GRACIE DOODLE'S HAPPY DAY!!

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

FINALLY…it has been a long 10 months but finally I can come up for air and say that Gracie Doodle is back to her old self, healed and happy!!  YAY  It has been a long tearful journey but now the light at the end of the tunnel is burning bright and our sweet, silly, goofy, loving and happy girl has returned to us.  We are now down to 5 mg of Prednisone every other day for the next month and then she is off the medication completely.  The vet said that she has a 70% chance that the Masticatory Myositis won’t return. 

Gracie’s hair is growing back and filling in nicely.  It is coming in soft and silky and she looks like a hi/lo shag carpet at the moment.  The new hair is coming in darker than her apricot color and in some areas it is flat and coarse.  I am thinking that as it gets longer we may start to see a wave pattern come in.  Her tail is sort of funny looking.  She lost 80% of her beautiful plume and the hairs that remained looked like hanging fringe.  She still has the fringe but now the tail is covered in soft brownish hair.  As it grows I will taper down the fringe to start blending the old and new together.  Her bald legs and feet are now starting to get that Doodle look again.  The only lasting effect from the Prednisone that we can see is that her back feet collapsed a bit.  She went from the high knuckle (Poodle type feet) to being flat footed.  This caused her foot pads to strike in a different spot which got tender and bled.  With the help of socks and time the pads toughened up and now she is back to running and enjoying life.

What we are most thankful for is that her personality is back and there is that mischievous sparkle and laugh in her eyes again.  We have our sweet girl and best friend back and it is wonderful! 

I just want to thank all of you who constantly sent messages and checked up on us.  The last few I am late responding to.  We were so close to achieving this goal that I was afraid I would jinx it by speaking too soon.  Thank you all for your caring, prayers and well wishes.  Many of you gave me encouraging words which were a big help getting through all of this.  I had many very low days and it was nice to know that my DK friends were here thinking of us. 

And guess what…Gracie Doodle is catching and carrying TWO TENNIS BALLS again!!!  It doesn’t get any better than that in her book!  Love and hugs to you all!

[Dana Larason]

This is wonderful and gives me hope!

[Rick Andrews]

So happy for you Nancie, we are facing this terrible disease with our 3 year old.   Finally some encouraging news.  Can I contact you personally to discuss this?  Teri Andrews

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

I don't know why I keep missing important blogs like this one. I'm so happy for you and sweet Gracie!

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

I am late catching up on Gracie Doodle news, but I am so glad that it is wonderful news!

[Colleen, Jake & Baxter]

Gracie Doodle you have made our day with your good news!  It doesn't get any better when our doods are back to being themselves.  10 months is a long time but so happy there is light at the end of the tunnel. Such tender loving care you have given her.

[Pam & Trixie]

This is Wonderful news, I am so glad that Gracie is back to being herself!

[Lynda Kamrath]

Wow!  That is so super.  Gracie back to normal!  I know you are one happy lady.

[Camilla and Darwin]

THis is excellent news, I'm so happy!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Tis is just great Nancie! I am so glad to hear you got your sweet healthy girl back. Whew, what a relief for you. You did an awesome job taking care of her through all this. I recommend two tennis balls and two glasses of wine to celebrate.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Reading this just made my day!! Woo Hoo Gracie Doodle!! Happy hugs!!