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Monday, June 23, 2014

ALTERED STATES: "My Guardian Angel" continued

I said I would update you When I got home from the Veterinarian's.  Here it is Monday morning and my state of Alteration occurred on Friday morning.  Needless to say it was a very busy weekend for my Mommy and Daddy.  I don't have opposable thumbs so I couldn't type this for you.
 
Mommy was there, almost to the minute, to pick me up.  There was some kind of accident on 44 which had the traffic going east, backed up at a stand still for 20 minutes.  Mommy was only 1 mile from the exit.  You can't believe how frustrated she was.  She was worried about me and didn't like sitting in the 94 degree, bright sun, waiting to get to the exit to come and get me.
 
When she came in the office, I heard her speaking with the receptionist.  I hollered a big woof and a whine.  Mommy said, "Hi Boychik, I hear you."  They talked some more, waiting for someone to come and get me from the cage.  That stainless steel they are made from maybe nice to clean but it sure is cold on my tuchus.  
 
They brought me out to mommy and I could hardly keep still.  I wriggled and they thought I was going to make a hole in the wall.  I was wagging my tail so hard and banging it against the wall.
Mommy was told how to take care of me and they mentioned I would be sleeping a lot and with the pain I could be given an aspirin twice a day.  The general stuff including what activities I could or couldn't do.  I wasn't listening very closely.  Someone had brought a cat in in the carrier and I wanted to see it in the worst way.
 
Doc's office is located right next to Highway 44.  That's an interstate which is never, not busy.  (It is the old Hwy 66 of the 1950's fame.)  Doc told a young man to help me and mommy out.  I left him standing in my dust.  I couldn't get out of there fast enough.  When I got outside there were 8 cars to chose from.  I ran to the fourth car.  Why not, it was my car.  Mommy was so surprised I knew where to go.  When they opened the door I jumped in.  They had forgotten to tell me it would hurt and I shouldn't do it.  Right then even if they had told me I wouldn't have listened.  I wanted to be home so bad.  My eyes were heavy but I had to sit up and make sure we were going the correct direction.  That was the longest drive.  In actuality is was only 15 minutes.  When mommy got home we didn't even stop to close the gate.  She was worried I would pull a stunt and jump out when she opened the door.   Guess what?  She was right I would have done just that. 
 
When we got to the house and she opened the door,  the first thing I did was head to my favorite potty place.  That was an "aaaahhhhh" moment. You know one of those times when you have to go so bad that when you finish, you let out a big sigh of relief.  They didn't say but they must have given me fluids while I was in that state where they were altering me.   I never pottied so much in my whole life.  Mom was telling me, in a joking voice, I could stop going any time.
 
When I finished I shook myself and looked at her and ran down the hill.  (She didn't know I heard them tell her I should be kept in and kept quiet.)  I saw a squirrel and just had to see where he was going.  She hollered at me and I pretended I didn't hear her.  I had my nose to the ground and the woods were where I wanted to be.   She stopped calling and went in the house.  I know she was really frightened for me.  I showed back up about 10 minutes later.  Boy was that stuff they gave me kicking me in the head.  I crashed on the carpet in front of the TV.
 
It wasn't a long nap, maybe thirty minutes and then I had to do the mental telepathy thing and hope mommy would understand.  I had to go real bad.  I gave her "the look".  She turns to dad and said, "Why can't he go to the door and bark.  I think he is asking to go to the bathroom." 
 
When she opened the door she didn't even have to tell me to "Go Potty."  I was knocking her down to get out.  I went and went and went and then went some more.  Boy was that a relief.  Mommy said, "Come on, let's go back in."  I gave her another look and off to the woods I ran.  It was so good to be home I had to check out again my favorite haunts.  I had to make sure no one absconded with them.
 
I came back about 10 minutes later and mommy was standing in the door with her hands on her hips.  She asked me if I had heard I was supposed to feel bad.  I didn't want to listen, I needed to get back in the house.  My head was starting to swim again from the left over anesthetic.  I didn't get ten feet inside the front door and I crashed in front of the computer desk. 
 
Daddy came home about 20 minutes later.  I'm thinking "Whoopee, Daddy's home, I get to eat.  She feeds me everyday when Daddy gets home."  I ran over to my bowl and sat.  I always sit when she is mixing my food.  She saw me and told Daddy to come and look.  They knew what I wanted but they weren't dishing it up.  You see the doc told them nothing before 7 o'clock.  Don't they realize every one's constitution is different.  I was ready to eat.  They hadn't given me breakfast.  They don't know I remember that.  They took away all my water last night.  I love a nice cold drink of well water.  In fact a little dabble won't do me.  I have to slurp up at least 2 cups at a time.
 
I tried to stare them down, I even followed them around.  I was so close they were tripping over me.  They still wouldn't feed me.  Then "the straw that broke the camels" back happened.  They put the knife in and turned it.  They betrayed me.  They went to the back door and one of those pesky raccoons was at the back door asking for a snack.  This is a picture of one of the grandmas who comes up to eat.  They are like pets.  They even scratch at the door to tell mommy they are hungry. 
 
Mommy then turns and in her hand are 5 pieces of Dog food.  She says, "I'm so sorry you can't eat yet.  I'll give you a teeny snack."   It was so good but then I needed water. Mommy read my mind.  She put 1 cup in a bowl.  It was so good but there wasn't enough.  I whined at her and told her I wanted more.  She looked at me with sad eyes and said, "Wait a while baby, you'll get sick with more."  I went over to my bed and pouted.  All of a sudden I had the worse feeling.  My stomach was grabbing at my sides.  Geesh the water and the 5 nibbles were on their way up.  Mommy was so sweet, she cooed at me and told me it was okay.  Then she cleaned it up.  OY did I feel bad.  I laid down and went to sleep for an hour. 
 
When I woke up I went outside and the same routine happened. 
Boy did I have to go.  I returned to the house and when I came in Mommy had a surprise for me.  She picked up my bowl and started counting.  She stopped at 2 scoops, I always get 5 scoops.  That's not enough.  She put the bowl on the towel (I have to have it on a towel or I push it all over the kitchen, also I am pretty much a slob when I eat.)  That 2 scoops was only enough to whet my appetite.  I kept nudging mom to make me some more. 
 
All of a sudden I had the urge I didn't have time to do the stare I had to go.  I ran around the corner and went in my bed.  Mom seemed to have her vibe feelers out because all of a sudden she was there.  She just picked up the bedding and as she was doing it she didn't yell at me or anything.   She just said she was so sorry for not putting me outside immediately after I ate.  She told dad as much as I had been pottying she should have known the pressure of the food would give me the urge.
 
The rest of the weekend was a breeze.  Mommy and Daddy went out to a graduation party.  They were worried about me being alone.  They came home earlier than I thought they would.  But it wasn't just me they were worried about.  A huge thunderstorm blew up and rained 2 inches in 30 minutes.  It hit just as they got home.  I was glad they were home.  I needed to go real bad.  She let me out. As soon as I felt 2 drops on my head I ran back in.  It continued raining but at a slower pace.  Daddy took me out to my potty place and I went.  (I was so afraid of the lightening).  When we came in I had so much fun getting rubbed down.  They didn't want me to shake the rain all over but I got in a shake before they could get the towel over me.
 
Sunday Morning They decided they could trust me to be home alone again.  They headed to the movies and for some shopping.  They were gone for 5 hours.  I did real good. When they came home they called my big brother and told him he was right  The movie was great.  They said it was every bit as good as the first one, maybe even better.  They went to see "How to train your Dragon II". 
 
I was so glad to see them when they got home.  I don't like it when they are gone.
 
If you are considering "Altering your pet" don't worry about causing him/her undue pain.  The only discomfort I felt was the wooziness from the anesthetic.  If I had any pain I didn't exhibit it.  Mommy gave me an aspirin before she went to bed.  She told Dad, "I don't think he needs it, but when we have any procedure done it always seems to hurt at night even if it didn't hurt  during the day."   I slept like a baby.  I was more active than Mommy wanted me to be but there was no way she could stop me. 
 
The only thing I had that bothered me was the stitches.  I noticed them and thought they were something which didn't belong there.  Twice I was told "NO" to leave them alone.  I did as I was told.  Within 24 hours I didn't even remember  they were there.  If you have a puppy who is obsessive about preening you might have to get them one of those collars so they can't mess with the "Alteration".
 
I forgot to update you on "Baby".  He's much older than I am.  Probably about three.  If you were worried how he did.  No worries, he jumped up on their bed and was fine.  He ate without even upchucking.  His only problem was the trip.  He hissed and spit at everyone and everything.  It seems when he is not in Mommy and Daddy's bedroom he returns to his feral cat mentality.
 
You know, I like this house dog stuff.  I like being part of a family.  I love when they laugh because I have done something cute.  This morning my cuteness thing,  I found a tiny mouse the cats had caught and left.  They don't eat them the just play with them.  I rescued it.  I was so gentle with it.  I held it softly in my mouth and took it too my bed.  My feelings were hurt when Mommy picked it up and took it away.  I would love to have a little friend to love and preen.  The cats still won't let me cuddle them, but I do get to sniff 3 of them.
 
Other blog sites by me:
 
A blog mostly about quilting,
cooking, poetry, prose and a little gardening,
 Tutorial on how to make 5 panel Boxer Shorts.
 Check out "A MYSTERY IN THE MAKING"
A mystery quilt designed with the novice in mind.
 
Where I have stories of my cats and other pets
a blog about my courtship with my husband,
and a blog about my most embarrassing moment.
A "Soap box" blog where I do air my opinions.
 
blogs about the wildflowers on our farm
Organic methods we use, some cooking and some poetry,
blogs about Seed sprouting, insects, and garden pictures
Blog about an endangered beneficial beetle
 
All recipes, pictures, and writings are my own.
I give credit for items which belong to other people in my blogs .
Please do not copy without permission

Friday, June 20, 2014

MY GUARDIAN ANGEL

Today I am visiting "My Guardian Angel". 
 
He came to my rescue from the moment I was found.  He ran to protect my new owners in case I was one of those pit bulls people despise and was the malicious kind.
 
Look at my face, can you see any malice, spite, or  any expression which would tell you I am on the defensive, if you don't watch out I will be "offensive".
 
Me and my Vet (guardian angel)
 
Can you see the sincerity?  Can you see how much I adore my new owners.  I've almost forgotten the beatings I endured.  I don't have to scrounge for food anymore.  They feed me twice a day.    I wait patently while they count out five, 1/2 cups of food.  Actually not so patiently, I wiggle my behind and wag my tail.  I don't woof though.  I know she is making it for me. 
 
To show her how grateful I am I don't rush her when she puts the food down.  In fact I don't want to eat till she tells me she loves me and kisses me on the head.  Then I dig in. 
 
If you want to pet me while I am eating I don't mind.  If one of the cats wants a bite I wouldn't  mind either.  They are having a hard time adjusting to me.  Three of them will let me look at them and even let me sniff them.  Sometimes they get out of sorts and spit and hiss at me.  I just sit when they do that and whine in a real shrill voice.  They don't mind that.  If I give a huge woof they cower and act like I am going to eat them. 
 
I don't understand why they won't sit still so I can lick them.  I don't chase them even when they run away. If I get too close they scratch my nose.  It hurts but I never snap at them.  I am bigger than them they only weigh about 12 pounds and today when they weighed me I found out how good I've been eating. I weighed in at 77.4 pounds.  When I saw the vet 3 weeks ago I only weighed 68 lbs.  When I came to their house on April 21, I was on the skinny side about 50 lbs. 
 
 
This morning, mommy dropped me off  at the "Angel's" Office.  I knew something was up.  She asked me to pose for these pictures.  I didn't want to be any where near him.  He was putting off vibes, I wondered what he had up his sleeve.
 
I didn't tell you guys, I've known something was up for two days.  Night before last they filled my swimming pool up with water so it could be warmed by the sun. 
 
That night they made me get in it.  I don't mind climbing in on my own but I absolutely put my foot down when you try to make me do something I don't want to do.  I literally, used the cracks in the deck boards to brace my toes in.  I made them work to get me in there.  They had to pick me up to put me in there.  When I got in it was comfortable enough, but if they hadn't had the leash on me I would have bolted.  Instead when she told me to sit, I plopped down awaiting my demise. 
 
She had some Aveano Baby bath soap.  It wasn't bad, it didn't have an odor.  I hate smelly stuff it makes me sneeze.  I have allergies, I am so glad she took that into consideration. 
 
I laid down in the water.  I figured I might as well relax and enjoy the attention and rub down.  Since I can't talk, I couldn't tell them I wasn't all that dirty.  My only problem is I am shedding those soft fine sticky hairs.  They drift everywhere.  The water was cloudy with them when we finished.  My new mommy complains that I stink.  For goodness sake, I am a short hair dog, they are going to have to learn it comes with the territory.
 
When I got out  of the pool I got a huge laugh.  I shook myself violently,  I almost fell off my feet.  My laugh was because I was watching my owners mimicking me and shaking too.  They were saying, "Shake your booty, shake, shake, shake."  (They were around during the 70's).  They proceeded to dry me down with the softest, fluffiest towels.  They soaked up all the loose water.  Mommy took a small towel and cleaned my face and paid attention to drying out my ears.  I don't need an ear infection from a bath. 
 
Well back to today.  I had that bath because they were going to take me to get altered.  I have no idea what that is.  Why do I need to be altered?  Did I do something wrong?  The accident, the other day does that warrant being altered?  Chewing up dad's good dress shoes and mom's slippers is that why they are altering me?  Do I need my personality changed?  I've tried to show them I am totally loyal and affectionate.  I guess this is one of those days I can chalk up to life experiences. 
 
When I got to the vets, I had these vibes he was up to no good.  I could feel it in my bones.  Needless to say, they put me in a cage and told mommy to leave. (Mommy said she would see me later and gave me a kiss). I cried when I saw her leave, I know she stood at the desk for a while.  I could hear her talking to the lady.
 
Next thing I remember I was pulled out of the cage by two burly guys who I don't know.  They really scared me.  One of them held my leg tight.  I couldn't move it.  Then they poked me with a needle.  It hurt real bad, but 5 minutes later I didn't know anything. I was fast asleep. 
 
I'm awake now, waiting on mommy to get here.  I can't stand up because my legs don't want to.  When I try, it hurts so bad.
I wonder if this is going to be one of those times I forget about the pain.  I hope so.    I'll post how the rest of the day goes. 
 
I didn't mention I wasn't alone on this alteration trip,  I brought Baby with me.  This is Baby:
 
Mom and Dad say's he stinks worse than I do.
When we get home I will post how we are. 
I wonder what "Altered States" means?

Continuation:
http://pitbulladog.blogspot.com/2014/06/altered-states-my-guardian-angel.html
 
Other blog sites by me:
 
A blog mostly about quilting,
cooking, poetry, prose and a little gardening,
 Tutorial on how to make 5 panel Boxer Shorts.
 Check out "A MYSTERY IN THE MAKING"
A mystery quilt designed with the novice in mind.
 
Where I have stories of my cats and other pets
a blog about my courtship with my husband,
and a blog about my most embarrassing moment.
A "Soap box" blog where I do air my opinions.
 
blogs about the wildflowers on our farm
Organic methods we use, some cooking and some poetry,
blogs about Seed sprouting, insects, and garden pictures
Blog about an endangered beneficial beetle
 
All recipes, pictures, and writings are my own.
I give credit for items which belong to other people in my blogs .
Please do not copy without permission

 
 
 

Friday, June 13, 2014

BOOK REVIEW: SECOND HAND DOG

SECOND HAND DOG
BY CAROL LEA BENJAMIN

This is a very quick read book.  There are a couple of rescue anecdotes at the beginning and you wonder, is this what the book is about.  We have had dogs for 50 years.  Some have been rescue  dogs and we bred and raised border collies. 

We learned through the school of hard knocks what we should or shouldn't do.  This is before computers made available anything you want to know. 

Even if you have raised Dogs and think you have learned all there is to learn I recommend you buy this book.  If you are getting your first puppy, or a shelter dog, or a dog who drops in out of nowhere and you aren't going to keep it but will have to live with the dog for a while, I recommend you get this book.

In reviews about the book they said, a book every shelter should have.  I think it is a book which should be in the basic cost of the animal.  It is easy reading and easily understood.

Your local library will have a copy, if they don't, it would be a good title to suggest to them to purchase.

Happy Homing your new dog, with this book it will be a breeze.

Other blog sites by me:
 
A blog mostly about quilting,
cooking, poetry, prose and a little gardening,
 Tutorial on how to make 5 panel Boxer Shorts.
 Check out "A MYSTERY IN THE MAKING"
A mystery quilt designed with the novice in mind.
 
Where I have stories of my cats and other pets
a blog about my courtship with my husband,
and a blog about my most embarrassing moment.
A "Soap box" blog where I do air my opinions.
 
blogs about the wildflowers on our farm
Organic methods we use, some cooking and some poetry,
blogs about Seed sprouting, insects, and garden pictures
Blog about an endangered beneficial beetle
 
All recipes, pictures, and writings are my own.
I give credit for items which belong to other people in my blogs .
Please do not copy without permission





Wednesday, June 11, 2014

SMILES: MY COMPENSATION

ODE TO OUR PIT BULL
 
 
 

What is my pay for working so hard,
The returns for taking him out in the yard,
Who pays for food, filling the caverns within,
What's the compensation for taking care of him?
 
Someone at our gate, a "Puppy" dropped off,
Really, he's a puppy, cough, cough, cough,
Thinking he was as big as he'll get,
I called and asked our local Vet.
 




I described the particulars, then the Vet said,
"Open the gate, I'll be there before you're in bed,
A rabies shot I want to give to him,
In case biting is one of his whims".
 
You see, this little man, who's here,
A Pit Bull, they aren't considered dear,
A home, for him, we tried to find,
When we called, "Nope he's not our kind." 
 
We're stuck with a dog we didn't choose,
We decided we had nothing to loose,
We started intensive training sessions,
It's us, who were taught, lots of lessons.
 
He's not like any dog we've loved,
Not necessary to wear kid gloves,
He's a lummox, he has four left feet,
Despite it all, he is really sweet.
 
If there's trouble, it, he will find,
You never know when or what kind,
Chewing is what he loves to do best,
The couch, my shoes, you know the rest.
 
He does something very endearing,
Toys, aren't for the public, or for sharing,
He hides them in a pile of leaves,
Later he goes and them he retrieves.
 
He's proud of this accomplishment,
Comes to show us, for a compliment,
Then takes them back, there to store,
Each time returning with one more.
 
If an object is lost and can't be found,
We'll look in the leaves on the ground,
Our kleptomaniac, is the first accused,
Our hospitality, he's previously abused. 
 
The house cats he tries to corral,
That big dog, they don't want for a pal,
He whines, cries, wants to be friends,
His antics,  them, to the basement sends.
 
He's not a dog who's into games,
His reaction to them is usually the same,
Throw stick for him to chase,
He's the turtle in this race.
 
He looks at you, asking each time,
Is this necessary, I'd rather the hill to climb,
Running after squirrels in the trees,
For me, it is the bees' knees.
 
We watch him, deep in dreams,
Chasing squirrels it seems,
When he wakes he stretches out,
His sleepy face in its continual pout.
 
We know he's happy in our house,
He doesn't hurt the occasional mouse,
He listens and does what he wants,
Waiting, watching, the house cats to taunt.
 
What's my compensation, for taking in a stray,
The blessings of a smile, assured each day,
If I'm very lucky, there'll be more than one,
With lots of chuckles before the day is done.

Other blog sites by me:
 
A blog mostly about quilting,
cooking, poetry, prose and a little gardening,
 Tutorial on how to make 5 panel Boxer Shorts.
 Check out "A MYSTERY IN THE MAKING"
A mystery quilt designed with the novice in mind.
  http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-mystery-in-making.html
 
Where I have stories of my cats and other pets
a blog about my courtship with my husband,
and a blog about my most embarrassing moment.
A "Soap box" blog where I do air my opinions.
 
blogs about the wildflowers on our farm
Organic methods we use, some cooking and some poetry,
blogs about Seed sprouting, insects, and garden pictures
Blog about an endangered beneficial beetle
 
All recipes, pictures, and writings are my own.
I give credit for items which belong to other people in my blogs .
Please do not copy without permission
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

SECOND HAND DOG

"SECOND HAND DOG"
 BY CAROLE LEA BENJAMIN
This book was recommended to me by a reader of this blog.   I had to order the book at the library.  They have it, but it is out on loan..
 
This is the first time we have minded getting a "Second Hand Dog".  It wasn't the fact he was a "reject".  It was the fact we weren't ready for another dog, especially a short haired dog.  We are long hair dog owners. 
 
In 50 years we have had only three dogs with short hair. 
 
A beagle (maybe a runaway), whom we found a home for real quick.  The dog was as sweet as could be but had no idea and didn't want to learn her property had boundaries. 
 
Then there was Dougie (remember Dougie Hauser MD).  He was a suspected drop off.  He was definitely all hound.  A very happy go lucky dog.  He was very protective of the house.  One day he had an argument with a snow plow on the road.  He only wanted to be outside, protecting the property from any invaders.  We arrived home one day, he was gone.  We suspect he was stolen.  He would've never left.
 
Gritchen was, sort of, a dog of choice.  We were visiting Denver and Mom's neighbor raised Dachshunds.   There were 9 dogs running around the house.  Gritchen was born with a broken tail, because of it they couldn't find a home for her as a registered dog.  We felt sorry for her living, as an after thought, in the house.  You could tell when we walked in, how she hung back, because she didn't expect any attention.  We decided to bring her into the "group".  At that time we had a Samoyed and a Border collie/spaniel cross.  Both were recycled dogs from people who couldn't or wouldn't take the time to give them an education.  They were both called incorrigible (We had no problems with the very loving dogs).   Needless to say they were great friends.  When Gritchen was introduced to them it was love at first sight.  They were the three musketeers. 
 
 But an unforeseen shift of Alfa dog occurred.  It was a huge shift.  Gritchen got control of the house, to the point, she refused to let the other dogs on the bed.  She played king of the hill.  The Samoyed acted like Eeyor, "oh bother".  They let her carry on, let her think she was the boss.
 
The acquisition of this pit bull has been a challenge.  From the minute we mentioned he was dropped off at the gate.  People told us the horror stories they had heard.  Told us, how that kind of dog with an unknown background would be trouble.  The only encouragement we received was from our vet.  When Doc saw him he commented, lovingly stroking the dogs head, "You are such a fine Dog."  Until then, No one had had anything good to say about the breed, much less about us and the job we had assumed. 
 
From the minute this dog entered our lives there has been no sign of aggression and only love and loyalty.  Yes he has been "Dumb" about some things, but that has been the educating of US.  Yes, I said "US".  We had to watch and observe his reactions to US and his surroundings.  We had to figure out who he was before we could figure out how he would fit with US.

I have learned to watch for his clues.  Just recently the issues of crating.  It only worked during the potty training sequences.  As soon as we tried to crate him for night, it only worked one night and since then he whines and pants and digs at the crate's walls. (During the day he goes in and out of the open crate,  putting his toys in there.  He also takes naps in it, so he isn't afraid of it.)

Even when he knows we are here he goes super nanas (bananas).  Last night we bit the bullet and let him have the run of the house.  He made it through with no accidents and no chewing.  There was Lightening and Thunder. We heard no whines or disparaging sounds.  It was pouring rain this morning and he couldn't or wouldn't go out.  He held it.  He had not been out for almost 12 hours.  During this time he had compete access to water.

We had another test time.  I had to leave for 2 hours.  He did great.  I don't think he left the area in front of the door while I was gone.

I just remembered something wonderful about this almost 80 pound dog (puppy).  He hasn't jumped up or tried to jump up on anyone.  We have wracked our brain why anyone would have beaten this dog or dumped him. 
 
Other blog sites by me:
 
A blog mostly about quilting,
cooking, poetry, prose and a little gardening,
 Tutorial on how to make 5 panel Boxer Shorts.
 Check out "A MYSTERY IN THE MAKING"
A mystery quilt designed with the novice in mind.
  http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-mystery-in-making.html
 
Where I have stories of my cats and other pets
a blog about my courtship with my husband,
and a blog about my most embarrassing moment.
A "Soap box" blog where I do air my opinions.
 
blogs about the wildflowers on our farm
Organic methods we use, some cooking and some poetry,
blogs about Seed sprouting, insects, and garden pictures
Blog about an endangered beneficial beetle
 
All recipes, pictures, and writings are my own.
I give credit for items which belong to other people in my blogs .
Please do not copy without permission

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

CAMPING OUT

Crate training, Wow, so much I don't know and will have to read about.  Maybe some of you have some suggestions on what we do now. 
 
 
Our first night in the crate was extremely successful.  He went right to sleep and didn't make a sound.  I had to make noise to wake him up the next morning.
 
Last night was a fiasco.  We put him in the crate about 5 minutes before we were to hit the sack.  He settled in and watched us finish our routine.  (The crate is covered on 3 sides so the cats walking around don't disturb him..). 
 
 
We were in bed about 15  minutes and I heard a whine.  It was one of the few nights I was dropping off to sleep with no trouble.  I barely heard the whine.  I didn't react and 5 minutes later I heard whining and scratching at the bars.  I went in and told him quiet (the birds started saying quiet and woof puppy dog). I covered the front of the crate just in case it was the cats who disturbed him.  I also turned off the night light.  I didn't make it to bed, when the howling started.  I walked back in and got his leash and put him out the door, saying, "Tonight, you're camping out Boych"! 
 
Turned on the porch lite and watched out the window to see if maybe I misread anything.  Thinking maybe he had to potty.  Nope, he was fine he circled and curled up on the door mat (His house is 2 feet away and he was  asleep in it this morning.)
 
This morning he was asleep at my feet while I was on the puter, I needed to go down stairs.  I put him in the crate.  It wasn't 5 minutes then he started the whining.  I did my work for about 20 minutes.  When I came up he was standing up, panicked.  He can't be left alone out of the crate, not because of the tinkle problem but because he has an affinity for chewing things, anything including drywall.  If his mouth touches it he chews it.  Its like the old adage about a consummate liar. 
"How do you know he's lying?  His mouth is moving." 
"How do I know he will chew on it, his mouth is touching it."
 
Off to research, "how to keep a dog happy in his crate."
 
Other blog sites by me:
 
A blog mostly about quilting,
cooking, poetry, prose and a little gardening,
 Tutorial on how to make 5 panel Boxer Shorts.
 Check out "A MYSTERY IN THE MAKING"
A mystery quilt designed with the novice in mind. 
 
Where I have stories of my cats and other pets
a blog about my courtship with my husband,
and a blog about my most embarrassing moment.
A "Soap box" blog where I do air my opinions.
 
blogs about the wildflowers on our farm
Organic methods we use, some cooking and some poetry,
blogs about Seed sprouting, insects, and garden pictures
Blog about an endangered beneficial beetle
 
All recipes, pictures, and writings are my own.
I give credit for items which belong to other people in my blogs .
Please do not copy without permission

TRIAGE ON THE FARM

After a traumatic first two days and discovering he had no idea what being housebroke was about, we wondered what we would find on the porch.  We had not barricaded him in for the third night.  He had not run off.  Doc had told us to not give anymore prednisone or Benadryl.  He said the swelling should be  on its way down.  We hadn't given the pred the evening before and we didn't give anything that morning.  At lunch when I went out to feed him the whole side of his face was swollen up the size of a foot ball.   His eye was swelled shut and he couldn't open his mouth.

I called Doc, he said he'd be out to the farm when the office closed.  Hunny came home early to be here when doc got here.  Doc pulled up and gasped when he saw the dog.  I wish I had taken a picture of the dog, but the dog was not the only one traumatized.  We all were.  Pictures were not a priority.

Doc lowered the tail gate on the truck.  I got some large towels.  He said it looked like an infection  of the salivary glands.  All the needed supplies were lined up.  We sat Boychik on a large beach towel and Doc gave him a shot to put him under.  We used the towel, like a sling, to raise him up on the tailgate.  Doc proceeded to lance the swelling at the soft spot (It felt and looked like a huge abscess).  When he aspirated it hardly any off colored blood was there.  He flushed the area inside and out with iodine and told me to keep it open and flush it 4 times a day.

He gave him a long acting penicillin shot and a cortisone shot, then a shot to wake him up.  I was handed a bottle of pain killers, a bottle of cortisone, and a bottle of a antibiotic that is used for dental surgery.  Boychik was in horrible pain. 

That night the temperature was to drop below freezing and the daytime temp the next day was not supposed to get above 35.  We were afraid Boychik would get chilled.

We thought the only solution was to bring him in the house.  But the cut was dripping copious amounts of blood and the dog was not potty trained.  We never thought about the crate.  In fact we didn't even remember we had it (out of sight out of mind).  We put him in the main bathroom.  I figured at least all surfaces can be scrubbed down.  I covered the floor with towels in case he decided to have and accident.  Decided to, he decidedly did.  In three hours I accumulated enough towels for a full load of wash.  Oxyclean to the rescue, in the washer for one full wash cycle, then run the machine again with a soap wash and I have clean, sweet smelling towels. 

It isn't punishment to be in our bathroom.  It is very large, built to accommodate a wheelchair.  In fact two wheelchairs can maneuver together in it.  Even though it is large he was still afraid;  being closed in , being in pain, and being alone.

The next morning when we greeted him he was happy and the swelling in his face had started to go down. You could at least see an eye and his mouth could open even though chewing he would bite the sides of his jaw.  The swelling wasn't just in the face it went down the side of his neck and under his chin.  It was literally the size of a foot ball.  The bleeding had slowed to an occasional drip.  Now it was time to try to get the first dose of pills down.

It wasn't difficult at all.  He had not eaten supper because his face and throat were too swollen. So he was very hungry.  I had some sliced cheese and proceeded to wrap the first pill in one.  It was frustrate the human time.  He ate the cheese held the pill in his mouth and spit it out.  So I decided it was see if I could stuff the pill in the back of the throat and rub it down with a squirt of water.  He didn't mind that at all. I gave him a cheese treat after he endured each "stuffing".  I knew we would have to do this for the next five days, twice a day.  plus flushing the "hole".  I also had to give him Benadryl.  The next 5 days are a repeat of these pills and procedures.

While writing this I realized how hard it will be to recreate on paper the last five weeks.  I will instead pick out the most outstanding moments.

Back to the getting Boychik well.  With everything the Vet did and all the meds we did not have a good feeling about the swelling.  When we had thought it was just an abscess(before the face swelled up) treatment was to be fairly routine.  When we realized there wasn't an abscess the treatment drastically changed.  This Internet can be a big help but it also can cause worries to increase.

This was the case for me.  This was a dog whom I wasn't going to keep.  We were just waiting for when the owner saw the sign and inquired.  We didn't know if the owner would want to invest all the money we were putting into the dog.  Forget the time investment!

The Internet said SOP was operating and removing the glands.  Geesh talk about expense.  I had told the vet this dog was not a good fit for us.  If we were going to get another dog we would get one who was a house dog.  One who wasn't short haired (I don't care for the odor of a short haired canine.)  The other thing, when winter comes this poor dog and his short hair would be out in the elements.  I asked him if he knew anyone who might be a good home for him.  He said he had had someone in mind but he would need a picture of the dog.  He said he would come out day after tomorrow and picture him for her.
I breathed a sigh of relief, I'd get the dog well and find him a good home.  Two days later the vet came and checked him out and pictured him.  He was pleased with how the swelling had gone down.  Wasn't thrilled with the pocket of swelling in his throat. 

If you look at the left side of his face you can see the swelling.  It is half the size it was.  He couldn't close his mouth before.
At the time these pictures were taken he was able t eat and the only thing he dreaded was when I was coming with the iodine to flush the hole.  After 4 weeks the hole is finally healed shut.  I don't know if he will have a permanent scar but he sure does right now. 
During this recoup time we tried several times to potty train.  At this time we hadn't thought of the "Cage".  I wish we had because in two days it worked wonders.  I haven't had an accident but I have also been very vigilant to read his facial signs.  He is not a talker so vocal signals are non existent.  When he first came here, I presumed he was nervous and just didn't understand.  After we had him for a while I realized he didn't care.  I've watched him when he is outside, when he is playing he just stops and goes.  He doesn't sniff or look around for a place.  This was exactly how he did in the house.  Just stopped walking and tinkled.  He is the supreme tinkler.  Quarts at a time (He drinks that much water too)! 
 
Which is another story.  All water dishes in the house are recycled 2 lb. quart plastic cottage cheese containers.  For the cats it was perfect, and we put out a large dish for him.  The large dish has been removed.  He shares the cats water.  The water dishes are just the right size for a thirsty muzzle to fit in.  This was a necessity.  When he drinks in a large dish he wants to put his feet in it too.  If it is large enough he will lay down on his tummy and put his whole head in it.  He puts his nose underwater and blows bubbles.  He has a wonderful time doing it.   BTW, water does drain out of those flabby jaws! At least he isn't a slobber er.
 
He has survived and there have been no flare up of the glands (which is great I didn't want him to have to have an operation).  Every time we give him meds or chemical treatments we give a prednisone a couple of hours before to protect against an allergic reaction.  We have finally gotten him tick free (he did not come with fleas, but there was not an inch on him with out a tick).  He gets his heart worm pill each month.  The lady that might have wanted him, backed out because he wasn't house broke (Now that I have invested that time and energy she can't have him).  Some how I think we have become attached to the "little boy". 
 
He is potty trained right now, only because he wants to please us.  He can't stand it when we make a motion that he interprets as being displeased with him, he melts at a raised voice.
 
I was really hoping to choose my own dog this time.  We've had gimme dogs for 50 years. We've only been able to choose a couple of our dogs.  I guess our guardian angle knows, we love to recycle and reuse.  Just call me Second Hand Rose.
 
The following links are recycle articles on my other Blogs.
The garden blog has lots of recycled hints,
 but none written in a single blog
 
 
 
 
Other blog sites by me:
 
A blog mostly about quilting,
cooking, poetry, prose and a little gardening,
 Tutorial on how to make 5 panel Boxer Shorts.
 Check out "A MYSTERY IN THE MAKING"
A mystery quilt designed with the novice in mind. 
 
Where I have stories of my cats and other pets
a blog about my courtship with my husband,
and a blog about my most embarrassing moment.
A "Soap box" blog where I do air my opinions.
 
blogs about the wildflowers on our farm
Organic methods we use, some cooking and some poetry,
blogs about Seed sprouting, insects, and garden pictures
Blog about an endangered beneficial beetle
 
All recipes, pictures, and writings are my own.
I give credit for items which belong to other people in my blogs .
Please do not copy without permission

Monday, June 2, 2014

I HAVE A TUMMY ACHE

In the following blog I wrote of Boychik's eating the scrub brush.
 
Today I walked by the shelf where I put the other half so I could show Doc if we had complications from the ingestion.  I thought I should picture this, no one is going to believe he swallowed it!
For size comparison I have used my AARP card and my Sams  card.  Yes, this item slid right down.  I had been saying it was 6 inches.  It is a full 8 inches.  This morning we have been having similar close encounters of the dangerous kind.
 
He is learning how to be a house dog.  Learning, what we don't eat and what is edible.  The litter boxes are very attractive to his taste buds (we have multiple cats, so there are multiple boxes).  I have had to remind him several times NO.  I think we are going to have to make new sites for boxes.
 
Earlier this morning he encountered our Siamese cat "Spirit" in the bathroom.  He has been checking to see if she has returned there.  On one of these trips he came out of the bathroom with his mouth full.  I asked him what he had and said sternly, "Drop it".  In his mouth was a TV gizmo.  Not a half hour later I heard him lay down on the floor in front of the full light door.  Then I heard chewing.  I knew there was nothing over there to chew on so I went to look.  He had gone fishing in the basket of vacuum cleaner attachments and found the rubber round brush and was enjoying the massage it was giving his gums.  I said, "Boychik, Drop it."  He responded, immediately letting it roll from his mouth.  He had the most disappointed dejected look on his face.
 
He moved over to lay down behind an arm chair.  I said, "That's a good boy", the next sound I heard was the ripping of cloth.  He reached up above his head and pinched the fabric and pulled it, tearing it.  Geesh, what's next.
 
I thought I've got to get him something to chew on that's his.  he has a small log he carries around when he's out side.  I went out and got it and put it on the floor.  He didn't seem interested.  I went out and got a new log, larger and longer with no bark.  A real hard smooth log.  He thought that was grand.  He drug it in his cage and chewed for about 10 minutes.  Then he jumped up and ran out and grabbed his little log.  He acted like someone was going to take it.  He put that in his cage.  He must have been bored with chewing.  He left the cage and is now at my feet, stretched out, snoring loudly.  He has no desire to stay outside.  BTW, We have had two more mental stare downs which I have now realized are pleas to go out.  We have had potty success each time and I haven't had to tell him to go potty., but I do have to walk to the end of the ramp or he wont walk out there. 
 
It may be a frustrating day, but it definitely is not boring.
 
Other blog sites by me:
 

A blog mostly about quilting,
cooking, poetry, prose and a little gardening,
 Tutorial on how to make 5 panel Boxer Shorts.
 Check out "A MYSTERY IN THE MAKING"
A mystery quilt designed with the novice in mind. 
 
Where I have stories of my cats and other pets
a blog about my courtship with my husband,
and a blog about my most embarrassing moment.
A "Soap box" blog where I do air my opinions.
 
blogs about the wildflowers on our farm
Organic methods we use, some cooking and some poetry,
blogs about Seed sprouting, insects, and garden pictures
Blog about an endangered beneficial beetle
 
All recipes, pictures, and writings are my own.
I give credit for items which belong to other people in my blogs .
Please do not copy without permission