As I’ve shared with you before, we added a puppy to our family last July.  He is sweet and good natured.  We have come to love him like a fourth child.  I hadn’t realized this would happen when we got him.  I had no idea how much everyone, including my skeptical husband, would adore him.  He sleeps in our bedroom, frequently in our bed, every night.  The kids fight over who gets to pet, walk and hold him.  It has been a joy to watch my children love this little critter, and him love them in return.  The relationship clearly goes goes both ways.  He runs to the bus stop to greet them as they return from school, whining and crying, wagging his whole little body in anticipation. It all sounds euphoric doesn’t it ?  Until the critter gets sick. I had no idea how much everyone, including my skeptical husband, would be affected.  Everyone here is devasted !  Including, perhaps especially, mom.  Poor little Chewy was throwing up.  I can handle cleaning up the floors for a couple of days.  When he started shaking and hiding under anything and everything, it was clearly time for a trip to the vet. A thousand dollars and 36 hours later, we know that Chewy has something in his belly.  He spent the night at the vet, being treated for dehydration.  Of course, we went to visit him.  The little two sobbed when they had to leave him, locked in “his cell” with an IV catheter in his paw.  He cried so loud we could hear him in the lobby as we were leaving.  Oh, the heartache. This sick little dog has us all turned upside down.  The good news is he is home now.  The bad news is he isn’t much better. We have him on a special diet and are hoping he can pass whatever is showing on the xrays. If not, we are looking at doggy surgery.  I can’t imagine the heartache that will bring !  Stay tuned…..