EPI--CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?

It's been awhile but a lot's been going on around here.

Well, everyone, I've got some bad news and some good news.  It seems that all that bitchina stuff was worse than I thought.  There's a disease out there called EPI (Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency) that can be triggered by stress and I'm tellin' ya, being on your period for three freaking weeks is pretty darned stressful.  Come to find out, all that cow-patty poop was being caused from my pancreas not producing enough enzymes to digest my food.  Warning--this is gross--I was literally starving to death so being a dog (even Shilohs act like dogs occasionally), I was eating that nasty stuff and dirt and mulch and anything I could put in my mouth.  I lost about ten pounds while this was going on--made me cranky and tired and that Basset, Bob Barker, was as useful as a fur coat in summer with my needin' a stud--really, what dog (fixed or not) could resist my beauty and twitching tail?  Like I've said in the past, he's not the smartest wiener on the stick. 

Well, anyhows, my human Mom and Dad knew something wasn't right and after some e-mails and talking to my first Mom, Laura Kathryn, off to the vet we go to start some tests.  First, we needed to rule out Giardia--negative.  Then, Laura recommended a fasting TLI test.  My wonderful vet sent my blood off to Texas A&M University.  (Clemson University has taken over research but TAMU still tests for EPI.)  Normal ranges for the test are 5.7-45.2 pg/L and mine was <1.0!  Mom and Dad were just about as sick as I was when they got the news because they were afraid I wasn't going to make it.  They just didn't realize what a determined girl I am!  EPI dogs have to have enzymes added to all their food and the food has to 'incubate' for 20-30 minutes before it's ready. Up until now, I've been eating Canidae All Life Stages so we switched to Canidae Grain-free kibble (grains are a no-no with EPI).  Mom and Dad grind it up in the blender, add the enzymes, some coconut oil which is a MCT (medium chain triglyceride) and top it off with some good ole' smelly tuna and I'm happy as Lindsey Lohan with a Martini.  EPI, according to the experts, occurs in 52% of German Shepherd dogs...unfortunately, there are a few of us Shilohs that have it, too but with all the information we have from the forum, all of us are being very well taken care of and expect to live very long, normal lives.

The bad news about this is I will have this forever and I can't breed as planned.  The good news is, EPI is manageable and doesn't have to break the bank.  I weigh 75 lbs again (I gained back 8 lbs) and I'm full of energy, my coat is gorgeous and you'd never know anything is going on in that pancreas thing.  Some other important things Mom and Dad were talking about is how glad they were that they took everyone's advice on the ISSR forum and bought pet insurance when they got me back in October.  It has paid for itself and it even covers my enzymes and they're not cheap. 

So, please everyone--keep me in your thoughts.  I'm one lucky girl to have all these smart humans around...Bob Barker's  another story.

Bitchina Monologues

Well, something weird is going on down there.  I'm not even going to tell you the bloody details, but I've never felt quite like this before and I'm not so sure I like it.  The Humans are all sweet and mushy about  'their little girl growing up' but Dad is all protective saying there had better not be any big (or little) studs sniffing around.  Just a reminder that the only stud anywhere in this vicinity is that numbnuts-I-don't-have-any, Bob Barker, the Basset and the only sniffing he would do is in a bowl-full of food.  I sure don't feel normal...not  hungry, tired and pretty darned disgusted with whatever this is.  I overheard discussion about me breeding next year and puppies which I think would be a lot of fun having little puppies around but I'm not sure where I come into the picture.   I sure hope I get to go to the Oklahoma City dog show but I might have to wait until the fall to see my cousins and other Shiloh friends.  I'm pretty tired so I'm heading upstairs for a nap. 

Summer's Here

Here I am, sitting pretty in all this soft, green grass.  I LOVE being over here especially when Bob Barker and Agnies have to sit on the other side of the gate and I'm in my secret garden all by myself.  I think the pink gate shows off my gorgeous coat, don't you? 

Toys Aren't Us

Do you ever wonder what your human parents were thinking?  They do some really goofy stuff.  I'm 8 months old now and my teeth are really getting big.  I have the constant urge to chew on anything in sight.  Anyway, I don't have many toys left since I ate them all...stuffed toys have been gone for quite a while and plastic toys are great fun to chew into little pieces and spit all over the floor.  Anyway, last Saturday, Mom and Dad came in with a bag from PetsMart.  They pulled out all kinds of 'tuff' dog toys.  This must be a contest I'm thinking.  Anyhow, I get the first one--it's a great big orange-looking bone with little bumpy things all over.  Yessiree Bob (and I'm not talking Bob the Basset), it took me less than a minute to rip the end right off that thing.  What's next?  Cool, a hard toy for treats.  Let's see...yep, that one was pretty easy, too.  Oh yeah, give me the hard hippo--head came right off.  How about the kevlar tug toy?  Shredded. 

Everyone just stood there staring at me with their mouths open.  Mom said thank goodness they were all on sale and it must be a record--five toys in under five minutes.  Poor Agnies and Bob didn't even get to smell the toys much less taste them.  

When we got through, we all went to sit on the deck.  The deck step was looking pretty good so I chewed off the end.  They said I must be Lucia's sister because she chewed on the other end when she was little.  I think lumber is better to chew on than mulch but that's just my opinion.  The bar stools and hutch looked good but I got in real big trouble for that.  The tree over there is going to be a bit of a challenge but...

THE IRISH GO TO THE DOGS

Erin go Bark and Happy St Paddy's Day!  Being from an Irish human family, we celebrated The Day with more head accessories and green treats.  I'm a wee bit big for a leprechaun but I believe green may be my new color.  Dad had a really big green hat and a yellow beard and kept saying some funny stuff like, "O'Lily, do ye know where we come from?  IRELAND, of course!"  I really like it when they are laughing a lot and taking pictures of their doggy clan.  Agnies and Bob got in on the wearin' of the green, too--Bob sporting a shamrock tie and Agnies was the bowhead.  For some reason, the cats never have to participate in these shenanigans...

It's really hard to sit still when Mom's telling us to pay attention but we knew if we did, we'd get another Doggy O'biscuit.  I wonder what the next party day will be?  I heard something about bunnies and chicks--not sure what those are but I bet I'll either be wearing them, eating them or chasing them.

My Dog Family

Oh yeah, here I am (pre-birthday party) with my paws on Bob Barker and Dog Mommy Agnies acting coy.  Pretty exciting--we rock...party on.

HAPPY 6 MONTH BIRTHDAY

I'm six month's old today!  Mom and Dad blew up balloons, took pictures and gave me a special chew treat.  Of course with my big, new teeth, it only took about five minutes to take care of that dinky thing.  I'm not sure why it's called 'giant'...and look at that silly collar!  OK, I'll wear it this once just for them.  It does match my Diva bling, though.

Anyway, I'm 65 lbs and 24" at the withers...sounds like a really short pony.  I finish puppy class next week and have to decide what more could I possibly need to learn?  I already know how to stand up and put my paws right on top of the counter (I just keep getting into trouble but I HAVE to know what's up there); I can run and fly over just about anything, I only bark when I think I should bother--with two Bassets, it's not very necessary but I do help out now and then; I love love, love CC Cat but she doesn't like it much when I put my foot on her head; Bob Barker and I love to chew on each other but Dog Mommy Agnies always breaks it up because she thinks he's hurting me! ha! 

Mom told me I'm really beautiful and every night when she puts me to bed, she rubs my tummy and talks to me in my crate.  Pretty cool, huh?  Ciao, for now.