Rest in Peace Our Little Pocket

Rest in Peace Our Little Pocket

It is with sadness that we have to post the news of Pocket's passing.

We appreciate all that was done for Pocket.
Bama Bully Rescue, Garland, and Deanna went over and above for her.
Even though we steeled ourselves for the phone call it was tougher than we thought to receive it.
Our hearts ache for this one with whom we shared our home.
That little one bullied her way into our hearts in a very short time.

We know that BBR made the proper decision for her final journey.
Her suffering was very apparent.
She fought bravely against a disease so viciously attacking her.

Because of BBR Pocket enjoyed at least some measure of love in her short life.

Many knew of her plight and prayed for her (thank you).
Many contributed funds to help cover her medical costs (thank you).
Many served her medically and offered their best for her (thank you).
Garland worked tirelessly on her behalf, never giving up (thank you).
Deanna inherited her final care,lost sleep over her, & was her servant to the end (thank you).

So, from Pocket and our family - Thank you.
Thank you for helping her so that she enjoyed the sun, got to roll in the grass, snuggled with her "aunts", got belly rubs and ear strokes, and could cuddle with her "Mom".

Thank you that her last days did not end here -


We love and miss you Pocket. Fare thee well.

Intensive Care for ME

[REMEMBER: Click on my photos to see them BIGGER... I'm cuter then!]

Well folks, as you probably already know. I've had a real rough time of late. It turns out that I have Distemper. No wonder I am so miserable. It's real hard on doggies and especially puppies like me. But I am fighting it as best I can. Most importantly though my foster family Bama Bully Rescue is working hard to help me overcome this challenge. Garland and Deanna especially have done so much for me. I'll do the best I can to repay them by fighting hard to overcome this difficult time in my life. Here's some pictures from my journey.

Please keep praying for me. Thank you all.

Peace, rest, and a warm blanket. I am blessed.

I am only a little miserable here, but know I am in good hands.

Here I am getting special light therapy. Aren't these colors cool?
Am I hallucinating?


Hold that camera still or you'll never get my best side.


Here I am getting my morning light therapy...
and more homeopathic medicines on the way!
We all won't stop fighting!!

I sure need my rest.

Here's a special treat:
Click here for a video of me.

"Road Trip!" / 3rd Week With Foster Family

[REMEMBER: Click on my photos to see them BIGGER... I'm cuter then!]

Well, I have now returned to Birmingham to have further tests conducted on my poor sickly body. I have had an ultrasound performed, blood tests, vet. exams, and few other things done. Hopefully soon they will have an answer to what ails me. Please keep me in your prayers. Thank you.

Here's me with my friend Garland. I am the navigator.

Here I am at the veterinarian. They poked and prodded me and I did my best to let them know I was not happy. But in the end they were bigger than me and it was not a fair fight.

Where's my Mommy?

Can I rest now, please?

Ah, now this is rest.
I played with that little stuffed duck for about fifteen minutes.
That was a record for me.

Thanks to everyone who
- has cared for me
- contributed to my care
- or prayed for me.

New Pictures!

[REMEMBER: Click on my photos to see them BIGGER... I'm cuter then!]

OK Followers and Friends Everywhere. Here's some newer pics of ME...
and you probably might notice my aunts in here as well, but ignore them, this is all about me.

Now ain't this the definition of cute?

How could anyone resist me?

In case you have not noticed, I like to snuggle.

One of those times when I felt better. The sun was out and the grass was fun.

I was still retaining water in my lungs and chest at this point, so I look chunky.
But, I don't look chunky now after my medicine regimen (as they call it).

Snuggling with my heating pads.

Queen of the hill, that's me.

Serious snuggling on those cold evenings. Brrrrr.

Look what my fosters left for me. Aren't they considerate?

You might notice a trend in these pictures.

OK, I'll allow one picture of my Aunt Stormy Sky.
My foster parents say this is her
"Mom, why have you allowed a puppy into our home again?" look.

The Vet Visit

Well, the veterinarian and I are starting to become real buddy's. But I am not sure that is a good thing! Anyway we went for a follow-up today and had some good and not-quite-as-good news.

The good news is that an X-ray was taken. It showed that as far as fluid my lungs are clearer (significantly) and my abdomen/chest was clearer with very slight fluid evident. The X-rays also indicated that my heart reduced in size. It is not 100% normal but better. That is very positive.

The good news also is that I am eating very well and the vet. even said to feed me more often and let me have as much as I want. Wahoo! This is supposed to help me in my recovery. Whatever the reason I say "Yes!". I sure perk up whenever I hear the clanging doggie bowls. Bring it on.

The not-quite-as-good news is that I am fighting pneumonia. My other difficulties made it hard for my body to effectively fight off infection.

I am now on several medicines to help with the above challenges.

I promise some new pictures as soon as I'm a little better. I'm just too exhausted right now to post any.

Thank you to everyone for your prayers. I will get better. You'll see.

Saturday - 2nd Week With My Foster Family

Well it has actually been a week since my last post. That seems so long and it has been eventful. But since my foster family could not post any more cute pictures I did not post what was happening. They had no pictures to post because the cell phone connecting cable went out of town on Spring Break with the two youngest of my foster family. So, even though I DO really have some more cute pictures to show you, they will have to wait. Be patient people, they will come, and us puppies can only do so much, ya'know.

But there really is a more important reason for my not wanting to post this week. I have still been under the weather all week. I have not been in the mood for writing, I just want to feel better. My fosters and my rescue group (BBR, WooHoo!) were concerned enough to return me to the veterinarian again.

The veterinarian took two x-rays, one side view, one top view. They were really interesting to look at (is that really me?). She showed us at length and explained in great detail what is going on.

First, I have an enlarged heart. She doubts it is merely swollen due to my recent illness/infection/etc. Any swelling should have calmed by now. It likely is a result of heredity (thanks mom and dad!). My heart, for now anyway, is pushing up on my trachea. This is partly why I continue coughing.

My heart is also pushed up against my lungs more than normal but the veterinarian doesn’t think that is a big concern.

The second reason for my coughing and illness is that I also have fluid in both lungs, especially the left one. Also, below my lungs there is fluid build-up which is probably a result of the lung fluid build-up. I got a diuretic shot to help clear up that fluid build-up. Plus I am on pills for that now.

For my heart I am at least temporarily on pills to help lower my blood pressure and heart stress. The veterinarian instructed my foster parents to reduce stress as much as possible. No more climbing our 2nd floor steps for me now (yep, I can do that!). No more “long” walks either. The best part is now I get moist dog food to ease with my eating so I am not stressed and it allows for easier swallowing so I may not have breathing/coughing problems while eating. I had at least been eating and drinking reasonably well already this past week. The veterinarian noted also that dogs with my problem tend to run smaller in size and that may be part of the explanation for my diminutive stature/size/weight.

We will return on Tuesday to the veterinarian for a follow-up status check to see if all the medicines have helped. We may then go see a specialist to determine what is best for my future.

Finally, here's some good news (it's not all bad, people).

The first blessing is that I decided to have BBR rescue me when I figured out that it needed doing. They are very committed to my well-being and are looking very hard at getting me the best care possible. Thank you BBR!

The second blessing is that BBR has some wonderful people who donate to help puppies like me and Ellie Mae so we can get well and enjoy this wonderful life. Thank you People!

The third blessing is that I picked a good foster home to be in. They have two nice Pibbles who I can snuggle up with and there is someone home nearly 24/7 to keep an eye on me. I am rarely alone. Thank you, my foster people.

And thanks to all of you praying for me. What a blessing you are for me.

Saturday - One Week With My Foster Family

Good morning.

Before I update I think it's time again to review a bit about ME, "Pocket" for any new friends coming here. My mommy was a Pit Bull (mix?) and my daddy is unknown. The folks who rescued me think though that my dad was a Chihuahua. They base that on my looks and size (especially compared to my half-brother pictured earlier below).

Now the update. Sorry but my fosters say they have no new pictures yet today. Maybe later.

But the good news, I am feeling better after my illness. I am still a bit in recovery but my foster parents see improvements. I have regained my appetite and eat real well. I can climb the carpeted stairs to our second floor! I sleep up there at night near my mommy's bed. I sleep fairly well in my carrier/crate. I am gaining confidence in my environment. My aunts are getting used to me and it sure is nice to have them to follow and snuggle with. I am so happy that all that rain and wind stopped. It was no fun!

That's all for now but wanted all my friends to know how I am doing. Thank you for your friendship.

More With My Pibble "Aunts"

[REMEMBER: Click on my photos to see them BIGGER... I'm cuter then!]

Well here I am again. Still feeling under the weather - because I am still sick but also THIS weather, ugh! All that rain and wind is NO FUN. It makes me cold and nervous, plus how am I supposed to go to the bathroom when the yard is flooded. Give me a break people!

I am still taking medicine for my cold. Yuck! I am better sometimes but yucky at others. I sure hope to get well soon.

Anyway, as you'll see below again, I have some good snuggle aunts. They like to sleep a lot also, like me right now. But when I get better they should get ready for some fun, woohoo!

Let the pictures of cute ME begin.

My foster parents say this is pretty unusual for Stormy Sky. She is NOT the mommy type... she is the bossy type. They say her name fits her. I wonder though since she is being nice to me... see!

Now see Heather Belle here? She IS the mommy type. My fosters say she never had puppies of her own but if she had they would have been the most cleanest and attended to of any puppies. Here she is getting ready to start....

See now, Heather Belle has started and as usual Stormy Sky has to supervise and make sure everything is kosher. Everyone minding their p's & q's. Heather Belle sure has a big tongue compared to me!


Ah, yes, get that spot right there.


All done and ready for nap time. Did you notice my cool sock pajamas? They help keep me warm (although I like to take them off when mom and dad are not looking). But I still say thank you to some person named Garland whose idea this was.

Now this is what I call snuggle time. Off to lala land for me now. Yawn. G'nite y'all....

Here I Am With My Pibble "Aunts"

[REMEMBER: Click on my photos to see them BIGGER... I'm cuter then!]

Well, I am still a bit under the weather. Taking my medicine, coughing, sneezing, but getting better. I am eating very well, my hunger is good. I have some aunts who are helping me out. They can't quite figure me out yet. I am so small they have to be careful where they step or lay down. I like to climb on their backs and try to find a spot for laying down. But they are so round I just roll off.

Here are some pictures of me getting settled in.

Here I am snuggling with Heather Belle.

Here I am snuggling with Stormy Sky.

My Half-Brother and Me

[REMEMBER: Click on my photos to see them BIGGER... I'm cuter then!]

Here are a few pics of my half-brother and me before I got sick,
went to the veterinary hospital, and on to my foster home.
Yea, we look a little different in case you did not notice.

OK big brother let's rassle!

Can I have a piece of that?

OK, here I come to get it!!!!

I'll just rassle you down instead.

I'll shake it loose from you brother!

Hey, no cheating, can't use your weight against me!

I just need this one little strand here.

Hmmm, how can I get that away from him?

Eventful Day! Home at Last

[REMEMBER: Click on my photos to see them BIGGER... I'm cuter then!]

Here's some pictures of my homecoming!

Here I am in the veterinary parking lot. First time in "mommy's" lap.

This gives a perspective on my size. I am bigger than my foster
daddy (who is holding me) thought I would be. But I'm still pretty small.

Soon after this I had a bath (the vet. said it was OK). I needed one, I was a bit stinky. I am certainly doing better than when sick. I ate real well this evening. I've been boisterous a few times today but mostly slept a bunch. It was nice, warm, not wet (rain, ugh!), and peaceful. We are now working on what my fosters call the "two week shutdown". That means peace, quiet, and everything focused to help me adjust to a new environment without hopefully developing any issues. I think I will sleep well tonight in my tiny crate with my people. Ahhhhhh....

Counting The Hours Until My Fosters Come

I will be available for adoption at some point. Stay tuned.

[NOTE: Click on my photos to see them BIGGER... I'm cuter then!]

I am feeling better today and the vet has cleared me to go home Saturday. Yippee!
In the mean-time here are more of my February pictures... back when I was really small.