5 weeks--1 day -----Well, first of all I got a great night sleep. Probably the best in 3 months since this all started. We went to bed at 11 p.m. and she slept on the bed with me and then she got me up at 6 a.m. and we got up and she went outside on her own I might add--me not carrying her and she came back in and I gave her meds and we went back to bed and I couldn't believe it when I woke up and it was 9:30. That is unheard of for me.

Ok now on to our visit yesterday. I actually took 2 dogs on this trip--my shih tzu Winston and Abbey. Winston's symptoms have gotten worse and he has been licking his paws horribly and rolling around etc. too. Well, on evaulation I was informed that they couldn't be tested because they had been on the steroids. I remained calmed but definitely did say I thought the purpose of this trip was to test them so why was Abbey put back on the steroids etc. Well, then when the dermatologist went over our options she refreshed my mind rather quickly lets say by saying she didn't think we would be able to keep Abbey off of the steroids because of the licking and scratching and my comment exactly was "good point". Since Abbey has previously responded to the steroids, they believe food allergy is on the low end of the list. I have been giving her Natural Balance Duck and Potato which is grain free but like a dummy I've been adding shredded wheat for the extra fiber along with yogurt. Right when I told them about the shredded wheat I said to them--thats smart--I'm giving her a grain free food and then I'm adding grain--smart. I was also told of the foods that dogs are most allergic to is meat, grain and dairy. So off of the yogurt and shredded wheat. The yogurt has aided me ALOT to get all these meds down here and I said what the heck I'm going to do now but then went hmmmm applesauce and it worked well.

On both dogs it was decided not to test either of them. We are going the "atopica" treatment on both dogs and started this a.m. We are also keeping Abbey on the temeril-p because it takes awhile for the atopica to take effect. She is on the temaril for a schedule of: two tablets twice a day for 7 days, then one tablet a day for 7 days, and then every other day for 7 more doses. Hopefully, when the temaril is completed the atopica will be doing the job.

We are also are to continue giving her the "Malaseb" baths once a week--leave it on for 10 minutes and rinse off and they added "Humilac rinse" at the end of the bath. I was also given "Malaseb Pledgets" to wipe between the toes, pawpads, lip margins and vulva 2-3 times per week.

So the above is the scenario on the allergies. Again I was pleased with the doctors knowledge etc. and again I'm happy with Auburn.

Ok now on to the neurology aspect of this. Dr. Shores said to start getting her back to normal lets say. Another words let her walk around more. Let her be around the dogs and see how that goes--when we tried it last night we had to get on Bentley as he wanted of course to play with her and she definitely is not in the playing aspect of things. We did let her go out the doggie door last night and this a.m. which he said she could. There are 3 steps off of the deck down to the grass. It was very very hard for me to let her do this. I'm nervous about her doing stuff again and is it too soon etc. I asked about her being on the "regular" bed and if she should jump off which she hardly ever has done in the past but she has done it. He said he gets really nervous when any dog does that because of bumping their head etc. I'm not sure what we're going to do there. George and I are going to be talking about this more and we did a little last night. George is tye type of person and handiman that can come up with anything. His nickname actually is MacGyver and he truly is that. He gave the ok for her to go on walks which we will do today. He said the first month is the most important and to gradually add stuff up to the 3 month mark and after 3 months be at normal again.

I'm feeling alot more positive at this point that at least after all these years that she's getting the help she needs and from very qualified people and I think that is the real important thing here--qualified people. If this regime doesn't work then we'll go from there and I see light at the end of the tunnel finally. Its been a very hard road and my little Abbey is such a trooper.

I keep getting e-mails from strangers in the same boat or different stages etc. and I love it. I know I will have a close bond when this is over. My e-mail is on here so you know how to write.

I soooooooooooo appreciate all the support and caring etc. Its actually overwhelming and I know so many love their dogs like we love ours. They are family. A very big part of us.


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afternoon--about 1:30 p.m. Abbey hasn't been in the playpen today except for a very brief time. She's outside right now--went out the doggie door by herself and is out there sunbathing. I snuck on the other side of the house and took a picture of her but of course she's on the other side of the cyclone fence but she seems so happy today being given a little more freedom. Today is a very good day.