❤️ TIMBER ❤️
A Delicate Balancing Act for Our Sweet Boy
Our precious Timber is one of the sweetest dogs you will ever meet. He never wants to disappoint anyone, and when he has an episode of vomiting or diarrhea, he becomes so embarrassed that I honestly believe he thinks he has done something wrong.
It breaks our hearts to see him this way. Everyone at Noah's Arks Rescue is incredibly loving and gentle with Timber. He is never scolded or reprimanded for something he cannot control. Yet somehow, I think all that love and kindness makes him feel even worse when he has an accident. He feels awful, and we feel awful for him.
TRYING TO FIND ANSWERS
Timber's recent GI panels did not provide the answers we had hoped for. We were in the process of scheduling another ultrasound when we decided it was time to address another medical issue that had been troubling him since his rescue—his teeth. Several teeth had developed abscesses over the past month, and we were concerned that the infection in his mouth could be contributing to his ongoing gastrointestinal problems. We wanted to eliminate any source of infection that might be making his already delicate condition worse.
We had postponed Timber's dental surgery for quite some time because of the extended anesthesia required. His Specialty Team had cautioned us against putting him through another lengthy procedure until his GI system was stable enough to tolerate it. When we finally received approval to proceed, we knew he would be in excellent hands.
SIX TEETH AND ANOTHER HURDLE
Dr. Marikay Campbell at Port Royal Veterinary Hospital has been part of Timber's medical team since he returned to our Rehabilitation Facility. She knows our sweet boy almost as well as we do and recognizes the slightest change in his behavior when he is uncomfortable, stressed, or simply not feeling well. Once Timber was stable enough for surgery, Dr. Marikay performed his extensive dental extractions.
Six teeth had to be removed, several of them right next to one another. The damage was significant enough that tissue grafting was required to repair the affected area. Fortunately, Timber did beautifully during the procedure and has continued to recover well since returning to our facility.
But, as seems to happen so often with Timber, solving one medical problem has created another challenge. Because of his extraction sites, Timber must temporarily eat soft food. Unfortunately, the change in diet has upset his sensitive stomach.
This has been the story of Timber's medical journey from the very beginning. We manage one condition, only to discover that the treatment has aggravated another part of his body. His care has been a constant and delicate balancing act.
THE HAPPIEST BOY DESPITE IT ALL
The wonderful news is that Timber remains one of the happiest dogs you could ever hope to meet. He runs, plays, enjoys his surroundings, and greets each day with a joy that makes everything we have gone through to save him worthwhile.
We continue searching for answers to his recurring GI episodes, but I want everyone to understand something very important. Timber is not living a life of constant suffering. His illness comes in sudden episodes. He can become quite sick, sometimes frighteningly so, but with immediate medical attention and the right treatment, he generally bounces back within a couple of days. Between these episodes, he is our joyful, playful, affectionate Timber.
His medical team continues to believe that hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE) is responsible for his recurring episodes. This condition can cause sudden, severe gastrointestinal illness, including bloody diarrhea, and can become life-threatening without prompt medical intervention. We know firsthand just how serious these episodes can become. Fortunately, Timber has responded to treatment each time, and his remarkable ability to recover continues to give us hope.
We may never discover exactly why his GI system is so vulnerable. For now, we continue following every medical clue, addressing each problem as it arises, and hoping that eventually something will lead us to the answers we have been searching for.
WHAT MATTERS MOST IS TIMBER
When I see Timber running around our facility, playing and enjoying his life, I am reminded of why we fought so hard to save him. His medical journey has never been easy, and there may be more difficult days ahead. But Timber doesn't dwell on yesterday's illness or worry about what tomorrow might bring. He simply wants to be loved, to be happy, and to enjoy being a dog. And that is exactly the life we are determined to give him.
Our precious Timber has been through more than any dog should ever have to endure. Seeing him happy, enjoying his good days, and surrounded by people who adore him is the greatest reward we could ever ask for.
HELP US CONTINUE TIMBER'S CARE
Timber has come an extraordinary distance since we rescued him, but his medical journey is far from over. The specialized care, testing, medications, and treatments he continues to need come at a considerable expense.
We are committed to giving Timber every opportunity to live a long, happy life, just as we are for every dog in our care. Your donations make it possible for us to continue providing this level of medical care without compromising the needs of the other dogs who depend on us.
Please consider making a donation toward Timber's ongoing medical expenses. Every contribution helps us continue the work that gave this remarkable boy his second chance.
Thank you for continuing to believe in Timber and the work we do at Noah's Arks Rescue.
