Update

Sandy Dog started a fancy designer drug for dogs in  heart failure. The first 2 days on the drug her condition was unchanged. Her resting respiratory rate was twice what it should be, and she looked worn out. I worried about making it through the weekend when our vet and the animal hospital have no regular hours. At least Sunday night I noticed she was sleeping better, and I was glad for that. Then Monday morning something changed. Dog was back. She was bounding on and off of couches and dashing (in an only slightly labored way) up the stairs. When Underdog got his toy, Dog got her toy- an old rag doll that was hers before we even adopted her - and gave it a triumphant shake, then chewed energetically on it. Her respiratory rate is below the danger level and she seems glad to be alive.

Of course there is no cure for heart failure, so this is only a temporary reprieve. We worry about the significant costs of her treatment, and we worry about the end when it will inevitably come.  My mother-in-law came to visit this past weekend and Dog jumped up onto the sofa and climbed over my son to roll on her back in Nonnie's lap. Nonnie told us the story of her cat that lived 2 years after being diagnosed with heart failure, and his surprise recovery from a stroke! As one who obsessively plans for the future it is stressful not to know what lays ahead, but as my sister wisely suggested "for now, couldn't you just enjoy having Sandy back?"