Album by Susan Wichman. Photos by Susan Wichman. 1 - 24 of 32 Total. 9573 Visits.
1 After nine long days in the shelter, Claire is pulled by New Rattitude. Horribly thin and showing signs of kennel cough.
2 She was nothing but skin and bones.
3 Initially Claire's cough wasn't too bad, we fixed her up a spot in the garage as a quarantine area.
4 By day three, Claire was fighting for her life. The kennel cough was raging, and her initial vet trip revealed she was diabetic. Not wanting to leave her alone, I moved into the garage with her.
5 Every morning we would take Claire to the vet. They monitored her glucose and administered IV fluids. In the evening we brought her home and the waiting continued.
6 For several days, Claire did little but sleep.
7 The bandage on her leg protects her IV cath.
8 Even during the roughest days, Claire would let us know when she needed to go outside. No matter how bad she felt, she would still wag her tail and give kisses.
9 Finally the kennel cough was gone,we were given the OK to bring her into the house with the rest of the pack.
10 Gradually looking and feeling better.
11 She is like a little China Doll, very fragile and yet so loveable.
12 Although the weather is warm, Claire gets cold easily. She is often found wearing a little jacket.
13 Are you taking more pictures??
14 She still has a long way to go. She has been diagnosed with both diabetes and Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency. Claire has a lot to deal with, but her determination is amazing.
15 Claire attended a small picnic with us at some friends house. She loves everyone she meets, I think she enjoyed her day out.
16 Like so many little Ratties, she loves to go for rides.
Come back for further updates on her progress. One very good thing happened to Claire a couple weeks ago, she found New Rattitude.
17 It's slow going but as time marches on, Claire continues to improve.
18 Slowly but surely she's gaining weight and getting stronger.
19 A sunny fall day is great for napping outside.
20 At 10 lbs Claire is looking more like a little dog should.
21 Although most of her vision is gone due to cataracts, she loves to be outside.
22 Pretty in Pink
23 Sharing the bed with one of the resident doggies.
good luck claire doggy kisses from our rat and the paeson russel too hope you are doing well. - Melody Hartwig, Sat, 5 Jun 2010 6:19PM
We are watching Claire's progress, her photo is on our refrigerator and she is in our prayers. Estee and Greta - estee byrd, Mon, 19 Oct 2009 2:59PM
Claire is indeed a special little girl. Thank you for all you are doing for her. Sending healing thoughts for her. - Patti, Tue, 25 Aug 2009 4:15AM
What a beautiful girl. How blessed she is to have a wonderful foster mom and home to give her every chance for a life of love - Jodi, Tue, 25 Aug 2009 3:26AM
Oh what a precious little doll. She is so lucky to have you watching over her. We are all sending our love her way. What wonderful photos, thank you for sharing her journey. Bless you for saving her. - Catherine, Mon, 24 Aug 2009 6:15PM
Oh Sue, God Bless you for your love and dedication to Claire, she is so lucky to have you! - Cathy, Mon, 24 Aug 2009 6:02PM
Oh little Claire, I'm so glad that you are receiving the tender loving care that you need. Hang in there little girl. - noreen, Mon, 24 Aug 2009 5:39PM
