Our little Angel Niko is still in ICU.   This time last week we were pretty certain we were going to lose him.   He was rushed to Charlotte for surgery to fix his shunt line that had stopped functioning and was causing  fluid to build in his brain.    The shunt line was corrected, and a small amount of fluid was manually removed from his brain.  The problem we have been dealing with all week is that his brain function had declined quite considerably when the line was not draining.   Anything that has to do with the brain is a very slow process.  You have to give the brain and the body time to restore to where it was before.  It doesn't automatically go back to where it was.   Originally they wanted us to consider saying good-bye to him on Tuesday.   I felt that was too soon and did not allow his body time to adjust positively.   Each day he has shown slight improvements.   This morning, he was able to open his eyes and focus on you and was able to eat out  of a bowl.  Prior to this, he was syringe fed only.   He is still peddling his rear legs but when put in water has more controlled movements of walking.  Although slow, he is making incredible progress.  On Monday, the Surgeons will get together and discuss whether the shunt needs to be adjusted to remove more fluid from the brain.   If too much fluid is removed too soon, the brain will collapse.  We have to be very careful how much is removed at one time.

As everyone already knows, being in ICU is the most expensive place to be in the hospital.   When you add on Critical Care Specialists on top of that, you are talking 5 star Four Seasons Suite rates.    Please, help us with his extensive medical bills.   Niko is slowly making progress exactly the way he should be.   He will have to remain in ICU until we feel he is stable enough to be transferred to another area of the hospital.  Any amount is greatly appreciated.  If you can't donate, we understand.   We know we have had a lot of critical cases lately that you have helped us with.   Please, forward to your friends and say a prayer that he will get back to where he was two weeks ago.  His surgeon feels that will happen.  We have to have Faith and allow his body to go adjust.    Niko's brain is functioning.  It is just very dull right now from the excess fluid.   He is a young pup that doesn't even weigh a pound.   He deserves his chance at a very long Life just like all the others we take in.   Please, help us give him that chance.