For the love of a dog

We have two dogs, Sadie and Dallas. As many know I'm not a big dog fan. I don't like the fur, they slobber, they smell and when I pet them they ALWAYS put their cold, wet nose on my hand or arm. I just don't like it. Some how though I always seem to get talked into getting a dog. I feel sorry for them when people are trying to find a home for them. That is how we got both of these dogs. We rescued one, Sadie, from the pound place and a guy that worked with Dave was going oversees and needed a home for his dog, Dallas. So I was suckered in. The kids and Dave LOVE these dogs. They try and sneak them in knowing I hate all the dog hair. Amber will even take them to her room and make them sleep in there. UGH THE SMELL! Well, for the past few weeks we have noticed Dallas slowing down. He didn't really want to play with his rope or run after the ball, nothing. Dave would take them on a walk and Dallas just couldn't hang. I noticed a few weeks ago that Dallas wasn't filling out for winter. His coat wasn't looking right and he wasn't getting furry. Finally, Monday Dave tried to take him on a walk again and he just couldn't make it. He was also breathing kinda funny. Well, of course ME the one who is not that big on the dogs had to take him to the vet. I couldn't get him in my truck and had to get the neighbor to come put him in. He was not doing well. Of course as we are driving, I'm totally choking up. Remember I'm not a dog person and he is in MY truck, getting dog hair everywhere! We finally get to the vet, dumb one way roads here make it impossible to get to anyway fast! At the vet all the nurses were VERY nice, but kept coming in saying "oh Dallas you don't look like you feel well". I'm getting really nervous now. Ok, so as the nurse is asking me questions on whats wrong, again remember I'm not overly fond of the dogs, I totally start balling! It was so embarrassing. I can hardly talk, tears are running down my face. I compose myself for when the vet comes in and she starts talking to me and again I am sobbing. GEEZ! Get a grip! After they took blood for some test they come in to tell me he has heart worms really bad and it has caused congestive heart disease and he has water in his abdomen and lungs and his liver is swollen. Again I start balling. Dave is franticly texting me about him. Can they fix him? Well, the answer is we are going to try. They took ex rays and looking at them with my UN trained eye I can't believe he is even able to function. He must love this family too much to leave it right now. So he is on 4 different medications to help with making his heart work better, to ease the swelling, help him lose the water and an antibiotic. He already looks a little better today I must say, THANK GOODNESS! I don't think I can cry again today. My eyes were really hurting last night from all my crying at the vet.
SO I guess I can't fool myself any longer. I REALLY DO LOVE my dogs!
Get better soon Dallas!