On Tuesday, I thought we might be losing Red, today he is clearly on the rebound, he ate his breakfast, a mixture of his kibble, Maria’s home-made meatloaf, gravy, Muenster Cheese and chicken broth, one of my more ingenious culinary creations.

Even yesterday, he was struggling to eat, was drooling and licking his lips. He has tested positive for four separate tick-borne diseases – Anaplasmosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ehrlichia, and Lyme (I would be grateful if people stopped sending me messages advising me that there is such a thing as Lyme disease and Red might have it. I am definitely crazy but not stupid). This veterinary practice had never seen a dog tested positive for four tick-borne diseases at once.

Dr Suzanne Fariello did a remarkable job of sorting through the possibilities, she treated Red cautiously and thoughtfully, eliminating some of the worse possibilities and seizing on the tick-bone infections. She is now treating that aggressively. I have added probiotics to his food, the doxycycline can wreak havoc with a dog or human gut (I took it when I had Lyme Disease.)

The treatment has been expensive – it is already over $2,000 – but was well worth it. Dr. Fariello was as conservative as she could be, and gave us different options at every step of the way. She was as thorough and efficient as was necessary. We are very grateful to her and her very wonderful staff.

I will be honest, I was approaching the point where we would have to discuss how far to go with Red’s treatment, as much as I love him, and as important as he is to me, I have strong ethical concerns about the limits of financial and emotional resources when it comes to treating sick pets or other animals. There are many sick and needy human beings in this world, and perspective is an article of faith to me.

Fortunately, we didn’t get there, but it was beginning to be on my mind.

Red’s titer test was shocking, he had enough infections at high enough levels to kill a dog quite easily, and very nearly did. We began the doxycycline on Friday and I saw the results this morning, he was hungry, showed no signs of nausea, ate quickly and hungrily. This means the fever has most like broken also.

He is slowly but surely returning to life. I believe we have turned the corner. He somehow made it clear to me last Tuesday that he was not ready to leave, that he was not finished here with me or his work. Yet it was wrenching to see how sick he was and how much suffering he was enduring.

And what if I was wrong?

I believe this shadow is lifting from us, and while I will be cautious for a few more days – and will continue to offer updates – I believe he will be fine, and soon.

I never take Red for granted, but I saw clearly this week how central Red is to the work we are going, to the therapy and refugee work and other small acts of kindness me and many others have undertaken to help us stay grounded. A friend is right, Red came to me to show me and others the depth of compassion, and how important it is to a world in distress.

I am thankful he is staying with us. Spirit dogs come when they are needed, and leave when they are done. He is not done. Your support and encouragement have been  profound and uplifting, and I am thankful to be a part of this community. You really came through for Red, and for me and Maria, and for the many people Red comforts and uplifts. And there are too many to count.

I am taking him to the Mansion today, for his own healing and for the sake of the residents, who are very worried about him. He will get plenty of rest, and we will soon begin transitioning back to his regular dog food. We have a good chunk of meatloaf left. I can toss the baby food and frozen hamburger or give it to the chickens.