Status: Crossed The Rainbow Bridge at 9 years
Thanks to everyone who sent puppy prayers to our French Brittany “Mickey.”
We almost lost Mickey, but got him into emergency surgery just in time. In early March, Jim drove all night to Pea Ridge, Arkansas to take him to our dear friend Dr. Gary France. Apparently a few weeks earlier Mickey (and “Sweet Pea”) sneaked a few throw pillows off our couch and through the pet door into the back yard (on two separate occasions) and destroyed them. I went out there and picked up all the stuffing and remnants from the cover (twice). Unbeknownst to me, our sweet Mickey (who eats everything) swallowed part of the pillow cover.
Over the next week or so, I noticed that something wasn’t quite right with Mickey. (He had all the symptoms of intestinal blockage.) Our vet took x-rays and said he needed exploratory surgery immediately. We called our dear friend in Pea Ridge and he said bring him to me. Jim got Mickey into Dr. Gary’s hands about 5:30 a.m. and he was in surgery by 5:45. Dr. Gary found a 14″ x 10″ piece of cloth stuck in Mickey’s small intestines. He said Mickey would not have made it another day.
Now a month later, Mickey is totally fine and sporting a wicked star (from stem to stern). Needless to say, I scoured the yard for all rope toys, threads from rope toys, remnants of stuffed animals, etc. and disposed of them. Now the Nitschke Brittanys are only allowed to play with (chew on) Kongs, Nylabones, and hard rubber toys. Mickey said he’s even feeling so good, he doesn’t mind me sharing his Easter picture with everyone!!!