5/21/07 Update:  We just wanted to give Beagle Rescue an update on our little Ladybug.  We noticed that she was very lethargic and always seemed to sleep.  At first we thought, oh, she is new to the family, she needs to get used to her new home and surroundings, etc.  Well, after three months, I said to my  husband, "this is not normal.  Beagles are very active.  She needs to see the vet."  She was checked from head to tail and after we told the vet how very laid back she was, he decided to do some blood work.

We received the call...she has hypothyroidism and would require medication.  Two weeks after taking the medicine, we did see a slight improvement, but she was still very lethargic.  One day I noticed blood in her urine.  I collected samples and off to the vet we went again.  They thought it could be a bladder infection and she was given an antibiotic and sent home.  That very night she had an accident and I noticed a small stone in her puddle.  The vet was phoned and they requested that we bring her in first thing Monday morning (5/7) and they were going to do an x-ray of her bladder.  Sure enough, another phone call and they said her bladder was like a gravel pit--full of stones!

The vet said this was another reason why she was not very active.  Surgery was done that afternoon and she came home to us the next evening.  She has been on the mend ever since then and is doing very well.  She is now on a special diet, "no treats" at all, poor baby!  She liked her treats!  Her stitches will be removed this Saturday and she is like a different beagle.  Ladybug is very perky, more and more active each day.  It's great to see her this way and not laying on the sofa all day.

She has one little quirk:  she does not like to go outside.  She will go out to do her business, but will not spend time in the yard.  She goes out, does her business and is right back at the door.  Even when we are outside with her, she'll stand on the porch waiting for someone to open the door and let her inside.  Silly beagle!

I am so glad we have adopted her. She is a sweet little dog.  I recommend Beagle Rescue every chance I get.  Thanks to everyone involved with Beagle Rescue.  We would have never gotten the sweet little beagle we did if we had not heard about the Rescue.

Keep up the good work.  Pictures will follow shortly!

******************************************************************

My parents are currently fostering (to adopt) Lady and they asked me to send you pictures of her from Christmas.  She is a sweet little (lazy!) dog.   You can definitely tell she used to live with two cats.  We think she thinks she is a cat, much as she sleeps!!!

Anyway, attached are some pictures of Lady bug and a few of her with her "nephew" Oscar - my German Shorthaired Pointer.  They got along great over the holidays; first at my parent's house for Christmas and then again over New Year's Eve weekend at my house in Port Matilda, PA.  Mom and Dad said Lady traveled very well on the three hour trip up (sleeping, not surprisingly, most of the way.)

                                                                     1/13/07