Now Back To Our Regularly Scheduled Programming

We re-tested Izzy today. She is FINE. Her creatinine and B.U.N levels are within normal range. We can go back to her regular food and then we'll re-test again in four more weeks or so just to be sure, but things are looking up!

Thanks to everyone for their good thoughts! I know it made a difference.

I kidney you not

About three and a half weeks ago my big worry was "How am I going to compete in the ring without all those nerves?" Then suddenly my heart broke with an ugly crack, and I was wondering, "How am I going to get myself through life without my dog?"

We took Iz to the vet for routine stuff and the vet took a blood test. I was shocked when he called later that day to tell me that it looked like she was at the beginning of kidney failure. I still have problems even writing that down. Long story short, after a scary blood test, but healthy urine test, a completely asymptomatic dog, and a second opinion—nobody knows for sure what's going on. We're retesting in a week or so after she's been on a low-protein, low-phosphorous diet. (Don't even get me started about the worries of what to feed her. Listen to the traditional vet? Listen to the homeopathic vet? Pay attention to the Whole Dog Journal? Follow the advice on listserves, Web sites?)

I've stopped looking at her as dead dog walking and have decided I'm not going to worry until all the information is in. Plus, she's the same happy, energetic little dog she was before we went to the vet's. So, suddenly, competition doesn't seem like much of an obstacle. It's corny, I know—but I really want to just remember that Izzy is here with me now. Today. And probably tomorrow. And we need to live our lives, not worry about when they end.