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Pug Hugs for Louie

  • 2 week update

      23 April 2017
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    Hi everyone.

    Well it's been 2 weeks since Louie's operation and she is doing GREAT!! Although she still gets tired easily, and not quite back on her food 100% she is recovering way better than we expected.

    She will still be on medication daily, until she has her blood tests in about 4-6 weeks to see if the operation has worked, but these pills are much easier to get into her now that she's eating a little bit. Hopefully it's all a success and we can get back to giving her normal food that doesn't cost $40 a bag for a week 😲

    Yesterday she had her first half bath 🐶🛁 (I.e. Not very deep). Pheweeeeee she was a stinker!! She LOVED it. She then ran around outside for 10 minutes with her speedy gonzalas hyper run, chasing the lawn mower and rolling in the cut grass. 😆

    She is back to running into the bedroom of a morning and swooping around to wake everyone with her energetic panting and licking and jumping on top of us. She is back to stealing shoes and taking them outside, sniffing the boys undies that are left on their bedroom floor 😳, jumping up into the car ready to go for a ride, and that joyous snoring with tongue half out that we all love. SOOOOO pleased to have her back to (almost) normal. 🙏🏻

    She has her stitches out this week coming, and a check up with the vet. Her scar is healing beautifully!! Just like a work of art 👌🏽

    I received the bill from the surgeon, but haven't been brave enough to open it yet. 😜 I figure it can wait a week or so while we ride this wonderful wave of Lou- Dawg healing, then I will do the deed. I know that with all your help we are least half covered with this bill and THAT IS SUCH AN AMAZING FEELING!!! Again.... thank you all SO MUCH for donating, for your kind and caring well wishes, and for your constant messaging and support. It was a truly horrible and really hard thing to go through, and the timing was rubbish.... but everyone's support helped more than I can tell you. 😘💖

    So I will update you all after the stitches removal. Until then Louie says HI and THANKS. You are all WONDERFUL. ❤️💙💚💛💜

    Over and out.

    Louie and her human gang. 😘

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  • Hi, it's Louie here. 🐶🐾

      13 April 2017
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    I wanted to send a personal THANK YOU MESSAGE TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU for playing such a huge part in saving my life!! I really don't know how to thank everyone. There are a few 'guest donors' in the list, and I have no idea who you are, but you know who you are. 💖

    Without you ALL, my family would have struggled to have paid for the HUGE bills to fix me. The bills are in excess of $7000 so far. They would have of course still got me my surgery, but they would have had to sell their 2 sons, and all their property to pay for everything. Teeeeheeeeee 😆

    They have cancelled my pet insurance and I now have my own very special bank account just in case anything else happens to me.... but it won't! I've promised them. They even made me sign another contract 🐾

    I am healing so well, and my Dad Oliver is getting braver now to be able to give me my daily injections until I am eating a bit better to go back to the yucky pills. I have lovely warm jumpers because I am half baldy, so I'm snug and warm and surrounded by love and cuddles.

    So here goes.....

    Lady Penelope and Liz McClure.

    WOW. Amazing lady. Without YOU this would never have happened. There are no words to thank you enough for organising this page. THANK YOU SO MUCH. 💖

    LM, Boston and Betty. Pug hugs coming your way . 🐶 THANK YOU SO MUCH. 🙏🏻

    Becky. THANK YOU SO MUCH. Cuddles to you. 👋🏼

    Guest donor. I don't know who you are, but I THANK YOU SO MUCH. Your help has really helped!! 💕

    Kelly. WOW!!!! Can't thank you enough! Warm fuzzies and heartfelt gratitude coming your way in abundance. THANK YOU SO MUCH. 💋

    Guest donor. Wish I knew who you were so I could say your name. But THANK YOU SO MUCH. 🌹you have really helped us.

    Olive and Newman. THANK YOU SO MUCH. Biggest puggle huggles. 🌈

    Guest donor. THANK YOU SO MUCH. Appreciate it very much. 💛

    Guest donor. THANK YOU SO MUCH. You helped make a difference. 💚

    Eloise, Rosie and Parker Pug. THANK YOU SO MUCH. Recovery is speedy! Thanks for your words... and THANK YOU SO MUCH. 💙

    Macca the pug. THANK YOU SO MUCH. Puggy hugs back to you. 💜

    Pugley. You're amazing. Thanks for all your kind messages. THANK YOU SO MUCH. 🌻

    Grace Hanson. Such a special and thoughtful young lady! THANK YOU SO MUCH Grace. ❣️

    Anne Howell and Max the pug. So thankful for your donation. THANK YOU SO MUCH. 💞

    Sam Corbeau. Op went well thanks!! 💪🏽 THANK YOU SO MUCH.

    Lulu. My secret guardian angel. So many times lately you have been there for me. I'm lucky to have you! THANK YOU SO MUCH. 😘

    Guest donor. THANK YOU SO MUCH. Wish I knew who you were so I could say your name. 💐

    Auntie Nic. ALWAYS there for me. Even though you're on the other side of the world. Can't wait to see you for puggie huggles. THANK YOU SO MUCH. 🐾💋

    Guest donor. THANK YOU SO MUCH. Wish I knew who you were so I could thank you personally. 💞

    Ellie-Mae, Lexie-Lou and Zena. THANK YOU SO MUCH. Sending biggest puggie snuggles. 💛

    Joan. THANK YOU SO MUCH. Such a beautiful person in my life. 💖

    Shelley & Mathew. THANK YOU SO MUCH. 100% support and caring for as long as I can remember. We are so lucky to know you. 💕

    Fiona. THANK YOU SO MUCH. Julie got the big hugs you sent!! 🐾💋

    Holly Barron. THANK YOU SO MUCH. Puggie huggles coming your way. 🐾💚

    Cynth. INCREDIBLE WOMAN. You have helped so much. THANK YOU SO MUCH. 🌹

    Kimberley Swap. So so very kind and thoughtful. THANK YOU SO MUCH. 🌺

    Els, Clint, Mitch and Zac. THANK YOU SO MUCH. So lucky to have you in our lives. 💐

    Doctor D. THANK YOU SO MUCH. Can't express our gratitude enough. 🌸💪🏽

    Jan Christie. WOW!!!! Love you JanJan. Miss you. Sending the biggest hugs EVER. THANK YOU SO MUCH. 🐾💖💋

    Fiona. THANK YOU SO MUCH. I am now YOUR biggest fan!! 🐶🙏🏻

    Gina Scott. Amazing part of sweet 6. FOREVER FRIENDS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. 💐

    Rachel Ladd. THANK YOU SO MUCH. You're a beautiful lady. 🌹

    Wendy May. Puggie Mumma's stick together. 💖 THANK YOU SO MUCH.

    Amy and Asha. Schnauzaliciousness and pugaliciousness friends FOREVER!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH. 🌻

    Kylie. yes they are SUCH a special part of the family. THANK YOU SO MUCH. 💞

    Charlie Ireland and Steve. THANK YOU SO MUCH. Such an amazing donation. Can't thank you enough. Mwaaaahhhhh. 💙

    Guest donor. Helping Louie DID help Julie. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Wish I knew who you were. 🤔THANK YOU SO MUCH. 🐶

    Anna. THANK YOU SO MUCH ANNA. Biggest puggle huggles for you too. 💋

    Yaya and Matt. Love you 500x too!! 💖 THANK YOU SO MUCH. Louie loves you.... but Julie loves you more!! 🌻🌹💋

    Suzanne Keating. THANK YOU SO MUCH Sue. What a wonderful lady you are. 💋

    Sonntag family. Your donation helped HUGELY. Just like your support and care. THANK YOU SO MUCH. 🌼

    Ange. Beautiful member of sweet 6. FRIENDS FOREVER. THANK YOU SO MUCH. 🌸

    Giselle and Mark. Such an amazingly positive family who spread good vibes all the time. THANK YOU SO MUCH. 🙏🏻

    Rose. THANK YOU SO MUCH. Louie loves you too!! 🌻

    Chris and Poppa. THANK YOU SO MUCH. Such a lot of money for you to donate. You have helped saved my life. THANK YOU. 🙏🏻

    Vin's Mum. Hugs sent your way. THANK YOU SO MUCH. 💜

    Lynne and Henry Pug Snr. My recovery was speedy indeedy, thanks to your donation I got wonderful care. THANK YOU SO MUCH. 🌈

    Kylie. THANK YOU SO MUCH. Our family is extremely grateful for your donation. 💕

    Marilyn. I am getting well Marilyn. Thanks to you for helping. You're a wonderful lady. 💜

    Spud and Chase Murphy. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. So very grateful for your help in getting me better. THANK YOU SO MUCH. 🌼

    Lynne and Henry pug. Thank you for your kind wishes. THANK YOU SO MUCH. 💞

    George the pug and family. Pug hugs right back atchya!! 💖

    Sir Max. Groof groof Max. Thanks soooooo much for your generous donation. THANK YOU SO MUCH. ❣️

    Allison White. Please don't apologise for not donating more. You donated HEAPS and it helped me immensely. THANK YOU SO MUCH. 👋🏼❣️

    Guest donor. I Louie Williams received your puggy hugs, and I thank you from the bottom of my 💖. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

    Rebecca Pharazyn. Please don't apologise for not donating more. Your donation was amazing and really really helped. THANK YOU SO MUCH. 💞

    Dani and Dixie puglet. Your prayers helped. THANK YOU SO MUCH. 🌺

    Vins neighbour Dorothy. Thanks for being with me. Puggle huggles to you Dorothy. THANK YOU SO MUCH. 💙

    Guest donor. Wow. You donated so much and I can't even hug you to say thanks as I don't know who you are. Many many many thanks. THANK YOU SO MUCH. 💚💛💙

    Jojo. Sweet 6 wonderful caring lovely lady. Am so lucky to have you. THANK YOU SO MUCH. 🐾😘

    Guest donor. Again I wish I knew who you were. But thanks so much for helping. You have helped so so much!! Puggle hugs coming your way. THANK YOU SO MUCH. 🌼

    All of your generosity brings tears to our eyes and you will be in our hearts FOREVER!!!

    Lil Louie. Julie. Mike. Oliver. Flynn.

    💚💛💜💖

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  • 5 days post-op for Louie

      11 April 2017
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    Well it's 5 days post surgery and lil Louie is healing like a true trooper!!

    This morning she literally dived into her tent to get her toy and thrashed around in there until it fell over and collapsed with her in it. 😆

    She has only lost 200g since surgery. She isn't eating that well at all, which (still) proves extremely difficult for me to get her daily meds into her. I have tried a whole list of foods that she is allowed small amounts of, but she is so picky that it isn't really working yet. Her anti epilepsy pills must taste so bitter that she knows when I have crushed them into her food, she knows when I've wrapped them in a succulent (tiny) morsel of her liver food (the one she hates), and she knows when I'm coming for her to try and gently pop them down her throat because she tries to do a sore pugs run. 🙄 on the other hand, she LOVES her lactulose syrup and quite happily drinks that from her syringe.

    Her lack of eating has proven so hard that the vet today has given me injectable antibiotics to give her daily, as I can't get them in her food. Which is such a relief. I do however need to continue somehow tricking her with the anti epileptics. We will get there 💪🏽

    She is now sleeping back in her own crate. She only slept with me for the first 2 nights, and I think that was purely for my worry (good job the husband was away). 😉 she has stopped whimpering and is not needing her pain relief. Interesting to note, her pain relief is actually human codeine. 🤔

    Yesterday we went for a trip to visit Grandad and forgot her lead. We thought she would stay close because she hasn't had much energy, then all of a sudden she took off!!! She had a 15 minute bolting run. Like she does after a bath! She totally went crazy. Running and zipping around. Didn't seem to worry her tummy at all. We were obviously more worried than she was!! She was fine. Release of energy must've felt good.

    Her dressing is off now and her stitches are healing great. Not sure you'd want to see a photo of that 😬. She has that gorgeous a-la-cheesy smell now as I'm not allowed to bath her, so baby wipe wash down those puggy rolls is all I can do.

    So all in all this lil lady is doing fab. We are so happy to have her home, snoring, farting, nicking of with slippers and knickers. 😊

    We are very lucky that she is such a fighter and so so resilient.

    Thanks again to everyone for your continuous messages asking about her. She is one lucky puggle to have so many people care!!

    💖💖

    Julie

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    • 11/04/2017 by Fay

      Great news with the little lady. It was so lovely to read that she is doing so well. She will be a new dog.

      Interesting about the human meds. the Vets dish out. My little 'special needs man' is on Prednisone, Codeine Phos. Also 'human' eye drops (over the counter) which are a lot cheaper to purchase from the Chemist than off the Vet. Regards

      Fay Wilson

  • Super Louie's 2nd day of recovery

      9 April 2017
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    Hi everyone.

    Just an update to let you know how lil Louie is day 2 post surgery.

    We brought her home last night from her surgery in Auckland. Surgery was Thursday.

    She was very woozy and medicated with good pain relief. We were told the first 48 hours were critical for seizures.

    Last night she pretty much slept on my bed all night. We attached bells to her collar so if she had a seizure I would hear the bells ringing. Such a great idea from the vet. It also meant that if I heard the bells, (and it wasn't a seizure) that it she was on the move and I needed to stop her jumping off the bed. 😆

    She had no seizures all night. 🙏🏻. Wooohoooo.

    She had 3x wees and a poo outside..... yay!! 👍🏽

    She did drop her temperature about 4 times but I wrapped her up in her blanket and her cold shivers stopped. ✔️

    She whimpered in her sleep a lot of the night, but by morning her whimpers had reduced 🐾

    It's still a struggle getting her medication into her, as she is still not really eating... but I was so pleased to see that she ate this morning about 2 tablespoons of the awful liver food she has to eat, so she must have been STARVING because she hates that stuff 🤢

    The vet ended up giving her her meds by injection as I just couldn't get the tablets into her. The vet also took her luer out this morning and took the horrible blue cumbersome leg wrap off, took all her obs, looked at her scar/dressing, and said she was happy with Louie's progress. Yippppeeeeeee.

    Louie has been tired and drowsy all day, with some periods of unsettledness, but all in all she is doing so flippin well!!! She even got excited when I asked her if she wanted to go for a ride in the car, and she gave me a little excited bark. 🐶

    It's hard to pick her up because of her large dressing. Her scar is very long and seems to go from her chest, all the way to the bottom of her stomach, but she seems fine with it all. I've attached a photo for you to see.

    She's a bit stinky (haha) that cheesy sweaty doggy smell, but she's not allowed a bath for at least 3 weeks. Not sure how I'm going to cope with that (teehee).... she may have a few 'baby wipe' baths inbetween. 😁

    You are all so lovely texting and messaging asking how she is. Louie is well loved by everyone for sure 💖

    So all in all I may be a sleep deprived zombie 🙀 but lil Lou-dawg is doing amazing!!! I would go without sleep forever if that's what it took. 🙏🏻

    She is a fighter and a strong wee girl.

    Thanks again everyone!!!

    Julie

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  • Louie is OUT of surgery

      7 April 2017
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    Hi everyone. Just an update on lil Louie.

    Bit of an emotional post I'm sorry 😆

    She had surgery yesterday.

    They found a shunt, but not the one they were expecting. They were worried when they opened her up that it was 'intra' hepatic and not extra hepatic like they they originally thought (intra hepatic is not good). So they were confused. They did a dye study (think that's what it's called) where they sew her back up with a drain hanging out, take her to X-ray, inject dye and watch it on the X-ray. Then they can see where the vessels are abnormal. Once they did this they found "2" shunts called Porto azygus. So back to theatre, open her up again and thankfully we're able to band those 2. Banding is cellophane on the end of the vessel to force the blood back the proper way. It takes 6 weeks to know if this has worked or not. Yes CELLOPHANE.... amazing eh!!

    She was under anaesthetic for a whopping 6 hours (was meant to be 2 hours), and she was only just waking up at 5pm when I called the vet (surgery was at 8am). This means she will probably need longer critical care by the vet hospital and we may not get to see her today.

    She was waking slowly yesterday at 5pm and although she vomited quite bad when they extubated her, she is showing good signs of recovery. They will be watching now for pneumonia (because of the aspiration) and seizures which are very dangerous.

    Was SUCH a hard night last night. I slept about 1 hour and all I can say is thank goodness for Netflix.

    I'm not going to lie... this is god damn awful. It's hard. It's emotional. It's draining. I'm frightened. I just want someone to assure me she will be ok.

    She is not allowed to go anywhere.... she signed a contract with us that she will be with us for AT LEAST 10 years. I have the paw print on paper to prove it 🐾. Louie and Oliver (my son - her owner) are a team. One needs the other. This is the beginning of her new healthy life!!

    I'm venting to people - some I don't even know (pug page). People who have been there for us from day 1. The last check of costings was building up close to $6000, with last nights post op care alone (not including surgery) being a whopping $900, and you AMAZING friends have helped raise half of that amount!!! OVERWHELMING!!!!.

    People who have helped me emotionally. Messages and texts. People I have never ever met. How do I thank you??!! You have all seriously got us through this. 💕💕💕💕

    Louie is one lucky puggle and I can't wait to hold her, and smell her.

    Can't wait for her to come home and steal my shoes and take them outside and chew the heel. Can't wait for her to lick my face which I hate. Can't wait for her to fart on me and snore louder than my husband. Cant wait for her to nip at my feet in excitement when I walk. Can't wait for her to come and sniff and lick undies she finds in the boys room 😆.

    Just can't wait!!!!!

    Julie

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  • Pug Hugs for Louie for Thursday

      4 April 2017
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    Hi everyone. 👋🏼

    Well tomorrow is the day we go to Auckland for Louie's pre op appointment. 😥

    Yes I'm nervous. Yes I'm scared. But I'm trying not to think about it all. I had an email from the vet and it made me slightly more worried about the risks and recovery and also the cost!!!! Perhaps I haven't realised the the seriousness of it all, and now that it's just around the corner I feel sick about what could happen and the rising cost of it all. I am trying to remain positive. She will be ok 🙏🏻 And we will deal with the cost side of it when I can bear to think about it.

    The specialist vet (who is an expert in this condition) wrote this to me....

    "The cost for surgery is widely variable depending on the shunt configuration and whether there are any complications or unexpected findings. In Louie's case, we are less certain of the cost because the shunt was not readily 'seen' on ultrasound and we are not sure how difficult it will be to correct.

    The most variable part of the cost is not the surgery itself, however, it is the overnight monitoring costs. We have to use a separate Afterhours clinic that is manned overnight with a vet for this, and for 'shunt' monitoring the cost can vary between $500 and $1500 per night. Usually shunt dogs have at least 2 nights of overnight monitoring and the charge is somewhere between $500 and $1500 per night - and of course this is in addition to our initial surgery cost.

    Overnight monitoring in Auckland is particularly important the first night due to the risk for portal hypertension (which can require emergency surgery for band removal). The risk for post-surgery seizures is highest for the first 48 hours, but continues for 7 days after the surgery, so Louie will need to be with people round the clock for a week after surgery so that they can get vet care immediately if seizures start. Occasionally owners elect to have overnight care at Afterhours and daytime care here for the whole week - but of course this is expensive. Rarely, complications can mean there is a need for vet care for a couple of weeks after the surgery".

    So.... overwhelmed - yes!! Frightened - yes. Luckily I can share this with all of you lovely people that message me asking if she is ok, and constantly reminding me that you care. I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW MUCH I APPRECIATE THIS. 💖💕💖💕

    So with husband away for the week, I feel like I am battling this alone (and trying to remain positive for the children). But like I say, we are a strong family and will fight to stay positive. We need Louie in our lives and she is NOT ALLOWED to go anywhere!! 😆

    Sorry for the long update but I actually feel better after telling you all the news.... how crazy is that. Teeeheeee.

    So THANKS for listening. 😁

    Julie Williams 🐾💋

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  • Update for Louie #3

      31 March 2017

    Hi everyone.

    A quick update on lovely Louie for you.

    She started her anti seizure drugs 2 days ago in preparation for her operation next week. The vet said it may make her more lethargic and perhaps a bit wobbly. 😆

    Weeeeell... She was BURSTING with energy and was literally like a drunk pug! It was quite entertaining. Walking like she was about to fall over, tripping over her feet, chasing her toys and ending up doing a rolley polley.... her energy is amazing at the moment. Not sure if it's the antibiotics still, or whether it's the new anti seizure meds, but she's just like our Louie before she got sick. (Wobblyness has settled now as it's been 2 days).

    She's had 3 great days in a row. This is quite normal. Then she has a day or 2 of yuk! You wouldn't even know she was ill right now which of course makes us happy that she seems so happy. The magic of medication eh!! 👍🏽

    Chased up pet insurance again last week 😡 and they will definitely not be helping with the bills. They have declined all claims. They said extra hepatic portosystemic shunt is something they don't cover IN ANY ANIMAL, not just pugs... and of course this specific condition is written in their small print. Nothing I can do. Makes me wonder why we actually get pet insurance to start with 🤔

    So not really much news. Just an update for you lovely lovely people.

    Will update again next week after we have been for pre op appointment in Auckland. Our surgeon is the lady who actually invented (if that's the right word) this operation. She is 'the guru' in this condition and literally wrote the book on it. So am feeling very positive about it all.

    Thanks for all your messages and well wishes. ❌⭕️❌⭕️

    Julie, Mike, Flynn, Oliver and lil Louie.

    Xxxx

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  • Louie Update #2

      22 March 2017

    Hi everyone. I just thought I would update you on lil Louie again.

    Our wonderful vet called today. He said surgery is booked for April 6th. So 2 weeks away. We are to go up the day before for a pre op meeting and a 'get ready'. She starts on anti convulsants next week in preparation for the operation. Her surgery is in Auckland. So 2 hours drive from where we live.

    There is a 30% chance the operation won't be successful... but that's a good 70% that it will!!! There is also a 5% chance that she might not make it through the operation at all.... but again, that's a 95% chance that she will. 🙏🏻

    Without this surgery her life expectancy is only up to 4 years. Such a short life for such an amazing spirit. So we are doing what we can to raise money to pay for this life saving surgery.

    In herself she is doing mostly ok. She has about 2 good days where she is bubbly and bouncy, the good old Louie.... then she will have a day where she is flat, lethargic and totally not herself at all. Then back to herself again. It's a mission most days to get her to eat the special food (it mustn't taste that good 😆) which of course makes it hard to get her medication into her, but all in all we are getting there!!

    She is truly a fighting spirit and brings us joy and laughter every single day.

    I THANK those of you that have donated. Without you this would be so much harder. I don't know how to thank you. Louie gives a great big barking THANK YOU to all of you.

    Send us positive vibes!! It all helps in this crazy unfair journey.... and I'm positive it's all going to be ok!!

    THANKS again everyone. You are all amazing.

    Julie, Mike, Oliver, Flynn and lil Louie 💖

    xoxo

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  • Update on Louie

      18 March 2017

    Hi everyone. I just thought I would update you on lil Louie.

    After having a great week, she has had a rotten few last days. Poor thing. She's been off her food again which makes it hard for me to get her meds into her. She was so lethargic and wobbly and sad. Today she's been a little better thank goodness.

    The vet called and said without her surgery she only has a life expectancy of 2-4 years, so needs the surgery asap. This operation has a high success rate so he is positive in the outcome, but is a rough road for a while for all involved.

    I am remaining positive in the fact that she is a young (otherwise healthy) puppy, and she is a fighter and she will be fine!! We have lots more memories to make.

    I don't know much about post surgery, so that's on my question list for the vet next week.

    We THANK you all from the bottom of our hearts for all your kind donations. I don't know how to thank you all as words just don't seem enough. PLEASE know that with all you help and amazing support Louie can have her surgery and get well!! There are some donations on there with 'Guest Donor' and I don't know who you are. But again, I thank you. I thank you. I thank you.

    Louie is more than a dog to us. She got my son through a very tough year at the end of last year... and she really was his saving grace. It breaks our heart that she is so sick when she has been such a life saver. Sometimes it's a rotten world.!!! We are determined to get her well, no matter what it takes. We will stay positive and do everything we can. You can't knock us Williams' down so easy.

    THANKS again everyone. You are all amazing.

    Julie, Mike, Oliver, Flynn and lil Louie 💖

    xoxo

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