Honey Update!!

[The Berry Oaks Doodle Ranch]

Honey is in the most capable and and loving arms of Dr. Beam and his staff in Alvarado, Texas.  I spent some time with her before his staff took her in the back.  They explained she would have her surgery by Friday or Monday at the latest.  She then will begin a grueling and painful, for the first several weeks, 4-8 week rehabilitation.  Dr. Beam's assistant explained that because she is young it will probably be no more than 6 weeks and may be even quicker.  That is good news.

Before I departed his office to start back to Savannah I asked if I could see her again.  They took me back through their incredible facility to their kennels.  She was standing there in her large kennel with her favorite sleeping rug and her toys, but looking forlorn and confused.  I sat with her and held her through the kennel while she licked my ears, also known as Doodle Kisses.  I promised I would come back for her soon.  I then left.  It was not a good.....for me.

After regaining my composure I headed toward Savannah making it to Minden, LA before stopping for the night.  Tomorrow early evening I will make it back home. All-in-all I will log about 2800 miles.  Well worth it to me...and Joyce. 

Please keep in mind this was a DRC family effort.  We all participated whether it be making flight arrangements, the vets devoting their time and resources, her fosters, her transportation, those who donated for her surgery or the many who gave morale support to the latter.  As Jacquie commented today, we, DRC, are a family and a family can do awesome things together.

OK...time to get some rest and hit the road again tomorrow.  Thank y'all for everything EVERYONE has done.

Nite.

[DJ & Chance]

Travel safe.  Honey is in good hands, thanks to you and to many others who have helped her along this path.  She is a tough, loving girl who will never forget you.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

What a wonderful family DRC is and you are perhaps a favorite uncle! Thank you again for what you are doing for Honey, I love that darling doodle and all the rescue boys and girls that without DRC would not have love or even lives in lots of cases. Honey will certainly be a perfect poster Doodle for DRC and I can't wait until all her pain is over and she finds her best 'forever home'.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

This is just incredible what you did for Honey. Thank you and safe travels.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Dane -- Good News to hear that her recovery could be much quicker than originally anticipated.  I'll relax a little once Dr. Beam has evaluated her and knows that she is a good candidate for the surgery and that he can help her get the life that she deserves.  Things like this would be so much easier if there was just a way to explain to her why you had to leave her there.  That you aren't just abandoning her.  We'll anxiously be awaiting updates and hope that you are back there in a very short amount of time to pick her up!  Hugs to you again for getting her there and most importantly for loving her. 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Sheri, Do you know who will be handling Honey's care while she is recovering?

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

One of Dr. Beam's Tech's is going to foster her once she leaves the Clinic.  She will be at the clinic for a week to 10 days.

[BG and Gavin]

This is wonderful for continuity for Honey. Bravo!

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

I keep thinking that too, if she could just know the reason for all of this is to help her.  But I have had that thought so many times with animals that have stolen my heart.  I guess that's part of what makes them special, the trust they have in us, even when they don't understand the reasons for what we do.  

[BG and Gavin]

Thank you for all that you have done for Honey.  May the universe pay you back 100 fold.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I wanted to share a little customer service situation I had while Honey was with us.  When she arrived she had a few of the Duck Jerky treats that she was used to having.  She was on a Limited Ingredient food as well and I didn't want to deviate from it so I was looking for the Jerky.  I couldn't find any anywhere.  I checked on Mr. Chewy website as that is where I order my food from.  They had Duck Jerky Bars.  Looked like Jerky so I ordered two bags.  When it arrived it wasn't jerky, but some cookie like bars.  So I wrote them and told them I didn't get what I thought I was going to get.  They said no problem, we will refund your money and you can just donate the treats to a rescue or shelter.  So, I continued to look for Duck Jerky and after several days I had not found any locally or on line and I was just about out of treats.  So, I wrote back to the young lady and told her out of desperation I was going to try the treats and to please put them back on my account.  I gave her a brief story on Honey and why I was being so picky about the treats.  She wrote back that I should just keep the treats and use them for Honey compliments of Mr. Chewy.  That they were very rescue friendly and would I please keep them updated on Honey's progress.  She said her very 1st dog was named Honey!  I just dropped her a note this morning to let her know that Honey was now in Texas and would be getting her surgery in the next few days.  Just seemed like wonderful Customer Service to me so I wanted to give a shout out to  Mr. Chewy! 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

What great customer service and what a caring company. 

[Bonnie and Kona]

That is really impressive! Thanks for the heads-up.