Pippin's Story

Pippin Update 3-9-2021 - First of all...please turn the sound off....the most annoying noise is on this video …thank you....
Now, I want to give a big shout out to my friend Cowboy and his Dad, Lee. Many of us are still sending lots of healing wishes to you. It must be hard having to rest most of the time. I am going to learn about parties from Reggie....maybe you can too. Also, Charlie Boy....how are your kidneys??? I spend much of my days outside with the people who take care of me...I have room to run and explore....and I love it!

Thank you all for caring about me and showing it in so many ways!!!

PS I am getting better with the house training....usually I have no accidents when my people are home all day. Spring is almost here....I am well enough to go for walks now and am learning how to be a gentleman on the leash.

Facebook 3/9/2021 Video

Disclaimer: said fin was removed from Pippin's environment. He is always under supervision with toys....well, how about just always under supervision LOL

My potassium feels a little low....how about I just help myself to this???!!!??

Pippin 3-17-2021 - No more diarrhea....healthy appetite, energetic, playful, mischievous....due for another urine antigen test soon...Medications and food still running around $500/month
He is such a happy boy!!!!

Pippin Update 3-24-21 - Just a little over five months ago, Pippin came to MI and began his journey back towards health. What he has overcome so far is nothing short of a miracle.

Yes, he is still on medications, he is still blind, he still has blastomycosis, he still struggles to let us know when he needs to potty.......one would never believe this is the same Pippin.

He delights in car rides and can leap up into the back seat. He loudly chastises if you are too slow preparing his meal. He is playful like a real puppy now. He is strong and determined and loved.

Thank you ALL for supporting his journey, he is so happy.

Please keep him (and me) in your thoughts as I will be away from Pippin (besides hospitalizations) for the first time in five months. He will be in wonderful hands with my husband, Steve, but I still think it's going to be hard on both of us for the next four days.

Take care everyone....we read EVERY SINGLE ONE of your posts and they help us so much

The spirit is strong with this one....

Who wants to adopt me???

Sorry for the confusion....

WE = KAREN & STEVE

He will always be shared with ALL of you...we are doing what we feel will be best for Pippin....

I hope we don't let him down....

THANK YOU ALL.....

PIPPIN UPDATE 4-17-2021 -

Hello Everyone
I am still enjoying listening to Reggie's last performance...I especially perked my ears up to the ROO ROO ROO parts....my friend Reggie sure is an entertainer.

I went to the doctor on FRIDAY and had some lab work done. I also had my BP and weight checked. I weigh 64 pounds now!!!! My BP is still too high so my family is going to get a home BP monitor....whatever that is! I am also getting a new ramp to get in and out of the car. Because I am visually impaired, I tend to randomly jump out of the back of the SUV on all sorts of trajectories. The last time, I took Karen's fresh surgically repaired shoulder with me when I leaped. It will be much safer for me this way. A new urine antigen is being sent early next week to see if TWO antifungals are eradicating the blastomycosis.

We are supposed to get 4-6 inches of snow between Tuesday and Wednesday. If we do, I'll post lots of photos.

Love to all PIPPIN

Pippin Update 4/28/2021 - Hello Everyone!
I posted this photo so you all could see how tall I am getting!!! I'm feeling really good lately and have been going on 2-3 mile walks every day I am very well mannered on my leash. There is a new smell at my house...I think it's another dog. We are not friends but we do take walks together as long as she is in front....I have heard the name LADY very frequently so I think she is what I am sensing.

Have to make it short tonight because I am updating my book of manners for my friend Reggie.
Need to check in with Charlie and Cowboy too! Good night all....and thanks again for saving my life
PS....I forgot to tell you all even my ears are getting longer!!!

May 3, 2021 - Hello Everyone!
PIPPIN here with my new roommate, LADY. We have been quite busy taking walks and eating next to each other through the screen door. Since I already outgrew the bed Lady is in...I decided to give it to her........I know she likes it!!!

Hi Everyone!
LADY here with my roommate, PIPPIN. I have been doing my best to avoid him....but sometimes we bump into each other and it's OK. I do very well with any of the dogs that are smaller than me ....I get the zoomies now and my foster Mom laughs at what a "darling" I am. I can't hear what she says but she is always smiling and petting me
Thank you for caring about us X0OO0XO0
PIPPIN & LADY

Pippin Update 5-15-2021 - Hello Everyone!!!

Finally, the weather is trending much warmer here in Michigan. I spend most of my days going on walks and enjoying all of the spring smells ⚘ Still waiting to get my next urine blasto test. Many of the doctors at MSU are taking their board exams...so communication is a little difficult right now. My eyes are currently not giving me any problems. I will have pressures inside them checked again soon. Still have some small, random sores every once in awhile....but they are nothing I can't handle.

I get to go on my first camping trip and kayak adventure in a few weeks. I am very excited.

I miss my friend, Lady. I know she is with a wonderful foster family with older brothers and a sister...she was fun to go on walks with. She has the bed I gave her when we took her to her new family...and I think that made her happy. Going to check on a few of my setter friends now....have a great spring weekend and I'll write again soon!!!

Pippin Update - 5/19/2021 - Hello Everyone...
A quick trip to MSU for my urine blasto test!
Got to visit with Dr Jones and so many other people who know me!!!! All I kept hearing was...'oh Pippin'....'hi Pippin' Dr Jones said I look AMAZING....that is good because that is how I feel.

Thank you all again for saving my life

I Love You

Pippin Update July 1, 2021

Well my big surgery is all over!!! I was neutered....the fungus likes to hide in those type of places
Thank you to my special surgeon, Allison, for her talent and for making me so comfortable...I also had my teeth cleaned ....
My eye pressures are still within normal limits. One of my liver enzymes is still very high ( this is not new for me). I received some extra hydration to help me.
All in all....even though it took me forever to wake up from anesthesia...it was a successful day....I didn't even need the barf bag (Alissa Thomas) that I took off of the handle all by myself!!!
Have a safe and happy 4th of July everyone
PS Anne Pellette do not look at my THREE shaved arm spots

06/02/2021 - Hello Everyone ...Pippin here. I wanted to take a moment to let you all know that I LOVED my first camping trip.I was outside most of the time. So many new smells and friendly people. I went hiking every day on the trails (what's left of them) at North Higgins State Park. The water was VERY cold so I didn't go swimming. We had a campfire every night and I would fall asleep with my head on peoples' feet . My kayaking skills are not well honed yet....but I will be working on it for the rest of the summer...my family is so happy....and so am I. Thank you....love Pippin

Pippin Update 6-26-21
Hello Everyone....
I've had a rough couple of days....I am very lame and my coordination is off quite a bit. Not sure if this is a random finding or if the Blastomycosis is rearing its ugly head again. My appetite is still good...luckily I have an appointment with my doctor on Friday....I will go sooner if needed.

Karen here....my brother brought up a thought or two about Pippin when he met him earlier this week. To most of us he looks like a healthy, 'normal' dog. I'm not sure if we all realize that he is still on TWO anti-fungals, medication for high blood pressure....and prescription dog food. While he may 'look' good....he is still fighting a good fight.

Thank you all....Pippin is here because you all cared....because you all believed.....we will continue to fight for and with Pippin....please keep him in your thoughts tonight....

6-27-21 Update: Pippin remains lame mostly on his right front leg. The doctor is coming over shortly...he told me to let you all know he's going to be just fine

6-28-21 Thank you all.....lameness is clearing up.....still keeping an on him!
Pippin says hello!!!

Karen is on the road as I type. PIPPIN is going to University of Tennessee Vet Hospital in Knoxville. We do not know what is wrong. We took him to MSU when he collapsed on Saturday. They ran some tests, then released him, citing being understaffed over the holiday weekend.

We phoned ahead, and are in the process of getting all of his records to the VTH prior to his arrival. We will post as soon as we have an update.

UPDATE: we are now thinking that Nexgard is playing a role in this downturn.

Facebook video 07/05/2021 - Warning this video is difficult to watch

PIPPIN Update 7-5-2021
They arrived in Knoxville and the staff was ready and waiting. They suspect that the neurological deficits are due to the Blasto. He is scheduled for an MRI and spinal tap tomorrow to confirm.

If the results indicate that his CNS is teeming with Blasto, there isn’t much left to do. If it comes back clear, they will take a much harder look at other probable causes. Karen is staying with some wonderful SOS folks who eagerly opened their home for us. We are, of course, grateful for their meeting the need on such short notice.

After two restless nights followed by a long drive today, Karen is physically and emotionally exhausted. Please allow her some time to rest. We will update again tomorrow when we get the results.

PIPPIN Update 7-6-2021
Save Our Setters

The MRI revealed changes in his brain beyond anyone’s worst nightmares. There is nothing more that can be done.

Linda Coger has been sitting with Karen. They met through SOS many years ago while transporting.

Mary Neutens has joined them. All three will be with PIPPIN as he crosses over Rainbow Bridge.

When you look at the sky tonight, the new star shining bright will be PIPPIN. Sweet dreams, precious boy.

"SETTING A HIGHER STANDARD"