Alaska’s Story

Help bring Alaska home to her family!

On Saturday our beloved dog was struck by a porcupine. What seemed minor at first has become increasingly complicated and expensive, not to mention heartbreaking.

By some stroke of luck, we had the honor of rescuing Alaska, a young Alaskan Klee Kai last fall after she was surrendered to a nearby shelter. I’ve said dozens of times that while I don’t know her story, I am grateful for the opportunity to love her and create one with her. Since bringing her home, it’s as if she was always meant to be a part of our family. An absolute dream of a dog and such a tender sweetie. She has 4 kids that love her dearly, and her 4 legged bestie Simba that she adores. If you’re in my close circle, you’ve seen the videos of these two playing and know exactly what I’m talking about. And if you know me personally, you likely know that I’ve almost never asked for help. I would rather be the one doing the helping, or spreading love with some thrifted treasure I found just for you. And if you really know me, you know that my babies, whether on two legs or 4, make my heart burst with love. I truly live to nurture.

That said, I’m out of my comfort zone asking for help. The universe is asking me to stretch and grow, something I’m no stranger to and fully embrace.

So here are the details on what is going on. The emergency vet was able to sedate Alaska and remove the minimal quills from her chin and most of them from her chest on Saturday evening. Unfortunately there was a mass that is sub cutaneous (under the skin) that could not be removed without surgery. She was sent home and scheduled for surgery Tuesday morning. During the time she was home, I noticed her breathing discomfort, but she was continuing to eat, drink and walk around, though visibly sore and mellow. On Tuesday before surgery the vet did an X-ray and detected quite a bit of air in her chest, indicating that a quill or quills had punctured or gone into her lungs. The vet referred her to Red River emergency animal hospital in Fargo, ND to continue her care or face the heartbreaking reality of euthanizing her before she aspirated and experienced more pain.

Of course we are not ready to say goodbye so the vet did a procedure to remove the air from her chest before traveling to Fargo, which made her visibly more comfortable for the drive.

Upon getting there, they did a CT scan to help determine if there were quills in her lungs that were visible, but it only showed that there had been spots of punctures and part of one lobe is damaged. They also placed drains in each side of her chest to continue removing the air that is leaking from her lungs and since her arrival, the air has gone down and she is having little to no leaking at this time. Right now, she is being monitored and we are facing the decision to bring her home and hope for the best, knowing that there are still problematic quills embedded and likely to cause more issues down the road, or she undergoes a pretty extensive and expensive surgery to repair the lung and remove any quills that are visible and accessible during the surgery.

She continues to be a bright and loving light, and we are intending that this chapter of her story is one of a miracle and that we have many more years to enjoy her company. She is young, just turned 3, and only 20lbs, so we are counting on a long and healthy life ahead of us.

As these things are never convenient, life continues to be expensive and this unexpected emergency is challenging to say the least. We are much more comfortable being the helpers for others, and will always continue to pay it forward. That said, if you can keep Alaska in your prayers, or contribute in any way, know that it will be going to a good cause and met with gratitude. Thank you for taking the time to let me share.