Is that light at the end of the tunnel?

Today Duke got somewhat good news. At the beginning of the day, there wasn't much of a change going on... he is still vomiting and not eating. However, at the end of the day, I talked to the doctor, and he seemed to think that Duke was looking better than he was yesterday. I can roll with that. He is sitting up and looking around instead of just laying there, which is good stuff. If he can just eat for them, and hold it in.... we can start the thoughts of coming home. I miss that little guy... and Lord knows I love him to death. He's had a long week with Team Woodall.

God,

Thank you for the advances Duke has made. I know that sometimes it takes baby steps to get there. Help me to be patient through this, continue to heal by baby's body, give him strength and comfort from pain. Help him to eat, and to continue to get better so he can come home to us. I know things happen for a reason, I am giving it to your hands.

Hope and pray... hope and pray... repeat.

Duke got a visit by Jason and I today after work. He looks so weak. Tracy (the god send tech from heaven) says he looks worse today than yesterday. He still hasn't eaten anything, he is still losing fluids... They are trying tamiflu and some other things in his IV to see if they help. She said tonight is crucial for him... all we can do is pray. I love that little boy... more news tomorrow. Hoping we are playing fetch by next Friday...

Father God,

On this, the National Day of Prayer, be with our government leaders that thought it was not important enough to recognize this go around... Be with Baby Duke, heal him Lord-- and give him comfort. Be with Tracy as she cares for him Lord, be her guide as she is nursing him back to health. Give Jason and I the courage to endure this, and to make the right decisions. I give him to you, and lift him up in your hands. You, the great healer, are the one in the driver's seat. Give him healing Lord, so we can bring him home...

Duke day 2...

Well, Duke is hanging on. I am a survivor, I am from a long line of survivor/fighter people. He is going to do the same, at least that is what I pray. He made it through the night, Jason took him to the vet this morning, and it was agreed it was best to "day care" him with IV fluids, and the works. This is such a blessing since Jason and I both work. It is a relief that he won't be miserable in a kennel all day long. I am also so blessed to have a sweet husband with a love for animals. Unfortunately, this has led our house to become a menagerie, home to 3 big fish, a turtle, 3 cats, and now Duke, our love, our sweet Chocolate baby. The vet reported that his fever had broken when I talked to him around 2:00, he was alert, and the fluids seemed to be doing him good. Of course, the little guy isn't out of the woods yet, we have to take it day by day. I am praying so hard for him... It breaks my heart that at the age of 12 weeks (today to be exact) he is already having it rough. Fortunate for him, he has found us, a family that is going to try everything we can to get him to pull through.

P.S. at the end of that sentence, it was scary to hear rustling in the kennel to discover severe traumatic projectile pooping of mystery fluids and roundworms. God, I know I had aspirations of being a vet, but this is not exactly how I pictured channeling that energy.

Life is more than unfair...

So my little boy has numbered minutes with me and Jason. He was diagnosed at the vet today with Parvo. Not only does he have Parvo, but he has roundworms too. The worms are making him sick, while the Parvo virus goes to town, killing him slowly. Why couldn't this little boy just be healthy and be the thing Jason and I could take care of as our own? So, so, so unfair. Jason is at a regional tournament in Huntsville, slowly and painfully on his way home. We contacted the breeder and he feels terrible about it. He wants to take Duke back, and refund our money and the vet bill cost. The upsetting fact to this is he most likely will put him to sleep. This leaves Jason and I with a painful decision. We either take this baby, and spend an undeterminable amount of money caring for him and nursing him, with the understanding he may not make it, or give him back to his owner... knowing his fate. I have never been this devastated or at a loss.

Dear God,

I know you are the almighty healer. You have a plan for everything. Lord, I don't know what your plan for this is, I don't know why this little baby was put into my hands... but all I ask is that you help me to make the right choice. Give me comfort and strength to be able to deal with my decision. Help me to understand why things like this happen. Bring comfort and peace to little Duke, Lord. If it is your will that he gets to stay with me, heal his little body and bring him healing. I give this all to you. Amen.