Though she was only with BTRC for a few short months, her impact was immeasurable. She brought so much joy to her foster family. Upon meeting her, they were immediately smitten.
Her foster mom lovingly shares, “Lou-Ella just fit. She was easygoing with the revolving door of canine companions, she took every appointment and procedure in stride, and she loved to be by your side. Whatever the adventure of the day, Lou-Ella was just happy to be where you were…She loved to wait by the door in anticipation of our walks or our in-office days and loved to throw pieces of fluff around.”
Mealtime with Lou-Ella was full of theatrics. She would stomp her feet and chatter her teeth, but funny enough, she was a very picky eater. Her reactions to certain foods made it seem as though she was being fed poison. So, if something was acceptable, her foster mom would deem it ‘not poison,’ and if she didn’t like it, it was ‘poison.’ After some convincing, and the fact that all the other pups in the home devoured freeze-dried cheese, Lou-Ella eventually took this treat off her poison list and looked forward to it as her bedtime snack (Timbits on the other hand, always passed the poison test).
Lou-Ella’s foster mom noticed that her belly looked a little distended and brought her in for an ultrasound. Sadly, the results confirmed what we had feared: the cancer we had hoped had been contained by the removal of her spleen had spread to her liver. While we knew this was a possibility, it was still heartbreaking to learn how quickly things had progressed. When, Lou-Ella suffered a seizure, we learned that the cancer had likely reached her brain.
To ensure she didn’t suffer, Lou-Ella was gently helped to pass at home in her foster mom’s arms –free of pain and surrounded by comfort and love.
“I’m going to miss my shadow, my tripping hazard. Her spot seems so empty. Though my heart aches, it is at the same time full of gratitude. To have been able to have been a soft landing for her, to provide some physical relief, to let her experience friendship and adventures and in the end, holding Lou-Ella, ushering her to the other side, painless and with dignity…This change is hard, but I would do it all over again knowing I got to meet such a beautiful soul who made saying goodbye so difficult.”
To Lou-Ella’s foster mom and to the mom who cared for her before her time at BTRC – our hearts are with you. Thank you for loving her with your entire being. Lou-Ella was truly one of a kind and she has left a mark that will never be forgotten. Run free, sweet girl. ❤️
Look at those teeth!
Yes, Lou-Ella looks happy, and yes, there’s a reason! This adorable gal is now officially part of our Set for Life program.
Lou-Ella recently had surgery to remove a mass on her spleen, and the pathology results confirmed it was cancer. An ultrasound and x-ray showed no obvious signs of spread, but the location of the mass is concerning. Because the spleen is responsible for cleaning the blood, there’s a high likelihood that microscopic cancer cells may already be present elsewhere.
Despite this news, Lou-Ella is thriving! Since her surgery, it’s clear that she’s feeling much better and her personality is starting to shine. She’s hungry, happy and full of energy, and when her foster mom witnessed Bella’s first zoomies in the backyard, it was a moment of sheer joy (for both of them!).
Lou-Ella’s newest love interest is a piece of fluff – likely a remnant of her foster siblings’ stuffie casualties. She bows down, eyeballs it playfully, and when the time feels right, she tosses it up in the air and chases it. Walks are also on her list of favourites as her mobility has increased significantly. She motors forward with engagement and curiosity on hikes and gets excited when she sees her leash and harness come out.
So, while the news about Lou-Ella’s health was not what we had hoped for, she’s truly thriving and in wonderful hands (and paws) in her foster home. As a Set for Life foster, she will remain a cherished member of the BTRC family, receiving top-quality care and all the love she deserves for the rest of her life. ♥️
Lou-Ella is being fostered in Halifax, NS.
Lou-Ella’s getting lots of love!
It’s been a busy week for foster Lou-Ella and she’s soaking up all the TLC she can get. During a recent vet visit, an ultrasound showed a mass on her spleen and an enlarged liver. Thankfully, she was able to be seen by a surgeon quickly and the mass was removed and a liver biopsy performed. We are now waiting for pathology results to determine next steps for Lou-Ella.
The ultrasound also confirmed large adrenal glands which could indicate Cushing’s disease, but we will wait to test her until she recovers from surgery (and a UTI). And while Lou-Ella has been instructed to take it easy by her vet, she insists that she feels fine, and she doesn’t understand why she can’t go hiking with her crew.
We will be sure to post an update once we have more information on Lou-Ella’s health. In the meantime, she’s indulging in some snuggles and suntanning on the back deck. She’s pretty stoked that warmer weather means more time outdoors.
The cost of Lou-Ella’s veterinary care so far: $4023.99
Lou-Ella is being fostered in Halifax, NS and is not yet ready for adoption.
Meet Lou-Ella
Lou-Ella’s world recently changed when, sadly, her person was diagnosed with a life-altering illness and could no longer care for her. She was deeply loved, so, as difficult as it was, they entrusted BTRC to find her the perfect home.
This 13-year-old lady is settling into her new surroundings and getting acquainted with her foster family. She’s laidback, quiet, and ridiculously adorable.
Lou-Ella was an only child but is adjusting fine to life with the resident dogs. With four foster siblings and plenty of visiting guests, she’s never bored – but she’s more of a spectator than a participant when it comes to playtime! Walks, however? She’s always first in line and ready to go.
After her first vet appointment, we will do an update on all things Lou-Ella. ♥
Lou-Ella is being fostered in Halifax, NS and is not yet ready for adoption.
