Here's to Bricks, my sweet boy

It has officially been one year since Bricks came to live with us. I remember this time last year people saying "Wow, another dog! Isn't two enough?" Our lives would be so very different without him, he has brought such joy and laughter. And, I think he will keep Savannah and Shelby young for many years to come. He is such the "gentle giant" and big old goofball. His extremely laid back personality, sensitivity, and love for his family is such a great balance in our household. It is hard to remember NOT having him around; he is so wonderful! I could go on (about all of our dogs), but will spare you . . .

As we closed in on the year mark, it became time for his annual shots. Unfortunately, he tested positive for heartworms. Since he's been on heartworm preventative ever since rescue found him and he's been living with us, our vet believes he contracted the worms prior to rescue finding him. Heartworms take 6 months to develop and show as positive on a test. So, he has been on antibiotics for the last 5-6 weeks to lessen the effects of the injections (3 total) he will have to receive.

Yesterday, I took him in for his first immiticyde (sp?) injection. It's pretty powerful and painful stuff; they give the injection in the back between the hips and they keep him overnight for observation to make sure he doesn't have any crazy reactions to the injection. I called to check on him yesterday afternoon and he did great! So far so good. I pick him up this afternoon and can't wait to have him back home. He will have to be kept on very a minimal activity level for the next 30 days, at which point he will have another injection (2 actually, back to back). I've fostered dogs recovering from this treatment, but have never had a dog owned personally that has had heartworms, so it's definitely been a learning experience. Hopefully, he will be back to his normal self very soon and heartworm free!