Annie's Thank You Party was a resounding success. More than 200 people came to see this wonderful girl who has captured the hearts of so many. Thanks to everyone for their continuing support of Annie. Special thanks to Walser Subaru who hosted the event and went above and beyond to make it a fabulous day. Also, thank you to Fresh Seasons Market for donating the beautiful cakes. Please enjoy the video and photos from Annie's party. We will be posting more photos so check back soon.

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Trucker 08-370 Laycee 08-349 (R) and Keegan 08-607 (L)

On Tuesday night a RAGOM web editor sat down with Dayle — a familiar face to anyone who's been following Annie's story.

On Dec. 15 another RAGOM volunteer and I went to visit Annie at the U of M. She was sitting quietly in her kennel in the ICU and wasn't able to get up. She had IV's in and Dr. Kelly Tart thought she was doing remarkable! She was on antibiotics and not showing significant complications from having been shot twice. I was most concerned about her neck wound since Dr. Tart said the bullet had gone through her esophagus and nicked her trachea. They were watching her wounds very closely. I was amazed that she was in as good of shape as she was that first visit.

Rescue organizations are dependent on the generosity of volunteers and donors. RAGOM's adoption fees don't cover the cost of providing rescued dogs with the necessary medical care. A high medical dog like Annie could easily put many organizations in the hole without that generosity. RAGOM donations cover things like hip, knee and other surgeries, which allows RAGOM to help dogs in need. Most families won't adopt a dog that has health issues, so we have to get them healthy so they can start their new life.

I think the thing that has surprised me the most is that she has taken all of the poking, prodding and painful procedures done to her, in the past two weeks, without becoming depressed or snapping. Her tail just keeps wagging!

I think tail wags in the face of such pain and adversity is a sign of bravery.

Dr. Tart is putting together a case presentation about Annie. It is unsual for them to treat a dog who has been shot. I think most such dogs are put down because of the cost of treatment. The case presentation will be used to teach other vet students and vet techs at the U.

The change of scenery! She has looked at the same view for 12 days and each time she comes out of the ICU for a little walk, she is very curious to see what is going on in the halls. I think she will enjoy not being poked and prodded — just snuggled.

Annie has a pretty full stocking to open — she has already had a sneak peak! She also has some presents from other RAGOM rescued dogs to check out! And of course she will get some of her beloved fresh chicken breast for dinner. Otherwise, she is going to chill out, get to know her new surroundings and her new fur butt friends.

I cannot tell you how touched I have been. Tears have come freely this week! I have always had a deep faith in human beings to do good. It has been heart warming to see it so dramatically these past two weeks.

Annie would tell them all that she could not have made it without their prayers and crossed paws! She is not out of the woods yet, so she reminds people to keep those paws crossed! Since she can’t talk, she sends puppy kisses to all her fans!

What an incredible girl our Annie is! She greeted us with her tail wagging, standing up, in her kennel today. Her eyes were bright and her posture didn't indicate much pain. She's eating chicken and turkey although the milk bones hold absolutely no interest for her. Who can blame her for that? She's also drinking on her own.

Dr. Tart met us with a HUGE smile today and while still cautious, she is very optimistic. She' a strong one, Little Orphan Annie. Her tests for bacteria, and icky things in the fluid draining from her chest, came back negative - a very good sign. She does have pneumonia in one lobe, not totally unexpected, and they will be keeping a very close eye on that.

Annie also made a friend this morning, or at least she sure tried. A German Shepherd in a neighboring kennel was let out to walk and Annie greeted him with a bark and a prance. Little flirt! She didn't get much response back, but she's definitely keeping a lively eye on the goings-on around her.

Support has been miraculous for this little girl. Annie sends her regards and her thank you's and encourages all of her readers to go to the Available Dogs page and peruse her RAGOM brothers and sisters. These lucky dogs are looking for their forever homes too!

Annie is truly thankful for all the wonderful messages of support she's received. If you'd like to send Annie a message you can fill out the notes section when making a donation.

Annie, on her fifth day of medical care, continued to do better. Her chest tubes were removed Wednesday night, as well as most of her IVs. One IV and a couple of drains remain for the fluid in her abdomen. She's not refusing food, but she’s not reveling in it in the usual Golden manner, either. Swelling continues to go down, and our hopes rise as she responds more and more quickly.

She had a very busy morning Thursday, with visits from all four local TV crews. Our Annie is a trooper when it comes to the media.

While her doctor won’t yet upgrade her status beyond guarded, she fully admits that things look better and rates Annie’s chances at 60/40.

Annie, after a very busy day, was offered several tasty options for dinner. She chose the cooked turkey and she ate! She had been coughing a bit all day Thursday, and later that evening it worsened. New x-rays indicated a small pneumonia. This was not completely unexpected, as she's not very mobile, but a small set-back nonetheless. Beyond that, she is stable.

Support for Annie has been overwhelming and gratifying. Annie sends her sincerest thanks to all of the wonderful people out there who are following her story and keeping her in their thoughts, and so does RAGOM.

Her name is Annie and she is a 2-year-old female Golden Retriever. She was found on the side of the road, lying at the end of a driveway, in Northern Minnesota. A Good Samaritan - a gentleman who has done much to help the helpless - carried her out of the snow and into the local vet. He surmised that she had been hit by a car.

In fact, our Little Orphan Annie had been shot...twice. Despite that, Annie managed to walk into the vet clinic on her own, tail wagging. After an examination, it was clear that the first bullet had gone in her left side and exited on the right, it was uncertain whether it had hit the lungs, liver or diaphragm. The second bullet had gone through her neck and hit her esophagus. She was stabilized overnight and more tests were done the next day. The situation had become serious.

While all this was happening, the police were notified and the local humane society as well. The director of the humane society got in touch with RAGOM. Approval was given to transport Annie to the University of Minnesota's Veterinary Clinic. She made a stop in St. Cloud and then continued her journey Saturday evening in a race against winter weather, with one of RAGOM's dedicated volunteers.

Upon reaching the University of Minnesota, Annie was again stabilized but Sunday night her temperature spiked and her blood pressure dropped and surgery became a necessity. While on the table, they cleaned out the infection that had set in, removed nearly 20% of her stomach due to necrosis and put in drains to help her heal. She is currently on oxygen in the ICU unit, where she will remain for several days. Current expenses for this Golden girl are at +$10,000 and mounting. The anesthesia has now worn off but she has yet to open her eyes. The doctors say the next 72 hours will be critical - if she makes it through them, recovery is a very good possibility.