We wanted to update you on our neuro foster, Ellie. We appreciate your love, light, prayers, and support—she needs it now more than ever 🙏
If you follow Fenix on instagram you'll know we started fostering Ellie 2 months ago. All her videos are here.
More Disappointing News 😢
Last Thursday we went back to see the Neurologist at VMSG that originally diagnosed Ellie with Cerebellar Hypoplasia. Unfortunately he assessed that she has not improved as we would have expected, and because of this, she may have a degenerative brain disease. His assessment while inconclusive also suggested that she might be blind, or close to blind.
We have been working so hard to support her in expanding her mobility and stability. We have been spending time in the garden and in 'her own padded room' with her - both encouraging her to stand and move on her own, and also doing supported movement with her around the garden and inside. And while she has some great days still, overall, she is either the same, or worse than when we first started fostering her. Looking back on initial videos unfortunately shows us that she might have been getting up more easily earlier on. But we are not sure. Ellie is also teething big time right now, so we're noticing her motivation to get up is less. But she is definitely LESS mobile now than she was when we first had her 🥹
It was our greatest hope that Fenix might help her 🐶
Dogs are very social animals and learn effectively from one another. I was optimistic that Fenix could spend time with her and help her grow and improve. And while Fenix has shown her a lot of love, and they have had a lot of lovely moments, overtime, Fenix has begun to become reactive with her, impatient and has started showing other behavioral concerns.
We haven't shared this publicly, however we do believe that an attack Fenix endured just a few weeks after Ellie was with us has also made him more reactive at this time. We were walking him on leash in our neighborhood when a dog off-leash charged us and bit Fenix in the face. Thankfully Ellie was home napping at the time. Otherwise it would have been harder for both my husband Eric and I to grab the other dog and disarm the situation. This was NOT the first time Fenix has been attacked. His neurological weakness has made him a target for some dogs, and so despite our best efforts (including no longer going to dog parks and problematic encounters) he has been attacked 6 times now 🥹
I Need to Focus on Fenix Right Now 🐺
While I am physically, emotionally and mentally exhausted from spending 6+ hours every day with Ellie for almost 2 months now, it is the negative impact on Fenix that has called me to very actively find another home for Ellie NOW.
She Needs a Home, Not a Shelter 🏡
While we are only fostering Ellie and she does technically ‘belong’ to Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center and so I could of course take her back there anytime. But like most shelters / rescues right now, they are not able to take care of this special needs angel. She does require such greater help than they can give, understandably. And I will do anything to help her find a loving, attentive home.
So I am looking for an adoption for Ellie, and am wondering if you or someone you know might be able to love and treasure this beautiful little girl as she deserves?
Or perhaps you could share Ellie's adoption invitation with communities that might be able to help us find the perfect loving home for Ellie.
Learn About Ellie's Condition and Needs 🩺
She now has her own page allowinglove.org/ellie if you want to learn more about her. Please feel free to share this page with anyone you think might be able to foster or adopt her.
Please Donate 💰
And the one thing we want to do for Ellie ongoing is to keep supporting her get access to the best professional support available. Read more about our plan to continue to support Ellie here.
Thank You For Being Our Village 🏘️
It truly DOES take a village. So thank you for being so kind and reading this whole email. Thank you for being here with us on this journey. And thank you for any way that you can share or support.
We love you.
Zoë, Eric, Fenix and Ellie 🐾
