A week after seeing the substitute vet, and being told not to spend more money on tests, we were able to get an appointment with Ellie’s regular vet and he recommended an ultrasound, to see if her distended belly was filled with fluid or with something else; and he confirmed that it was all fluid. He recommended against trying to poke around with needles to empty the fluid, because it could stress her literally to death, and because the fluid would come back in a few days anyway. Instead, he raised her diuretic dose a little bit and sent us home, saying that, like with Cricket, if Ellie doesn’t eat for three or four days, she’s suffering.
It certainly wasn’t the news we wanted to hear, but it is what we expected, and it was a relief to know for sure what we were dealing with.
The raised dose of the diuretic helped a little bit, at least enough to allow Ellie to feel hungrier and to enjoy her food again. She especially liked the Chinese food we got for my birthday dinner. Her belly is still full of fluid, and she spends most of her time resting on her side, but her joy in eating is wonderful to see.
When we were looking through her papers recently (which makes it sound like she has her own filing cabinet and a small business to run, but we were just looking for her exact birthday so we could celebrate it with her), we realized that she is turning ten this year, not nine like I thought. There’s a little bit of relief in knowing she’s made it all the way to ten, just like there was relief in seeing Cricket pass the sixteen year mark, but it’s still not enough.
We didn’t plan anything special for her birthday, because every day she’s still with us feels special and important, and really an act of will on her part. Just seeing her eat, and take all of her medication, and enjoy getting her back scratched, feels like a celebration to me. I’m so grateful that she wants to stay with us for as long as she can, and I’m especially grateful that we’ve been able to have this time with her, after Cricket’s death, to shower her with as much love and attention as she can absorb, so that she knows what it’s like to be the center of everything, at least for a little while. Even Cricket would have wanted that for Ellie, though not as much as she wanted it all for herself.
Now we’re just going day by day, trying to accept that we won’t have that much more time with her. Her sweet spirit still shines through, even when she’s tired, or worried, or struggling to catch her breath, and we know how lucky we’ve been to have her this long.
Happy birthday dear sweet Miss Ellie, my beautiful girl!
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Yeshiva Girl is about a Jewish teenager on Long Island, named Isabel, though her father calls her Jezebel. Her father has been accused of inappropriate sexual behavior with one of his students, which he denies, but Izzy implicitly believes it’s true. As a result of his problems, her father sends her to a co-ed Orthodox yeshiva for tenth grade, out of the blue, and Izzy and her mother can’t figure out how to prevent it. At Yeshiva, though, Izzy finds that religious people are much more complicated than she had expected. Some, like her father, may use religion as a place to hide, but others search for and find comfort, and community, and even enlightenment. The question is, what will Izzy find?
rachelmankowitz 
Have birthday, precious Ellie. I hope you keep enjoying your food. Kisses and hugs
Thank you so much!
Happy 10th birthday Ellie. You make your mommy feel happy so please keep,up the eating!
Thank you!
awww, happy 10, Ellie
Thank you!
Who’s a good girl? Ellie is! Ellie is a good girl! Happy Birthday to Ellie and also to you Ellie’s mom. Chinese Dinner sounds great, right Ellie. It is good that upping her diuretics can make a difference ( ask me how I know ). And they don’t cause any pain or awful aide effects. Has your vet suggested that you weigh Ellie daily? That is one way you can see if excess water weight is getting added back on. I’m supposed to weigh myself every day at the same time and if my weight goes up by 5 pounds it is cardiologist time. Of course with Ellie you’d need to be aware of incremental increases much smaller. Any way, big scritches and more yummy treats for Ellie. I know you and your mom cherish every day with Ellie.
Thank you so much!
I hope Ellie can hang in there and be pain free.
Me too! Thank you!
Happy Birthday Ellie.💕
Thank you!!
Virtual Happy Birthday back skritches to Ellie. Such a special girl!
Thank you!!!
I am happy you could see the vet you needed to see. And he could be of help. Happy birthday to both Ellie, and to you.
Thank you!!
Happy Birthday Ellie! 🎊🎉🎂 EVERYone needs more chicken! 👏
And meatloaf, and salmon, and cheese, and…
Yup!
I am so sorry about Ellie’s health but I wish her a happy birthday.
Thank you!
Each little bit of time and love is precious.
It really is!!!
Happy Birthday, sweet Ellie. Much as it was not the news you hoped to hear, I am glad Ellie was able to see her regular vet.
Me too. Thank you!
Hi Ellie, happy birthday.🐕🦮🐕🦺🐩
Thank you!
Yes, Happy Birthday to sweet Ellie, and prayers for you and your mom. You are doing right by that dog.
Thank you!!!
Happy birthday, Rachel! I hope Ellie keeps eating and surprises everyone by sticking around for all the love, attention, and Chinese food.
Me too! Thank you!
Oh, she is so beautiful! Keep lavishing that love and gourmet food on her as long as she has her appetite! Time is precious, isn’t it?
It really is! Thank you!
Happy Birthday Ellie 🎂
Thank you!
Happy 10th Birthday to Ellie, he is so cute. 💚🎂
Thank you!
Happy birthday sweet Ellie! 🎉
Thank you!
Happy 10th birthday beautiful Ellie!!
Thank you!
Happy Barkday, Ellie! We know how special these days are to you and your human family. 😊 🎂❤️💕🌹
Thank you!
Happy 10th Birthday Ellie.
Thank you!
Happy birthday Ellie may God grant you a life of less suffering. I really feel for you in this situation Rachel. I know it’s not enough but I hope my holiday card brings a bit more joy to your home.
I love the card! Thank you!!!!
I’m glad 😁 Be well Rachel.
Thank you! You too!
happy birthday Ellie! Turning 10 is a milestone! sending love and hugs! XX
Thank you!
Happy Birthday greetings to Ellie. She is content to be at home with you, surrounded by love and care.
Ollie has not been so good lately. Following a gum infection that was treated by antibiotics, he has developed an intermittent cough. So he is off to see the Vet on Tuesday. He will be 12 in February, and we are hoping he makes it to his birthday.
Best wishes, Pete.
I hope he gets to February. These milestones mean more than I expected them to, but the most important thing is that you have him now and he knows he’s loved.
Cheers to 10 Ellie from me and my furry girls.
Thank you!
Hugs for Ellie. Such a lot for a little girl to endure.
Thank you!
I do not let Tami have Chicken, she loves it but it messes up her digestive system. You may be interested in the rambling post I made yesterday on old dogs. Go here: https://mcouvillion.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=11798&action=edit&calypsoify=1
Stock up on Chinese food.
Yep!
Happy Barkday, sweet Ellie. May love and special treats be the best parts of every day for you. 🎉🦴🎉
Thank you!
Happy to hear Ellie ate and made it to her 10th Birthday! She looks so pretty in those photos. Happy Birthday Ellie.
Thank you!!!
Your love is obvious. ❤ ❤ ❤
Thank you! I hope Ellie can feel it.
Happy birthday to you and to Miss Ellie! May every day be filled with favorite foods and love! ❤️
Thank you!
Happy birthday to Sweet Ellie. And prayers for you all. You are the best Mom she could have!
Thank you so much!
Happy birthday, Ellie! I pray you all have a wonderful day + days ahead. Eating is a great thing. They eat, I always think, that’s a good sign!
Thank you!!!
Happy birthday Sweetheart. Much love and hugs.
Thank you!!
You’re welcome
Such a hard time, but you’ve got the main ingredients down pat: love and comfort and whatever foods appeal. All good wishes as you enjoy every day together.
Thank you!
Come on Ellie. Rally round. Eat some Chinese and hang on a bit longer.
I hope she listens to you!
Wishing that Ellie continues to receive everything she wants (especially favorite foods); happy 10th, beautiful girl!
Thank you!
I’m glad to hear Ellie’s doing better!
Thank you!
Happy birthday Ellie! It’s good that you’re spending quality time with her, for all three of you.
Happy Birthday, Miss Ellie!
💜
We lost two dogs last year, one elderly, one a youth. I know that the one-two punch like you are now experiencing seems unbearable. I grieve with you even as I rejoice that we were able to take in another puppy after nearly a year. The heart does seem to expand even when it seems to be contracting. Charlie had said he could never love another dog, but he does. This is NOT advice to get another dog. Just to let you know that we have a deep capacity for love.
I know you’re right, but it hurts anyway.
It absolutely stinks to lose dogs.
Awww Happy Birthday Ellie. Enjoy your days, however many you have❣️
Happy 10th Birthday to Ellie. May she continue to do well.
Happy 10th birthday for Ellie! I hope she gets well soon!
Happy birthday to Ellie
I hope Ellie gets better.