It has been a super long time since I've updated...well, anyone's situation...so, here goes.
Posha - Posha was happily transported up North, and as far as I know, is living in a happy home with her new forever family.
Jake - Jake is doing well, he's been returned to his original place post-neuter, and seems to be doing better...but, his owner seems to be working with him more so and wants to read the book Michael had me read for Tad.
Pickup - Pickup is also living at his new happy home with his brother from another mother, Walrus. He came in for boosters yesterday and was plump!
Abus/Gritz - Abus has been moved from another foster home, into one that seems more fitting for him. He has severe separation anxiety and I believe that his new foster family is working with him to help alleviate those issues.
Chupie - Chupie is doing awesome! ...still has some eye issues, but otherwise...fat and happy! He came in for a visit just the other day when his parents were picking up their new kitty after a spay.
Tad - Tad is doing okay...his aggression seems to be happening less, but when it does...it is more severe. He has taken to attacking cats and smaller dogs and really anything he has access to. His time at the clinic is barely 4 hours, and only on Tadurdays now. He was supposed to see Michael (the behaviorist) today, but Michael was sick. We're looking at hopefully next Thursday.
If I've missed anyone...sorry! Hope this helps with some of the confusion!
4/4/12
Tad in Pup Culture Magazine
If you haven't heard through the various places, Tad's story has been published in Pup Culture Magazine!
I am beyond excited about this, and really hope that it inspires even more people and maybe even brings some attention to Tad's Toys!
You can view the online magazine HERE. If you're interested in purchasing a 'printed' copy, please click HERE.
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| Courtesy Pup Culture Magazine |
I am beyond excited about this, and really hope that it inspires even more people and maybe even brings some attention to Tad's Toys!
You can view the online magazine HERE. If you're interested in purchasing a 'printed' copy, please click HERE.
3/21/12
Meet Abus - The Padlocked Pittie
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| Abus as the feeder found him on the left, and on the right is him in the backseat of the truck I picked him up in. |
I got a message from my friend, Robyn, telling me that there's a dog within a few minutes from me that needs rescuing...asap. She explained that he's padlocked to a tree and that someone has been feeding him, but the feeder said Animal Control/Sherriff's Office won't do anything for the dog...even after the owner's moved out of the house and left the dog padlocked to the tree.
We had nasty, nasty weather all day yesterday, and I was told that he was currently standing in water.
So, by 10pm I was out the door and headed for the dog. I had hoped with all my hopings that he had a collar on that I could take off because I have no way of cutting through a padlock or heavy chain.
I arrive and sure enough, he's standing in water...no shelter, no food, no water, nothing. He's definitely skinny, and thanks to the lady that has been stopping by to feed him...he's not too bad off. He smells dead, but I'm certainly sure he's not had any attention or care other than the kind woman who has been stopping by to feed him.
His chain was massive...like, I'm surprised he doesn't have neck muscles of steel lugging that thing around, poor fella. His collar was crazy tight, but I was thankful enough that he was wearing one that attached to the padlock to the big chain. The minute he was freed from the chain, he took off for the truck and jumped right in. He LOVES car rides and is a perfect car rider.
So far, he hasn't met a dog he doesn't like and he hasn't met a person he doesn't like. He needs some socialization as far as cats go, but that's to be expected. He's likely been on the massive chain his whole life.
He's here at the clinic with me now, and this evening once we close, he's headed to West U Vet to be neutered/vaccinated/tested as Busters Friends' Rescue has agreed to sponsor him.
His name is Abus, and he's amazing. He so darned sweet and licky and lovey and the best part...? He smiles!
If you would like, Buster's Friends are accepting donations to help with his medical treatment (neuter/vaccines/testing). Please visit this link, and note 'white chained dog'.
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| Pibble attack! Abus this morning when we tried to get a picture together. :/ |
2/26/12
Meet Pickup
I came home on Thursday, and I could hear a really upset kitty inside the little truck of mine that had been parked by the road all day. So, I opened the hood and sure enough, there was a orange tabby! Or red/ginger tabby if you're super technical! But, anyway...he was obviously upset and not neutered, and so I just left him alone to calm down. I left the hood open over night, and when I got in to leave on Friday, I couldn't see him or hear him. I assumed he was gone.
So, I did my Friday duties...and after work went to hang out with my buddy, Anthony. ...apparently I left the lights on all night, and so it was not going anywhere by morning. I had to call my mom to come get me and take me to my Tahoe to go to work.
I called Charles and told him it might need a new battery, and singe drove out and popped the hood. He sent me this picture below.
Since we still don't know the vaccine issues with
the kitty, Charles poked the kitty with a stick and he jumped down and
hid in the bushes next to the truck.
Charles got things squared away and was while stopping at a stop light on the way back to me, guess what he heard?
The kitty!
So, when he got to the clinic, Jennifer and I removed the kitty from the engine, and got him set up in a kennel for neutering and testing.
Meet Pickup - one determined kitty!
So, I did my Friday duties...and after work went to hang out with my buddy, Anthony. ...apparently I left the lights on all night, and so it was not going anywhere by morning. I had to call my mom to come get me and take me to my Tahoe to go to work.
I called Charles and told him it might need a new battery, and singe drove out and popped the hood. He sent me this picture below.
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| Part of the car trouble I was having! |
Charles got things squared away and was while stopping at a stop light on the way back to me, guess what he heard?
The kitty!
So, when he got to the clinic, Jennifer and I removed the kitty from the engine, and got him set up in a kennel for neutering and testing.
Meet Pickup - one determined kitty!
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| Pickup! |
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| He is suuuuuch a sweet kitty! I'm surprised! |
2/22/12
Meet Jake
If it is not ridiculously obvious, I have a massive heart...it is so massive, in fact, that I exhaust every possible effort before quitting...even if I must make some pretty significant sacrifices. It's who I am, and while it takes it toll on me, I am thankful for it...everyday. So many lack even a little sliver of heart...and it's so sad.
I want to introduce Jake, because you'll probably hear a lot about him in the coming weeks. First and foremost, aside from being heartworm positive, he is healthy. He's about 3 years old and he's not neutered; he's got to be a foxhound mix...he and I weigh about the same. To give you an idea, he's twice Tad. Keep that in mind, because in his pictures...he does not look that big.
I have known Jake since he first came to the family I took him from. In fact, I have puppy pictures of him here on my computer.
Before I start in on Jake's story, please remember that the idea here is to help him, not criticize or belittle his former family REGARDLESS of how we feel. We are in this to help save lives and make the world a better place for these animals. I understand the anger, the sadness, I feel it, too. But there is absolutely no need to fill this entry with hate and horrible wishes for his people. Please try to be a better person than that. If you have nothing nice to say, keep it to yourself. We already know we're all already thinking it.
Jake belonged to someone I know, a family I've known a ridiculously long time. Jake's entire situation has been something that has made me irate from the very beginning. So, trust me...you may be angry, but I can promise you...you have nothing on me.
For most of the last 3 years, Jake was confined to a rope/chain/tie out. From puppy hood, he never had the proper socialization...and any dog left on a rope is a ticking time bomb. Jake is more like a nuclear weapon. He's reaching the end of his fuse. He is to the point where it has been requested that he be euthanized due to his aggressive behavior.
I absolutely refuse to euthanize a dog based off a behavior problem that has not yet been addressed by a professional. That professional I talk about it? Our trusted Uncle Michael, who has been amazing for Tad.
Jake can clear an 8ft privacy fence in seconds, and so he went from being confined to a rope, to be confined to a rope behind a fence. Imagine...3 years, nothing but that rope...watching the world go by without you. I think that you can imagine his frustrations and problems with coping.
It's my understanding that Jake has been escaping his little 'prison', so to speak, and wreaking havoc on the neighborhood and other neighborhood pets. Do I blame him? No way. Is he a bad dog? Absolutely not. Neighbors complain, and thus Jake is given to a new family. From what I am told, his original family was called to come back a couple of hours later and get him because no one in the new family could get near him due to his aggressive behavior towards them.
As an outsider, looking in, I see the massive bomb that Jake is. It won't be long before something happens that cannot be fixed and the county steps in to take over. I am not an amazing dog trainer/behaviorist, but working with Tad and Michael...I see things a lot differently than I used to, even more so after the reading assignment I was given.
I've seen Jake lunge at people, I've seen him attack dogs, namely my own. I've been told he lunges at children and strangers, and recently...I've been told he's starting growling at a baby who is taken care of during the day in this home.
Jake is sweet, kind, and loving to me and his previous family. He just wants scrubbies and belly rubs. However, he has many, many triggers and imagine the way I described Tad in the beginning with his behavior. Picture a dog nearly two times Tad, with aggressive behavior that is nearly ten times worse...and you have Jake. Believe it or not.
I've discussed him with Michael, who says that Jake sounds like a very hard case (Michael knows more of the story than I will share publicly-because I know many of you cannot handle it). But, hard does not yet mean impossible, and I believe Jake has his first appointment with Michael on the 1st. Cross your fingers, say your prayers.
I want to introduce Jake, because you'll probably hear a lot about him in the coming weeks. First and foremost, aside from being heartworm positive, he is healthy. He's about 3 years old and he's not neutered; he's got to be a foxhound mix...he and I weigh about the same. To give you an idea, he's twice Tad. Keep that in mind, because in his pictures...he does not look that big.
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| Jake |
Before I start in on Jake's story, please remember that the idea here is to help him, not criticize or belittle his former family REGARDLESS of how we feel. We are in this to help save lives and make the world a better place for these animals. I understand the anger, the sadness, I feel it, too. But there is absolutely no need to fill this entry with hate and horrible wishes for his people. Please try to be a better person than that. If you have nothing nice to say, keep it to yourself. We already know we're all already thinking it.
Jake belonged to someone I know, a family I've known a ridiculously long time. Jake's entire situation has been something that has made me irate from the very beginning. So, trust me...you may be angry, but I can promise you...you have nothing on me.
For most of the last 3 years, Jake was confined to a rope/chain/tie out. From puppy hood, he never had the proper socialization...and any dog left on a rope is a ticking time bomb. Jake is more like a nuclear weapon. He's reaching the end of his fuse. He is to the point where it has been requested that he be euthanized due to his aggressive behavior.
I absolutely refuse to euthanize a dog based off a behavior problem that has not yet been addressed by a professional. That professional I talk about it? Our trusted Uncle Michael, who has been amazing for Tad.
Jake can clear an 8ft privacy fence in seconds, and so he went from being confined to a rope, to be confined to a rope behind a fence. Imagine...3 years, nothing but that rope...watching the world go by without you. I think that you can imagine his frustrations and problems with coping.
It's my understanding that Jake has been escaping his little 'prison', so to speak, and wreaking havoc on the neighborhood and other neighborhood pets. Do I blame him? No way. Is he a bad dog? Absolutely not. Neighbors complain, and thus Jake is given to a new family. From what I am told, his original family was called to come back a couple of hours later and get him because no one in the new family could get near him due to his aggressive behavior towards them.
As an outsider, looking in, I see the massive bomb that Jake is. It won't be long before something happens that cannot be fixed and the county steps in to take over. I am not an amazing dog trainer/behaviorist, but working with Tad and Michael...I see things a lot differently than I used to, even more so after the reading assignment I was given.
I've seen Jake lunge at people, I've seen him attack dogs, namely my own. I've been told he lunges at children and strangers, and recently...I've been told he's starting growling at a baby who is taken care of during the day in this home.
Jake is sweet, kind, and loving to me and his previous family. He just wants scrubbies and belly rubs. However, he has many, many triggers and imagine the way I described Tad in the beginning with his behavior. Picture a dog nearly two times Tad, with aggressive behavior that is nearly ten times worse...and you have Jake. Believe it or not.
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| I love this face. What a happy boy. |
...his former family, in my opinion, tries to candy coat most of the problem. I don't
blame them, they love their dog dearly, and many people are often
blinded by that love. I was, too, with Tad. I often catch myself being
blinded again, honestly. Don't get me wrong, I love this dog as
well...thus, why he is now with me.
I will not be keeping Jake. Jake will need a home when he is safe to do so. In fact, he's spending his first of many, many nights at work in the farthest kennel in the back. He, like Tad, is a massive liability...and I can't even describe the appreciation I have for my boss, Dr. Holliday, who allowed Jake to live there until he's able to properly live with other animals/people.
I will not be keeping Jake. Jake will need a home when he is safe to do so. In fact, he's spending his first of many, many nights at work in the farthest kennel in the back. He, like Tad, is a massive liability...and I can't even describe the appreciation I have for my boss, Dr. Holliday, who allowed Jake to live there until he's able to properly live with other animals/people.
I've discussed him with Michael, who says that Jake sounds like a very hard case (Michael knows more of the story than I will share publicly-because I know many of you cannot handle it). But, hard does not yet mean impossible, and I believe Jake has his first appointment with Michael on the 1st. Cross your fingers, say your prayers.
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| Jake's pinch collar has been removed. |
12/4/11
Meet Posha
For those that were online Friday night, you probably so my post about Posha...who desperately needed us.
Posha likely had an eye ulcer that went untreated and resulted in enucleation. The simplest way to explain it, is that the ulcer on Posha's eye eventually got so bad that the inner workings of her eye erupted through the ulcer on her cornea. Posha's eye could not be saved; it needed to be removed immediately.
Within a few days, Posha's family came back in with Posha. She is in a lot of pain, she's stopped eating, she's just suffering. They couldn't afford surgery, and opted to euthanize her. It was the best choice for their situation. So, the papers were signed and they went on their way with sadness.
I have a serious issue with euthanizing healthy dogs. A few years ago, a young lab had come into the clinic for euthanasia for limping. I put close to $800 into that dog and couldn't find anything wrong with her. She was adopted out and is still alive today, enjoying life.
Posha, with many others who I have taken in, was no different. She was otherwise healthy...remove her eye, and she'll continue to live a normal, happy life. Thankfully, Dr. Holliday's heart is as big as mine, and she supports these efforts of mine.
Posha laid, sedated, on our wet table...it was either euthanasia now or surgery. We stood there, the three of us around Posha, trying to decide what to do. Legally, Posha was to be euthanized, but...only because there was no money for her. It was hard...and I see owners battling this problem every day. It is not uncommon...it is not as horrible as many make it out to seem. It is a fact of life, and is sometimes terribly heart-breaking.
I sent a text message to my friend, Holly. She is big into animal rescue and knows LOTS of people in the rescue world around here. I told her a little about Posha...I told her that we would remove her eye, if she could find a rescue to take Posha afterwards.
Within 30 minutes, I got a text back with a phone number to call. Lone Star Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apso Rescue would take Posha.
However, now we needed the owner to sign Posha over to the clinic. The euthanasia form is not a 'release of ownership'. This is always a hard call to make and one that I find very...nerve-wracking. Posha's family could still say 'no' and they'd rather her euthanized. That is their call to make, and I would feel better knowing that I at least 'tried' for Posha's sake. I explained to them that they did not have sign Posha over to me and that we would euthanize her if that was truly what they wanted. Or, they could sign Posha over to the clinic and her eye would be removed and then go to the rescue.
A few phone calls later, and it was a done deal. Posha was our's and we went into surgery immediately.
Posha's surgery has only been covered 3/4 of the way. If you guys would like to help cover those costs, please donate to Tad's Pay Pal (tiffanydieringer@yahoo.com). I also have to say this...do not...absolutely DO NOT feel bad that you cannot help Posha monetarily. I understand completely and simply asked because I know many of you are able and willing. I'm not out to make any of you feel crummy, Posha has had her surgery and she is doing well...and that's the best part. Nothing else matters...well, it matters...but not nearly as much. ;)
Posha likely had an eye ulcer that went untreated and resulted in enucleation. The simplest way to explain it, is that the ulcer on Posha's eye eventually got so bad that the inner workings of her eye erupted through the ulcer on her cornea. Posha's eye could not be saved; it needed to be removed immediately.
Within a few days, Posha's family came back in with Posha. She is in a lot of pain, she's stopped eating, she's just suffering. They couldn't afford surgery, and opted to euthanize her. It was the best choice for their situation. So, the papers were signed and they went on their way with sadness.
I have a serious issue with euthanizing healthy dogs. A few years ago, a young lab had come into the clinic for euthanasia for limping. I put close to $800 into that dog and couldn't find anything wrong with her. She was adopted out and is still alive today, enjoying life.
Posha, with many others who I have taken in, was no different. She was otherwise healthy...remove her eye, and she'll continue to live a normal, happy life. Thankfully, Dr. Holliday's heart is as big as mine, and she supports these efforts of mine.
Posha laid, sedated, on our wet table...it was either euthanasia now or surgery. We stood there, the three of us around Posha, trying to decide what to do. Legally, Posha was to be euthanized, but...only because there was no money for her. It was hard...and I see owners battling this problem every day. It is not uncommon...it is not as horrible as many make it out to seem. It is a fact of life, and is sometimes terribly heart-breaking.
I sent a text message to my friend, Holly. She is big into animal rescue and knows LOTS of people in the rescue world around here. I told her a little about Posha...I told her that we would remove her eye, if she could find a rescue to take Posha afterwards.
Within 30 minutes, I got a text back with a phone number to call. Lone Star Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apso Rescue would take Posha.
However, now we needed the owner to sign Posha over to the clinic. The euthanasia form is not a 'release of ownership'. This is always a hard call to make and one that I find very...nerve-wracking. Posha's family could still say 'no' and they'd rather her euthanized. That is their call to make, and I would feel better knowing that I at least 'tried' for Posha's sake. I explained to them that they did not have sign Posha over to me and that we would euthanize her if that was truly what they wanted. Or, they could sign Posha over to the clinic and her eye would be removed and then go to the rescue.
A few phone calls later, and it was a done deal. Posha was our's and we went into surgery immediately.
This is Posha's eye up close. The black wrinkly bit you see in the center...that is the inner workings of Posha's eye, dried and scabbed up from prolonged exposure. The weird mucky fluid coming from the bottom is pus, Posha's eye is no longer an eye, it's a ruptured abscess.
Posha is 8 years old, and she worried us under anesthesia. She didn't want to breathe on her own and her heart rate dropped below a comfortable beat too often. The eye was such a mess that Dr. Holliday had a terrible time getting it out. The most bizarre thing about it all was this...
DO NOT LOOK AT THIS PICTURE IF YOU HAVE A WEAK STOMACH.
Posha's actually eye ball was so infected that the eye actually ruptured in a few places to let the pus out. It filled her eye socket...this picture (see warning above...again) shows just one of the holes the infection made to let the pus drain out of the eye to make room for more.
I call this 'amazing'...simply because it is...as unfortunate as it is. It is amazing what the body does...on it's own.
After surgery, Posha went into recovery...
She recovered well, and thankfully, had no extra drainage. It was also apparent that she still had vision in her other eye. Sometimes it's a complication following surgery that while removing the bad eye, you can cause the other eye to go blind.
The next morning, we discovered Posha's love...canned food. She took her medicine like a professional...and you could see the light in her restored. Granted, she's an older gal...so she does play, doesn't bark, doesn't really do anything but hang out and watch the world around her. But, bring out canned food and she comes to life...that beautiful tail or her's wags, her eyes light up, she smiles...it's perfect.
Posha's hair will grow back and you won't even know she doesn't have the eye unless you really look for it. That's the beauty of having bangs. ;) I think she's gorgeous no matter how many eyes she has.
Posha goes to the rescue tomorrow evening, if Dr. Holliday deems her able. I don't see why she can't, so I am sure she'll be in their hands tomorrow night. There's been a lot of change in Posha's world in just a matter of days. It makes me sad...but, then I think that she could be dead right now.
Adios, Martin!
As MOST of you probably already know, I decided to go ahead and remove Martin...even if it meant causing the Demodex Mange to get worse. If the mass is something scary, I'd rather sooner than later and take my chances with the mange.
And yes, on Tad's medical record...it does say, 'Remove Martin the Mass'. At Wags 2 Whiskers, we like to have fun. :)
Anyway, so after shaving the hair around the area...we exposed Martin, the true fiend.
Surgery went well, and if you'd like to see Martin 'actually' being removed, check out this picture...but, I do warn you...it is a picture from SURGERY...so, if you can't handle blood...don't look. Simple as that.
After surgery, which was barely 15 minutes, Tad went into recovery...which basically meant a king-sized pallet on the floor of the office where he sat with me until he woke up. However, we went to check on Tad's incision...and it turns out that the boy...erm, was bleeding...heavily. How heavily? Look at this picture...and again, if you cannot handle blood...you SERIOUSLY don't want to look at this picture.
So, while Tad was still conked out without a single sense of awareness, we had to pressure wrap his incision. Basically, that means to put a tight wrap to help stop bleeding. ...in a dog who is dead asleep and has an incision in such a weird spot, wrapping Tad was very difficult for Jennifer and I. But, we managed...
Of course, Tad would walk funny for the next few hours...but, what do you do?!
So, with Martin gone and the bleeding stopped...we have a nice pretty incision...that yesterday, while delivering Tad's Toys to the shelter, Tad tore open while jumping frantically around the truck. :/ ...so, it's not so pretty anymore, but here's the incision on surgery day.
We still don't have results, trust me...I JUST checked...hopefully tomorrow morning... *sigh*
And yes, on Tad's medical record...it does say, 'Remove Martin the Mass'. At Wags 2 Whiskers, we like to have fun. :)
Anyway, so after shaving the hair around the area...we exposed Martin, the true fiend.
Surgery went well, and if you'd like to see Martin 'actually' being removed, check out this picture...but, I do warn you...it is a picture from SURGERY...so, if you can't handle blood...don't look. Simple as that.
After surgery, which was barely 15 minutes, Tad went into recovery...which basically meant a king-sized pallet on the floor of the office where he sat with me until he woke up. However, we went to check on Tad's incision...and it turns out that the boy...erm, was bleeding...heavily. How heavily? Look at this picture...and again, if you cannot handle blood...you SERIOUSLY don't want to look at this picture.
So, while Tad was still conked out without a single sense of awareness, we had to pressure wrap his incision. Basically, that means to put a tight wrap to help stop bleeding. ...in a dog who is dead asleep and has an incision in such a weird spot, wrapping Tad was very difficult for Jennifer and I. But, we managed...
Of course, Tad would walk funny for the next few hours...but, what do you do?!
So, with Martin gone and the bleeding stopped...we have a nice pretty incision...that yesterday, while delivering Tad's Toys to the shelter, Tad tore open while jumping frantically around the truck. :/ ...so, it's not so pretty anymore, but here's the incision on surgery day.
We still don't have results, trust me...I JUST checked...hopefully tomorrow morning... *sigh*
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