Marki IN

I finally lured Marki into the garage, then held the door open from the back of it while Bubba and Gizmo did a quick circle through the garage and she followed them in.  I fed her some warm food which she devoured and now she's sleeping on the other dog bed in the kitchen.  Opal is back in here (the bedroom) where it is warmer waiting for the rest of the house to warm up now that I could shut the door and turn the heat back up.  Whew!

Thank goodness this didn't happen.  She is IN!

Opal is UP, Marki is OUT

So happy to report Opal finally got up at around 3 PM and was waiting for some food.  She ate a whole plate of soft, warm chicken and rice with her pain meds hidden inside. She then pottied on a puppy pad and moved from the colder kitchen pillow back into my room with me, the other dogs and a room heater.  She is now sleeping comfortably on her fur lined bed next to my bed.  She appears to be very sore but very BRAVE.

Marki has been outside under the overhang of my house all day.  She's made a little nest in the flower bed and is getting snowed on but refuses to come inside.  I have been leaving the door cracked open and trying to bribe her with food but she's wised up to my closing the door from behind my counter with a broom handle.  She's no dummy! I keep checking on her but she seems to be getting almost more leery as time goes on.

I have dealt with this with previous fosters and you spend a lot of time trying to hide on them to get them inside. I have been thinking about putting a doggie door in for a long time.  A couple people gave me some ideas.  I have french doors (not sliding) to my outside so I don't think a door one will work.  I think a hole will need to be cut into my drywall to the outside.  I may have a lead on someone who can do that for me though.

There is also someone who is interested in meeting both Opal and Marki when they are ready.  I am finding myself getting even more attached to Opal than the other fosters I've had just because she's so sick and such a trooper.  I know she can't stay though and I am also sure the right home will find her because she deserves that.

Thanks to everyone who sent well-wishes and concern. This part is hard and it helps to have support. I will feel better when they do.

Opal Returns - 4 teeth and no tumor

Just gonna make this quick, sorry no photos but will try again tomorrow.

Opal was able to retain only 4 of her teeth. Quite a few were already missing and the remaining teeth, with the exception of 4 on the bottom (which will hold her tongue in) had to be extracted.

The large mammary tumor had a large blood supply so it was a bigger job than Dr. Dyal had hope it would be.  With her spay and the removal of the tumor she has a large T-shaped incision.

She is doing as well as I might expect.  They gave her a shot of antibiotics so I would not have to try to deliver it with a syringe in her mouth.  She also has pain meds but so far has not wanted anything to eat so I have not been able to give those to her. Tonight she chose a soft, round doggy bed on the kitchen floor, near the door.  She used the puppy pads both to pee and poop.

Marki is still playing sneaky games with me but the weather is warm enough to allow me to let her go in and out.  Gizzy, Bubba and I have been hanging out in my bedroom where we have a room heater.  All seems peaceful and well at 12:30 AM on Wed.

I want to commend everyone at Parkside Animal Clinic for the caring way they treated Opal, me and my dogs today. You can tell they have their hearts in the right place with these little creatures who so need their help.

Opal and Marki's Status 1/29/13

Now I found my camera but cannot find the USB to computer charging cord so I'm going to buy a new one tomorrow. So, I am posting pictures GBAR took of both Opal and Marki, but will put in updates as soon as I have a functional camera.

Opal on the day she arrived at my house

Opal is having her surgery today (Tues.)  She has endured what appears to be a painful, very large (billiard ball sized) mammary tumor between her back legs as well as a very infected and evidently painful mouth full of teeth that will need to be extracted.  I will take her in at 7:30 AM and pick her up at 4:00 PM when Bubba and Gizzy will get updated bordetella vaccinations.  Then it will be quiet time for all of us.  Please keep Opal in your thoughts and prayers.

Marki temporarily housed at Parkside
before I picked her up for fostering.
She's much cuter than this picture depicts.

 Marki will need the same surgeries, but her mammary tumor(s) are not as severe and she does not show signs of being in pain.  I am hoping to get that all scheduled tomorrow as well, hopefully for later this week.

Tip Tapping of Tiny Feet

I'm gonna make this quick because I have lots to do, including taking some pictures on a disposable camera and adding them to this page.  I can't find the USB cable that charges my digital camera, but I did find the camera!

I got a call about an emergency situation with a Lhasa who was slated to go to a new foster home on Sunday.  Meanwhile, Marki (her name) was waiting for a temporary place to stay at Parkside.  I decided to take her short-term because I had to bring in a stool sample for Opal.  Meanwhile, Opal has been showing signs of being in a lot of pain.  She is very agitated right after she eats and sits on her pillow crying for about 1/2 hour.  Sheryl suggested I call ahead and they had me bring her in.

Dr. Teri Cardey checked her tumor and teeth and agreed she might benefit from a few doses of pain meds and antibiotics.  Meanwhile, I went to the back to see Marki for the first time and take her home. When I got Opal into the car initially, Gizzy and Bubba snuck into the garage and subsequently into the car, so I let them ride along too.  We're all in this together!

Marki is an adorable, very small Lhasa, not much bigger than Bubba.  She is more social than Opal and acts as if she's had some experience with steps, etc.  She proceeded to spill her kibble all over the floor rather than eat it from a dish.  She goes on potty pads and loves to go outside.  Although there's a pillow on the floor in my room, she spent the night in the back hall laying on top of a puppy pad on the door mat.

Opal has begun digging on my laminate floors with a vengeance.  She also dug the bottom of the fur lined doggy bed until she removed all the stuffing.  That can be easily fixed.  I believe this behavior to be anxiety because she wants to nest so I've tried giving her extra towels and rags to nest in.  She continues to dig, however, and occasionally moves between her soft pillow the the bare floor.  The pain meds should help her sleep better, I hope.  Her surgery is Tuesday and I think her health will improve dramatically once she is spayed, has the tumor excised and gets some of her painful teeth extracted.

I am happy to say all the doggies are getting along great.  They enjoyed some scrambled eggs and cheese this morning so I could sneak in Opal's meds.  Bubba and Gizzy are digging this.  I'll post pictures here as soon as I get them back.

Day is Done!

It was a long day of in and out in the cold but everyone was go good.  We had a great day with homemade warm food in all our tummies and lots of cuddling and lovin' Tonight we're all spent and hunkering down for a good night's sleep.  A bit of Nyquil on my part helped. Please cough don't wake us up at 3 AM again.  We need a good night for a better tomorrow.  Insomnia be damned!

A well fed dog!

Opal just got up and cried at the door to go outside.  I think she is very smart and has already figured it out from Gizzy and Bubba's example.  So far I have only found one poop on the floor.  I give her a treat every time she goes out.  I made my special dog food mix that I found while fostering Princess.  Here's my recipe:

Homemade Healthy Dog Food

Whole chicken or equivalent (use whatever meat is cheap, but not too fatty)
Chicken, vegetable or beef broth
Water
Brown Rice (l lb. bag)
Canned or frozen veggies cut up into small chunks
4-5 crushed dog vitamin tablets

Boil and simmer the meat in broth and water to cover in a large soup pot or dutch oven.  When it is tender, de-bone if necessary (usually an hour or more depending on the meat used).  Add brown rice and more water and/or broth to fill pot.  Simmer about an hour until rice is done and liquid is soaked up.  Add veggies. Crush pet vitamin tablets of your choice and stir well.

I find my dogs like it best when it's slightly warm so I reheat it in the microwave and store the excess in the refrigerator (or the garage if it's really cold like today).  This diet is recommended for dogs who have kidney issues or are in need of extra good nutrition. Although Bubba and Gizzy are both very healthy, they get this diet when it's available.  Otherwise they eat dry Nutro  freely and split a can of Nutro Max at night.  It is really not any more costly than a higher end dog food, possibly even less per serving and I like knowing exactly what my kids are eating.

Opal's First (maybe ever) Vet Visit

We saw the vet at Parkside Animal Care Center today.  GBAR had already given them Opal's paperwork authorizing the things we knew were needed for her care.  Dr. Amanda Dyal checked out Opal and we decided for today she would only have her three primary vaccinations, rabies, distemper and bordetella.  (Will get Gizzy and Bubba a bordetella vaccine next week as I let that lapse when I was not fostering.  Want to make sure my own pets stay healthy too.)  Opal will have surgery next week to extract her infected teeth, spay and remove the huge mammary tumor.   Sarah, the Practice Manager at Parkside was so helpful too.  It was a very positive visit.

Dr. Dyal said these tumors are mostly benign and of the ones that are malignant only 10% seem to spread to other parts of the body.  She also said it appeared by the shape and position of the tumor there was not a lot of connection to her body as it is mostly dangling from a stem.  She felt it would be relatively easy to excise (we hope).   I think the odds are pretty good they'll be able to fix her up. Sheryl took a photo of her tumor on Sat. and I asked her to send it so I can post it.  Will do that when I get it. 

Sheryl also happened to be at Parkside with a dog they rescued while on their straw run bringing bedding and other comfort items to dogs who are chained or kept outside. It was bitter cold yesterday and somehow they ended up with one poor soul to take into rescue.  Here's what GBAR posted about her:  

Here's the newest member of the GBAR family. Thinking she is maybe beagle/boxer? She looks like a puggle but is a little bigger. Very sweet little girl - about one year old. So glad she is warm tonight with a belly full of a McDonald's hamburger and some dog food! Sleep well, little one - you are safe.

Sheryl said they had to leave another emaciated dog behind and she could hardly sleep last night because of that.  Today there's another rescuer from a different organization going to try to get him/her out of those conditions.  Oh, I also was given a big bag of dog food, which I didn't even request, when Sheryl stopped in.  See why I call them Canine Rescue Heroes? (and they rescue cats too). 

 

Getting Up-to-Date

Princess, foster who became our own at 13 in 2010. RIP 2012.

Princess, a foster dog from Happily Ever After, became our own after being here for about 2 years.  Shortly after that I learned she had early stage renal (kidney) failure so I started her (and Gizzy and Bubba) on a special diet made with chicken, veggies and brown rice.  I cooked it myself at least once a week.  She did well on the diet and in general and it was not until about a year later that she began to show signs of illness.  It was in her final week that it became evident things were quickly changing.  She went to the Rainbow Bridge June 1, 2012.  We miss her.

Zacy, our own  little guy who started it all.  RIP 1998-June 2010.

I know she was greeted by Zacy, Walter, Shadow and other dogs who I have been blessed to know.  Opal is now sleeping in Princess' faux fur lined bed.

Walter, foster from GBAR, found nice home but died unexpectedly in 2011 from unknown (to me) cause.

Shadow, had to surrender back to HEA when I tried fostering because he became aggressive toward Bubba.  She died in 2012 from recurrence of cancer after finding a good home with HEA adopter.

Benni and Gizzy lounging poolside.

Benni, also a foster from HEA, was adopted by Pat and Ron in 2010 and Pat and I have become very close friends.  He visits often and is doing GREAT in his forever home.

Pat, Wendy and I singing Xmas carols at the Salvation Army kettle at the Piggly Wiggly.  Such a fun time.

Bernie heading to his forever home 2010

Bernie, my very first foster dog, also from HEA, lives with a family from Upper Michigan.  He was doing great when I last heard from them.

Carol and Reggie lounging at their house

Reggie, our little dog sitter friend still comes over most days to play and cuddle.  Carol, Mike and I continue to enjoy a wonderful friendship.

It is not all a one sided deal either.  Pat, Ron, Carol and Mike have been wonderful at providing care for my dogs Gizzy and Bubba when I have had to be away, most recently at Mayo Clinic for a week.  This has been an awesome way to find and maintain beautiful friendships with people who love dogs, as I do.

Bubba enjoying a cool day at the De Pere Dog Park

Gizzy at the De Pere Dog Park.  Note wagging tail.

Not to be left out, my own dear doggies, Gizzy and Bubba who continue to thrive in their senior years.  Gizzy is now 13 and Bubba is 11.  I believe they like the fostering almost as much as I do because they get extra treats, attention and they get to be role models and show off their household skills to the dogs who come to stay for a while.

Molly with her cat Sally in her new home in Manty.

Toby with his new pal in his
forever home in De Pere

There have been quite a few dogs who I have left out because I did not have pictures and can't even remember all the names.  We took Molly in only briefly before she found a wonderful home with a couple in Manitowoc.  The same family who surrendered her also gave up Toby who I never fostered but brought to a foster in De Pere for GBAR.  He also found a great home.

After a dog leaves, I find it best not to keep in too close of contact (which a few exceptions).  This allows me to move on more easily.  I don't forget them though and love to hear updates.  Each one has a special place in my heart.

Pets not immune to cold (or hot) temps

Pets not immune to cold temps - http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/local/fox_cities/pets-not-immune-to-cold-temps

Another big problem for dogs is people who assume since they have fur coats they can live outdoors without suffering the affects of harsh weather, both cold and hot.  Chaining dogs to a shady tree in summer or providing an inadequately insulated outdoor shelter at any time is not proper care for Man's Best Friend.  It's just another abuse of these poor creatures who are without defense.  If you see an animal in these conditions, report it!

Many animals die from cold and heat related illness. There are rescues who specialize in getting these animals surrendered or, at a minimum, provide some comforts to help them survive this life.

New Foster Dog - New Rescue Partner

I haven't updated this blog for a long time.  Mostly because I took a little break from fostering for various reasons, mostly my health situation.  However, I got a new little Bichon, who we named Opal (I got to pick her name), just yesterday. She's doing so well adapting and I'm so proud of Gizzy and Bubba who are helping show her the ropes.  

This is Opal on day 1, right after she arrived.  

Opal was so filthy I could not imagine it was comfortable for her. So I got in the shower with her and we had a wonderful bath time. She was so good! After I gently dried her under the watchful care of Bubba and Gizzy, out came a new dog. She's BEAUTIFUL. Can't find my camera or I'd show you. Even her mouth cleaned up pretty nicely. The tumor is huge, larger than a golf ball but I've read they are often benign. Pray for her. She is now sleeping in a fake fur lined bed on my bed with Gizzy and Bubba flanking the sides. She is going to make someone a very lucky person when she's ready. I love her already!

I tried canned dog food. She had no idea what to do, even when I tried to feed by hand. I made some boneless chicken breasts and offered those just now. First she was confused because I tried hand feeding her. Gizzy and Bubba showed her how to take it. Now she's so excited and keeps running between the kitchen and me hoping for more. I'll give them a bedtime snack later. Such a sweet girl!

I am now back to fostering for Green Bay Animal Rescue.  They are a great organization.  See more about them at their website http://greenbayanimalrescue.weebly.com/ or LIKE them on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Green-Bay-Animal-Rescue/