Willow vs Heartworm: A Slow, Quiet Win

The rescue told us up front. Willow was heartworm positive. They said treatment would take months and that she would need to stay quiet for most of it. They also said she was the sweetest dog they had ever had.

Quiet is hard for a two-year-old hound. We learned to feed her from puzzle bowls, teach her new tricks lying down, and carry her up the stairs. Our vet checked her at every stage and explained each step.

There were hard weeks. She was tired, and sore after the injections, and she had to be kept calm even when she wanted to run. I would sit on the kitchen floor with her head in my lap and read out loud, whatever was on my phone.

Six months later, the test came back negative. We celebrated with a slow walk to the end of the street. Her tail was a blur. She is now on year-round prevention, and I set a reminder on my phone for the first of every month.

If you are considering adopting a heartworm-positive dog, talk to a vet first. It is a commitment. But I would do it again tomorrow.