This is blind Penny, who arrived a couple of weeks ago along with Mad Max the Dachshund. She had also come to us from Becky's Brigade in Shreveport, which had seen her in a local shelter and asked us if we could take her. Like Max, she was also an owner surrender.
Penny was absolutely emaciated when she showed up here -- we could feel virtually every bone in her tiny body. Over the past couple of weeks we've been getting weight on her, but even so she tipped the scales last week at 4 pounds 3 ounces (1.8 kg). Her mouth is a mess and she needs to have a dental, but we had to get her on a full course of antibiotics before she could have that work done (to prevent oral infection from spreading as a result of the dental).
But Penny also just didn't seem well. We couldn't quite put our finger on what it was, but my hunch was she might be diabetic, or had some other problem. So last week, when I took Wilbur, Mitch and Max to see the ophthalmologist, I also took Penny over to see our internal medicine specialist, Dr. Tanya Donovan at Burlington Emergency & Veterinary Specialists, for a complete work-up. Here's Dr. Donovan doing an initial physical exam on Penny:
After a full battery of tests, including an abdominal ultrasound, Dr. Donovan found she did not have diabetes. However, her pancreatic enzymes were off-the-chart high ... indeed, one of those values was literally off the chart -- higher than the diagnositic machine could read. Dr. Donovan said that would indicate two possible scenarios: either she was having pancreatitis, or she has a pancreatic tumor. But in fact, based on the rest of Dr. Donovan's diagnostic tests, Penny shows no signs of having either problem. Thus it is a complete mystery why Penny's pancreatic values would be so high. At this point all we can do is monitor her for any further signs. If we don't see any other changes in the near-term, we will do a recheck in 3 to 4 weeks.
Dr. Donovan did find Penny to have a mild case of anemia, which could be from whatever undefined disease might be present in her, or it might be from an underlying condition in her bone marrow. We will recheck these in a month as well.
We mentioned to Dr. Donovan that Penny appeared hunched to us at times, and we learned why: on X-rays Dr. Donovan found evidence of an old disk injury, but it doesn't seem painful at all now.
But Penny has a great appetite, is bossy and demanding -- she's a vocal little thing -- and seems to have more pep and energy now that when she arrived. She's also very sweet and affectionate. She loves snuggling up next to Madison, a.k.a. "Granny," as you can see here:
And here she is again, with Wilbur on the other side (photo taken before his recheck last week - cone is now off):
[That's a completely shredded dog toy behind Wilbur, not a rabbit that got inside the house and didn't make it out alive.]
And if Granny isn't available, she'll settle for snuggling next to Wilbur inside a blanket (that's his tail sticking out on the left):
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New Round Begins
The new Shelter Challenge starts Monday, April 9 and ends at midnight on June 17. Grand prize in this round is $5,000, plus $1,000 for weekly winners and $1,000 for state winners. There are also other categories ... please see the Shelter Challenge website for details.
*** We are now LISTED UNDER OUR NEW NAME, ROLLING DOG FARM. State is still NH for New Hampshire. ***
Please remember, you can vote every day ... consider bookmarking the voting page to make it easy.
We just won $1,000 as a weekly winner for Week 4 of the last contest, and thousands more in the previous contests. The Shelter Challenge really does bring in a lot of money for the animals here!
You can vote in the Shelter Challenge here.
Thank you for your votes!
I kinda figured that. Thanks for the reply. I did a search and found the last post mentioning her was 6/10. There had been none since. While searching I re-read the post when Penny was adopted back in 07 (?) but got depressed and came back to the ranch. Upon return, seeing Alayne (or should I say smelling) she burst into a happy dance!
She was one of my favorites. Thank you for taking care of her.
Posted by: Lynn (in Louisiana) | April 14, 2012 at 11:36 AM
Lynn, the other (big) blind Penny died here at the farm in 2010.
Posted by: Steve Smith / Rolling Dog Farm | April 13, 2012 at 09:16 PM
Do you still have big blind Penny?
Posted by: Lynn (in Louisiana) | April 13, 2012 at 03:05 PM
SO cute glad she has a great home now!
Posted by: gayle | April 11, 2012 at 10:23 AM
Awwww, she is suce a cutie! I hope she recovers soon and that those bad results are just a bad memory.
Posted by: Sandra | April 10, 2012 at 02:19 AM
SO happy to see Penny's wonderful face...I grew up with Yorkies as pets and they are the best combination of spunk and unfailing love ever. Y'all are incredibly lucky to have her!!!
Posted by: Jamie Williams | April 09, 2012 at 08:56 PM
Penny is off-the-charts cute. Can't imagine someone sending this little sweetheart to a shelter. She's found paradise now. Hoping for the best possible outcome healthwise.
Posted by: Janet | April 09, 2012 at 08:39 PM
Welcome Penny! I'm not surprised she seems to feel better after just a short time with you. Maybe the magic atmosphere will even decrease those mysterious enzyme levels. What a cutie! It's always nice when they turn out to be snugglers.
Posted by: Tonya Allen | April 09, 2012 at 05:20 PM
My, my what a cutie patootie! Welcome Penny. And what a delight to see some photos of Madison!
I don't want to be a "Debbie Downer" but I can't help but wonder if blind Penny passed on since you've kept this little one's name. I did a quick search to be sure I didn't miss a post and found your most recent mention of blind Penny back in June '10 right after you moved to NH. Please pardon my nosiness; I know you don't always want to post passings and I respect that. It's just that she was one of my favorites~
Posted by: Lynn (in Louisiana) | April 09, 2012 at 05:14 PM
Between Penny & Madison, you have melted my heart!
Posted by: Anne in FL | April 09, 2012 at 03:30 PM
Maddie is such a DOLL to take in all the snugglebugs. :) Delighted knowing Penny is now getting the best of care. Fingers crossed that she has nothing that love cannot heal. Thanks so much to you "mighty fine folks".
And glad there was no bunny in the house, even if it was Easter :)!
Posted by: Margaret | April 09, 2012 at 11:40 AM
I was just trying to vote and was unable to...so I came over here to meet Penny! It's true, the smaller ones seem to make the most noise! I hope she gets a much better report on her return Vet visit. I really like the pics of her sleeping next to "Granny". That's such a sweet moment.
Hugs all around,
ginger & Tlingit
Posted by: ginger | April 09, 2012 at 10:34 AM
WELCOME HOME PENNY WELCOME HOME
On the cuteness scale of 1 to 10 Penny gets a 12
Posted by: Eric | April 09, 2012 at 10:33 AM
What wonderful pictures of piles of dogs sleeping, especially with Madison. She probably felt better because she had some food in her! Enjoy your stay, Penny.
Posted by: Janet in Cambridge | April 09, 2012 at 10:15 AM
What an absolute sweet pea!
Posted by: Barbara Techel | April 09, 2012 at 09:55 AM
Penny is thinking to herself "SCORE!"
Posted by: Mary H./Washington state | April 09, 2012 at 09:04 AM
Welcome to doggy heaven, dear little Penny! You must have realized already that you're in great hands.:-)
The last three pictures (especially the one with Wilbur inside a blanket) just melt my heart...
I look forward to reading that Penny keeps on putting on some much needed weight and that her pancreatic enzymes have returned to normal.
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | April 09, 2012 at 03:34 AM
Penny is such a cutie and it's wonderful that she's already become so comfortable in her new home at RDF. I will be sending healing vibes her way that whatever is ailing her will be found and she'll be on the road to feeling her best!
Posted by: Ann | April 09, 2012 at 03:18 AM
Welcome Penny. Although there are some health issues to be worked out, it is wonderful to see her snuggling so comfortably with all her new friends.
Madison!!!! I am so happy to see you.
Posted by: Chloe | April 08, 2012 at 10:18 PM
She's so cute! Glad Penny has found her way to you.
Posted by: Ashley | April 08, 2012 at 08:15 PM
AND EVERYONE, DON'T FORGET TO VOTE EVERY DAY, STARTING TOMORROW!
Posted by: patty c | April 08, 2012 at 08:04 PM
I 'inherited' a Yorkie when a friend of mine passed away. To say they "are vocal little things" is an understatement. I hope little Penny will get better soon and live a much happier life. God bless the folks at Rolling Dog for all that you do.
Posted by: patty c | April 08, 2012 at 08:03 PM
She is so precious. I so want to hold and protect her. How do people allow this or are they too in the same bad shape?
Posted by: Kathleen Rivard | April 08, 2012 at 07:35 PM
Oh, my! What a host of maladies for such a tiny dog. I'm so glad she's in your care now.
Posted by: Sarah P. | April 08, 2012 at 06:49 PM
Such a heartwarming blog. Ahhhh, Madison!
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | April 08, 2012 at 06:32 PM
Penny is a cutie! I hope the doctors find out what is wrong with her. She sure is sweet. Bless you Alayne & Steve for the great care you give to all the animals on the ranch....Oops....farm.
Posted by: Barbara A. | April 08, 2012 at 06:31 PM
From one Penny to another Penny.... Welcome Penny to RDF!!!! You'll like the accommodations a lot.... you'll have fun with your neighbors... and the 2-legged folks there are mighty fine folk!!!!
Posted by: Penny | April 08, 2012 at 05:40 PM