More from Phyllis Allison about Bonnie and things in Terrell, TX

It has been 10 days since I called Phyllis Allison for the last Bonnie update. (For newcomers, Bonnie is the heartworm-positive dog who was rescued by St. Phyllis at Sunflower Hill Animal Rescue in Terrell, Texas—and a major focus of this blog and novena.) I feel like I'm pestering Phyllis. The woman is doing important work and never seems to rest. Yes, my inquiries are well intended and not entirely selfish, but it's for my blog for heaven's sake, which seems just a bit trivial.

The minute Phyllis says hello and I identify myself, she makes me feel like I'm doing her a big favor to call.  This is the kind of person she is—the epitome of feel-good kindness. I confess: This blog is so becoming a Phyllis Allison fan site. If apologies are in order, I offer them. Yet I can't think of a role model more deserving of adulation. I want to be like her when I grow up. 

Phyllis tells me that she just spent some time with our girl. "Bonnie's doing fine. She's full of kisses and such a good size. [34 lb.] She likes to get close, but she's not jumpy." Didn't we just know all along that Bonnie was the perfect dog? Someone will be so lucky to get her as their "forever dog".

I ask about the heartworm treatment, and Phyllis says that she is delaying it until their weather cools a bit. Terrell, like most of Texas, has had three weeks of consecutive 100+ degree days. The heartworm treatment is hard on a dog's cardiovascular system and requires a calm, low-activity, no-stress environment for a month. The heat would be an additional stressor that would be good to avoid. In the meantime, Phyllis says that she's keeping all the donations aside to apply to Bonnie's treatment when the time comes, and she's giving Bonnie heartworm preventative. This will kill several stages of the heartworm and cleanse the system to a certain degree, while preventing further advance of the heartworm infestation. It could actually make the final treatment easier for Bonnie.

Since I'm not familiar with the particulars of heartworm treatment, I ask a lot of questions. Phyllis is so knowledgeable and even tracks the latest research. She gives me in-depth information about the alternative treatments and their effects. I find it fascinating but will spare you the excruciating details.

The bottom line is this:  Bonnie is in good and loving hands and is doing great. Her health is being carefully tracked—as she is being loved and spoiled with treats—and she will be receiving the full heartworm treatment when conditions are optimal. And if you want to have an experience that gives you the sense you've been to a spa and spent time in loving and sacred space, talk to Phyllis—who will end the call by sincerely thanking you for calling.