Take Your Dog to Work Day

It's Take Your Dog to Work Day! Did you get to take your dog to work? Are you one of the lucky ones who gets to take their dog to work every day? I'd love you to share your photos and stories with me!

As most of you know, I'm an Eskie Mom. And, since I run my company from home, I'm very blessed because I get to have my dog at work with me every day! I must admit it is wonderful :)

Niko is my little assistant. He's by my side or behind my chair whether I'm working on the computer or making jewelry. Here he is in the dining room overseeing a jewelry-making session...

And he's hysterical... if I get up for any reason, he moves under the table like it's his duty to guard everything. Here he is with his best "don't-even-think-about-touching-my-Mommy's-stuff" face on...

He's so adorable and he's the light of my life. I love the fact that I can have him with me while I'm working. Right now though, I'm devastated because Niko is sick and we could really use your help.

Letting You Know Why I'm Scarce Lately

Forgive me for going off-topic today, but I need to share something so you know that I haven't just disappeared. You may notice I'm not online as much right now and I want you to know why. This is my Eskie... Niko... and this very special little boy is the reason for my absence.

On Wednesday, June 13th I had to rush my precious Niko to the vet; unsure if he possibly had stepped on something or hurt himself; thinking maybe a splinter in his paw, a leg cramp or a dislocated knee or hip. 

I carried him in and Dr Jeff examined his leg. Definite injury... he blew the cruciate ligament in his left hind knee. That was terrible news, but it got a whole lot worse.

As Dr Jeff was checking him out further, he said he felt something in his belly and that, before we deal with the knee, he needed to get x-rays to look at his belly and get some labwork.

When he brought me to look at the x-rays, my jaw dropped. He said "He has a mass in his belly." I was devastated. It felt like someone had shot me in the heart. He said it appears to be in his spleen, but we would need to get an ultrasound to be sure what we're dealing with so we scheduled one.

  

We need to deal with the mass before he can have the surgery he needs on his knee. So all he could do for his knee right now is give him pain meds and told me to try to keep him off it.

He needs to be monitored 24/7 for signs of a rupture and brought in immediately if I see any of them. 

He also found a bladder stone that is too large for him to pass. That will also have to be dealt with. It's 3rd on the priority list... unless it moves and obstructs his urethra.

He had his ultrasound and orthopedic work-up on Wednesday. We can't make any decisions until we get the pathology results of the fine needle aspiration they did during the ultrasound. And when they did his knee x-rays, they found cruciate ligament tears in BOTH knees. That makes things a whole lot more complicated.

Any way we look at it Niko needs surgery... at least 2, more likely 3 or 4. Right now he's home with me on 24/7 observation and pain meds while we wait.

Niko and I Would Appreciate Your Help

I decided, at friends' urging, to do fundraising for Niko. However, I cannot just take money or ask people to donate for auctions like we see all the time on Facebook. I wanted something better... a way that I could reward people and make their lives easier for helping me save Niko's life. 

I'm quite likely looking at well over $10,000 of vet bills before we're done and Niko's already had surgery twice in the last year. But he has been there for me through some really bad stuff so I have to try everything I can to save him.

I started a page for Niko on Facebook so family, friends and supporters can follow our journey and get updates on his progress. I share photos and post updates as I get them. I also entered a note on his page telling our story if you want to read more than the bits I've written in this post. I hope you'll come over, 'like' his page and join Team Niko.

I also set up a fundraiser for him on GiveForward.com called Team Niko. You can find it here... http://www.giveforward.com/teamniko. I posted our story, some photos and updates there as well. And there's a GiveForward widget on the right side of my blog.

Giving Back

As I said, I cannot just take and it was very hard for me to ask for help. So, I need to give thanks by giving back. And I'm doing that two ways...

1) Everyone who donates will receive a code for 20% off any purchase made through my ArtFire Studio at http://www.DesignsByDebi.artfire.com, even clearance items.

2) Everyone who donates $10 or more will get a "Dinner and a Movie Discount Card" which is actually good for a whole lot more than dinner and a movie... It's an all access discount card good for thousands of deals on dining, shopping, travel, recreation and services all over the USA (including online) for an entire year to use as many times as you want.

Ways to Help

I appreciate any and all help I can get for my sweet Niko. Prayers and well wishes are wonderful... and seem to be helping :)

If you can donate, I'm eternally grateful and you will receive the items mentioned above.

And, if you could share this post, Niko's Facebook page and/or his Team Niko GiveForward page that would be FABULOUS. I know that time are tough, but I believe that those who are able to help will find us by the generous sharing of these pages. So, I thank you very much in advance for sharing ♥

Here are some short links to help:

The Team Niko facebook page... on.fb.me/MCuW19

Niko's Team Niko GiveForward page... bit.ly/MPgbpL

And I AM Working

I may not be posting as often as usual, but please know that I AM here and I AM working. I'm just spending my work time making sure to take care of my customers. I'm still accepting orders, including custom orders, and that's what I'm focusing on. 

But, I'm not taking any time off.. I need to pay those vet bills! I just change my work hours around Niko's needs ...so if you need something, by all means please contact me Debi (at) designs-by-debi (dot) com. I'm still doing my best to answer all emails within 24 hours :)

Thank you!!