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Straight from Trudy's Journal
I was born in Suffolk, Virginia on December 19, 2002 as an American girl. It's very warm where I was born and I had no idea then that I would be moving in 11 weeks up North to Canada where the ground would be all white. On March 4th, 2003, my Aunt Stephanie picked me up in a big Caravan and I left my warm home with my sister Macy and big brother Beau. The three of us made the longest road journey I ever made. I was with my brother and sister, Aunt Stephanie, her husband and their three kids. We had so much fun on our road trip to New York State. Finally, after an exhausting trip we got to Aunt Stephanie's house and konked out for the night. Next morning, March 7th, we got up real early and were packed back into the Caravan. I was really excited but not sure why.
This trip was real short. We parked outside The Roadside Inn and Aunt Stephanie brought back this nice lady. She just swooped me up and kissed me all over. I loved her instantly. I soon learned that this was my Mommy. I heard others call her Michelle. We all played in the room Mommy was in. We had so much fun. Then Aunt Stephanie was sad and kissed me good-bye and I soon learned that Macy and Beau and his new mom were leaving. It was soon just me and Mommy and her friend.
Everything happened so fast after that. I was plunked into a crate in the back seat of Mommies car and I just started to cry. Where is my sister Macy and big brother Beau? It hurt so much I cried for 20 minutes. Mommy kept cooing me and stuck her fingers in my crate. She had such a nice soft voice and I licked her fingers and realized that it wasn't so bad. We stopped on the way and Mommy got out and came in the back with me. She cuddled me and kissed me again and made me feel loved. She told me not to worry that she would take care of me. I knew then that everything was going to be fine.
Finally we got home. And guess what, I have a new brother, his name is Bob. He is so cool. He makes these funny woo woo noises and shakes his head and spit flies everywhere. I can't wait to grow up and be just like him. We have so much fun together. Bob is really nice to me. I like biting him everywhere but he's not allowed to bite me. Isn't that the greatest? Mom says that Bob is so patient, he is a Saint. Wonder what that means.
One day (March 10th) I went to this clinic and saw a man they called a Veterinarian. He examined me all over. I must have done something he didn't like because he stuck me with a pin. I don't know what I did but I hope I don't do it again. He told Mommy something that made her sad. He told her I have a heart murmur but not to worry I will grow out of it. Hmm, wonder what that's all about. I don't feel different, I like to play, eat and chew on things I can get hold of. Darn baby gates prevent me form conquering more. But I am determined. They forget and leave closets open sometimes and there are great tasting shoes in them!!
One month later (April 12th), we went back to the same clinic and saw that Veterinarian again. I tried to be really nice and give him lots of kisses so he would like me. But I don't think he does because he stuck me with a pin AGAIN. He told Mommy again that I still had a heart murmur and not to worry. Mommy seemed worried this time. I kissed her as much as I could and told her not to worry. I am okay, honest. Look, I run, jump, play, eat and I am very happy, so please don't worry Mommy, I don't like seeing you cry. Mommy told Daddy and he was very sad too. I thought men didn't cry. Daddy is so much fun. We play a lot. He hides his head and I try and find it. Sometimes when Mommy is trying to sleep Daddy and I will play on the bed with toys. Daddy was now worried too. I don't know what I have to do to make my Mom and Dad not worry.
Well one day (April 30th), my big brother Bob was sick. For a change they stopped worrying about me. I was worried about Bob too, he got all dizzy and dopier than usual, he he and got sick all over his bed, how gross. I hope he doesn't think he's sharing my bed. So off we went to another clinic. This time we saw a lady Veterinarian. She was really nice. I think she liked me too. She didn't stick me with a pin so I like her more than the other man. They did a bunch of tests on Bob and she had a listen to my chest. I tried to make it beat as loud as I could. I figured that would impress her that I have a big heart. She was very impressed indeed and told Mommy so. For some reason though, Mommy was very sad by how much my heart was beating. I tried so hard, darn.
We found out Bob is fine, just a dizzy guy, so what else is new!!! I haven't been as hungry lately and Mom keeps pushing food on me. I finally give in and eat as it makes her happy.
I can't believe it, we are going back to the clinic Bob and I went to last week (May 9th). We go out a lot to see Veterinarians. This time we didn't see that nice lady and saw this man, I heard he is a Cardiac Specialist. He was very nice to me and I kissed him hoping I wouldn't get stuck by a pin. He listened to my chest. I made it go as loud as I could and he said he could feel it without the stethoscope. I bet you are impressed now!!! He made Mommy leave and I stayed with him. I didn't mind, as he was very nice. They did all these tests on me but were so kind I felt like I was really special. I hoped that I did okay and didn't fail the tests.
Mommy came back in a few hours and was I happy to see her. I told her I did well and she would be proud of me. Mommy didn't seem very happy though when she talked with the Cardiac Specialist. He told her I had PDA. I think that stands for Pretty Darned Adorable. I really try hard to be cute. But he said it stood for Patent Ductus Arteriosus. I think it means the same, just a different language. He told Mom I had to go to see another man, a Surgeon, because I needed an operation. He said that after my operation I would be fine.
We left the clinic and Mommy was sad for a week. I did everything possible to make her happy. I didn't want to eat and Mommy just cried because that made her so sad that I decided I would make an effort. She kept bringing home different types of food and lots of them were yucky. I didn't like crunchy stuff as it was too tiring to chew it. I used up all my energy playing with Bob that I forgot to save some for eating, silly me. But Mommy gave me some yummy food called Wellness. I love it, it is yummy. Maybe that will make me well again!!! Mommy also made me scrambled eggs. I love my Mommy, she really spoils me. Big brother Bob watches me eat and I let him clean up what I don't want. Bob likes it when I don't eat and told me not to worry that he would cleanup my plate. He is so good to me.
Here we go again, back to the clinic (May 20th). I think Mommy likes bringing me and Bob there. Sometimes the Veterinarian looks at Bob and sometimes me. Lately they are checking me out more than Bob. I think I am special!!! We went into see the Surgeon. He was really nice; he didn't stick me with a pin. Mommy liked him too. He said that I was going to be fixed. I guess I blew my tests, darn, I tried so hard. He told Mommy that there was a 90 to 95% chance he could fix whatever I did wrong. Mommy was very happy with that. Finally, she has been so emotional lately; I was going see if Daddy could take her to a clinic. But he has been sad too, so I have just been talking to Bob. He doesn't worry about anything.
So off we went and Mommy kissed me all over. Daddy was really happy too. They told me I was going back to visit the Surgeon in a week for a sleepover. I have never been to a sleep over but figured it should be fun. He was a nice man so that was okay with me.
One night Mommy put all the water away and was really restless. I found out the next day was my sleepover (May 28th). We got up really early and went for a drive. No walk, no food, no water. I guess everything was going to be at the sleep over. Mommy dropped me off with a big bag. She gave them food, my special bowl, and a comfy blanket. They didn't want to take the blanket but Mommy insisted. Isn't she the greatest!!! Well sleep I did, I don't know what was in that pin they stuck me with, but I was out pretty darned quick. Mommy told me the Surgeon called her a few hours later and said that the surgery went super duper with no complications. I passed the test, YEAH!!!
When I woke up, I was a little sore but I must have been on something, because I didn't feel too much pain. I felt this patch on me and they said that would make me feel better. I really like this clinic; they are so nice to me. The next day (May 30th) a nice lady opened the crate I was sleeping in. I felt really good and snuck by her. Yippee, I am free. I ran all around ICU and jumped and played with everyone. Then someone ruined my fun and took me outside to pee and I had to go back in the crate. They said I needed to rest. I feel great, I don't need rest. They had this thing called an IV stuck in me. Well this was a bit of a challenged but I managed to remove it. They said that since I was so good at removing it they didn't need to put it back in. And was I hungry. I ate everything they gave me.
They called Mommy and told her to pick me up the next day. Mommy came and picked me up after she worked (May 30th). I was SO happy to see her I peed myself. I was so embarrassed, but Mommy didn't care. More kisses from Mommy and I gave her just as many back. So back in the car and this time we were going home. Daddy and Bob were thrilled to see me. I was very happy to see them too. I was jumping and barking and running around. Mommy kept stopping me from jumping, don't know what's gotten into her lately, she keeps trying to slow me down. I am young Mom and passed the test, don't worry so much.
Daddy decided to take the week off and spend it with me. Bob was pretty happy about that too. We watched a lot of movies together and I heard Daddy tell Mommy that he couldn't do any chores because he was watching me. I thought that would make Mommy happy.
Mommy didn't like my big bandage around my waist. So she wanted to cover it up. She brought home some t-shirts for me to try on. They were too small. I guess one was size 3 months and another 6 months for human babies. I like their clothes. So back Mom goes and brings home an 18 month t-shirt. Too small. Mom, I am a big girl!!! Mom went to the neighbour and they gave her two for me. Size 3X, now that fits.
A few days later (June 2nd), that patch that made me feel so good was taken off. That's okay though, I feel just fine. Look, watch me run around the room!! Oops, Mom says I am not supposed to do that. Darn.
Then the next day (June 3rd) Mom took off my bandage. She was worried about it and was really careful. But when she took it off she was surprised on how good it looked. They were really neat and tidy and only shaved my fur in a nice square. It felt good to get the bandage off. I have been eating so much it was starting to feel tight. Mom told me I looked really pretty. She put my t-shirt back on to cover the stitches. They get itchy and Mom doesn't want me to hurt myself. I like my new clothes. Bob is jealous that he doesn't have a t-shirt, wonder what size he would wear!!
Mom came home from work (June 5th) with a present for me. She bought me a new pretty t-shirt, its pink with watermelons on it. I just love it. And it fits perfect. I went for my walk and showed it off to everyone. I love meeting people on my walk. Sometimes Mom lets me stop and say hello but keeps me from jumping on them. I just love visiting and because I am so much smaller its hard saying hello down here you know.
Me, Bob and Mom went for a car ride again. (June 10th) I knew this time where we were going. We visit the clinic a lot so I know the route now. I don't mind going there though as they are nice to me. Mom put me on this scale to weigh me. I am getting to be really big and heavy cause I eat all my dinner. Mom is also teaching me stuff so I get cookies too. I weigh almost 25 pounds now. I gained almost 4 pounds since I had my surgery. That made Mommy smile.
We had fun waiting for our turn to meet the Surgeon. I met lots of nice people, and saw a cat in a box. He didn't like me though and made all kinds of strange noises. The Surgeon then came over to see me - not Bob!!! And I did my best wiggle for him. He was happy to see me so I gave him a big slurpy kiss. We then went into a room and Mom took off my t-shirt for him and he checked me all over. I felt funny without my clothes on. Mommy told me I wouldn't need to wear my t-shirt for much longer. Gee I like my pretty clothes, but she said I could wear it a bit longer.
The Surgeon was chatting with Mom and snipping string out of me. If I knew I had string on me I would have tried to take it out myself. Mom told the Surgeon that the t-shirts kept it nice and clean. She ruins all my fun. The Surgeon listened to my chest again like he did before. I tried to make my heart pound as loud as it did before but I just couldn't. They did something to me and it just won't work like it used to. I was really worried. The Surgeon told Mommy that my heart murmur was gone. Gee where did it go, they must have taken it while I was sleeping. The Surgeon said I can now do more fun stuff and go for longer walks with Bob. I know that will make Bob happy that I am with him more, right Bob!! The Surgeon said I was a normal puppy now. Normal, humph, after passing a test like that. I think NOT!!!
Trudy (interpreted by Michelle Armitage)
Michelle Armitage would sincerely like to thank the medical staff at Alta Vista Animal Hospital in Ottawa; in particular to Dr. DeMadron for diagnosing Trudy and recommending the surgery. And thanks to Dr. Philibert for performing the surgery. We are eternally grateful to them. Special thanks also are extended to Rhonie Horne and Dr. O'Grady, Ontario Veterinary College, in Guelph, Ontario, for providing sound advice and giving a second opinion. Finally, to all my friends, for their warm support ...
Thank you!
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