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!

[Carol and Banjo]

Nancie,   What wonderful news this is!!!   I can only imagine your joy at having Gracie "back".    This is a new year for you all!   Hugs to you and Miss Gracie!!!

[Bonnie and Kona]

I am in tears reading this joyous news! Thank you so much for posting. I have had you on my heart so often and wondered how Gracie was doing. What a delightful report. Hoping to hear more and more good news as the months progress. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I am so very happy to hear Gracie is doing well.We have missed her and you. It was a long haul but is almost over. I send all my good thoughts for a complete and permanent recovery.

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Nancy, I am soooo happy for all of you and especially for Gracie Doodle!   So nice to hear she is back to her old self again and reuntied with her tennis balls:)  Happy tears here for all of you!  

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

Nancie,  This is wonderful news.  I am so happy that you have your sweet girl back.  Hope that she is in the 70% and that there is no reoccurrence.

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

Hi Nancie, I never knew about what Gracie doodle was going through! Omg how could I have missed this entirely. So sorry this happened but I'm so glad to see that she's on her way to better. Big hugs and kisses to you both xo

[Christine & Shelby]

So happy to read the news about Gracie Doodle! I'm sure this has been an incredibly tough journey, but in the end your connection is even stronger.... Two tennis balls at once :) that deserves a huge smile :)

[Becka]

Nancie, I remember when you and Gracie were first going through the diagnosis and treatment process and how painful it all was. This is wonderful news--I know that you and Gracie will enjoy every moment of it.

[Sue & Lily Grace]

I am so happy Gracie Doodle is back to herself again. I know we live every minute our pets are not well with trepidation and now you have turned the corner. Nancie, enjoy your little girl!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

OMD...this is the absolute best news to wake up to on a Sunday morning! Big smiles and big hugs are coming your way. YAY!!!!!