Meeting Rilind

Epi4Dogs Foundation Inc.’s mission is the advancement of science and education relating to EPI (Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency), yielding useful insights and positive outcomes in better managing EPI in dogs and cats. Our goals are to support and/or collaborate with veterinary EPI research and researchers, and to promote EPI awareness by educating the general public, pet owners, pet organizations, rescue and shelter organizations, veterinary schools and veterinarians.
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Madelon
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Posts: 1317
Location: Nashville, TN
Country: United States
State: Tennessee
Pet name: Doc

Meeting Rilind

Post by Madelon » 30 Dec 2018, 21:48

December 26, 2018 was a very emotional day for me as my most important Christmas wish came true ... I met the handsome Rilind in person.

Soon after my dog, Doc, was diagnosed with EPI I learned about Rilind, our EPI cover model on our brochures. Rilind has been and continues to be an inspiration to all of us managing EPI. He was tossed over a fence at an animal shelter in Clay County, Florida and was rescued by Pit Sisters in Jacksonville the day after Christmas many years ago. Luckily soon after being rescued he was diagnosed with EPI and found the PERFECT forever home with Jen.

After learning that Rilind was in Jacksonville, I decided to reach out and see if it would be possible to meet up with him as my family lives just outside of Jacksonville and I would be visiting them for the Christmas holidays. Luckily Rilind's amazing mom agreed and my dream came true. I had a great time chatting with Jen, Rilind's mom, who happens to be a vet (boy did he hit the lottery with that one) about Rilind's background and EPI. Can you believe this boy who was once LITERALLY skin and bones is now 97lbs!!!! He truly is a chunky monkey.

For those of you who follow his FB page, Rilind Reborn, (and if you don't you should) he is every bit the ham in person as he appears to be on his FB posts. His mom even shared that she has had fans of his drive from NY just to meet him. I admit I cried before he even came in the room. He was so happy, healthy and just full of life and love. It is a memory I will cherish forever. Here is a link to his full story http://imnotamonster.org/work/rilind-jacksonville-fl/

Thank you Jen for taking the time to let me meet both you and him. And a special thank you to Rilind for continuing to be an inspiration to all of us who thought there was no hope for our fur baby. Because of you, we know EPI IS manageable.
Madelon, owned by DOC. DOC dx EPI 5/2015 = TLI < .4, B12 406; Folate >24. DOC taught me so much and together we battled and overcame EPI, food sensitivies, environmental allergies but we lost the cancer battle. DOC was dx with hemangiosarcoma 5/2022 and crossed the rainbow bridge July 24, 2022. He is and always will be the love of my life, my soulmate, my heart dog.

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Madelon
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Posts: 1317
Location: Nashville, TN
Country: United States
State: Tennessee
Pet name: Doc

Re: Meeting Rilind

Post by Madelon » 30 Dec 2018, 21:49

Image 12-26-18 at 9.54 PM.jpg
Image 12-26-18 at 9.54 PM.jpg (53.59 KiB) Viewed 3487 times
Madelon, owned by DOC. DOC dx EPI 5/2015 = TLI < .4, B12 406; Folate >24. DOC taught me so much and together we battled and overcame EPI, food sensitivies, environmental allergies but we lost the cancer battle. DOC was dx with hemangiosarcoma 5/2022 and crossed the rainbow bridge July 24, 2022. He is and always will be the love of my life, my soulmate, my heart dog.

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jilbert57
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Posts: 2089
Country: United States
State: Washington

Re: Meeting Rilind

Post by jilbert57 » 30 Dec 2018, 22:56

I am glad your dream came true. He sure was skin and bones.
My name is Jill and we live on the Hood Canal in Washington State. We currently have 2 Jack russells, TJ is 8 and Sadie is 2.

Mickey and his pancreatitis brought me to Epi4dogs.com site in 2012 to help manage it.
He lived from 6/99 - 8/2014

Mickey, Jack Russell. Chronic Pancreatitis. Dianes enzymes, 1/8t 3x/day with meals.

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Jean
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Posts: 1707
Location: South Liverpool
Country: United Kingdom - England
Pet name: Kara, lost 10th May 2019
My name: Jean

Re: Meeting Rilind

Post by Jean » 31 Dec 2018, 03:35

how well I remember this one

and the wonderful come back story

I can well imagine you were over the moon

Jean
My name is Jean we live in Liverpool in Uk

I am the Forum Director which I am very proud of

My Kara born 21 July 2009 diagnosed with EPI by cTLI test August 2010 TLI = <1...folate 14 Cobalamin 408, shot down to 94, b12 injections every other day

Lowest weight 39 pounds

We used Panzym enzymes, Tylan and Chemeyes b12 capsules

Sadly, on 10th May 2019, we lost her to DM


Jeanx

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Shirl D.
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Posts: 86
Country: United States
State: New York

Re: Meeting Rilind

Post by Shirl D. » 31 Dec 2018, 08:20

Rilind is such an incredible success story! Not only did he come back from the brink of death due to EPI, he also successfully battled cancer a couple years ago. He is such a fighter, and happy through it all from what I've seen. I loved the photos you posted on Facebook. Here's one of the photos from your visit. Anyone who wants to see more photos, check out our Facebook page (EPI4Dogs Foundation, Inc.). Thanks for sharing your visit with us, Madelon!
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Barb
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Posts: 918
Country: United States
State: New Jersey

Re: Meeting Rilind

Post by Barb » 31 Dec 2018, 08:32

This is such a wonderful success story. I am so glad you were able to meet Rilind and Jen. We are all inspired every time we look at a brochure showing his amazing transformation. Thank you for sharing this, Madelon.

Barb

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