Nubby Bowlin

Nubby Bowlin Nubby is a white boxer boy born with underdeveloped front limbs. This is his journey through life Nubby’s Story
Nubby is a baby Boxer. He THRIVED. He was THRIVING.

Born little over 3 weeks ago, with under developed front legs but otherwise healthy. Left to his own facilities he would perish, as he would not be quick enough to maneuver around his siblings and find his mother. Most pups would never have a chance. Instead of the story ending there and his life never given a chance, Mark and I got a call. We never hesitated to say we would give him a chance. His

original parents fought for him, to find a way, and they found us. From the start, he had a will and what we felt like the soul to live. He progressed as any normal puppy but lacking limbs. Mark and I researched everything we could find in caring for a missing limbs canine within hours of birth of life. All babies need their mothers’, animal or human, it is what spurs them on to live. Nobody wakes up in the morning and says to themselves, I wish a missing limb 6-hour old puppy would come this way, that would be cool. But Nubby was here and he needed help. We initially had no expectations we could get him through as a neo-natal disabled baby. Then day 3 came and went, day 7, day 10, day 16 and Nubby thrived. Our pack filled in the dog love and dog care, the nudging, the licking, the warmth. Together at Hillcrest Manor a true miracle in our eyes was taking place. His eyes opened, his ears developed, he found his sounds, smells and voice. His teeth were developing. Nubby did not know he was disabled, Nubby did not realize he was different. We knew about the common occurrence of feeding newborns and how often aspiration pneumonia occurred in bottle feed pups, we watched diligently. He was fed at an incline to help reduce this occurrence. But unlike other pups his age, he should be finding his legs. Learning to lift his head, neck and chest, of course this was not going to happening for Nubby. Mark developed his first test chest slide ramp, he was quick to figure out he could push forward. It was on a Friday afternoon we noticed something was wrong, he was sneezing, he was not pooping, he was not hungry, he blew milk bubbles out his nose. We knew something was wrong. But he woke up Saturday and ate, but was sleeping more, eating less. I watched. Something inside me screaming no, no, no something is wrong. On Monday, 30th I had him to the vet, with x-rays and exams it was certain Nubby had aspirated pneumonia. He was going downhill. It can be quick for a puppy not 4 weeks of age and less than 3lbs. But, but, but... this is common. Do not panic. But something else is wrong, something else. A contrast x-ray revealed Nubby had an “esophageal abnormality”. He had a pocket form in his esophageal that was trapping his milk (liquid). This was contributing to his aspiration. A factor was in play as his under developed front limbs were in the way for a clear x ray picture. Finding out how big or how life threating the pocket was, or even what the pocket could be could not be told. I cannot say enough for FM1488 Animal Hospital (our normal vet) the Doctors and staff. They quickly said, you need to take the next step, we need to get you to critical care. They kicked it in high gear, referrals, paperwork, doctor’s notes, phone calls to make the best choice. Get him to the best care. Mark and I pulled into NHVS at 7pm on Monday night. They were waiting on us. Within minutes, before we even signed in, Nubby was rushed into critical care. He was already lethargic. Heavy IV antibiotics were pushed, oxygen chamber and Nubby was pinking back up and struggling to breath. He was not giving up. He was fighting and as long as he has a chance at quality of life, we will fight to give him that chance. The unknown is whether Nubby has a true esophageal abnormality or has Nubby not had a chance to develop fully yet. Puppies continue to develop just like human children once they are born and progress in age and growth. He is doing well, eating again and not urping or blowing bubbles out his nose. He has found his voice again and is complaining. Unless Nubby can develop to 6-7 weeks old the answers will remain unknown. At 6-7 weeks, he can be sedated and his limbs moved out of the way for a clear x-ray picture of his esophagus. Will the abnormality still be there? We have no idea. If it is, then a sonogram and endoscope can be done to verify what it is, perhaps a birth defect or maybe something else that is simple to fix. The answer how to treat it and whether he can have quality of life. If it is not and it is gone or no longer present, then Nubby will become another normal puppy dog (except a tab bit more special). We will give him that chance. His care has been costly. His future x-ray, sonogram and endoscope will be costly. But he did not give up, he did not go quietly into the night and neither will Mark and I. Nubby will get that chance and all of you that are donating to his plight are giving us the means to see it through, he is your puppy as well as ours. Together he is getting the chance. Many dogs, many, many, many dogs have come through Hillcrest Manor. We have seen some in deplorable shape, some in great shape, some needing just a wee bit TLC, some needing just to find a new loving home. We have lost a far share on this journey and they lay at peace still here at Hillcrest Manor. What is his future? Who can tell? One day at a time. Will he stay and join our 4 girls as a one of our pack? Will he move on to fulfill someone’s life? Time will tell, but right now, one glorious miracle day at a time. I have to think he landed at Hillcrest Manor, in this craziness over here, for a reason, he is going to make it. We believe. We cannot THANK YALL enough, literally cannot put in words the support of community. The prayers, well wishes, love, the donations.

My momager had LTKR. She is not doing well. I make sure and make all the noise if she struggles for Dad to come running....
05/18/2025

My momager had LTKR. She is not doing well. I make sure and make all the noise if she struggles for Dad to come running. I am watching her, while the other couch is her temporary rehab spot. She tells me not to worry. I worry

These are her words.

“Knee Replacement Affirmation
Day 6 Post Op 5/18/2025

I am writing this for my own reminder and maybe help someone somewhere that is questioning helping themselves with total knee replacement.

This is so not easy, it’s painful, it’s hard, it’s a lot. It’s going to take everything out of you and you are and will question your choices.
But it has taken me 59 years to get here. My knees (yes both) have been operated on, now 4 times between the left and right. There is nothing left for them to give. They will not sustain my level of life I want to continue to have. For the last 7 years, my knees has slowly changed who I am and what I can do.
I refuse to keep aging one more day and allow it to define me. The left is now done and we have to just battle. The right will get done next.
I have already been asked. Will you still do your right leg, knowing the pain and struggle you are currently experiencing? YES, Yes I will!

Let me tell you why;
Because I want to continue to be able to hold hands and play on a swingset with three little girls, without me holding on to a cane or walker.
Because I want to continue to fish. To stand in the shifting sand beside my husband and son. I want to be able to continue to plant my feet and pull in a 40” Bull Red from 200-300 meters out in the surf.
Because I want to be able to climb some stairs one day and watch three beautiful girls accept a diploma.
Because I want to continue to rescue and help a dog or cat.
Because I want to be able to stand and syringe feed a baby kitten, dog, raccoon in the middle of the night.
Because I want to walk out on a softball diamond and continue to coach some little girls fall in love with a game. I want someone to ask my son, is that your mother still out there, and he say, yes it is.
Because I want to chase my dogs, plant my plants, feed my birds, stand and watch my fish.
Because I want to walk beside my husband to whatever destination that he wants to go explore.
Because I have more things I want to do for the next 59 years and I want what I want.
I don’t want to be a burden.

So yes, currently at Day 6 I have been just barely hanging on. But I know it will not be like this forever and it took me 59 years, that is 21, 535 days, to get here. It’s going to take more than 6 days to get back to where I need to be headed.
Plus, Mark Bowlin is not going to let me fail.

So, if you are scared or wondering. Yes, it hurts. Hurting is such a mild word to describe this dumpster fire. Yes, it’s hard.
But what life do you want to live? Just cry through it, and keep going. You can do it, don’t give up on yourself.
I need new knees and I plan on getting them bi***es! One down, one to go!

Enjoy my beautiful sunflower. While I pass out, because that was a lot of energy to write all that crap. ✌️”

We are on vaca 🏖️. We said she could sleep with us. 🤫 Ssshhh.. be quiet, she is asleep.
05/03/2025

We are on vaca 🏖️. We said she could sleep with us. 🤫 Ssshhh.. be quiet, she is asleep.

Happy Easter to my friends. We are blessed to be a part of everyone’s lives. May all be humble, grateful and blessed...
04/20/2025

Happy Easter to my friends. We are blessed to be a part of everyone’s lives. May all be humble, grateful and blessed on this Easter Day. ✝️

PS… The Easter Bunny is our friend, hope he hides all the eggs for yall to find. ❤️

We are on our way home. Both Nubby and RitaRita are good. Will post a detailed update, later.
04/03/2025

We are on our way home. Both Nubby and RitaRita are good. Will post a detailed update, later.

04/03/2025

Nubby has surgery today. Let’s all be praying he does really good.
He needs a lower canine completely extracted. He broke it when he whacked his jaw during one of his seizure episodes. They will remove it, cauterize the nerve and maybe put a stitch or two in his jaw. Removing or losing a canine is a big deal for dogs.

He did not break his jaw, thank god, just busted his tooth.

He is doing very well, otherwise.

Nubby had an appointment yesterday. He is doing really well on his combination meds of Zeppra and Gabapentin. We are sta...
03/06/2025

Nubby had an appointment yesterday. He is doing really well on his combination meds of Zeppra and Gabapentin. We are starting to see the old Nubby. Happy and playful. His control is coming back. He has not been as frantic and agitated. Nubby is now 8 years old. He is showing signs of slow reactive pupil responses, but no signs of blindness, yet. His blood work we are waiting on the report. He had 4 skin tags removed. One very large one on his chest. This has been growing and causing him to not to be in his wheels. He is a few stitches and that will heal up and come out in about a week. Now before everybody gets excited and for newer family members. Nubby hates and does not actually use his wheels. Even after 8 years, 5 sets and extra training. It’s a no go. But he does like to sit in them and be like a normal dog and look around. We are hoping now that the skin tags has been removed, he can get back in his wheels.

The bad news and something we did not know is Nubby’s has badly broken his left lower canine. It will need to be removed. We are waiting on the estimate for this surgery.

Overall, he had a good check up.

My momager🤣 out there trying to get un*alived, by not minding her business. My poor dad sticks by her side every time to...
02/19/2025

My momager🤣 out there trying to get un*alived, by not minding her business. My poor dad sticks by her side every time to protect her.
He says stuff like… Be right back Nubby, your mother is about to get in trouble. Or… Nubby, hold down the fort, gotta go help your mother. Or.. Nubby, your mom’s crazy is showing, I gotta go protect her.

02/17/2025
02/14/2025

Hi frens …sigh Just going to rip the bandaid off. We are having some struggles with our boy. As everyone is aware, this...
02/13/2025

Hi frens …sigh
Just going to rip the bandaid off. We are having some struggles with our boy. As everyone is aware, this year Nubby turned 8 years old.
Normally I would rattle on and type a long story, but I am not going to. Instead I will get straight to the point.
Nubby has had some seizures. We are pretty certain his eye sight has been effected.

At first when we started noticing some subtle inconsistencies with anxiety, we put him on some low dose anxiety meds. It seem to have helped. We also placed a camera at all times on him.

We now know he is having small tiny seizures. He started some seizure meds today.

We have scheduled some test in the next few weeks.

Just pray for strength. This has been very emotional for us and it will be emotionally for yall as well. All of us.

That is all I have to say for now, nothing more, nothing less.

We love yall.

Hey and I AM O K A Y!!! First of all, thank you everybody that was praying for me, sending me good energy, holding m...
02/05/2025

Hey and

I AM O K A Y!!!
First of all, thank you everybody that was praying for me, sending me good energy, holding me with strength. Nothing will ever change my mind on the power of prayer and yall, it had to be.

When I tell you, my family and myself have lived nothing but worry and being a bit terrified of the news and the reports and the test. That has been stacking up. They were, yall, just the worst you could imagine. I had my general provider literally call a surgeon (which was Dr. Aertker) and get him on the phone while sitting in her office as she was going over some of these test. Because they were that worrisome.

He went in today and looked around. I have some 20% areas of build up in some upper arteries and some 30% areas in some lower arteries. But my heart is strong and healthy. We asked, how can all the scans and blood work and ultrasound look so bad and yet, I am good. He said 🤷‍♂️. But I can tell you nothing tells the truth like looking inside and seeing it. That’s the gold standard and that is what I just did.

He did schedule a Doppler of my legs and we will get to that by month end. I need to continue my supplements, I have one med to take for a short time.

Give a few days, lead a healthy life and I can charge forward back to my crazy self.

That’s prayer 🙏 baby, I believe it.

We are tired and happy. ✌️

Hello and , Momanger here, we have some news to share. We have been a smidge quiet lately as we have been focusing on...
02/04/2025

Hello and , Momanger here, we have some news to share.
We have been a smidge quiet lately as we have been focusing on a health issue.
NOT NUBBY’s but mine.

So, here we go.. short and sweet, about two weeks ago, I had a heart attack or what we medical refer to as a myocardial infarction episode. I am okay. I am still standing upright and alive. My CT scans look sketchy, my CAC looks like a train wreck and my EKG was not stellar. We have done all the things and then some more things.

TOMORROW, I will go into St.Lukes and the Cardiologist Vascular Surgeon will do a Coronary Angiogram, to find out what is happening and get a game plan to move into the future. If I have to have stents they will do them right then. I may or may not have to stay overnight, depending what they find and/or do.
We are optimistic that I am just going to be able to go home at the end of the day.

That’s the short and sweet version and God is good.
Please say a prayer for my family as this has been emotional and not on our bingo card for 2025. Oh and send up a word or two for me and my doctor.

✌️🥰🤗

Address

Conroe, TX
77303

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Nubby Bowlin posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Nubby Bowlin:

Shortcuts

Share

Category