Sweet Daphne is out of Surgery and doing well.   The surgeons went in and removed the old plate on her leg and also did cultures on the entire area to make sure the area was clear of infection.    We will get the cultures back early next week.   The mass they thought was on the kidneys turned out to be on her uterus.  The mass is very large but does not appear to be causing her any issues with urinating or defecating.   We are waiting for the biopsy report to come back.  No matter what the report shows, we have decided surgery to remove the mass would alter Daphne's quality of Life in a negative way.   The surgery would be far too invasive for a dog her age.  We are going to let our dear girl live out her Life until her quality of Life is altered in a negative way from the mass.  Until then, she will be treated for any medical needs she has in a positive way that enhances her quality of Life.   Our sweet girl is getting stronger each day.  We have a wonderful foster set up for her that has looked after Bimka and so many other older dogs that had special needs and lots of love until their time comes.

I want to address Daphne's name change.  If an older animal comes to us, and they are not responding to their name at all, we change the name.   This way they begin to relate to their new name in a positive way such as I am going to get a treat, a hug, a walk, kisses, etc.  Older animals need positive reinforcement they will never be abandoned again.   I am still amazed no one from her past would keep this amazing dog.   She is sweet and loving and has more wisdom in her beautiful eyes.   When you hug Daphne, you get to honor and love a beautiful majestic Animal.  If she could talk, I know she would have amazing stories to tell and pearls of wisdom we could all learn from.

We don't know how long Daphne will be with us, but we do know, her time left will be Special.   She just might outlive us all with all the TLC she is getting.   She now has a reason to live.    Abandoning an animal when their loved one dies is a terrible, selfish act.   Dogs need us to take care of them, the way they have taken care of us.   Taking on the responsibility of an animal means loving them unconditionally for their entire Life.   When the time comes, and you can no longer do that,  it is your responsibility to find someone else to care for them.    Thousands of animals are discarded daily in this Country because they get old.  Make a plan for your four-legged companions so they will be loved and cared for until their time comes.   Life is full of uncertainty but loving an animal and taking care of them until they die should not be one of them.  

We are getting very little in donations because Daphne is an older gal.   She has lots of medical needs that need to be addressed and tests to be run so she can be with us much longer.  Daphne's Cat Scan to determine exactly where her tumor is costs a lot of money but is the only way to find out the best way to treat her.  Please, donate any amount to give her the best possible chance to get better.  Older dogs love unconditionally until their last breath.    They deserve the same opportunity a young dog does, so their final years are comfortable and free of pain.