For the past month or so, the talk around the clinic (which sounds funny because there's pretty much only three of us) is that we need to get Tad under control.
He is extremely intelligent, and general obedience is not the issue. The puppy gate idea is working well, as long as everyone remembers to keep it shut. If the puppy gate is not shut, and the front doors open setting off the little bell...Tad goes nuts and charges the front doors barking, yowling, and having a great time. He then proceeds to jump on the clients. If he gets to the front before they come in, they won't come in because he sounds so scary. This is completely and 100% unacceptable. He is on the verge of having to be kenneled in the back all day. I don't want to do that, and so we're working on him all day every day.
If the puppy gate remains shut, we're fine. However, if I go to the other side of the puppy gate without him, he goes ape-crazy. He starts barking non-stop, and it's not an 'easy to tune out' bark. He learned that the barking device, which sits on the floor next to the puppy gate, only picks up his deep barks, so he barks in a higher pitch. He is no longer affected by that little bark-box-thing.
The only other two options we can think of are a shock collar that is controlled by a human,which I'd rather not...or a citronella collar. I've not experience with either other than the injuries from shock collars from people who use them incorrectly on their dogs.
I'm leaning more towards a citronella collar...it's pain free, that's my goal. However, if another dog is barking (we are in a veterinary clinic) will it spray Tad? Or does it only pick up on the vibrations of Tad's throat...? If Tad is playing, and his neck vibrates...is it going to squirt him?
I guess we could potentially only put the collar on him when I got to the other side of the gate...that may be a good possibility, and take it back off when I come back across the gate.
Opinions? ...or, opinions without stone throwing would be most helpful. ;)
7/27/11
7/26/11
Cicada Invasion!
If you haven't seen 'Turtle Invasion', then I highly recommend you view that video. Regardless, I want to share 'Cicada Invasion!' with you tonight. I am mad at YouTube, so someone recommended I try Vimeo...I did, and so far so good.
The Abandoned Dog - Cicada Invasion from Tiffany Dieringer on Vimeo.
7/25/11
Point A to Point B
It was four months ago (tomorrow) that I first met Tad. I had every intention of euthanizing him and ending the most horrible suffering I've ever personally seen. You see the ASPCA commercials, you see pictures online, you read stuff in the paper...but I can promise you that it does not 'hit home' until you see it first hand. It's an indescribable feeling...one of heartbreak and one of rage. Who would do this? Why would they do this?
Most of the time...you will never get answers. I'm inclined to think that that's probably best.
I remember all of the people who told me to euthanize him. He had suffered long enough and I was selfish for trying to save him. Those who don't know the whole story still say that to this day after seeing his 'first' picture. I often wonder why it's the nature of many to give up so easily? Don't get me wrong, I would have given up...I would have let him go, but I wouldn't do so until he stopped fighting himself. It would have been more selfish to euthanize him, than to let him keep trying, in my opinion.
He never gave up...not once. He has been through so much in such a short amount of time, and look at where we are now. I look back at the last four months and how they flew by...had I euthanized him, I'd have missed so much.
But, it's not about me...so, I look back on them through Tad's eyes.
I understand now why he looks at me the way he does...
It is not a look that says, 'Mommy' or 'I love you'...but more of, 'You're my hero, and I owe you everything.' It's genuine gratitude, an expression of the most powerful way to say 'thanks'.
I understand now why he acts the way he does...
He has never been given a chance to experience the world without having to fight to survive. I don't want to be blasphemous, but Tad was 'born again'. This is new to him...these experiences, he needs more time. I must remember to be patient.
I understand why he does not let me out of his sight. I understand why he goes absolutely insane when he can't see me or figure out where I am. It all makes sense...and I don't know that 'separation anxiety' is the correct term for it.
I look back at his pictures and videos from the beginning, I don't remember him looking so bad. I don't remember the severity of his many issues. But, then I realize...these are pictures and video, you can't see 'him'. You can't see his will, his fight, his spirit...maybe that is why so many protested trying to save him.
Tad has overcome so much. My battles do not compare to the war the world waged on his body. His problems make mine seem so small... I try to remember this when I'm having a bad day.
When you've lost all hope...I hope that the story of Tad creeps into your mind, and I hope that you realize that this is nothing...you can do it.
No matter how you started out...just remember you can go from Point A to Point B...Tad did it in as little as four months.
Most of the time...you will never get answers. I'm inclined to think that that's probably best.
I remember all of the people who told me to euthanize him. He had suffered long enough and I was selfish for trying to save him. Those who don't know the whole story still say that to this day after seeing his 'first' picture. I often wonder why it's the nature of many to give up so easily? Don't get me wrong, I would have given up...I would have let him go, but I wouldn't do so until he stopped fighting himself. It would have been more selfish to euthanize him, than to let him keep trying, in my opinion.
He never gave up...not once. He has been through so much in such a short amount of time, and look at where we are now. I look back at the last four months and how they flew by...had I euthanized him, I'd have missed so much.
But, it's not about me...so, I look back on them through Tad's eyes.
I understand now why he looks at me the way he does...
It is not a look that says, 'Mommy' or 'I love you'...but more of, 'You're my hero, and I owe you everything.' It's genuine gratitude, an expression of the most powerful way to say 'thanks'.
I understand now why he acts the way he does...
He has never been given a chance to experience the world without having to fight to survive. I don't want to be blasphemous, but Tad was 'born again'. This is new to him...these experiences, he needs more time. I must remember to be patient.
I understand why he does not let me out of his sight. I understand why he goes absolutely insane when he can't see me or figure out where I am. It all makes sense...and I don't know that 'separation anxiety' is the correct term for it.
I look back at his pictures and videos from the beginning, I don't remember him looking so bad. I don't remember the severity of his many issues. But, then I realize...these are pictures and video, you can't see 'him'. You can't see his will, his fight, his spirit...maybe that is why so many protested trying to save him.
Tad has overcome so much. My battles do not compare to the war the world waged on his body. His problems make mine seem so small... I try to remember this when I'm having a bad day.
When you've lost all hope...I hope that the story of Tad creeps into your mind, and I hope that you realize that this is nothing...you can do it.
No matter how you started out...just remember you can go from Point A to Point B...Tad did it in as little as four months.
 |
| Point A |
 |
| Point B |
7/24/11
Ever Growing Fame
I will never cease to be amazed at how far Tad's story has reached, how many hearts he's touched, and how many lives he's changed, both human and animal. I've recieved a few text messages, Facebook messages, and lots of you shared this on Tad's Facebook.
I wanted to share the link here, as well. Tad has turned up on Reddit.com. Thank you, Jarron, for liking Tad's story so much that you shared his story there.
A Dog My Friend Rescued on Reddit.com
I wanted to share the link here, as well. Tad has turned up on Reddit.com. Thank you, Jarron, for liking Tad's story so much that you shared his story there.
A Dog My Friend Rescued on Reddit.com
6/20/11
New Parasite? - Update
Some of you may recall that we found a weird finding on Tad's last skin scraping. If you don't remember anything like this, go back a few blog posts, you'll see it.
Anyway, we've had quite a few different people looking at it and also some dermatologists, and the general consensus is some sort of plant material or fungal spore. What does that mean? Basically, it's nothing to be worried about!
Hooray! Cheese-Whiz for everyone!
:)
Anyway, we've had quite a few different people looking at it and also some dermatologists, and the general consensus is some sort of plant material or fungal spore. What does that mean? Basically, it's nothing to be worried about!
Hooray! Cheese-Whiz for everyone!
:)
6/15/11
Yums' Challenge
There have been so many wonderful people and companies who have donated to help Tad recovery from the horrors he came to me with. I don't know that they can even be described with the word 'wonderful'...I am just amazed...my faith in humanity restored. I could go on and on...
Either way, one company especially has been truly amazing to Tad and I. The people behind the company are awesome, their customer service is awesome, their produce is awesome...it's just all around a super place.
That company is Enjoy Yums.
They make horse and dog treats...well, let me rephrase that...they make AWESOME horse and dog treats. Let me describe them to you how I describe them to our clients, haha! They're natural, simple, made in the USA, and smell amazing. My guinea pigs eat them, my cat eats them, my dogs eat them, and one of the girls we work with even tried them. Speaking of my pigs, if you visit Yums' Facebook, you'll see they've used a picture of Sundae (one of my pigs) as their main profile picture!
But, I digress. Let me tell you...when I open that bag of Yums at my house, everyone but the human comes running (because she doesn't live with me! ;) ). But seriously, they look like little granola bars and smell a million times better.
Okay, so anyway...they send Tad their Yums treats, and he devours them with the rest of his animal family. Dr. Holliday (Tad's veterinarian) was so impressed with them, that we even carry them in our hospital now for our clients to purchase for their pets.
Our hospital and Yums have been in close contact for a few weeks now, and they made me a challenging offer at the beginning of the week. If Tad and I could get 1,000 likes for their Facebook page, they would donate to Tad's favorite animal charity. Not only is that an awesome cause, but I do like a challenge...so, within a few days, Tad, his Facebook friends, and I were able to get them their 1,000 likes. AWESOME!
So, I announced this morning that Yums and I decided to donate to two different animal rescue places. One of them is Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah. They take in every species of animals, and they work miracles every day. It is amazing the things they do for these babies that have been cast out and pushed aside. You may also recognize the name, because that's where Tad's article is posted for the world to see!
The other is a rescue that I volunteer my photography for, Coldspring Stars. They rescue dogs from various places, and do everything they can to make a positive difference in their lives. With the economy the way it is, it seems more and more dogs are ending up with them. They need every little bit they can get, and I want to give back to them. One of the girls who works more closely with Coldspring Stars than I do advised me the very first day I brought Tad home to start this blog...she said it would help find him a home. Well, it certainly did that...but, look at what came of that idea!
I included a lot of links here in this blog, feel free to check any of them out...and of course, thank you for the millions of ways you all have helped me help Tad. I hope to share his entire life with all of you.
Either way, one company especially has been truly amazing to Tad and I. The people behind the company are awesome, their customer service is awesome, their produce is awesome...it's just all around a super place.
That company is Enjoy Yums.
They make horse and dog treats...well, let me rephrase that...they make AWESOME horse and dog treats. Let me describe them to you how I describe them to our clients, haha! They're natural, simple, made in the USA, and smell amazing. My guinea pigs eat them, my cat eats them, my dogs eat them, and one of the girls we work with even tried them. Speaking of my pigs, if you visit Yums' Facebook, you'll see they've used a picture of Sundae (one of my pigs) as their main profile picture!
But, I digress. Let me tell you...when I open that bag of Yums at my house, everyone but the human comes running (because she doesn't live with me! ;) ). But seriously, they look like little granola bars and smell a million times better.
Okay, so anyway...they send Tad their Yums treats, and he devours them with the rest of his animal family. Dr. Holliday (Tad's veterinarian) was so impressed with them, that we even carry them in our hospital now for our clients to purchase for their pets.
Our hospital and Yums have been in close contact for a few weeks now, and they made me a challenging offer at the beginning of the week. If Tad and I could get 1,000 likes for their Facebook page, they would donate to Tad's favorite animal charity. Not only is that an awesome cause, but I do like a challenge...so, within a few days, Tad, his Facebook friends, and I were able to get them their 1,000 likes. AWESOME!
So, I announced this morning that Yums and I decided to donate to two different animal rescue places. One of them is Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah. They take in every species of animals, and they work miracles every day. It is amazing the things they do for these babies that have been cast out and pushed aside. You may also recognize the name, because that's where Tad's article is posted for the world to see!
The other is a rescue that I volunteer my photography for, Coldspring Stars. They rescue dogs from various places, and do everything they can to make a positive difference in their lives. With the economy the way it is, it seems more and more dogs are ending up with them. They need every little bit they can get, and I want to give back to them. One of the girls who works more closely with Coldspring Stars than I do advised me the very first day I brought Tad home to start this blog...she said it would help find him a home. Well, it certainly did that...but, look at what came of that idea!
I included a lot of links here in this blog, feel free to check any of them out...and of course, thank you for the millions of ways you all have helped me help Tad. I hope to share his entire life with all of you.
6/11/11
Glamour Shots
I also wanted to share this with you guys. You may or may not know, but I own my own photography business. It originally started as 'pet photography' but this first year as BLOWN UP. Anyway, Tad's got his mug done up and I felt like you guys would love to see them.
You can see them here:
www.facebook.com/minhavidaphotography
www.minhavidaphotography.com
Or, you can see them directly here:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.218125814888199.63774.144141802286601
http://www.minhavidaphotography.com/archives/?album=20&gallery=29
You can see them here:
www.facebook.com/minhavidaphotography
www.minhavidaphotography.com
Or, you can see them directly here:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.218125814888199.63774.144141802286601
http://www.minhavidaphotography.com/archives/?album=20&gallery=29
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