. My eyes are leaking off and on too, if I let myself think too much. She just got out of surgery, they said she did well. They sent off some stuff for biopsy, but at least we’re through this part.
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April 8, 2021 at 6:49 pm
Yes, of course they were! How we love our fur buddies. May the news be good! I will be waiting anxiously to hear.
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April 8, 2021 at 10:28 am
Oh, Dawn–the kitties and I send purrs and our very best wishes for the Princess.
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April 8, 2021 at 11:17 am
She’s strong. Out of surgery now, they said she did well. They sent some material to a lab for testing, but at least we’re past the surgery. They’re waking her up now.
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April 8, 2021 at 11:23 am
So glad surgery is done. Stay strong, Dawn. You and Katie.
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April 8, 2021 at 10:31 am
Positive thoughts and lots of hugs.
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April 8, 2021 at 11:17 am
Thank you. She’s out of surgery and they are waking her up now. They said she did good.
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April 8, 2021 at 10:36 am
Saying prayers for Katie…hugs for you too!
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April 8, 2021 at 11:17 am
Thank you! She’s out of surgery now. We’ll be waiting for lab results.
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April 8, 2021 at 11:41 am
My fingers are crossed for a good result. 🤗
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April 8, 2021 at 10:39 am
all paws are crossed for good news..
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April 8, 2021 at 11:18 am
Thank you, the more paws crossed the better! She made it through surgery and is not in recovery. They said she did good.
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April 8, 2021 at 10:47 am
We will certainly pray for the dear princess to make a strong recovery!
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April 8, 2021 at 11:18 am
Thank you. She’s out of surgery now and in post-op. She’ll be there for another day or so.
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April 8, 2021 at 11:11 am
You have brought Katie into our lives in such a real way that I can’t help being tearful over this message. But prayers for her recovery and continued well being. ❤️
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April 8, 2021 at 11:19 am
Thank you. Yes, she has a way of wriggling into people’s lives. Silly sweet girl. She’s out of surgery now and in post-op. They’re waking her up now. They said she did good.
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April 8, 2021 at 11:11 am
Best wishes, hopes and prayers. Come on Katie girl! Stay strong mom and dad.
Pam and Scout
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April 8, 2021 at 11:19 am
Thank you. She’s just out of surgery, they said she did good. We’ll be waiting for lab reports from some spots the surgeon sent off for tests.
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April 8, 2021 at 11:29 am
Our hearts are with everyone in your family. Glad she made it through surgery. Now to recover.
Those fur babies sure know how to make us worry!
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April 8, 2021 at 11:33 am
Don’t they! 🙂
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April 8, 2021 at 11:41 am
Oh dear! Your poor baby girl. Of course you’d done the right thing to get her into surgery and she’ll feel better soon enough.
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April 8, 2021 at 12:03 pm
I think it will be much better for her now. Looking back she may have had painful incidents for quite awhile that we didn’t recognize.
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April 8, 2021 at 11:54 am
Glad Princess Katie is out of surgery. i hope she is OK!
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April 8, 2021 at 12:04 pm
Thanks, Trent! She’s in ICU now, she’s a strong one, this girl, I think she will do well. I really want to see her. Darn covid anyway.
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April 8, 2021 at 12:26 pm
Good luck Katie!
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April 8, 2021 at 8:44 pm
Thank you! She’s doing OK, last we heard. Will know more tomorrow.
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April 8, 2021 at 1:03 pm
Get well soon Katie! Sending big hugs to your Mama ❤
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April 8, 2021 at 8:44 pm
Thank you Ruth!
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April 8, 2021 at 1:13 pm
Sending many, many prayers. I know all too well how suddenly things can change when Shelties reach a certain age…..praying for good biopsy results. Please give her kisses from us and stay positive!!!
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April 8, 2021 at 8:45 pm
Yes, time is short when you’re forteen. We’ve been really lucky so far, no real issues with her. If the gall bladder being out gives us another year or so I’ll be happy.
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April 8, 2021 at 1:44 pm
Sending both of you positive energy and healing thoughts. Hope you won’t have to wait too long for the biopsy results.
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April 8, 2021 at 8:45 pm
Thank you. I hope not either, though the vet didn’t think anything would come back bad. We’ll see.
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April 8, 2021 at 2:49 pm
I’m so glad she did well in surgery. I hope she recovers well from that, and that the biopsy reports are good. What a hard thing to go through!
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April 8, 2021 at 8:46 pm
We’ve been so lucky with her health in the 14 years, but yes this was scary!
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April 8, 2021 at 4:08 pm
Sending lots of thoughts and prayers. Recover quickly and well, Princess. Hugs to your mama too.
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April 8, 2021 at 8:46 pm
Thank you Robin. She’s resting, tomorrow will be a big day.
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April 8, 2021 at 4:13 pm
Saying prayers for your sweet Katie! ❤️🙏❤️
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April 8, 2021 at 8:46 pm
Thank you!
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April 8, 2021 at 4:21 pm
Sending prayers and good thoughts your way…poor Katie girl…I hope she recovers quickly and the labs are good. Older dogs can be a challenge:)
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April 8, 2021 at 8:47 pm
Thank you! She’s doing good so far!
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April 8, 2021 at 4:54 pm
Praying for Katie!
Hugs,
Julia
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April 8, 2021 at 8:47 pm
Thank you!
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April 8, 2021 at 5:47 pm
Thinking of you and Katie girl. Hope everything is all right. Waiting is hard. Give her a hug from me when you get her home.
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April 8, 2021 at 8:47 pm
I will Helen. Thank you for your support!
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April 8, 2021 at 9:55 pm
Crappola. I had hope the gallbladder would smarten up and resume working semi-properly.
Peter is faring much better after his toe amputation and he’s 14 too. Granted an appendage is far less serious than internal organs, but anesthesia always worries me. I slept on the bed on the floor that I’d made for his recovery room. I feel the confusion they have after a painful procedure can be so detrimental to the overall recovery.
Whatever they’re going through, the only thing I feel certain I can do is provide spooning.
Give a spoon to the little girl when she comes home.
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April 9, 2021 at 4:03 am
Bonnie, the sheltie queen before our current Princess, had a toe taken off. I can’t remember it being that bad, but I’m sure it was for her. I hope Pete feels better soon.
I’m sure Katie will feel much better without the traitorous gallbladder.
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April 8, 2021 at 10:14 pm
Always hard to have a pup in surgery. And to have numbers that don’t look great. And to not know the results of the biopsies yet. Here’s a virtual big hug. Fingers crossed.
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April 9, 2021 at 4:05 am
I know you know first hand. I want her home, but also don’t want her home prematurely. I’m sure she’s hurting and scared and wants her people too.
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April 9, 2021 at 5:56 am
Oh I hope the Princess Katie will be ok… sending hugs and good thoughts ❤
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April 9, 2021 at 10:20 am
thank you!
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April 9, 2021 at 7:17 am
I hope Katie is back home getting spoiled. How did you know it was her gallbladder or was this found on a routine checkup?
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April 9, 2021 at 10:24 am
She had her annual physical in December and the bloodwork showed elevated liver numbers. The vet wasn’t worried, said old dogs had ‘leaky livers.” I was not convinced. He didn’t want to do an ultrasound because “so you find something, what are you going to do? She’s 14.” So a neighbor had been telling me about this great vet about an hour away, and I took her there for a second opinion and told her about the issues I knew older shelties get, including gallbladder and that I wanted an ultrasound, and she said “absolutely!” and did it right then. And we saw the beginnings of a problem. We tried to manage it with meds, and she went back to the vet each month for another ultrasound. Not much got better. Then this week she had a gallbladder attack and we rushed her to emergency. Once they get that sick you don’t have much time before it can errupt, which almost always causes instant death. We knew she was in trouble whe she threw up dinner, then breakfast the next day, then water after that. And she was quivering in pain.
I’m glad I went with my gut and took her to another vet.
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April 9, 2021 at 12:51 pm
I am so glad you went ahead and got a 2nd opinion. Good thing your neighbor knew of a good one. Glad all went well for Senior Katie.
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April 9, 2021 at 7:18 am
Sending good thoughts and prayers for quick recovery and for good news about the lab results. Hope you have her home today!
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April 9, 2021 at 10:24 am
Vet just called, she’s recovering nicely, maybe home tomorrow.
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April 9, 2021 at 7:41 am
Adding my prayers too!
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April 9, 2021 at 10:25 am
Thank you!
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April 9, 2021 at 8:07 am
Lots of kisses and positive vibes for Katie girl! Prayers are on her way too.
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April 9, 2021 at 10:25 am
Thank you Eva and Priscilla!
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April 9, 2021 at 9:23 am
This made my heart sink and made me cry. Marlee and I are sending love and so many hugs to you and your beautiful Princess.
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April 9, 2021 at 10:25 am
Awww, thank you. She’s doing well in recovery today!
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April 9, 2021 at 2:31 pm
Lovely photos and the one of Katie is very sweet. Glad she made it through surgery.
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April 9, 2021 at 4:36 pm
I’m grateful she is doing so well.
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April 9, 2021 at 3:01 pm
Oh dear. Lots of virtual hugs and prayerful thoughts going out for you and the princess, Dawn! Glad to hear her surgery was successful. Her time being away will give you renewed appreciation for her.
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April 9, 2021 at 4:37 pm
Yes, I can’t wait to have her back again. I’m trying to make myself enjoy the freedom of her not being here, but I can’t enjoy it. I need my girl.
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April 9, 2021 at 8:24 pm
Me, Oliver, Milo and Dunkin are sending our best thoughts to you and Katie. Happy to hear the surgery was successful.
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April 9, 2021 at 8:36 pm
Thank you so much.
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April 10, 2021 at 12:12 am
Sending good energy to you and Katie. Hope the results are good.
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April 10, 2021 at 11:28 pm
It’s a good thing we did the surgery, her gallbladder was very inflamed. She’s home now, quite groggy and wobbly but every day she will get better!
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April 11, 2021 at 10:22 am
That’s excellent news. She will get better everyday. Look forward to reading one of Katie’s posts in the near future. They always bring a smile.
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April 11, 2021 at 12:34 am
Oh! 😦 It sounds hopeful. Going to check your next blog post right now. But I need to wipe the tears from my eyes first ….
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