She was completely amazed and amazing

Roxy couldn't believe it when we kept walking and didn't stay in the yard this morning. But she figured it out pretty quickly--the long walks are back! She went a full mile, sniffing every yard along the way.

A complete bill of health

Roxy was pronounced completely heartworm free today! She is well and looking great. I will be getting ready to post her on the BRAT website, www.basenjirescue.org so that she can find a forever home. This precious baby deserves the best. Sometimes I wonder if I should keep her myself. She has brought such joy into my home. But I believe that she would be happiest in a home as an only dog or a home with smaller dogs. She is fascinated by small dogs and is so gentle with them. I want to give her the opportunity to have a home that is the best fit for her.

We are celebrating today. It's been a long journey but today, Roxy is healthy. The long walks begin again!

Greeting the day with joy

When the alarm went off this morning, Roxy came bounding in to my bedroom ready to greet the day. She was all wiggles and jumps. I wish I could describe the complete change in this precious baby. I can honestly say, she is happy. Each day in a stable environment helps her understand that she is finally safe, and she is rewarding me with her trust and revealing the full depth of her sweet personality. I know she is saying, let's get to those long walks again. I am healthy. I am ready.

She goes Wednesday to the vet for a final round of bloodwork and I am confident that Wednesday evening I will finally be able to say, Let's go for a walk! If I think I've seen her fully joyful, I bet Wednesday evening will take it to a new level!

Roxy has started my week off on a great note.

April 24

Roxy spends the day at the vet getting one last oral dose, the final stage of heartworm treatment. I am so thankful she's done so well. She'll go back next Friday for two blood draws, and I am confident this is the end of the process. She looks amazing and acts like she feels great. I am looking forward to working her back up to those long walks she enjoys so much.

Four months

Roxy has been with me four months today. It's hard to believe. In some ways, the time has flown by. But when I reflect on these four months, I realize she has experienced more change than many dogs have in a lifetime. I cannot believe how much we've packed in to those 120 days.

She's gone from living on the streets emaciated and alone to adjusting to life in a house with another basenji and a foster mom to difficult and at times, debilitating, heartworm treatment to a healthy, safe, precious little lady.

It's been an incredible journey. It's been life saving for her...and life changing for me.

Last day of the pills

Roxy and I are celebrating the last day of her steroids! I didn't think they affected her this round as much as the last round where she was so sick, because this time she seemed to have much more energy and she never got sick. But as I've weaned her off from a week of full tablets to a week of half-tablets to a week of quarter-tablets, I have noticed a huge difference!

Her full personality is back. She's that sweet, energetic basenji that I had right before we had to start the Heartworm treatments. She is not self-crating as much--except when she wants to escape all the hectic activity in the house. She is going outside in the backyard and laying in the sun. She is following me around everywhere I go. It is good to have the full Roxy back!

She has one last round of oral meds on April 24, then a week later the final bloodwork where I am expecting her to be pronounced fully healthy. Then we'll start those looooong walks again! I know she's ready; I am ready!

Another great weekend

Roxy continues to blossom. I can see it in her eyes. I can tell she is feeling so much better. She actually wagged her tail when my children came for Easter dinner. This is the first time she has ever wagged that curly tail! She gains confidence daily. We had a great weekend. I am counting the days when the vet pronounces her completely healthy and I will be able to post her for adoption. She is going to make some family a great companion.