UPDATE: My last post before I go to bed for a couple of hours is an update on BHRR's Autumn.
As shared with a couple over the last 24 hours, I talked to two of her Vet team plus one of her specialists on Tuesday and I needed to converse about quality of life. To have even uttered those words on a GD that came to me such a 'hot mess', broken and emaciated with many medical conditions, to have come through over 8 months of a miraculous journey with her, telling her daily that she is DESERVING and that she is WORTHY, to adore this dog the way I do…..uttering those words through the huge lump in my throat and the sickness in my stomach was just the worst feeling ever…..
I have promised to each and every dog that crossed my door and heart that they will lack for nothing, that I will always do 'right' by them and it is about quality of life…..
BHRR's Autumn's blog is very detailed with all her updates, photos, videos and the friends and fans she has captured with her paws and heart since we were first contacted to assist her….
Her journey from the States to us was just the beginning….and to be at this point over a bad fall she took slipping on wet grass, is crushing…..something that could happen to any dog, yet, to have happened to her, with her already broken body….was more than devastating.
She has not used her leg in a week, she had been sedated to try and keep her more quiet to get the swelling and edema to go down and to give her time to try and get some healing in, she was off her food, limiting her water intake and that 'almost violent in her affection' Autumn was fading like a beautiful sunset…..
I said that I would bring her back in on Thursday to re-evaluate and on my way home, I called Sean and I told him I need to ask Autumn what she wants….
We had changed her pain management protocol as she was just too doped up and we were having to put two slings on her to help her go outside and she was just not 'her'……I could see how glazed her eyes was, the pain, the weight loss…..and, I needed to try and keep being objective….very hard, when you are so subjectively attached to her…..
People say that a dog will let you know when they are ready…I have had that experience….yet, I have had equally as many experiences that *I* needed to speak on behalf of the animal and do the humane thing…the right thing, the hardest thing ever…..
When I came home, I crawled into her colossal crate and I looked at her….I just sat and asked her what did she want…that, I did not want to be selfish and it was hurting me to see her hurt…..not to see her bigger than life personality just lighting up our home….her happiness, her joy, her everything….
As crazy, as it sounds…4:30 AM and being up almost 21 hours, can make the brain a wee bit fuzzy, yet, her eyes were clearer than they had been in almost a week…..the heavy dose of meds were finally leaving her system, she actually sat up…..and, then she laid a paw on me and put her head on my shoulder and sighed…..and nuzzled me….
When she moved away, I knew what she wanted…..and, I am going to give it to her….she wants more time….
She ate the most that she has done in days….she was almost at her normal water intake and when she peed, she was actually putting her 'bad' foot down to give herself more balance and I only needed one sling to assist her in and out of the house….
I am keeping it 'real'….I know that she is nowhere close to being out of any 'woods'….yet, I am taking it day by day and continuing to try and do things right for her…..quality of life….quality of life….
AND, you know what is the best sound in the world….hearing her snore for the first time in almost a week! She is actually having a good rest…..
Day by Day…….
AND for those looking to donate FROMM FOOD, please note that she has been on FROMM SALMON for many months. She does NOT like the FROMM Whitefish. 
YOU CAN ALSO MAKE BI-WEEKLY AUTOMATIC DONATIONS OR EVEN MONTHLY DONATIONS – HERE
(You do not need a PayPal account either)
People can donate to Kanata Animal Hospital (613) 836-2848and they will take Visa, M/C and AMEX over the phone under the account of 'Birch Haven Rescue' for 'Autumn'. They will take Debit or Cash in person too!
You can also mail donations via a Bank Draft to:
Birch Haven Rescue & Rehabilitation Services
C/O Gwendilin Boers
2425 Totem Ranch Road West
RR#1 Oxford Station, Ontario
K0G 1T0
OR email transfer to gwen@birchhaven.org
OR via PayPal(please use the 'gift' option)
BHRR's AUTUMN's AWESOMEFIED Angels $4,451.81 donated to date & Bills $8,328.36
Anna & Peter
Maggie/Derek – bag of FROMM Whitefish dog food
Rachel
Jan
Kathryne – microchip & to purchase a bag of FROMM Whitefish Dog Food
Liza/Kelly + Gracie – 3 bags of FROMM Whitefish Dog Food
Micaela
Andrea – PayPal took $0.74 in fees
Suzanne
Lesley
Aileen
Paula
Karen
Dawn
Lucie – PayPal took $3.20 in fees
Tauny/Len
Brian
Alice – PayPal took $3.20 in fees
Laurie
Penny
BHRR's Autumn's Emergency Online Fundraiser
BHRR's GIVE It 'UP' 4 Autumn
RCMP's Roll Your Own fundraiser
Gloria
Luc
Monique
John
Marilyn
Mylene
Brent
Cheryl
Sarah
Marie
Anna in honour of her brother George's birthday
Clo
Michelle
Shanna
Fiona and her family
Kathryn
Karen
BHRR's AUTUMN's WishList:
$ towards Vet bills
FROMM – Salmon Dog Food
Dino Smoked Bones
Oatmeal Shampoo
TONS of positive thoughts and vibes
Packing Blankets
**IF I am forgetting any ANGELS, it is completely unintentional and please EMAIL me**