Both of my dogs are rescues. I know some of Angel's back story, but very little of Bogie's back story.
So it's hard to know what will trigger their anxiety. Bogie is accepting of me going to work, a little less enthused when I leave for the gym. But he was frantic when I returned from a rare late evening out with friends.
Did he think I wasn't returning? What was it about this absence that made him anxious?
Bogie was found on the street. Did he escape? He was a bit of a runner when I got him. Did his people just walk out on him one day? Did his beloved owner leave for the hospital and never return? That could explain his anxiety.
But I suspect his home life wasn't that idyllic. What responsible owner gets a Great Dane and doesn't train him as a puppy? It's much easier to train a Dane at 6 months than at 16 months. When I got him he didn't know the simplest commands, Sit, Stay, Heel. Was he a resident in a puppy mill, kept for his breeding capabilities, with no interest in educating him?
Without knowing what causes him stress, I am hit or miss at dealing with it. He's smart and intuitive. So I explain that I must go to work or there will be no kibble. That I will be back in a while. And that seems to reassure him. Whenever I leave, I make a point of reminding him I will be back.
On the other hand, Angel is pretty blase whenever I go away from home - as long as she has another canine companion. She must have other dogs around her to be content. The one time I took Bogie to the vet without her, Angel was frantic when we returned.
Does she remember when Rags and Peanut didn't come back with me? Does she fear that will happen again?
Fortunately, the vets we see are used to companion dogs tagging along on visits. So Angel's anxiety is easily allayed. I wish Bogie's was as easy to diagnose.
Each dog I've rescued over the years has had its own personality, fears, and traumas. Unfortunately, they can't share those fears in a way we can understand.
It's my job to figure it out.
Showing posts with label rescue. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rescue. Show all posts
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
My poor sick dog
My poor Bogie, who I've had only 2 months as of today, is not feeling well. He is lethargic and eating very little. Angel, who needed a companion, is not happy that her new playmate is out of service.
Two months. In that time he has spent more than his fair share of time at the vet.
The day I got him was the day he was neutered, courtesy of the rescue agency. So that was the first doctor visit. Three days later to my own veterinary clinic to have him checked over. We didn't do vaccinations yet because he was still on medication for the neutering. But they did do a blood test for heart worms and a fecal check for other worms.
Then his scrotum swelled up - a lot. I'm told this is fairly common in big, older dogs after neutering, but it's scary looking and uncomfortable for the dog. That required another doctor visit for medication and reassurance.
Two more visits for vaccinations and boosters. Bogie was found on the street so even though he is now approximately 17 months old, no one knows the prior status of his shots.
Great Dane horror stories about stomachs that flip over and kill the dog led me to do a preventive gastropexy. This required 3 visits to a veterinary surgeon. The pre-check, the surgery, and the post-check.
Sunday we went to the emergency clinic because he vomited and looked like he was going to fall over. They suggested he be given anti-nausea medication and subcutaneous fluids and watched. It was either that or a bunch of very expensive tests when maybe he had only eaten something he shouldn't have.
He seemed fine Monday and Tuesday morning. So fine that I wondered if I had over-reacted in taking him to the emergency clinic. But then he started not eating again. And he wouldn't play. And he just wasn't himself.
So today there was yet another trip, this time to his regular vet to see if she could figure out what's wrong. Blood tests, fecal tests, more subcutaneous fluid. Nothing obviously wrong. But obvious to everyone by his behavior that something *is* wrong.
Tomorrow, we go back to the surgeon to see if she can determine what is wrong. They may have to look inside to see what is going on.
Despite the frequency of these visitations, Bogie has kept his good nature. At every clinic we have gone to, the employees ooh and aah over him. Bogie is lovable, well-behaved, very handsome. At least three different people have said they would take him if I ever need to get rid of him.
He is a sweetheart, and after only 2 months, I cannot bear to lose him.
Get well soon, Bogie. Get well soon.
Updated - 8/30/12 2 PM
After the visit to the specialist and an ultrasound, it appears that his liver is inflamed. Educated guess puts the cause as an allergic reaction to the Rimadyl he was prescribed for both the neutering and the gastropexy.
We were sent home with some medication to calm his digestive system. The liver inflammation will eventually resolve itself. If it is indeed from an allergy.
Two months. In that time he has spent more than his fair share of time at the vet.
The day I got him was the day he was neutered, courtesy of the rescue agency. So that was the first doctor visit. Three days later to my own veterinary clinic to have him checked over. We didn't do vaccinations yet because he was still on medication for the neutering. But they did do a blood test for heart worms and a fecal check for other worms.
Then his scrotum swelled up - a lot. I'm told this is fairly common in big, older dogs after neutering, but it's scary looking and uncomfortable for the dog. That required another doctor visit for medication and reassurance.
Two more visits for vaccinations and boosters. Bogie was found on the street so even though he is now approximately 17 months old, no one knows the prior status of his shots.
Great Dane horror stories about stomachs that flip over and kill the dog led me to do a preventive gastropexy. This required 3 visits to a veterinary surgeon. The pre-check, the surgery, and the post-check.
Sunday we went to the emergency clinic because he vomited and looked like he was going to fall over. They suggested he be given anti-nausea medication and subcutaneous fluids and watched. It was either that or a bunch of very expensive tests when maybe he had only eaten something he shouldn't have.
He seemed fine Monday and Tuesday morning. So fine that I wondered if I had over-reacted in taking him to the emergency clinic. But then he started not eating again. And he wouldn't play. And he just wasn't himself.
So today there was yet another trip, this time to his regular vet to see if she could figure out what's wrong. Blood tests, fecal tests, more subcutaneous fluid. Nothing obviously wrong. But obvious to everyone by his behavior that something *is* wrong.
Tomorrow, we go back to the surgeon to see if she can determine what is wrong. They may have to look inside to see what is going on.
Despite the frequency of these visitations, Bogie has kept his good nature. At every clinic we have gone to, the employees ooh and aah over him. Bogie is lovable, well-behaved, very handsome. At least three different people have said they would take him if I ever need to get rid of him.
He is a sweetheart, and after only 2 months, I cannot bear to lose him.
Get well soon, Bogie. Get well soon.
Updated - 8/30/12 2 PM
After the visit to the specialist and an ultrasound, it appears that his liver is inflamed. Educated guess puts the cause as an allergic reaction to the Rimadyl he was prescribed for both the neutering and the gastropexy.
We were sent home with some medication to calm his digestive system. The liver inflammation will eventually resolve itself. If it is indeed from an allergy.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Picking out a new dog
Once you've decided you want one, picking out a new dog can be a daunting task. First you have to decide what kind of dog you want. Small, medium, large? Long-haired, short-haired, wiry? Male, female, neutered, spayed? Puppy, adult? Breeder or rescue? Purebred or mutt?
Some of those choices were predetermined because of the dog I already have. Angel is a Great Dane, German Shepherd mix 28 inches high and weighing 76 lbs. Because she doesn't watch where she walks, small dogs were immediately eliminated. As were puppies. Besides, I didn't want to housebreak or teethe another dog.
And because Angel has had knee problems severe enough to require surgery, most dogs under a year old would be too active for her.
Although she and my other female, Peanut, had gotten along, that was mostly because Angel is so submissive. In general, one female will totally dominate, even terrorize, another. I didn't want that to happen to my sweet girl. So that meant choosing a male dog.
My last four dogs have been rescues of one sort or another, so that was decided. The last choice was breed. My vet attributed Angel's sweet temper to her Great Dane side, so I was predisposed to getting another Dane mix. But I didn't look for them exclusively.
I spent a couple weeks looking on-line at various rescue sites. A sweet-faced, shaggy dog was offered up for adoption, but needed knee surgery. The rescue would pay for the surgery, but post-surgery recovery is very difficult and I didn't want to deal with it again. Another was already named Angel. How confusing would that be? Besides, it was part of a bonded pair. My Angel would be the outsider. That would not cure her depression. Many listings said the rescue was not good with other dogs.
Then Bogie's picture caught my eye. He was at a Great Dane rescue, but that didn't necessarily mean he was full Dane. They had some mixes. They knew he got along with other dogs, but not much else about him. He had been found on the street.
Something about his face intrigued me. So I drove to Glendale, 50 miles one way, to meet him. He was sweet and affectionate, a little energetic. I forgot to ask who decided to call him Bogie, but the name fit him. I drove back the next day with Angel for a meet and greet. No sparks, but no fireworks. We walked them around the block together and they got along fine.
I agreed to take him, but they wouldn't let me have him until the next weekend after he was neutered. And I found that I missed him. The week passed slowly until the day I could drive to Glendale one last time to pick him up.
Still, it can be a roll of the dice on the character of any dog you get. I lucked out that Bogie is very civilized, but not particularly well trained. As in, he hasn't chewed on anything that doesn't belong to him, doesn't try to steal Angel's food, he's at least partially leash-trained, but doesn't respond to the Sit,Stay, or Come commands. He's bright and will learn. Especially with Angel to set an example.
He's sweet and goofy. He drools a lot. He follows me so closely that I can't turn around without hipping him out of the way. That may pass. I'm at least the 4th home he has known in his short life.
He is younger than I expected at 15 months. Bigger than I realized at 110 pounds. He didn't seem that much bigger than Angel. He gets along wonderfully with her. She is noticeably happier with him around.
And that was the goal.
Some of those choices were predetermined because of the dog I already have. Angel is a Great Dane, German Shepherd mix 28 inches high and weighing 76 lbs. Because she doesn't watch where she walks, small dogs were immediately eliminated. As were puppies. Besides, I didn't want to housebreak or teethe another dog.
And because Angel has had knee problems severe enough to require surgery, most dogs under a year old would be too active for her.
Although she and my other female, Peanut, had gotten along, that was mostly because Angel is so submissive. In general, one female will totally dominate, even terrorize, another. I didn't want that to happen to my sweet girl. So that meant choosing a male dog.
My last four dogs have been rescues of one sort or another, so that was decided. The last choice was breed. My vet attributed Angel's sweet temper to her Great Dane side, so I was predisposed to getting another Dane mix. But I didn't look for them exclusively.
I spent a couple weeks looking on-line at various rescue sites. A sweet-faced, shaggy dog was offered up for adoption, but needed knee surgery. The rescue would pay for the surgery, but post-surgery recovery is very difficult and I didn't want to deal with it again. Another was already named Angel. How confusing would that be? Besides, it was part of a bonded pair. My Angel would be the outsider. That would not cure her depression. Many listings said the rescue was not good with other dogs.
Then Bogie's picture caught my eye. He was at a Great Dane rescue, but that didn't necessarily mean he was full Dane. They had some mixes. They knew he got along with other dogs, but not much else about him. He had been found on the street.
Something about his face intrigued me. So I drove to Glendale, 50 miles one way, to meet him. He was sweet and affectionate, a little energetic. I forgot to ask who decided to call him Bogie, but the name fit him. I drove back the next day with Angel for a meet and greet. No sparks, but no fireworks. We walked them around the block together and they got along fine.
I agreed to take him, but they wouldn't let me have him until the next weekend after he was neutered. And I found that I missed him. The week passed slowly until the day I could drive to Glendale one last time to pick him up.
Still, it can be a roll of the dice on the character of any dog you get. I lucked out that Bogie is very civilized, but not particularly well trained. As in, he hasn't chewed on anything that doesn't belong to him, doesn't try to steal Angel's food, he's at least partially leash-trained, but doesn't respond to the Sit,Stay, or Come commands. He's bright and will learn. Especially with Angel to set an example.
He's sweet and goofy. He drools a lot. He follows me so closely that I can't turn around without hipping him out of the way. That may pass. I'm at least the 4th home he has known in his short life.
He is younger than I expected at 15 months. Bigger than I realized at 110 pounds. He didn't seem that much bigger than Angel. He gets along wonderfully with her. She is noticeably happier with him around.
And that was the goal.
Monday, July 2, 2012
Bogie
Since Peanut died, Angel has been lethargic. I had hoped she would recover, but it became apparent that she needed a companion. Angel is part Great Dane and very sweet tempered, so I checked the rescue sites for Danes. And picked Bogie.
He had been found on the street so the rescue agency had no idea of age or temperament. The vet says he's around 15 months old, he weighs 109 pounds, and is exceedingly sweet-tempered.
If I can ever get him to stand still long enough I'll post a picture of the two of them together.
Subscribe to:
Posts
(
Atom
)