Star’s Journey- Update #1 and TC’s Experience Caring For A Seriously Ill Pet
TC here and if you know anything about me, you know how much I love my dogs. Recently I posted about my dog Star being very, very ill and so many amazingly kind listeners inquired via email and social media about her condition, I decided to update via the blog and possibly help someone else that is caring for a seriously ill pet as I am. Let me start at the beginning…
Last year I lost my beloved Scarlet after 16 years as my best bud. I adopted Star officially in November of 2021 and she helped to fill a void for me and Rosie (my other pup) that Scarlet left behind. It’s odd how our pets find us and know that they have a job to do.
Star is a 4-5-year-old tiny Yorkshire Terrier that was hanging at The Denville Animal Shelter. When me and Rosie met her we felt she would be a great fit for our pack. She was. Star has the most sparkling personality and loves dogs, cats, kids…..basically everyone! She made friends with every dog in my neighborhood instantly. All was well with my tiny treasure. We were even going to sign up for therapy dog classes.
Recently, I started noticing Star appearing “off balance” and thought maybe she hurt her leg or back roughhousing with Rosie, I took her to the vet. X-Rays were done, and nothing concerning I brought her home. Her mobility started to decline more and more. Recently she woke up and was completely paralyzed in her hind end and back legs. An MRI was ordered and a neurologist was found to treat her.
After multiple tests were performed and Star was admitted to the Red Bank Animal Hospital, it was a diagnosis I didn’t want to hear. Star has a form of Encephalitis that was attacking her brain and spinal cord. How could this be? She was fine! It’s a condition there is no cure for and I cried my eyes out. The first thing I asked the Neurologist is “is she in pain”? the answer was no. “Is there any chance she may walk again”? The answer was “we don’t know….but we can try medication, infusions, and treatment”. There was also a question that with Star’s tiny size, she may not survive the treatment but I wanted to try. What choice do I have? I have to give her a chance. Star’s personality hasn’t changed. She is happy, bright, trying to play with Rosie, and loves her food. She is frustrated she can’t walk and is supposed to be kept quiet (which is challenging) but my tiny girl is a fighter. She takes 6 medications a day and injections every few weeks that I am doing at home. The hope is that she will rebound and gain some mobility. Star is a dog that loves to walk two miles a day and interact with everyone, so it’s tough, but we try and play with her to keep her busy, focused, and happy. She deserves that and was very happy to get released last week she seems very happy, especially sitting in her favorite spot under the Christmas tree!
Sometimes I feel really sad for her, especially when I walk Rosie and see other pups romping along, but then I turn it around and make sure that she gets a toy, a piece o cheese, or just some extra love. Rosie is so smart and knows her playmate must be treated more gently than before. How smart our dogs are.
Thanks to everyone who has reached out. I appreciate it more than you know and I will continue to update you. I’m staying positive and I hope you will as well if you are also dealing with a seriously ill pet. I want to thank Star’s Neurology team at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital too. They have been wonderful!
If you have anything to share with me regarding your furry family members please hit me up directly at [email protected]. I would love to hear from you and thank you for your love and kindness…….
Terrie & Star
Star at the hospital- She is a great patient
Me, Rosie and Star…..my pack!
