11/28/99 - Austin, TX - Town Lake Animal Center

Banana was the stray black spitz-mix my husband and I had a 'Red Alert' application on at TLAC. An exceptionally sweet dog, full of devotion and energy, he was quiet and attentive to us through the chain-link of his kennel door. Love at first sight, as they say. We spent 2 weeks visiting him almost every evening after work, waiting for him to receive an adoption 
eval, a bath, shots, etc. Our plan was to extend our intimacy with him before choosing to take him home. We have a "problem dog" at home (anyone remember the Zeji post?) that we have been socializing weekly with new people, new places, new dogs. For all our efforts, she seems "cured" -- aloof and reserved with new dogs, but no longer aggressive or hysterical.   Despite these encouraging results, we wanted to be on the safe side. Our plan was to give Banana the chance to meet her in the visitation yards at TLAC before we made the commitment.

But when the phone call came, we were introduced to a happy, healthy Banana turned into a nightmare... he couldn't even stand, could barely lift his head, his eyes were crusted and running. TLAC warned us that they could not rule out distemper. Banana was sentenced unless we removed him ASAP.  Within two hours, we had him out.

The folks at North Austin Animal Hospital were exceptional, especially considering it was the week of Thanksgiving and they had 30-something boarding dogs to think about. Within an hour Banana was diagnosed with Parvo, apparently in a fairly early stage. After a blood count, Dr. Jennifer Martin told us there was a good chance that he would recover, and agreed to board Banana in isolation for treatment. He would need an IV, for starters. Her estimate was reasonable, but a little challenging to our budget. And yet my husband and I did not hesitate to agree. We would do as much as we could. We remembered Banana's sweet, shy, quiet disposition... and the joy animating his entire body when we were near him at TLAC. To see him barely breathing, in a state whose details I will spare you... how could we let him go? No. No way.

It's been 7 days and a phone call to North Austin Animal Hospital yesterday brought great news. Banana chewed through his IV tubes (go boy!) and is eating and drinking on his own. He will come home today or Monday. We will do our best to integrate him with our "problem dog" and with the help I received a few weeks ago on the subject from people on this list I am optimistic. 

I just wanted to thank you all for the work you do out there. I wanted to thank everyone who takes the time to give advice on this list. Banana's brothers and sisters, the ones before him and the inevitable hundreds who will follow, also thank you. 

I wish I could save a Banana every single day, but I have to settle for my one little boy. 

Wish us luck!

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