This is a Dove blog now

I always wanted to foster a dog, but I was never in the position to do so. So when I got my own place I was very open to the idea.  

Sometime after getting settled I was scrolling through NextDoor and I saw Dove listed on a post of dog's that were code orange at a local shelter. I was in between Dove and a few other dogs. Honestly, it is really difficult to pick who gets to live and who dies. One thing led to another and they brought Dove out. Within seconds of seeing her I began to weep. The staff were like, "...are you ok?" lol. 

I knew she was heart-worm positive from the beginning, but it did not matter. I wrapped up the paperwork and took her home. I remember sitting in my car like, "Did I really just do this?" I won't lie. I had some feelings of regret especially the first couple of weeks. Dove could not be left alone, so I was pretty much her hostage. She would cry so much when I would leave her and it gave me anxiety. I could not be out without feeling guilty. However, the abandonment issues faded overtime. Now she doesn't even notice if I leave haha. 

The point of this post though is to talk about heartworm treatment. Today, Sept. 6, 2024 Dove received her first vaccine. I'll be honest, it has been pretty awful. She is not eating, drinking, or pottying. She mostly tosses and turns in her bed and whines. This is so unlike her. Dove is actually not a very verbal dog. She almost never barks or makes any noise, so when she does it catches me totally off guard. I've been reading some Reddit posts and they pretty much summarize heartworm treatment as: it sucks, but it is worth it. 

So far it has only been about 7 hours since her first shot and I've already made some huge mistakes. But I am just trying to take it as it comes. That is all you can really do in life. Try your best with what you know and move forward. This experience is a good opportunity to do that. 

This ordeal should be over in November, so God knows I am looking forward to that time.