She writes: Henry is doing really well. The first night was rough and he definitely misses you, but he's settling in and having a great time with Edgar and I.
Ouch! I'm trying to finagle a visit with him.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Henry Updates
Look how handsome he is! Henry's web page has been updated with two really good pictures and an expanded writeup: http://www.athenscaninerescue.com/Henry.htm.
Someone called me today because she saw the Found Dog poster I'd put up at the pet supply store - and later written on that he urgently needed a home. I referred her to ACR and she's really interested. She lives in an apartment too but her apartment has a fenced dog run and she has another dog so that he would have company. Plus, her dog is a dachshund, who would fit underneath Henry, and who doesn't want stackable dogs.
I'm still missing him and hoping he's okay.
Someone called me today because she saw the Found Dog poster I'd put up at the pet supply store - and later written on that he urgently needed a home. I referred her to ACR and she's really interested. She lives in an apartment too but her apartment has a fenced dog run and she has another dog so that he would have company. Plus, her dog is a dachshund, who would fit underneath Henry, and who doesn't want stackable dogs.
I'm still missing him and hoping he's okay.
Monday, April 28, 2008
He's Gone
Last Night
Last night Henry went to his new foster home. I felt relieved that it wasn't impossible to do - I had been so scared I wouldn't be able to. I had wanted to have the new foster mom come here and meet him, then us meet again, then have her come get him for good. None of that was realistic. I just took him to her house. Her dog and Maggie played - so rare - it was cute. Henry just sniffed everything all over the house while we talked about him and what was happening. After 1/2 hour or so, when it was time to go, I told him what was happening (I had taken a cue from Michele W. and explained it to him earlier, on Saturday or earlier Sunday). And he and she walked me out. He tried to come with us, but she had him on a leash, and he didn't appear distressed or make noise or anything.
After I left, I felt almost giddy at some points, glad to have him on the road to the right permanent home for him where he's fully settled. And glad for me to be back to what's manageable. A feeling of completion and success. And good about the person keeping him. Plus, we're keeping him next week - May 6-10 when his new foster mom Stacey is out of town for work.
Today
This morning too I felt good to being back to a one-dog household. It's so easy. And I can take control of the house again. Etc.
But now I'm missing him. As the day went on I've been thinking of him and wondering what he's been up to. Imagining what he's feeling and whether he's feeling lonely and desserted or whether he's just living in the moment and smelling things and getting to know Edgar. Of course I've imagined the worst.
I called to check on him (no response yet - but even if she calls back she doesn't have anything to compare his behavior to). His smell is in my car still - and it is the best smell in the world.
So, in summary, conflicted.
If Rocco and Maggie Had Kids
Oh, there was a dog at the adoption event who looked like Maggie and Rocco's daughter - and her name is Maggie (http://www.athenscaninerescue.com/Mags.htm).
Terrible Emails - Ode to Vince
I went to the Farm Sanctuary co-founder's speech/reading last week and got on the list for the UGA group that does animal things, and I've gotten these two emails below. I might have to take myself off this email list. Don't want to bury my head in the sand, but there's only so much a person can take.
Today at 3:47 pm:
Please forward this plea to friends, family, co-workers in hopes someone can save this sweet boy from euthanasia. He's already neutered! Was surrendered by his owner, so his time is very limited. He could be euthanized at any time....
Thank you. Chamblee
- - - -
From: poizenivey1@yahoo.com
Why Choose Me?
This big boy is an owner surrender so his time here at the shelter is pretty short. He has lots of energy and is very strong. He will need someone who is willing to work with him on his leash manners. Vince enjoyed playing with the rope toy and exploring his surroundings. In the interaction pen, he enjoyed our company and being in the sunshine! According to his previous owners, he is HOUSEBROKEN!!!!!
Anne
OVER 800 homeless pets are killed EVERY hour due to overpopulation. Please spay/neuter companion pets. DONT LITTER!
And then the follow-up, at 6 pm:
Unfortunately, Vince was euthanized, along with fellow pit bulls Stacks and Bubba and poor Parker and Rocky.
It's too late for them, but not too late for the many others at the shelter, including the high-kill-risk pit bulls Juno, Frankie, Lucy, Guiness, Thelma and Louise. Please share their pictures and stories with friends, to perhaps spare these dogs the same fate as Vince and the others.
http://www.athenspets.net/adoptables.html
Also, if you are in favor of the proposed spay/neuter ordinance for Athens-Clarke County, PLEASE let our Mayor and Commissioners know!
Last night Henry went to his new foster home. I felt relieved that it wasn't impossible to do - I had been so scared I wouldn't be able to. I had wanted to have the new foster mom come here and meet him, then us meet again, then have her come get him for good. None of that was realistic. I just took him to her house. Her dog and Maggie played - so rare - it was cute. Henry just sniffed everything all over the house while we talked about him and what was happening. After 1/2 hour or so, when it was time to go, I told him what was happening (I had taken a cue from Michele W. and explained it to him earlier, on Saturday or earlier Sunday). And he and she walked me out. He tried to come with us, but she had him on a leash, and he didn't appear distressed or make noise or anything.
After I left, I felt almost giddy at some points, glad to have him on the road to the right permanent home for him where he's fully settled. And glad for me to be back to what's manageable. A feeling of completion and success. And good about the person keeping him. Plus, we're keeping him next week - May 6-10 when his new foster mom Stacey is out of town for work.
Today
This morning too I felt good to being back to a one-dog household. It's so easy. And I can take control of the house again. Etc.
But now I'm missing him. As the day went on I've been thinking of him and wondering what he's been up to. Imagining what he's feeling and whether he's feeling lonely and desserted or whether he's just living in the moment and smelling things and getting to know Edgar. Of course I've imagined the worst.
I called to check on him (no response yet - but even if she calls back she doesn't have anything to compare his behavior to). His smell is in my car still - and it is the best smell in the world.
So, in summary, conflicted.
If Rocco and Maggie Had Kids
Oh, there was a dog at the adoption event who looked like Maggie and Rocco's daughter - and her name is Maggie (http://www.athenscaninerescue.com/Mags.htm).
Terrible Emails - Ode to Vince
I went to the Farm Sanctuary co-founder's speech/reading last week and got on the list for the UGA group that does animal things, and I've gotten these two emails below. I might have to take myself off this email list. Don't want to bury my head in the sand, but there's only so much a person can take.
Today at 3:47 pm:
Please forward this plea to friends, family, co-workers in hopes someone can save this sweet boy from euthanasia. He's already neutered! Was surrendered by his owner, so his time is very limited. He could be euthanized at any time....
Thank you. Chamblee
- - - -
From: poizenivey1@yahoo.com
ANYONE? Know anyone that will take him? He is very unique looking, I think because his ears are too short. Handsome boy. Neutered then dumped. An OS so time is VERY SHORT.
So many pitties there, and this one is just different to me for some reason. Please forward to anyone you know so we can try to save his soul.
Why Choose Me?
This big boy is an owner surrender so his time here at the shelter is pretty short. He has lots of energy and is very strong. He will need someone who is willing to work with him on his leash manners. Vince enjoyed playing with the rope toy and exploring his surroundings. In the interaction pen, he enjoyed our company and being in the sunshine! According to his previous owners, he is HOUSEBROKEN!!!!!
Anne
OVER 800 homeless pets are killed EVERY hour due to overpopulation. Please spay/neuter companion pets. DONT LITTER! And then the follow-up, at 6 pm:
Unfortunately, Vince was euthanized, along with fellow pit bulls Stacks and Bubba and poor Parker and Rocky.
It's too late for them, but not too late for the many others at the shelter, including the high-kill-risk pit bulls Juno, Frankie, Lucy, Guiness, Thelma and Louise. Please share their pictures and stories with friends, to perhaps spare these dogs the same fate as Vince and the others.
http://www.athenspets.net
Also, if you are in favor of the proposed spay/neuter ordinance for Athens-Clarke County, PLEASE let our Mayor and Commissioners know!
Saturday, April 26, 2008
He Knows
We went to the adoption event. Henry knows something is up. We never go hang out in a room with a bunch of other dogs without Maggie. You could just tell (something in the air) that something was different at the basset rescue event. And I think this was similar. He wanted to say hi to everyone, and then he wanted to walk and sniff outside far beyond the immediate area. I kept bringing him back. It was hot out, but he had plenty of energy when we were outside. I'd drag him back in and he would just lie flat on the floor.
Everyone thought he was handsome but no one really bonded with him.
A kid sang to him - and two kids did yesterday - "When your ears hang low."
Anyway, I just start feeling so sad and down that he knows what's going on. And you know how they can sense our emotions.
He was droopy in the car. Came home and Maggie thinks we cheated on her.
I'm starting to feel like I'm betraying him.
Did I mention he peed in my room yesterday? So I must keep remembering those kinds of things.
Everyone thought he was handsome but no one really bonded with him.
A kid sang to him - and two kids did yesterday - "When your ears hang low."
Anyway, I just start feeling so sad and down that he knows what's going on. And you know how they can sense our emotions.
He was droopy in the car. Came home and Maggie thinks we cheated on her.
I'm starting to feel like I'm betraying him.
Did I mention he peed in my room yesterday? So I must keep remembering those kinds of things.
Why We're Going to the Adoption Event
Henry on Match.com
Check out Henry's Match.com (well, Athens Canine Rescue) profile: http://www.athenscaninerescue.com/Henry.htm
Isn't that cute? Whoever wrote the blurb is good at it.
Why Henry is Leaving
OK, I've been hearing from more people who want me to keep Henry, and it's probably largely because I am only telling you how sad I'm going to be when he leaves.
But it's really too much for me to keep him. Remember how when we first got our dogs we all felt like we had to stay home with them so much? Well, I'm going through that again with Henry. Also, the walking. It's SLOW - time consuming, and there's no exercise in it for Maggie or me. So I walk him, then don't go out again with Maggie or alone - so I'm getting no exercise. Also, he really craves outdoor access and a chance to run around and chase the things he chases. We went to Memorial Park yesterday, a dog run that's actually FENCED IN! (novel concept). He ran around and checked things out and barked at them and did his thing again and again. He had a great time. It was a beautiful thing to see. There is poison ivy and poison oak ALL OVER that park. Dogs go through poison ivy. I've learned that people really do get poison ivy from contact with dogs who go through it. So we came home (Henry, Maggie and I) and all took baths. That was the messiest grossest bathroom. I can't go through that every single time I want to let the guy run a little.
My job is really stressful right now. I've got a paltry percentage of students with jobs, just 2 weeks before graduation. That's a stat I get measured on. That, and others that depend on that. I'm overextended from having Henry for a month, and from being out of the office for 2 weeks, and from the normal little challenges of life.
I need a little breathing room. It's just too much for me at this point.
And, I can't deal with that kind of stress like I felt on Monday night when I got the harsh notice from the apartment complex. Yes, I get that everyone is mad at them - and I appreciate your having my back! But I don't want to have to move in a month. He's doing better, but I need a feeling of security about where I live.
I really think Henry will be okay in a new place. And I really think we will be okay too.
Think of how many dogs you love that aren't your dog. How when you're getting to konw a new dog - discovering their little quirks - everything is so charming. And it is! But I don't think if he goes to another home I'll never fall in love again. :-) And I don't think that he will never fall in love again either. I am really hoping that I can stay involved with him - babysit for his foster Mom, or meet them at poison ivy central, or go visit, or whatever.
I too wish we could make this the romantic outcome - I could have a little cottage with some space around it and a fenced yard. But I'm not there right now. And even so, I really believe that this will work out so that everyone is fine. Of course, I hope he doesn't feel sad/depressed/dumped even for a little while, but that may be unrealistic.
BB
I found a round hard thing in his ear that moves around. It's like a BB in there, so now I'm wondering if he's been shot. I hope not. And when you run up to him or come up standing over him, he just cowers. I think he was mistreated.
Bath
So, yesterday, after we got back from poison ivy central and I bathed him, Maggie, and me. What a mess that bathroom was!!! Henry, who never gets on the bed or chair, and only occasionally gets on the sofa, went from one to the other, and sat his wet self right down on my bed. Maybe he just wanted something to dry him - but I think he was also making a statement.
Check out Henry's Match.com (well, Athens Canine Rescue) profile: http://www.athenscaninerescue.com/Henry.htm
Isn't that cute? Whoever wrote the blurb is good at it.
Why Henry is Leaving
OK, I've been hearing from more people who want me to keep Henry, and it's probably largely because I am only telling you how sad I'm going to be when he leaves.
But it's really too much for me to keep him. Remember how when we first got our dogs we all felt like we had to stay home with them so much? Well, I'm going through that again with Henry. Also, the walking. It's SLOW - time consuming, and there's no exercise in it for Maggie or me. So I walk him, then don't go out again with Maggie or alone - so I'm getting no exercise. Also, he really craves outdoor access and a chance to run around and chase the things he chases. We went to Memorial Park yesterday, a dog run that's actually FENCED IN! (novel concept). He ran around and checked things out and barked at them and did his thing again and again. He had a great time. It was a beautiful thing to see. There is poison ivy and poison oak ALL OVER that park. Dogs go through poison ivy. I've learned that people really do get poison ivy from contact with dogs who go through it. So we came home (Henry, Maggie and I) and all took baths. That was the messiest grossest bathroom. I can't go through that every single time I want to let the guy run a little.
My job is really stressful right now. I've got a paltry percentage of students with jobs, just 2 weeks before graduation. That's a stat I get measured on. That, and others that depend on that. I'm overextended from having Henry for a month, and from being out of the office for 2 weeks, and from the normal little challenges of life.
I need a little breathing room. It's just too much for me at this point.
And, I can't deal with that kind of stress like I felt on Monday night when I got the harsh notice from the apartment complex. Yes, I get that everyone is mad at them - and I appreciate your having my back! But I don't want to have to move in a month. He's doing better, but I need a feeling of security about where I live.
I really think Henry will be okay in a new place. And I really think we will be okay too.
Think of how many dogs you love that aren't your dog. How when you're getting to konw a new dog - discovering their little quirks - everything is so charming. And it is! But I don't think if he goes to another home I'll never fall in love again. :-) And I don't think that he will never fall in love again either. I am really hoping that I can stay involved with him - babysit for his foster Mom, or meet them at poison ivy central, or go visit, or whatever.
I too wish we could make this the romantic outcome - I could have a little cottage with some space around it and a fenced yard. But I'm not there right now. And even so, I really believe that this will work out so that everyone is fine. Of course, I hope he doesn't feel sad/depressed/dumped even for a little while, but that may be unrealistic.
BB
I found a round hard thing in his ear that moves around. It's like a BB in there, so now I'm wondering if he's been shot. I hope not. And when you run up to him or come up standing over him, he just cowers. I think he was mistreated.
Bath
So, yesterday, after we got back from poison ivy central and I bathed him, Maggie, and me. What a mess that bathroom was!!! Henry, who never gets on the bed or chair, and only occasionally gets on the sofa, went from one to the other, and sat his wet self right down on my bed. Maybe he just wanted something to dry him - but I think he was also making a statement.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Short Updates
The volunteer coordinator from Athens Canine Rescue called me tonight to talk about Henry. I cried. I am going to miss him so much.
Keeping him out of my room seems to be working during the day. No more barking complaints.
Poison Ivy blisters are popping up today - I didn't remember it taking this long, but apparently that's possible.
Apparently I really do think my dogs are my kids - today I was talking to the vet about the stitches from Henry's circumcision.
Did I mention I'm sad? And that I love him.
Colette and Meg are for keeping Henry. That's what a friend of mine in Athens recommended too.
What I Love About Henry
His ears smell great - bigger ears, bigger dog smell
He has the biggest poops in the neighborhood
He is really good at getting what he needs of the counter - self-serve
He is so sweet when he's asking for an invitation to get up on the sofa
He loves to be rubbed or talked to
Those baggy jowls really do trap scent
His willingness to go up to anyone
The way he just hopped in my car at the first invitation - and the way he crawled into the driver's seat when I left him there
His strong smelling skillset and the way he kind of chirps when he smells something he needs to get
The way he loves being part of the family
to be continued
Keeping him out of my room seems to be working during the day. No more barking complaints.
Poison Ivy blisters are popping up today - I didn't remember it taking this long, but apparently that's possible.
Apparently I really do think my dogs are my kids - today I was talking to the vet about the stitches from Henry's circumcision.
Did I mention I'm sad? And that I love him.
Colette and Meg are for keeping Henry. That's what a friend of mine in Athens recommended too.
What I Love About Henry
His ears smell great - bigger ears, bigger dog smell
He has the biggest poops in the neighborhood
He is really good at getting what he needs of the counter - self-serve
He is so sweet when he's asking for an invitation to get up on the sofa
He loves to be rubbed or talked to
Those baggy jowls really do trap scent
His willingness to go up to anyone
The way he just hopped in my car at the first invitation - and the way he crawled into the driver's seat when I left him there
His strong smelling skillset and the way he kind of chirps when he smells something he needs to get
The way he loves being part of the family
to be continued
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Bad News and Good News
Notice from Apartment
I came home Monday around 7pm to see a piece of paper folded and tucked into my door jamb - just my door - nobody else's. That can be a bad sign. But the result was worse than expected. It said "Three Day Notice of Default" Basically I had 3 days to cure the default of "dog incessantly barking during the day" or they would sue me, take back the apartment, keep my deposit, and I would still owe rent through the end of the lease.
I walked in the door and Henry was actually incessantly barking. The office closes at 6, so I had all night to worry about it. I panicked. I called Dad, who has always been my backup, in case I couldn't keep Henry. I told him the basics, we talked it through a little bit, and he said he would talk to Jeanie (his partner) about their keeping Henry for a bit.
While I was on the phone with someone or another about this situation, I was walking Maggie and Henry on their extenda leashes. Henry got all tangled up in some hedges and his harness started slipping back down his body. I was trying to get the harness back on him without alarming the neighbor on whose porch I was almost standing, and I dropped Maggie's leash handle. I looked up at some point when Henry was totally sans harness, and Maggie was 20 feet away lunging and barking and growling at a beagle, while the beagle's owner was trying to keep her away and restrain his own dog, who was trying to respond. This is the husband/partner of the woman who inspired a nastygram I got (nothing like this one) about having Maggie off leash.
I came home, found out I was out of all pet food, and saw little 1/2 inch lines of blood all over the carpet. Someone was bleeding. After some investigation, it proved to be Maggie's fingernail, the end of which was bright red and would NOT stop bleeding. I tried bandaging it twice to no avail. She was growling at me, licking it off, etc. At the same time I was on the phone with my dad, who was telling me in a roundabout way (since Jeanie was right there) that in fact he could not take Henry even temporarily. With 25 minutes to go before the pet supply store (15 minutes away) closed, I went to go get styptic powder/gel/whatever and pet food, and called Meg, who has had the neighbor-complaint-about-barking-dog thing in the past. She talked me through it all, gave me some good points for how to structure the conversation with the leasing office the next morning, and encouraged me to go in person.
I went into work, checked my schedule, and got my computer, and decided to go in late on Tuesday so I could deal with this in person. Monday was a bad night. Oh, and my pants ripped. I had walked the dogs (and done everything else) in my work clothes, and my slacks had an L-shaped rip right in the fabric on the shin. This no doubt had happened when I was trying to get Henry back on leash.
Tuesday Conversation
I walked into my apartment office and the person who sent the note said "Don't worry too much about that." They were going to work with me. There have been a lot of pet complaints and they are sending these 3 day notices for all pet complaints. When they sent them they didn't even know if my dog had in fact been the barker - that's just what the neighbor had said. They agreed to call me if the barking happened again. And I said I thought I could minimize the barking by keeping Henry out of the room that he barks in the most. I also decided to check into day care as an option - to get him "temperament tested" (the one day evaluation they do before they make you a regular client) at the day care place so that if I ever had to drop him off on zero notice, I could. So that was better, but I was wiped out all day Tuesday. I was able to drag myself to the talk and book-signing by Gene Baur of Farm Sanctuary. It did me some good and he talked (after I asked) about how he keeps his spirits up to keep doing his work in the face of so much discouragement. And that helped a little.
Colette told me of her vision of Maggie, Henry and me moving to a house and letting Henry bark all he wants. I do love him.
No Room at Any Inn
Does everyone appreciate the biblical reference? I am in the Bible Belt Now.
It is damn hard to get a dog a home. Monday was strike out after strike out. I was trying. Dad was trying. Responses ranged from 2-4 people who listened to the story and tried to think of ways to help to organizations whose answer was basically "talk to the hand."
Possibilities Starting to Develop
Last night, Athens Canine Rescue came through and told me that I could bring him to participate in the adoption event this Saturday. They hadn't got back to me for like a day (long response time for them) because they were asking all the board members if it would be okay. This was a huge relief and also horrible - I have seen all these adoption events at pet supply stores where people just take the cutest dog home. And Henry needs someone who gets his houndiness. But then I looked at their website and it alleviated my fears - they have a pretty good adoption process, it looks like based on their website. So it was just about being sad about the prospect of giving him up.
Today ACR said they also believe they have a foster home for Henry starting Sunday. Which makes me so sad I can hardly think about it. But I am so glad that some people have come through to make room for this guy - he's such a special guy.
A Good Report Card
Today also I took Maggie and Henry to daycare for a "temperament test" for Henry. Henry needed to go so I could have an emergency option; Maggie just went to show Henry it was nothing to be alarmed about. And my boy passed with FLYING COLORS.
Check out his report card. Notice the stickers and the "Exemplary" rating. You probably can't read it - it says: Henry had all the ladies following him around. Grace, Gaby, Zoe & Becca were in love with him. Henry is the type of guy we enjoy having in play group. He's just so mellow and easy going. Thank you for bringing Henry to Pawtropolis. We love him and hope to see him again soon!
I am going to make a little flyer about him for Saturday, and I think I'll make this the back page of it.
I Love Henry
I'm really sad about the idea of losing him. But I'm hopeful we can find him a good home.
I came home Monday around 7pm to see a piece of paper folded and tucked into my door jamb - just my door - nobody else's. That can be a bad sign. But the result was worse than expected. It said "Three Day Notice of Default" Basically I had 3 days to cure the default of "dog incessantly barking during the day" or they would sue me, take back the apartment, keep my deposit, and I would still owe rent through the end of the lease.
I walked in the door and Henry was actually incessantly barking. The office closes at 6, so I had all night to worry about it. I panicked. I called Dad, who has always been my backup, in case I couldn't keep Henry. I told him the basics, we talked it through a little bit, and he said he would talk to Jeanie (his partner) about their keeping Henry for a bit.
While I was on the phone with someone or another about this situation, I was walking Maggie and Henry on their extenda leashes. Henry got all tangled up in some hedges and his harness started slipping back down his body. I was trying to get the harness back on him without alarming the neighbor on whose porch I was almost standing, and I dropped Maggie's leash handle. I looked up at some point when Henry was totally sans harness, and Maggie was 20 feet away lunging and barking and growling at a beagle, while the beagle's owner was trying to keep her away and restrain his own dog, who was trying to respond. This is the husband/partner of the woman who inspired a nastygram I got (nothing like this one) about having Maggie off leash.
I came home, found out I was out of all pet food, and saw little 1/2 inch lines of blood all over the carpet. Someone was bleeding. After some investigation, it proved to be Maggie's fingernail, the end of which was bright red and would NOT stop bleeding. I tried bandaging it twice to no avail. She was growling at me, licking it off, etc. At the same time I was on the phone with my dad, who was telling me in a roundabout way (since Jeanie was right there) that in fact he could not take Henry even temporarily. With 25 minutes to go before the pet supply store (15 minutes away) closed, I went to go get styptic powder/gel/whatever and pet food, and called Meg, who has had the neighbor-complaint-about-barking-dog thing in the past. She talked me through it all, gave me some good points for how to structure the conversation with the leasing office the next morning, and encouraged me to go in person.
I went into work, checked my schedule, and got my computer, and decided to go in late on Tuesday so I could deal with this in person. Monday was a bad night. Oh, and my pants ripped. I had walked the dogs (and done everything else) in my work clothes, and my slacks had an L-shaped rip right in the fabric on the shin. This no doubt had happened when I was trying to get Henry back on leash.
Tuesday Conversation
I walked into my apartment office and the person who sent the note said "Don't worry too much about that." They were going to work with me. There have been a lot of pet complaints and they are sending these 3 day notices for all pet complaints. When they sent them they didn't even know if my dog had in fact been the barker - that's just what the neighbor had said. They agreed to call me if the barking happened again. And I said I thought I could minimize the barking by keeping Henry out of the room that he barks in the most. I also decided to check into day care as an option - to get him "temperament tested" (the one day evaluation they do before they make you a regular client) at the day care place so that if I ever had to drop him off on zero notice, I could. So that was better, but I was wiped out all day Tuesday. I was able to drag myself to the talk and book-signing by Gene Baur of Farm Sanctuary. It did me some good and he talked (after I asked) about how he keeps his spirits up to keep doing his work in the face of so much discouragement. And that helped a little.
Colette told me of her vision of Maggie, Henry and me moving to a house and letting Henry bark all he wants. I do love him.
No Room at Any Inn
Does everyone appreciate the biblical reference? I am in the Bible Belt Now.
It is damn hard to get a dog a home. Monday was strike out after strike out. I was trying. Dad was trying. Responses ranged from 2-4 people who listened to the story and tried to think of ways to help to organizations whose answer was basically "talk to the hand."
Possibilities Starting to Develop
Last night, Athens Canine Rescue came through and told me that I could bring him to participate in the adoption event this Saturday. They hadn't got back to me for like a day (long response time for them) because they were asking all the board members if it would be okay. This was a huge relief and also horrible - I have seen all these adoption events at pet supply stores where people just take the cutest dog home. And Henry needs someone who gets his houndiness. But then I looked at their website and it alleviated my fears - they have a pretty good adoption process, it looks like based on their website. So it was just about being sad about the prospect of giving him up.
Today ACR said they also believe they have a foster home for Henry starting Sunday. Which makes me so sad I can hardly think about it. But I am so glad that some people have come through to make room for this guy - he's such a special guy.
A Good Report Card
Today also I took Maggie and Henry to daycare for a "temperament test" for Henry. Henry needed to go so I could have an emergency option; Maggie just went to show Henry it was nothing to be alarmed about. And my boy passed with FLYING COLORS.
Check out his report card. Notice the stickers and the "Exemplary" rating. You probably can't read it - it says: Henry had all the ladies following him around. Grace, Gaby, Zoe & Becca were in love with him. Henry is the type of guy we enjoy having in play group. He's just so mellow and easy going. Thank you for bringing Henry to Pawtropolis. We love him and hope to see him again soon!I am going to make a little flyer about him for Saturday, and I think I'll make this the back page of it.
I Love Henry
I'm really sad about the idea of losing him. But I'm hopeful we can find him a good home.
Monday, April 21, 2008
More About Poison Ivy
If you see a plant that's not grass and not a tree, it's poison ivy. If it's green, or red, or yellow, it's poison ivy. If it's a huge bush or a vine or a little sprout on the ground, it's poison ivy. If it's big twiggy dead-looking shell of a bush in the winter, it's poison ivy. If the leaves are curvy and blistered at the beach, it's poison ivy. If the leaves are smooth-edged or notched like an oak tree, it's poison ivy. Don't believe me? http://poisonivy.aesir.com/view/pictures.html
When you might have been in contact with it, you have to put your clothes right into the washer - before you sit on your furniture. Wash them in warm, soapy water. Take a long cool shower (to close the pores) to wash off all the toxin. Wash your pets who were outside or they can spread the toxin around on you. Wash the clothes that your poison ivy clothes touched. Basically, just wash everything and keep on washing it for ever and ever amen. Wash the covering of the chair that your dog sits in if she's ever sat in it before a bath after a romp in the woods. Wash the sheets if you got into bed before a shower after being around poison ivy (which is to say: outside). Maybe this is because you are totally exhausted after, say, an incident you just had. Very important: do not lean into and rub your face all over the face of the big lug of a dog that insists on standing on the console between the front seats of the car, even if you are glad to be driving him home after you thought you might not get him back. Because if you do you could have some serious itching in the inner corners of your eyes. And you can know what it is and be dreading the hell out of what is coming.
Of course, I have to go to work now, but tonight I need to: wash the dogs' harnesses, my sheets, my towels. This is disgusting.
When you might have been in contact with it, you have to put your clothes right into the washer - before you sit on your furniture. Wash them in warm, soapy water. Take a long cool shower (to close the pores) to wash off all the toxin. Wash your pets who were outside or they can spread the toxin around on you. Wash the clothes that your poison ivy clothes touched. Basically, just wash everything and keep on washing it for ever and ever amen. Wash the covering of the chair that your dog sits in if she's ever sat in it before a bath after a romp in the woods. Wash the sheets if you got into bed before a shower after being around poison ivy (which is to say: outside). Maybe this is because you are totally exhausted after, say, an incident you just had. Very important: do not lean into and rub your face all over the face of the big lug of a dog that insists on standing on the console between the front seats of the car, even if you are glad to be driving him home after you thought you might not get him back. Because if you do you could have some serious itching in the inner corners of your eyes. And you can know what it is and be dreading the hell out of what is coming.
Of course, I have to go to work now, but tonight I need to: wash the dogs' harnesses, my sheets, my towels. This is disgusting.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
A Scare
First and Last Trip to Oconee Forest Park
To be honest, only I was scared. Maggie was just enjoying the romp through the woods and dropping her ball thinking I ought to throw it. And Henry was following his nose.
Two or three dog people have told me lately about the dog park behind the intramural fields. They tell me about this when I tell them it's hard having Henry, because he can't be trusted off the leash but desperately needs to run and chase things. This place is huge and fenced in, they told me. Today we went there. It's in some lovely woods with lovely trails and we had a nice walk getting there. Henry was dying to go off the trail and follow his nose, but I pulled him back. Finally we got to the dog park. I noticed that there was one spot where a little ditch had washed under the fence - one big enough for Henry to get through. But it was so far away from where we went in I thought it was unlikely Henry will ever get there. I thought, if Henry goes that way, I'll go make sure he doesn't get underneath. The fence also was low in places, but Henry is low, so that seemed like a reasonable risk. This place had woods, hedges, a little house, grassy areas, paths, etc. etc. etc.
We got to the dog park, and I let him off the leash just like the other people were doing with their dogs. At first we were hanging around in the grassy clearings with the other dogs. Maggie was chasing her red ball. Henry was being very good, not going off. Finally, he could run a bit with Maggie when she went to fetch a ball.
Then it all changed: Henry got a scent and trotted off into the small trees and thick underbrush on the edge of the clearing. He stopped and barked at whatever it was, and I could see him. I called him (he doesn't really come when he's called out in the world - only in the house - I don't even think he hears me because he's so involved in the smells) and I was trying to figure out how to get to him in spite of the underbrush. Then he took off again. Again I could see him, but he only paused there for a second, and he was gone. I started after him and quickly realized I had no idea where he was - this was a very big place. He barked after a minute and I tried to head in that direction but of course there was no direct path there. I still thought I would get him at this point, but that was unrealistic. As this event unfolded it became clear just how big this dog park was.
I just looked it up online - 15 acres. For those of you (like me) who don't know how big an acre is, this park was 269 square yards. That is, big. If you had a square whose sides were each the length of 2-1/2 football fields, it would be smaller than this. And there was just no visibility!
After his bark two minutes in, I didn't hear Henry anymore. I was running and walking fast through the woods, having no idea which way to go. It was getting late - maybe 6:30 pm. If he moved every time I do, we'd miss each other forever. Should I keep going, or would he go back to where he'd left us? Two people who had come in around the time I did were helping me look for him, sort of, while they were calling their own year-old lab. I didn't know if I would ever find him in the huge enclosure. I thought, it'll be getting dark soon. How will this ever work? I'd left my bag with my cell phone and the leashes hanging on a fencepost - that seemed pretty dumb in hindsight. When I got near to a trail, a couple of people rode by on bikes - they hadn't seen him.
One of the people helping me look for me told me that the park wasn't fenced in after all! In fact, the the edge of it also backs up to "the loop," which is the limited-access highway that circles Athens. She said a lot of dogs had been lost this way. Some dog park! I was calling and calling - Henry didn't respond at all. I couldn't find him anywhere. Hounds are known for not being able to get back where they came from.
I decided after a while to try to be systematic about it. To check all the way to the right and then back toward where I'd started to get my phone and leashes. When I got there the lady who had been helping me find him was rubbing his ears. He then wanted to go back into the underbrush. I had a very hard time getting him over to where the leash was so I could hook him up. I'm sure this seemed terribly unfair to Henry, who after all had come back like a good boy.
Business Idea
I have been wanting to come up with a business I could start with minimal start-up capital... and finally I have! I'm going to start a company to make brown candles from Henry's excess ear wax. I think we can go far.
A Tick
Maggie had a tick today. She growled at me when I was just getting ready to take it off her.
Poison Ivy
It appears to me that poison ivy is freaking everywhere here. I hope a lot of these leaves are look-alikes. Usually I'm pretty careful about where I step and where I put my hands (I try not to scratch any itches on my face or the rest of my body if my hands have been in and among the questionable leaves), but of course I wasn't today. My eyes itch now - let's hope that's just a fluke.
OK, I just did that research to see how to tell look-alikes from poison ivy. I think everything I've seen really is poison ivy. Maggie, Henry, and I will be indoors for the remainder of the summer.
To be honest, only I was scared. Maggie was just enjoying the romp through the woods and dropping her ball thinking I ought to throw it. And Henry was following his nose.
Two or three dog people have told me lately about the dog park behind the intramural fields. They tell me about this when I tell them it's hard having Henry, because he can't be trusted off the leash but desperately needs to run and chase things. This place is huge and fenced in, they told me. Today we went there. It's in some lovely woods with lovely trails and we had a nice walk getting there. Henry was dying to go off the trail and follow his nose, but I pulled him back. Finally we got to the dog park. I noticed that there was one spot where a little ditch had washed under the fence - one big enough for Henry to get through. But it was so far away from where we went in I thought it was unlikely Henry will ever get there. I thought, if Henry goes that way, I'll go make sure he doesn't get underneath. The fence also was low in places, but Henry is low, so that seemed like a reasonable risk. This place had woods, hedges, a little house, grassy areas, paths, etc. etc. etc.
We got to the dog park, and I let him off the leash just like the other people were doing with their dogs. At first we were hanging around in the grassy clearings with the other dogs. Maggie was chasing her red ball. Henry was being very good, not going off. Finally, he could run a bit with Maggie when she went to fetch a ball.
Then it all changed: Henry got a scent and trotted off into the small trees and thick underbrush on the edge of the clearing. He stopped and barked at whatever it was, and I could see him. I called him (he doesn't really come when he's called out in the world - only in the house - I don't even think he hears me because he's so involved in the smells) and I was trying to figure out how to get to him in spite of the underbrush. Then he took off again. Again I could see him, but he only paused there for a second, and he was gone. I started after him and quickly realized I had no idea where he was - this was a very big place. He barked after a minute and I tried to head in that direction but of course there was no direct path there. I still thought I would get him at this point, but that was unrealistic. As this event unfolded it became clear just how big this dog park was.
I just looked it up online - 15 acres. For those of you (like me) who don't know how big an acre is, this park was 269 square yards. That is, big. If you had a square whose sides were each the length of 2-1/2 football fields, it would be smaller than this. And there was just no visibility!
After his bark two minutes in, I didn't hear Henry anymore. I was running and walking fast through the woods, having no idea which way to go. It was getting late - maybe 6:30 pm. If he moved every time I do, we'd miss each other forever. Should I keep going, or would he go back to where he'd left us? Two people who had come in around the time I did were helping me look for him, sort of, while they were calling their own year-old lab. I didn't know if I would ever find him in the huge enclosure. I thought, it'll be getting dark soon. How will this ever work? I'd left my bag with my cell phone and the leashes hanging on a fencepost - that seemed pretty dumb in hindsight. When I got near to a trail, a couple of people rode by on bikes - they hadn't seen him.
One of the people helping me look for me told me that the park wasn't fenced in after all! In fact, the the edge of it also backs up to "the loop," which is the limited-access highway that circles Athens. She said a lot of dogs had been lost this way. Some dog park! I was calling and calling - Henry didn't respond at all. I couldn't find him anywhere. Hounds are known for not being able to get back where they came from.
I decided after a while to try to be systematic about it. To check all the way to the right and then back toward where I'd started to get my phone and leashes. When I got there the lady who had been helping me find him was rubbing his ears. He then wanted to go back into the underbrush. I had a very hard time getting him over to where the leash was so I could hook him up. I'm sure this seemed terribly unfair to Henry, who after all had come back like a good boy.
Business Idea
I have been wanting to come up with a business I could start with minimal start-up capital... and finally I have! I'm going to start a company to make brown candles from Henry's excess ear wax. I think we can go far.
A Tick
Maggie had a tick today. She growled at me when I was just getting ready to take it off her.
Poison Ivy
It appears to me that poison ivy is freaking everywhere here. I hope a lot of these leaves are look-alikes. Usually I'm pretty careful about where I step and where I put my hands (I try not to scratch any itches on my face or the rest of my body if my hands have been in and among the questionable leaves), but of course I wasn't today. My eyes itch now - let's hope that's just a fluke.
OK, I just did that research to see how to tell look-alikes from poison ivy. I think everything I've seen really is poison ivy. Maggie, Henry, and I will be indoors for the remainder of the summer.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Poo Everywhere
One of the negatives about walking a stubborn dog who insists on weaving through the trees and bushes on an extenda leash is that he will weave places that it's hard for you to follow, especially if you are holding another leash too. So a couple of times I've locked the leash, thrown it beyond the tree he's gone around back of, and then grabbed it up near him and pulled the handle part back to me. This time: poo everywhere! Gross! Must have landed in some soft, recent, diarrhea-poo in the woods. Came flinging back not just on the leash but on my shoes, my pants, my hands, my cell phone.
Snip
Thursday
Henry got neutered on Thursday. Poor guy. I haven't had any patience with people who don't want to get their pets spayed or neutered, but now I get it. And I remember feeling this way when I got my cat spayed, too. I hate to change them in any way just because I want to - it seems so extreme. The cat peed in my face one morning while she was in heat; that made the decision much easier. With Henry, I think of it as: if he ever gets away again (and that's entirely possible) or if he interacts with dogs in the dog run, it's not that uncommon here for people NOT to get their pets fixed. So, puppies could result. And Henry doesn't really seem like the kind of guy who's gonna pay child support. So, no kids for him.
Advice from Meg
We got some encouraging words from Meg: "In another day or so he will feel all better and won’t even remember the experience. He can whine and complain to Maggie all day about how he’s not a 'real man' anymore, and she can tell him that all her boy friends in New York are in the same situation and that he should get over it."
Droopy
Henry was the saddest, droopiest dog you've ever seen on Thursday when he came home. His walk was very wobbly. He likes sometimes to walk on the edge of the curb like you did when you were a little girl and pretending it was a balance beam (okay, maybe not everyone did that). I'm amazed that he didn't fall off. Check out this picture of him - see the bags under the eyes - there's no iris showing here whatsoever - just bags and bloodshot white parts.
In the Closet
Then he hid in the closet - and I followed him with the camera - and then he left because I'd bothered him. Again - you're seeing no eye here - just bags.
Red Spot and Stitches
He has this little red spot - and look where the stitches are (two little blue stitches) - not at all where I'd expected. Also, you can kind of see in this first pic how much his rib cage juts out.
Microchipping and Lost Pet Service
He also got microchipped, so if he does get away, he has a shot at getting back. They now have this thing they give you when you get the dog microchipped where you can sign up for an alert service that notifies shelters and vets that your pet is missing and lets you make flyers online. This sounds like a total ripoff to me (though it's cheap) - I mean, the vets and shelters check for chips when the dogs come in, right? They say 90% of pet deaths are caused by getting lost. That sounds like an overly dramatic statement. It didn't make sense but of course it's because the shelters euthanize so many animals. How creepy is that though if it's even sort of true - all these animals die because they're lost. Ugh. Ok, now I want the ripoff service.
Why I Like Henry's Vet
When I pulled up to drop off Henry, there was a white chicken outside the dogs' pens, and they were barking their heads off at her. I asked inside. Chickens fall off the chicken trucks - which they do all the time - it's really sad - you see them in their tiny short cages all piled up on the back of a long truck and it's so often for one chicken to get free and climb up to the top of the pile. When the truck picks up some speed on the highway that surrounds Athens, the chickens fall and go splat. I didn't know any survived. Anyway, the receptionist said, chickens fall of the chicken trucks, and somebody picks them up, puts them in a box, and leaves them outside the vet's door. So they fix them up and let them live out their lives there. They feed them and take care of them. Here we are in chicken processing central and these little gals end up getting to taunt dogs. The one I saw was tall and elegant looking, thinnish, not like you'd expect.
Henry got neutered on Thursday. Poor guy. I haven't had any patience with people who don't want to get their pets spayed or neutered, but now I get it. And I remember feeling this way when I got my cat spayed, too. I hate to change them in any way just because I want to - it seems so extreme. The cat peed in my face one morning while she was in heat; that made the decision much easier. With Henry, I think of it as: if he ever gets away again (and that's entirely possible) or if he interacts with dogs in the dog run, it's not that uncommon here for people NOT to get their pets fixed. So, puppies could result. And Henry doesn't really seem like the kind of guy who's gonna pay child support. So, no kids for him.
Advice from Meg
We got some encouraging words from Meg: "In another day or so he will feel all better and won’t even remember the experience. He can whine and complain to Maggie all day about how he’s not a 'real man' anymore, and she can tell him that all her boy friends in New York are in the same situation and that he should get over it."
Droopy
Henry was the saddest, droopiest dog you've ever seen on Thursday when he came home. His walk was very wobbly. He likes sometimes to walk on the edge of the curb like you did when you were a little girl and pretending it was a balance beam (okay, maybe not everyone did that). I'm amazed that he didn't fall off. Check out this picture of him - see the bags under the eyes - there's no iris showing here whatsoever - just bags and bloodshot white parts.
In the Closet
Then he hid in the closet - and I followed him with the camera - and then he left because I'd bothered him. Again - you're seeing no eye here - just bags.
Red Spot and Stitches
He has this little red spot - and look where the stitches are (two little blue stitches) - not at all where I'd expected. Also, you can kind of see in this first pic how much his rib cage juts out.
Microchipping and Lost Pet Service
He also got microchipped, so if he does get away, he has a shot at getting back. They now have this thing they give you when you get the dog microchipped where you can sign up for an alert service that notifies shelters and vets that your pet is missing and lets you make flyers online. This sounds like a total ripoff to me (though it's cheap) - I mean, the vets and shelters check for chips when the dogs come in, right? They say 90% of pet deaths are caused by getting lost. That sounds like an overly dramatic statement. It didn't make sense but of course it's because the shelters euthanize so many animals. How creepy is that though if it's even sort of true - all these animals die because they're lost. Ugh. Ok, now I want the ripoff service.
Why I Like Henry's Vet
When I pulled up to drop off Henry, there was a white chicken outside the dogs' pens, and they were barking their heads off at her. I asked inside. Chickens fall off the chicken trucks - which they do all the time - it's really sad - you see them in their tiny short cages all piled up on the back of a long truck and it's so often for one chicken to get free and climb up to the top of the pile. When the truck picks up some speed on the highway that surrounds Athens, the chickens fall and go splat. I didn't know any survived. Anyway, the receptionist said, chickens fall of the chicken trucks, and somebody picks them up, puts them in a box, and leaves them outside the vet's door. So they fix them up and let them live out their lives there. They feed them and take care of them. Here we are in chicken processing central and these little gals end up getting to taunt dogs. The one I saw was tall and elegant looking, thinnish, not like you'd expect.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Learning to Play
Henry is learning to play. Last weekend while my dad was here, he grabbed the detached head of Maggie's stuffed lions and pulled out all the stuffing. He was in a hurry when he did it, like he was getting away with something. Yesterday morning when we got back from our walk, Maggie just kept doing the play bow to Henry. She must have done it 15 times. Finally she got him to chase her a bit around the coffee table and chair. They'd run around and then jump and bump chests. Then again. Then again. He got really into it and started doing his deep soulful bark. Course, it was 7 am, so I had to try to quiet them down a bit. It was great though. I was laughing and did not really want them to stop. Last night, on the way outside, Maggie was going to take her red rubber ball. When she was getting her harness on or had walked away for a second, Henry ran and got it and started running around the living room with it. He was klutzy and dropped it a couple of times - he was so excited to be able to get the ball. He's learning.
Today after he greeted me at the door - so happy - he went right into the bedroom and barked like crazy. That's his way of expressing enthusiasm. It's like Boo's carrying his duck around. And I think he likes to be corrected. As soon as I go into the room and do my serious voice and tell him to get out of there, he does it on the first request.
Thursday, we're doing the snip.
Bloodhound rescue is willing to help with Henry even though the only certain breed in him is basset - and the bloodhound rescue person thinks he's all basset. It's like I need to do the DNA test on the dog to find him a home! Still think basset rescue owes me an apology. And I'm holding my breath until I get it. Ready... go!
Meg, I just found the cute picture of you and Boo picking grapes next to your blog comment... and then I found your blog. Sorry I didn't know about it before. Are you starting it up again?
Today after he greeted me at the door - so happy - he went right into the bedroom and barked like crazy. That's his way of expressing enthusiasm. It's like Boo's carrying his duck around. And I think he likes to be corrected. As soon as I go into the room and do my serious voice and tell him to get out of there, he does it on the first request.
Thursday, we're doing the snip.
Bloodhound rescue is willing to help with Henry even though the only certain breed in him is basset - and the bloodhound rescue person thinks he's all basset. It's like I need to do the DNA test on the dog to find him a home! Still think basset rescue owes me an apology. And I'm holding my breath until I get it. Ready... go!
Meg, I just found the cute picture of you and Boo picking grapes next to your blog comment... and then I found your blog. Sorry I didn't know about it before. Are you starting it up again?
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Not All Basset
I spent the day going to Atlanta for an adoption event for Basset Hound Rescue of Georgia. I'd corresponded with them, sent pictures of Henry. We'd worked it all out. Got there, he was 2x the size of all the other dogs there. They said he wasn't all basset. He's 1/2 something else - bloodhound or coonhound. He does remind me of Whimsy. Always has. But the breeds are related, and the vet said all basset, so I believed him. And he is within the weight limit for bassets. He is just so much more muscle than they are, though. Whimsy wasn't so muscley was he? Hey that's almost a children's rhyme. So now I'm wondering what ELSE else might be in there.
Yes, he loves people, but maybe he's not separated from his home, maybe he hasn't really had one. From everyone who meets him talking about his being a stud dog since he still has all his parts to us not knowing what kind he is. Which wouldn't matter except that BHRG won't work with him since he's not all basset. That part kinda pisses me off. On their website they have a beagle/basset mix, and one of the other dogs there looked like beagle/basset, but of course they told me she was all basset. I felt like I'd gone to somebody's party in the 7th grade and the mean girls made us go home. The person in charge there (Julie) called the person I'd been talking to (Rosemary), who apparently is more in charge, and Julie told me what Rosemary said, which is that they won't work with us. At the same time Julie was delivering that news, a couple was filling out an application on Henry, so we suspended our parting of ways. In the end the couple chose another dog. I now kinda want to go get the home DNA test and prove, ha, he is TOO a basset hound, and he could take any of your wimpy basset hounds with two paws tied to his ears.
Henry wanted to hump every dog there. He made this groaning noise to get to the other dogs. And he wouldn't stop. It was traumatic for all of us. He was terrible in the car. Once I had to pull over because he launched himself onto the dashboard and rearranged the rear view mirror. At least that was not on I-85 in Atlanta. He and Maggie vied for front seat status, and I only had one seatbelt (must remedy that). You can tell him (or Maggie this time), get in the back, or no, or yell at him. It's like he doesn't hear at all!
Sorry. I'm a little scattered. Going to bed now. Keep wishing us luck!
BHRG had the nerve to recommend the Bloodhound Rescue of the Southeast (BRSE) - apparently they're less breedist? I dunno. We'll see.
Happy Monday everyone!
Yes, he loves people, but maybe he's not separated from his home, maybe he hasn't really had one. From everyone who meets him talking about his being a stud dog since he still has all his parts to us not knowing what kind he is. Which wouldn't matter except that BHRG won't work with him since he's not all basset. That part kinda pisses me off. On their website they have a beagle/basset mix, and one of the other dogs there looked like beagle/basset, but of course they told me she was all basset. I felt like I'd gone to somebody's party in the 7th grade and the mean girls made us go home. The person in charge there (Julie) called the person I'd been talking to (Rosemary), who apparently is more in charge, and Julie told me what Rosemary said, which is that they won't work with us. At the same time Julie was delivering that news, a couple was filling out an application on Henry, so we suspended our parting of ways. In the end the couple chose another dog. I now kinda want to go get the home DNA test and prove, ha, he is TOO a basset hound, and he could take any of your wimpy basset hounds with two paws tied to his ears.
Henry wanted to hump every dog there. He made this groaning noise to get to the other dogs. And he wouldn't stop. It was traumatic for all of us. He was terrible in the car. Once I had to pull over because he launched himself onto the dashboard and rearranged the rear view mirror. At least that was not on I-85 in Atlanta. He and Maggie vied for front seat status, and I only had one seatbelt (must remedy that). You can tell him (or Maggie this time), get in the back, or no, or yell at him. It's like he doesn't hear at all!
Sorry. I'm a little scattered. Going to bed now. Keep wishing us luck!
BHRG had the nerve to recommend the Bloodhound Rescue of the Southeast (BRSE) - apparently they're less breedist? I dunno. We'll see.
Happy Monday everyone!
Friday, April 11, 2008
Granddaddy is Here!
A Note from Henry and Maggie
Check out how much fun we are having with Granddaddy! Mom thinks he came to help her out 'cause she was feeling bad. And he did clean the house for her, and she kinda liked that. But we really know he came to see us. He took us for walks and we got to sleep with him. And he gave us belly rubs. And he played with the toys with us. He's just the best granddaddy ever, and we can't get enough of him!
A Note from Shannon
It's thundering, and Henry is shaking. He's climbed into and out of the bathtub. I was taking him for his last walk (he hasn't pooped since 8 am, and it's 10:45 pm now) but he heard thunder and made a bee line back to the house. He's panting and running around the apt. Wish us luck.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Root Canals Suck! And Migraine Pain Relief Tips
Read this Bit Only if You Can Handle It
Okay, perhaps they're better than they used to be. And apparently I had an unusual case. But it was really bad. 3 times after they had numbed me it was in pain - once when they were way up in the root of my tooth. God, that was nasty. The pain that I had till December stopped because the tooth was dying and the pain fibers along with it. Then the pain sprung back up again because the bacteria had bloomed and gotten into new areas. The part I can't get out of my head, that I keep reliving, is the way deep in the root shivering pain when I was supposed to be numb.
Safe for All Audiences
My tooth and mouth are sore, in spite of so much anesthetic that my nose and the very top of my cheek are numb. Nothing crunchy on that side for 3 months till the bone regrows, the tooth heals a bit, and I go back for part 2 (fill in of root with rubbery stuff that will not allow in bacteria) and then to my dentist for a crown (which till now was worst dental procedure I'd ever had).
Henry, Dad, and Going Back to Work
The friend from work who drove me to and from came in to say hi to the dogs after the procedure. Henry was so excited he went into my room and started barking up a storm. He does that when he gets really excited, but then he stops really quickly when I tell him to. Dad is coming up for the night, which I really appreciate. May or may not be back at work tomorrow.
Great for Migraines or Any Serious Pain
The endodontist told me about a great pain thing, though. Excedrin Tension. Take that 1/2 way in between doses of Aleve (or ibuprofen) - apparently really great pain relief. People in pain centers are studying why this works so well, because on paper "it shouldn't". This guy's wife has migraines and it's great for her. So Meg, something to think about. Also take Excedrin Tension and ibuprofen or Aleve when first know a migraine is coming on and it will stop it. Also ibuprofen and Aleve bolster the effect of the antibiotic.
Anyway. That's the news from Lake Wobegon, where all the women are sick, all the men are trying to figure out how to take care of them, and all the dogs are neurotic.
Okay, perhaps they're better than they used to be. And apparently I had an unusual case. But it was really bad. 3 times after they had numbed me it was in pain - once when they were way up in the root of my tooth. God, that was nasty. The pain that I had till December stopped because the tooth was dying and the pain fibers along with it. Then the pain sprung back up again because the bacteria had bloomed and gotten into new areas. The part I can't get out of my head, that I keep reliving, is the way deep in the root shivering pain when I was supposed to be numb.
Safe for All Audiences
My tooth and mouth are sore, in spite of so much anesthetic that my nose and the very top of my cheek are numb. Nothing crunchy on that side for 3 months till the bone regrows, the tooth heals a bit, and I go back for part 2 (fill in of root with rubbery stuff that will not allow in bacteria) and then to my dentist for a crown (which till now was worst dental procedure I'd ever had).
Henry, Dad, and Going Back to Work
The friend from work who drove me to and from came in to say hi to the dogs after the procedure. Henry was so excited he went into my room and started barking up a storm. He does that when he gets really excited, but then he stops really quickly when I tell him to. Dad is coming up for the night, which I really appreciate. May or may not be back at work tomorrow.
Great for Migraines or Any Serious Pain
The endodontist told me about a great pain thing, though. Excedrin Tension. Take that 1/2 way in between doses of Aleve (or ibuprofen) - apparently really great pain relief. People in pain centers are studying why this works so well, because on paper "it shouldn't". This guy's wife has migraines and it's great for her. So Meg, something to think about. Also take Excedrin Tension and ibuprofen or Aleve when first know a migraine is coming on and it will stop it. Also ibuprofen and Aleve bolster the effect of the antibiotic.
Anyway. That's the news from Lake Wobegon, where all the women are sick, all the men are trying to figure out how to take care of them, and all the dogs are neurotic.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Dog Pee, a Root Canal, and a Mom Update
Henry the Peeing Dog
Henry peed in my room 2 times yesterday. He got into a whole jar of jerky sticks that someone had given us. He drank a lot of water. And peed on my clothes and carpet in large volume. Really gross. Of all times to be out of Nature's Miracle!
Today he peed again! No jerky sticks. No overdose on water. But he peed in my room. On the clothes and on the carpet. Thanks, Henry.
Yesterday he made another escape attempt. Just saw an opening at the door when I was on my way out and shot out into the yard. He is so fast when he is on the lam. When I get close to him though, he gets low and cowers.
He and Maggie are a real barking team anytime anyone unauthorized (and they are very stingy about their authorizations) comes into the yard behind the building.
Maggie is getting really good at getting things off even high counters. Today: edges of fish tacos. I fed Henry and Maggie each a crispy, overwarmed tortilla with their food tonight. He ate the tortilla first.
And I just love him and his ears smell so good!
My Mouth
I am having a root canal tomorrow. Best case scenario. Or my tooth may have to be extracted. This is the same one that was hurting so much after dental work in October, right before my move. It took 3 months to settle down, rather than the 1 the dentist predicted. And it unsettled itself this weekend.
They did some dental work today. Gave me 2 prescriptions, one antibiotic and one painkiller (Lorcet). Wow, that made me really woozy.
Whole thing is scary. Not as scary as a sick mom, though. Have been reeling from that one.
Mom
She's feeling better. Had ups and downs today. Pulmonologist said the fluid they drained yesterday is bacteria-free but gram-positive. I have no idea what that is - from what I can see on the internet, gram-positive is a classification of bacteria. Bottom line is they need to get the fluid out. He's encouraged by her progress overall.
Henry peed in my room 2 times yesterday. He got into a whole jar of jerky sticks that someone had given us. He drank a lot of water. And peed on my clothes and carpet in large volume. Really gross. Of all times to be out of Nature's Miracle!
Today he peed again! No jerky sticks. No overdose on water. But he peed in my room. On the clothes and on the carpet. Thanks, Henry.
Yesterday he made another escape attempt. Just saw an opening at the door when I was on my way out and shot out into the yard. He is so fast when he is on the lam. When I get close to him though, he gets low and cowers.
He and Maggie are a real barking team anytime anyone unauthorized (and they are very stingy about their authorizations) comes into the yard behind the building.
Maggie is getting really good at getting things off even high counters. Today: edges of fish tacos. I fed Henry and Maggie each a crispy, overwarmed tortilla with their food tonight. He ate the tortilla first.
And I just love him and his ears smell so good!
My Mouth
I am having a root canal tomorrow. Best case scenario. Or my tooth may have to be extracted. This is the same one that was hurting so much after dental work in October, right before my move. It took 3 months to settle down, rather than the 1 the dentist predicted. And it unsettled itself this weekend.
They did some dental work today. Gave me 2 prescriptions, one antibiotic and one painkiller (Lorcet). Wow, that made me really woozy.
Whole thing is scary. Not as scary as a sick mom, though. Have been reeling from that one.
Mom
She's feeling better. Had ups and downs today. Pulmonologist said the fluid they drained yesterday is bacteria-free but gram-positive. I have no idea what that is - from what I can see on the internet, gram-positive is a classification of bacteria. Bottom line is they need to get the fluid out. He's encouraged by her progress overall.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Basset Hound Rescue of Georgia
I talked to the person from BHRG today. There are adoption events this Sunday and next Sunday in Atlanta that I'm supposed to take him to. We've arranged for me to he his foster person for a while rather than sending him somewhere else. After all, he's my fragile guy - I don't want him to be uprooted an extra time if we don't have to. The thought of just handing him over at a Petsmart one day - argh!
But the adoption application on their website is really good (http://www.bhrg.org/online_application.htm). Only thing I can't figure out is why home visits are only listed as required for outside of the Atlanta area. I assume there are some reference checks later in the process? Other than that, this looks pretty thorough.
I so want to keep Henry!!! But, no exercise with Maggie ever again... that's not a plus. The prospect of having the apartment managers say I have to remove a pet - they won't be lenient about the time frame if things get to that point. The expense - I think Henry is going to be... well, maybe not in the Boo price rage, but not cheap. And, I want to be able to take in a needy stranger if I find another one. But, I love this guy and it kinda feels like we were meant to be together!
He's been moping this afternoon - is it because he knows what I've been saying? Is it because I took him to his old vet (to get his tapeworm medication) so I could show him off? Is it that he's sore from getting in and out of the car (we went to Maggie's vet too)?
How does a person without cheese in her house hide pills to give them to a dog? Cold butter! Fake butter of course. Worked like a charm.
But the adoption application on their website is really good (http://www.bhrg.org/online_application.htm). Only thing I can't figure out is why home visits are only listed as required for outside of the Atlanta area. I assume there are some reference checks later in the process? Other than that, this looks pretty thorough.
I so want to keep Henry!!! But, no exercise with Maggie ever again... that's not a plus. The prospect of having the apartment managers say I have to remove a pet - they won't be lenient about the time frame if things get to that point. The expense - I think Henry is going to be... well, maybe not in the Boo price rage, but not cheap. And, I want to be able to take in a needy stranger if I find another one. But, I love this guy and it kinda feels like we were meant to be together!
He's been moping this afternoon - is it because he knows what I've been saying? Is it because I took him to his old vet (to get his tapeworm medication) so I could show him off? Is it that he's sore from getting in and out of the car (we went to Maggie's vet too)?
How does a person without cheese in her house hide pills to give them to a dog? Cold butter! Fake butter of course. Worked like a charm.
My Neurotic Basset Hound (Separation Anxiety, Dirty Old Man, and Tapeworm) and My Mom
Separation Anxiety
This morning I decided to take Maggie for a walk after I'd taken her and Henry for one. You know a longer walk, involving offleash time and throwing of the ball. I left Henry a bowl of food and thought, this may also make it easier to feed them, since he takes an hour to eat. When I came back, he had not eaten but about 1/4 inch of his food. But he had: gotten my cereal box off the counter (but not opened the bag), pulled down a bag from the counter, pulled open a bag of bread and taken a few bites, gone onto the porch and broken one pot of herbs and tipped over another.
Dirty Old Man
A few words on output (don't read these two paragraphs during lunch). Henry seems to have gotten over his creepy attachment to Maggie's pee. When we first got him, every single time she went, he would insist on getting to it, then put his nose down in it for a time, then lift up his head and move his lower jaw up and down just a little like it was quivering. They apparently trap scents in those jowls, so I guess he was remembering hers. But because dogs (at least my dogs) don't seem to be cognizant of any line between smelling and tasting, it gets a bit yucky.
Tapeworms
Saw two 1/2 inch long white worms on Henry's poop today. Hoo-boy. Each one was larger at one end than the other. Tapeworm, the vet's receptionist says - they fit the description, and they're the only thing that would be visible in the feces.
Mom
Had to have a sonogram today to look at her liver and spleen, which may be slightly enlarged, according to the CT scan. Not a big deal, just a make-sure-nothing's-wrong kind of a test, as far as I know now. She sounds good this morning.
This morning I decided to take Maggie for a walk after I'd taken her and Henry for one. You know a longer walk, involving offleash time and throwing of the ball. I left Henry a bowl of food and thought, this may also make it easier to feed them, since he takes an hour to eat. When I came back, he had not eaten but about 1/4 inch of his food. But he had: gotten my cereal box off the counter (but not opened the bag), pulled down a bag from the counter, pulled open a bag of bread and taken a few bites, gone onto the porch and broken one pot of herbs and tipped over another.
Dirty Old Man
A few words on output (don't read these two paragraphs during lunch). Henry seems to have gotten over his creepy attachment to Maggie's pee. When we first got him, every single time she went, he would insist on getting to it, then put his nose down in it for a time, then lift up his head and move his lower jaw up and down just a little like it was quivering. They apparently trap scents in those jowls, so I guess he was remembering hers. But because dogs (at least my dogs) don't seem to be cognizant of any line between smelling and tasting, it gets a bit yucky.
Tapeworms
Saw two 1/2 inch long white worms on Henry's poop today. Hoo-boy. Each one was larger at one end than the other. Tapeworm, the vet's receptionist says - they fit the description, and they're the only thing that would be visible in the feces.
Mom
Had to have a sonogram today to look at her liver and spleen, which may be slightly enlarged, according to the CT scan. Not a big deal, just a make-sure-nothing's-wrong kind of a test, as far as I know now. She sounds good this morning.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Sick Mom, Cut up Ears, Bathroom Trauma
The Most Important Thing
Mom is really sick, so I'm off to Macon. She's in the hospital, and I'm confident they will get her better. Here's what I can share about Henry...
My Traumatized Little (ok, Big) Long Dog
Here are also some pics of the ends of Henry's ears, which are so torn up from his life experiences.
And it's hard to get a pic that shows how skinny he is - he won't hold a pose like I'd like him to.
The people who came to see Henry last night are not the right fit. They are looking for a smaller dog. They look and seem like a really nice couple but they have a couple of stories to tell that are horrifying. The worst is this: they don't use collars on their dogs ever (as if my having a collar on Maggie or Henry were a problem! - I walk them with leashes attached to harnesses) because they had an experience where they had a lab who stayed during the day outside on a "run". This means a cable attached to another cable that let him run a certain length in the yard. He chewed that one up or otherwise broke it, so they put him on the run in the other yard (front or back, whatever). Apparently he didn't know his boundaries on that run (that's what they said), though it was the same length as the other one. He must have been chasing something because they found him with his neck broken and his body hurtling forward. Can you believe that story?! The dashchund chewed through an extension cord and made her lip go limp.
OK, Henry had to be put in the bathroom yesterday so work could be done on the apt (all apts in my building were having sprinkler repair - pets had to be in bathrooms or crates). Came home to the most traumatized dog you ever saw. Hang-dog, despondent, had a pee accident early in the time he was in there (a pretty big bathroom - the size of mine in NY, Meg's and Colette's all put together - well, not with tub space of all of us, but big), and got up on the counter, into the medicine chest (above the sink), and got down the Crest Whitestrips and other things. Apparently, this breed does not do well in confined spaces. Here are some pics of his mirror work - there were also tiny drops of blood on the counter - from his nails I guess.
and of course:
Had to put him back in after letting him out and cleaning up. Sprinkler testing still not done. Put dinner in with him - he wouldn't eat - poor dear.
Mom is really sick, so I'm off to Macon. She's in the hospital, and I'm confident they will get her better. Here's what I can share about Henry...
My Traumatized Little (ok, Big) Long Dog
Here are also some pics of the ends of Henry's ears, which are so torn up from his life experiences.
And it's hard to get a pic that shows how skinny he is - he won't hold a pose like I'd like him to.
The people who came to see Henry last night are not the right fit. They are looking for a smaller dog. They look and seem like a really nice couple but they have a couple of stories to tell that are horrifying. The worst is this: they don't use collars on their dogs ever (as if my having a collar on Maggie or Henry were a problem! - I walk them with leashes attached to harnesses) because they had an experience where they had a lab who stayed during the day outside on a "run". This means a cable attached to another cable that let him run a certain length in the yard. He chewed that one up or otherwise broke it, so they put him on the run in the other yard (front or back, whatever). Apparently he didn't know his boundaries on that run (that's what they said), though it was the same length as the other one. He must have been chasing something because they found him with his neck broken and his body hurtling forward. Can you believe that story?! The dashchund chewed through an extension cord and made her lip go limp.
OK, Henry had to be put in the bathroom yesterday so work could be done on the apt (all apts in my building were having sprinkler repair - pets had to be in bathrooms or crates). Came home to the most traumatized dog you ever saw. Hang-dog, despondent, had a pee accident early in the time he was in there (a pretty big bathroom - the size of mine in NY, Meg's and Colette's all put together - well, not with tub space of all of us, but big), and got up on the counter, into the medicine chest (above the sink), and got down the Crest Whitestrips and other things. Apparently, this breed does not do well in confined spaces. Here are some pics of his mirror work - there were also tiny drops of blood on the counter - from his nails I guess.
and of course:
Had to put him back in after letting him out and cleaning up. Sprinkler testing still not done. Put dinner in with him - he wouldn't eat - poor dear.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
The Play Bow
Maggie did a play bow to Henry! It was this morning as I was getting dressed to walk them. She sniffed his nose and was wagging and then did the bow. He just looked up at me with that Basset Hound look. I don't think he really plays. It's so cute to me that they are becoming a bit of a team.
The other thing I keep forgetting to mention is what a good balance beam-walker Henry is. He likes to walk along the little 5" cement strip on the edge of the curb - and every one of his steps is on it.
I think Sammy would applaud Henry's approach to walking. His basic principle is, you don't want to miss any smells. You can't rush. You gotta take your time and be thorough about it.
No word from Macon yet - it's too early to call in case they're sleeping.
The other thing I keep forgetting to mention is what a good balance beam-walker Henry is. He likes to walk along the little 5" cement strip on the edge of the curb - and every one of his steps is on it.
I think Sammy would applaud Henry's approach to walking. His basic principle is, you don't want to miss any smells. You can't rush. You gotta take your time and be thorough about it.
No word from Macon yet - it's too early to call in case they're sleeping.
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