The dog pictured and mentioned throughout this website is "Baby Love", the inspiration for The Evie Foundation's Baby Love Fund and this website. She was born on July 7, 2007. Her mom "Amber" was a pregnant stray picked up by animal control and brought into their facilities just a few days before giving birth. Amber was underweight and not showing. She had 9 puppies, 3 were premature and died within a week. Baby Love was the smallest of the litter left. During her first weeks of life she was not in the "puppy huddle", was rarely seen nursing, her head was facing down when standing and was by herself most of the time - away from the group. She was given bottles daily to supplement the feedings she was missing. At 4 weeks old she contracted kennel cough & ringworm. That's when she came to live with me. She recovered from both and started to blossom. She felt attention and affection for the first time and loved it. She buzzed around the house, running into everything but never stopping. We soon realized she was blind. Her behavior was odd also, and her balance and walking was not normal. I started looking for answers. Hydrocephalus was my hypothesis based on the limited pieces of information I put together. I started a fund raising campaign which generated the funds for an MRI which confirmed that is was hydrocephalus. Her condition was severe and only shunt surgery would improve her symptoms and quality of life.
People generously donated and she became a little celebrity. She had her surgery, recovered well and soon there was a noticeable difference in her symptoms. What an amazing time! Her mind was clearer, she was able to do more physical things and her love of life was amazing! She was work, daily life changed for me but I never felt like she was a burden and everyday with her was a gift. She was a comedian and a fearless adventurer! She soaked up life and love like a sponge and gave back even more! Most of all she had a purposeful life. Along with amazing support, I also got the questions and doubts from those who did not see the value in her life, the critics and the na-sayers. Remember, quality of life is the most important thing to consider in each of these cases.
Her shunt quit working in May 2008. The symptoms went back to being the way they were. Again, donations helped to fund a second surgery. A few days after returning home she starting having a very violent, abnormal seizure. After doing all that could be done she was euthanized June 26, 2008. She gave me more than I can ever express. I would do it all over again, and I am so glad I relished every minute with her. She touched many people's lives in the short time she was here.
Her legacy is this foundation, this website, this cause!
|
 |
| "Amber" Baby Love's Mom |
|
|
 |
| Baby Love, around 2-3 weeks old |
|
|
|
|