11/21/04 - Annie is finally negative for heartworm! Last spring we found out that Annie did indeed have heartworm. She survived the treatment, and we survived trying to keep her "quiet" for a few months-not an easy task. In the midst of all her treatment we unfortunate also found out that she has a liver condition, that has yet to be diagnosed. Her liver enzymes are off the charts, but besides having a small liver the vet isn't sure what is causing it. In the meantime we have taken her off all her anxiety medication, which wasn't truly calming her any way. I have to say Annie has certainly grown on us. She is very needy and still pees on the floor when left alone, but somehow she still has won us over. Even our other boxer, whom Annie insists on sleeping on top of, would be lost without her. Our thanks to Gary Berg and all of his help in getting Annie treated.

4/27/04 - Well it has been awhile since our last update, waiting to see how Annie responded to some medication for her separation anxiety and also to some more training.  It seems a combination of some medication and taking her out of the crate has helped.  She and my five year old boxer do not have run of the house when we are not home, but they have a big laundry room that they stay in.  My husband had to build a special door because Annie was eating her way out and escaping.  It seems at least for now the chewing at the door has stopped, but that may be because my husband coated the inside with plexiglass-it's hard to believe, but she would have chewed thru it.  And it had to be a half door because she didn't like being closed in-sounds crazy but it seems to have worked.  The medication does seem to have taken the edge off for Annie, but I think we may try weaning her off it completely or trying another type of medication.  In the beginning Annie would go to the bathroom in her crate (a real mess) and the vet related it to the anxiety, then we put her on the medication, but she continued and still continues to pee on the floor a lot. The vet has ruled out any other medical condition so we don't know if she pees on the floor because she is still anxious and the medicine is too weak or if the medicine makes her thirsty and she drinks too much water and she just can't hold it.  Everyone tells me to limit her water which I have tried-although it is tough
because of my other dog.  For the next four months I will be on maternity leave as Annie and Harley are getting a new little brother.  I hope that being home more throughout the day will allow her to
become more secure.  Then again I do have some concerns as Annie's introductions to strangers and children have not always gone as well as I would have hoped.

10/3/03 - Well after almost three months I would love to report that Annie is adjusting as well as her twin brother, Bo, has to his new home, but she is still having major separation anxiety. She is so sweet and gentile and very obedient when we are around, but she can't handle being left alone- and in her crate, the problem is amplified ten-fold. We have tried gating her with our other boxer in a room, but they have literally eaten their way out. We are currently back to the crate and trying some medication to take the edge off. However-for the last two days she has managed to escape and eat all of the mail. We have had some very bad days, but we have fallen in love with her and we are determined to work through this with her. The good thing is that she and our other boxer are very attached to one another and are nearly inseparable. Sue has been a big help through all of this and gave me hope when there wasn't a whole lot to hope for. We are hopeful that each day will get better. We'll let you know.

8/4/03 - Well it has been just over a month since we adopted Darci (now known as Annie).  She has turned out to be a great dog for my husband and me, and my other boxer, Harley, just loves her. I was worried how Harley would accept Annie, but they wrestle and play non-stop, and Harley is quite protective of her sister. We had some issues with the crate and separation anxiety, but we are working through them with the help of Sue. Annie is now in obedience classes and is a quick learner. I have plans for her to be a therapy dog and I don't think there will be a problem, everyone loves her and she is just so sweet and gentile. I have to thank Tina because Annie is such a great match for our family.

7/9/03 - I received the one week update on Darci today, she is doing great in her new home. She was frightened the first few days but mom says she is coming out of her shell quickly. As I was on the phone with her Darci ran by her with a sock in her mouth...gotta love those pups.

Mom is anxious to get her into training to be a therapy dog and knows that Dar will be great at it.

Everyone who has met her so far just loves her and can not believe how calm and well behaved she is. She follows her big sister around the house and does what she does so training is going well so far.

I expect to hear nothing but good reviews from Darci's mom.