I am sorry that this post is late...this has been a hard one for me to bring myself to write. Our little girl Eva, passed away two days before Christmas in Dongguan.
Shortly after we got her, we discovered that she had canine parvo (which is a disease she contracted from not having her vaccinations early enough). This also came with the disturbing news that she probably wouldn't make it...especially since she was so tiny. We wanted her to try and fight anyway, and dedicated our last week in the city to helping her get well. I spent every morning that week, taking her to the vet where she would get an IV because she wasn't allowed to eat or drink anything. She would be there from anywhere to 4-10 hours a day, depending on how she was doing. We brought her home every evening where she slept in our warm bathroom and tried to fight. She slowly got better, and seemed to gain energy slowly. After 5 days (just before we left for the States) the vet seemed to be optimistic about her survival. He encouraged us that if she had made it this far, she would probably be okay. The night before we left, we let her come out for awhile. She went straight to our luggage and laid in front of it. We cuddled her, and gave her lots of love. I left her, fully expecting to see her again when we returned to Dongguan. She had wonderful care from Bella & Veronica (who introduced us to her). Veronica stayed in our apartment to keep her company and continued to take her to the vet each morning. She had good days, and had bad days. It seemed to be an emotional roller coaster that we couldn't escape. Her little body finally fought off the disease, but at that point she was weakened to the point of not being able to eat anything. Bella & Veronica patiently tried to mash her food and feed her through a syringe. It just wasn't working. Eventually, her little heart just gave out. We are so thankful to have had a short time with her, but we will miss her immensely.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Home?
As I prepare to return home (to Dongguan City that is) I am filled with mixed emotions. Let me start by saying that our holidays were fantastic. It was great to see family & friends and spend quality time with those we love. Andre and I spent quite a bit of time with my parents, his parents, our brothers & their families, our extended families, and our friends.
We spent our first week in Indy, and it was action packed! We went to a Colts game, visited our favorite restaurants, stopped by our house (anyone need a home in Carmel??), had dentist appointments, and tried to see as MANY friends as possible.
Next, we traveled North, to Michigan, where we spent a long weekend. We were reunited with Ralphie, who was ecstatic to see us again. It would have been so hard to leave him, if they hadn't been leaving for Florida at the same time. He was excited to get going in the motor home...he didn't care where he was going!!
Then, we headed straight from Michigan to Martinsville, where we stayed with my Mom and Dad. We spent Christmas Eve and Day here, and a fun time was had by all. Here, we were reunited with Reuben. He was definitely happy to see us, but also torn. If we were upstairs, and my Mom and Dad were downstairs...Reuben would be on the stairs in between us all. Poor guy!! :)
We returned to Indy for the last week and prepared for Andre's departure. We spent more time with friends, and had a great New Year's Eve. Brent, Monica, and Nate came in town for a short visit, and we got to see Nathan open his Christmas gifts from Aunt Kelly & Uncle Andre.
Andre left on January 5th, and I made the decision to return to my Mom & Dad's and stay until January 20th. It was a decision that I am glad I made, as Andre has been away from Dongguan on business, and I would have been alone at the apartment while he traveled.
After he left, I had a really rocky, emotional day. I was torn between my new home & my home here. I was torn between my new friends in Dongguan and my old friends here in Indy. I didn't want to miss anything here, but I didn't want to miss anything there as well.
In the end, I has a GREAT trip. I enjoyed spending extra time with my Mom & Dad and all those friends I got to spend more time with. I am happy to have had this time with them, but I am also ready to go home. I am looking forward to 2009 in China and making lots of memories.
We spent our first week in Indy, and it was action packed! We went to a Colts game, visited our favorite restaurants, stopped by our house (anyone need a home in Carmel??), had dentist appointments, and tried to see as MANY friends as possible.
Next, we traveled North, to Michigan, where we spent a long weekend. We were reunited with Ralphie, who was ecstatic to see us again. It would have been so hard to leave him, if they hadn't been leaving for Florida at the same time. He was excited to get going in the motor home...he didn't care where he was going!!
Then, we headed straight from Michigan to Martinsville, where we stayed with my Mom and Dad. We spent Christmas Eve and Day here, and a fun time was had by all. Here, we were reunited with Reuben. He was definitely happy to see us, but also torn. If we were upstairs, and my Mom and Dad were downstairs...Reuben would be on the stairs in between us all. Poor guy!! :)
We returned to Indy for the last week and prepared for Andre's departure. We spent more time with friends, and had a great New Year's Eve. Brent, Monica, and Nate came in town for a short visit, and we got to see Nathan open his Christmas gifts from Aunt Kelly & Uncle Andre.
Andre left on January 5th, and I made the decision to return to my Mom & Dad's and stay until January 20th. It was a decision that I am glad I made, as Andre has been away from Dongguan on business, and I would have been alone at the apartment while he traveled.
After he left, I had a really rocky, emotional day. I was torn between my new home & my home here. I was torn between my new friends in Dongguan and my old friends here in Indy. I didn't want to miss anything here, but I didn't want to miss anything there as well.
In the end, I has a GREAT trip. I enjoyed spending extra time with my Mom & Dad and all those friends I got to spend more time with. I am happy to have had this time with them, but I am also ready to go home. I am looking forward to 2009 in China and making lots of memories.
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