Wanda's Blog

hi Everyone,

guess what? I’m up on the WEB!  That’s right…I got my official video in my cart shot and is on YouTube at the following link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZTdug48QIw.  I love my new cart-it is sooo cool!   I also made my trip to UPenn yesterday and once again all the students ohhh’d and aaahhhh’d over me as usual.  They also were all impressed with how great a job my foster mom and brother are doing taking care of me.  They said I was one of the luckiest dogs alive.  I know they are right!  They took some more blood to figure out exactly what I am and to confirm that I really do have MPS type 7.  So I just have to wait another few weeks for the results.  In the meantime…it is lazy days enjoying the sunshine in the back yard and long stroller walks with my foster family.  

Hi Everyone.  I know I have been lax in getting more updates out, and that a lot of people have been anxiously writing in asking how I am doing.  I was actually busy getting help with my tax return.  Do you know how much taxes have gone up for dogs this year?  At least I get a lot of deductions and stuff.  My cart alone allows me to only owe two small bones and a chew toy to the government this year J. 

I have not had the chance to get to UPenn again yet to have more blood work done.  The vet at the shelter tells me that I hopefully will be able to go next Wednesday.  That should give them all the final pieces to the puzzle of what is going on.  I then may even be the subject of a paper in a journal.  How cool would that be?  I’m almost the first of my kind with this problem.  I also know a lot of you have been asking just exactly what is wrong with me.  Well….the funny thing is the experts at UPenn have a good idea…but are not 100% sure.  They are almost sure I have a disease called Mucopolysaccharidosis type VII.  It is what is known as a storage disease.  This means that I lack certain materials called enzymes in my cells that help break down bigger things into littler things that my body can use.  Since these big things don’t get broken down they get stuck inside my cells.  This can lead to the problems that I am having with weakness in my muscles and joints…since my body can’t make the necessary products to make these things work right.  It’s all really technical and stuff so I am toldJ. 

            The really good news is that I am getting stronger and stronger though.  I can motor around the floor on my belly, and once they try to get splints for my front legs I might actually be able to stand up!   We will see.  They are going to try to work out some splints for me next Wed at the Humane League.  I love being outside now with all the birds and bugs and stuff to watch.  My foster mom takes me around in a stroller for nice long walks and everyone I meet just falls in love with me.  I also have gotten really good at hearing my mom open the food bag.  There is no way they can get a treat past me…as I will bark as loud as I can to make sure they don’t forget me.  My brother “Bullet” makes sure that I get some of whatever he is getting.  He also plays with me outside a lot and keeps me entertained. 

            So that is my life….the life of luxury for this lucky pup! I just keep working on getting stronger every day.  I will try to get them to take some videos of me when I come back to the Humane League for a visit and get them up on YouTube.  I’m told YouTube is all the rage these days for showing off ones talents…and I think I have a lot to show off personally J.  I hope everyone is enjoying themselves and following my journey as well.  It is nice to see so many people that care so much!

Hi All!  I hope everyone is enjoying the nice spring weather.  I finally heard back from the doctors at University of Pennsylvania yesterday.  It looks like I have what is called MPS type VII.  It’s really weird to them since they have never seen it in a breed like me before.  In fact…no is exactly sure what I am.  I kind of feel like Gonzo from the Muppets, just a weirdo…but in a great way of course J.   The special genetic people there (well…they are like super geniuses) say my condition can make me look a lot different than what I should look like.  So they are going to pull some blood and run some genetic tests in the next few weeks to see exactly what breed I am.  It’s amazing what they can do with technology these days isn’t it.  Considering the fact I was too small and didn’t have my eyes open yet when I was abandoned…I have no idea who my mom was.  So who else wants to guess?  Maybe we can even run some sort of contest and give the winner a special prize.  Write back and tell me what you think I am.  Maybe I will be a Gonzo…who knows.  J   In the mean time, they are going to be making some adjustments to my cart to make things a little bit more comfortable for me to be outside…and that should make it much easier for me.  I will let you know how it goes.  So keep those guesses coming.  I can’t wait to find out what I am J. 

Love, Wanda

Hi Everyone! Sorry I have not posted in a while.  I heard some of you were really worried about me based on my last post.  You can all rest assured I am still ok and doing well in my foster home.  With the weather being nicer I have been lounging in the yard and neglecting my typing/blogging duties a little.  Guess I have a little case of spring fever!  I contacted the people at the University of Pennsylvania yesterday to see how my tests are coming along.  I am just waiting to hear back.  In the meantime…I am so excited the weather is getting warmer.  I can spend more time outside in my cart and enjoying myself in the sunshine.  My foster brother still takes great care of me and makes sure that I am taken care of all the time.  He includes me in everything he does, and encourages me to work harder and make my legs work as well as they can.  So at this point, it is just a waiting game to find out my test results.  As Tom Petty says though, “The Waiting is the Hardest Part!”  I appreciate all of your concern about me and can’t wait until I am able to write more about my test results.  I thank you for all your well wishes and prayers.  Keep them coming and I will keep trying to get better!