It was time for Charlie's rabies shot and so off we went. The husband the dog and me. Charlie rides well in the car, unlike Ollie who used to try and climb me and then hang from my head like a badly fitting scarf. Charlie, however sat nicely on my lap and I noticed that he has to have a paw on my arm at all times. maybe he was doing it for balance but maybe he just felt better holding onto mommy's arm.
We get to the vet and are hardly out of the car when Miss Kathrine comes out of the office, throws her arms wide open and calls out "there's my Charlie Boy!" Charlie raced to her to be swept up into her arms and I don't know who nuzzled more, Miss Katherine or Charlie. In the waiting room, kisses had to be gotten from and given to Miss Tabby. Charlie strutted around that waiting room as if he was the king of the world and when it was time to see the Doctor, the other two lab techs were in the room with us. It was like a party with laughing and smiling, no one able to quite believe the miracle of Charlie who doubled his weight in only 10 days.
Charlie was good for the vet. They were able to remove the tick that Older son and I had failed to do because we just couldn't hold charlie still long enough to remove it. They removed it easily and hopefully if he gets another one, I'll be able to remove it even if both the sons and the husband has to lay on Charlie to hold him still.
Charlie was equally good on the ride home. I took him into the house while the husband took off to do work stuff and I was going to follow once Charlie went for his nap. Charlie has never been home alone and I hoped that if he was sleeping when I left that he would sleep through the afternoon.
HOWEVER>>>>
The husband had turned up the air conditioning before we left for the vet and Charlie, who lies ON the vent, was unhappy and whined at me until I turned it down a degree and the air condtioning kicked on. Is some puppy spoiled? Probably... ok yes he is. He doesn't need to see the vet for a year but it will be sooner than that because we are planning to srupise the vet and staff with make their own ice cream sundaes as a way of saying thank you.
Yes I know they were doing their job. Yes I know if they didn't love animals they wouldn's have the jobs that they had. Yes I know they got paid for it. BUT THEY SAVED CHARLIE'S LIFE. If I could, I'd give them gold but ice cream will have to do.
Not all angels have wings.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Mornings with Charlie
Charlie loves to spend an hour or more in the yard, in the morning. Not alone, of course, but with Mommy. I sit, while he does his charlie business sniffing the grass, checking out the bamboo, patrolling the perimeter. I only follow him when he goes around to the front of the house. Charlie hasn't tried to leave the yard, yet, but I'd rather be cautious.
So this morning, even tho he was already out once, he bounced up on the bed and woke me with a dog's version of 'mommy, mommy, MOMMY!!!!!'. I dragged my butt out of bed, threw on clothes and out we went. This morning I made it as far as the kitchen steps when I settled in. Charlie looked puzzled for a second, ran up, touched my knee with his nose and then raced to the chair I usually sit in and touched his nose to it, then gave me a look. No chair for me. It rained last night and I didn't want to sit in a puddle. Charlie accepted that and eventually headed for the front yard.
There I sat on the front steps watching Charlie doing his thing. He run back to me occasionally to climb the steps up behind me, wuff softly in my ear, and then take those stairs two at a time to go back about his snuffling.
Oh the joy of the little guy! Life is an adventure for him, one he is willing to share with me. He's fascinated by everything. There was a bird near us and he sat so very still watching it and when the bird finally flew off, he looked at me, and grinned. (Charlie, not the bird.)
Tomorrow it's back to the vet for his rabies shot and I am looking forward to the surprise of the staff when they see how that poor dying dog bounced back and bloomed. In fact, they are going to have to deal with his tick, because we can't get him to sit still long enough to work on it, not even the oldest son can hold him still enough. But he's healthy enough to struggle and to yap and to chase shadows. Isn;t that what's important?
So this morning, even tho he was already out once, he bounced up on the bed and woke me with a dog's version of 'mommy, mommy, MOMMY!!!!!'. I dragged my butt out of bed, threw on clothes and out we went. This morning I made it as far as the kitchen steps when I settled in. Charlie looked puzzled for a second, ran up, touched my knee with his nose and then raced to the chair I usually sit in and touched his nose to it, then gave me a look. No chair for me. It rained last night and I didn't want to sit in a puddle. Charlie accepted that and eventually headed for the front yard.
There I sat on the front steps watching Charlie doing his thing. He run back to me occasionally to climb the steps up behind me, wuff softly in my ear, and then take those stairs two at a time to go back about his snuffling.
Oh the joy of the little guy! Life is an adventure for him, one he is willing to share with me. He's fascinated by everything. There was a bird near us and he sat so very still watching it and when the bird finally flew off, he looked at me, and grinned. (Charlie, not the bird.)
Tomorrow it's back to the vet for his rabies shot and I am looking forward to the surprise of the staff when they see how that poor dying dog bounced back and bloomed. In fact, they are going to have to deal with his tick, because we can't get him to sit still long enough to work on it, not even the oldest son can hold him still enough. But he's healthy enough to struggle and to yap and to chase shadows. Isn;t that what's important?
Monday, July 25, 2011
Galumping puppy
When I was going into the 8th grade, we moved out of state and I found myself going to a new school in a new town in a new state. Suddenly I was shy, couldn't wrap my tongue around words if my life depended upon it. I slowly made what I thought was friends till my mother told me that the only reason that they came over the house was because of her, they all liked being around my mother.
Then I went to high school, in the same town but a new school and there I was again, adrift. Again I slowly gathered a collection of friends but this time didn't invite them home often mostly because when they did come over, my mother inserted herself.
Then came a time when I became aware of boys, not that they were aware of me, and my mother, supportive as always, told me they would only want me for two things, my money or my body.
You can imagine how much self esteem I don't have.
Is it any wonder that I love animals the way I do?" That I mourned the passing of Rocco and Ollie.
Fast forward to this past Saturday. The husband and I did our weekly get soda at Walmart run and as we pull into the driveway Oldest son opens the kitchen door and joins Charlie on the porch. I heard Oldest Son telling Charlie that Mommy was home and when I called the puppy's name, he flew down those step and cam galumping down the driveway to me. Galumping is when a dog runs so fast, they stumble over their own feet, do a sommersault and are back on their feet without missing a step. All the while he's running, he's whining and is all over me, when we met. Rocco and Ollie would greet me that way and I missed it so. Of course I burst into tears and scooped up the little fart for a hug.
Later Oldest son told me that he is trying to teach Charlie to recognise the sound of our cars, so that I can be greeted like that all the time. I really need to feel that someone wants to see me, just for me, even if that someone is covered with fur.
And yet Charlie can also break my heart. I notice that when he sleeps his mouth makes little sucking movements much like he would have done when momma fed him. His favorite thing to do with me is to take a finger into his mouth and simply sucks on it. I wonder if he was taken from mom too early. Or do I simply taste good? Whatever,he can suck on my finger as long as he wants as long as he doesn't bite.
I am besotted with this little boy. I'm so lucky to have found him. And now I want to go home, I'm in the office now, and stick my nose in his fur and smell his puppy scent. Luckily the icky puppy breath went away once his stomach was healed. Now he smells like puppy and love.
Then I went to high school, in the same town but a new school and there I was again, adrift. Again I slowly gathered a collection of friends but this time didn't invite them home often mostly because when they did come over, my mother inserted herself.
Then came a time when I became aware of boys, not that they were aware of me, and my mother, supportive as always, told me they would only want me for two things, my money or my body.
You can imagine how much self esteem I don't have.
Is it any wonder that I love animals the way I do?" That I mourned the passing of Rocco and Ollie.
Fast forward to this past Saturday. The husband and I did our weekly get soda at Walmart run and as we pull into the driveway Oldest son opens the kitchen door and joins Charlie on the porch. I heard Oldest Son telling Charlie that Mommy was home and when I called the puppy's name, he flew down those step and cam galumping down the driveway to me. Galumping is when a dog runs so fast, they stumble over their own feet, do a sommersault and are back on their feet without missing a step. All the while he's running, he's whining and is all over me, when we met. Rocco and Ollie would greet me that way and I missed it so. Of course I burst into tears and scooped up the little fart for a hug.
Later Oldest son told me that he is trying to teach Charlie to recognise the sound of our cars, so that I can be greeted like that all the time. I really need to feel that someone wants to see me, just for me, even if that someone is covered with fur.
And yet Charlie can also break my heart. I notice that when he sleeps his mouth makes little sucking movements much like he would have done when momma fed him. His favorite thing to do with me is to take a finger into his mouth and simply sucks on it. I wonder if he was taken from mom too early. Or do I simply taste good? Whatever,he can suck on my finger as long as he wants as long as he doesn't bite.
I am besotted with this little boy. I'm so lucky to have found him. And now I want to go home, I'm in the office now, and stick my nose in his fur and smell his puppy scent. Luckily the icky puppy breath went away once his stomach was healed. Now he smells like puppy and love.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
That'll learn ya!
Had the lap top open on the couch only I hadn't yet powered it on. Charlie meanwhile was on his way down from the window, across the smaller chest and onto the arm of the sofa then step down onto the cushion and stopped dead. And then I heard a growl and a deepthroated not yet a man but getting there bark and he was barking so furiously his whole body was moving with it. i thought one of the cats had done something but no, Charlie had seen his semi reflection in the screen and was NOT going to let that dog into his house. No way no sir uh uh. As soon as I powered up the laptop the intruder was gone and Charlie was very satisfied with himself. If he could have hitched up his pants and spit, he would have.
You go Charlie
You go Charlie
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Too cute for words
I mentioned the desk beneath the window before. Charlie has discovered that if he turns around he can see what it going on outside. There he sat, still and straight daring, just daring anyone, human or not, to even think about coming into the yard. Should anyone be foolhardy enough, Charlie will get you , knock you down and practically drown you in puppy kisses. Then and only then would he yell at you giving you a piece of his mind. I must say that when he gets going and flattens his ears back and opens his mouth that he resembles nothing less than a tazmanian tiger. Charlie is cuter than the tiger. He looks ever so fierce when he really isn't fierce but we let him think so.
His recovery is astounding. I know i've said that before. I've also discovered that I can buy him more of that sweet stuff that he likes so much via pet meds. i always want to keep a tube of that around in case I ever have to give him meds again.
But back to the window. So there's Charlie, a shadow against the window and the next thing I know, he's on the sill that curly tail of his slowly wagging and then the speed of the tail picks up and I had to get up and look and the husband was getting out of his (the husband's not the dog's) car. Now we've only had him for two and a half weeks and one of those weeks he was on death's door, but it is like he has been ours forever. I don't even mind getting up too early with him and sitting outside while he explores the yard even if it does, occasionaly, take longer than an hour and a half. That's a lot of territory for a puppy to mark. No wonder he's so thirsty when he reaches his water bowl.
What is best about Charlie is his sheer joy in being alive. Everything is new, everything is meant for him and he is going run headlong into each adventure as it arises.... as long as one of his people are in the yard with him.
Have to close this now. Writing about him makes me want to go home and bury my face in his fur.
Only to have him bite my ear. I think he's convinced that I should have a few more piercings.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Be careful what you ask for
Last week he was starving. This week Charlie will eat anything, food wise that is, and I mean everything. He always has a bowl of crunchies to munch on, and gets his dog food once in the morning and once at night and then the sweet nutritional stuff he loves so much that I can coat his pills with it and he just sucks them right down. That's known as his sweetie time and he practically vibrates with excitement as he watched me squoosh the stuff onto my finger. On top of the sensible dog themed food we have also discovered that he will eat, in no particular order, veggie chips, green pepper, carrots, grapes, bananas, gummy bears, cat food (duh, what dog wouldn't sell his soul for cat food) tuna (human not cat), cookies, crackers, lettuce and probably a dozen other things that I can't think of at this time.
Unlike Rocco who would suck the food in, seemingly swallow it whole and wait for more, our Charlie is a gourmand. He takes the food ever so gently from your fingers and chews it thoroughly, swallows and then asks for more. And when he has had enough, he still takes the food from you, as to not insult you by refusing and then buries it someplace, for later.
Now this is where I have become convinced that Charlie is channeling Rocco and Ollie. Ollie buried his food. Usually not outside. Instead he would tuck it in my shoe or purse or tuck it under the pig dog bed he loved or even ever so carefully cover it with something. Charlie took a cookie then spent the longest time burying it in a napkin. Another thing that was an Ollie and Rocco thing was their safe place, which was that big pillow. If you were playing a game with Ollie and he took whatever it was you were playing with onto the pillow with him, it was safe and you could not have it. Rocco did it to, to an extent, but his was, if Ollie was on the pillow, Ply time was over and you could not snatch anything from him. This was something they made up.
So last night I said I was going to bed and suddenly Charlie grabs me by the pant leg and drags me over to the pillow only letting go once he had be safely on the pillow. I tried to leave again and back to the pillow I was pulled, so I gave up and sat and that was when Charlie began bringing me all of his toys so we could play. I can only guess that he was saving me for later.
I've mentioned Charlie on the desk, that was a Rocco thing but Charlie has figured how to climb back down and not jump to the floor. Charlie checks on me whenever he comes in the house, searching me down and letting me know he's in, exactly how Rocco did it.
When Rocco used to be ready for bed and stretched out on the big bed and I was staying up too late on the computer I would get these side ways glances from him and then he would sign, these big put upon sighs and if that didn't convince me to turn out the light, he would pull a blanket up over his head. Charlie is starting with those looks but not yet the sighs though I do expect them any time now.
Charlie is growing. I can almost see it happening. His legs are getting longer, his feet bigger but he is still a puppy.
I think he thought he died and went to heaven when he discovered all there was to discover in our back yard. In face, I think our back yard is what dogs have in their heaven. There is the bamboo and the piles of brush and the pool, toys, critters and fence. Charlie spent an hour and a half in the yard this morning before I could convince him that it was too hot to sit outside, because I must sit outside that's part of Charlie's world. He occasionally checks to make sure I'm still there.
This morning he watered all of the usually spots, checked out the bamboo, ran around the pool, grabbed a toy off Rocco's grave then had an argument with a ball that would not stay still as he tried to grab it. The ball fought backa nd the two of them went tumbling down a small decline we have in the yard. But Charlie won and told me, the ball and the world in general that he had won. He dropped the ball, bounced through the grass where he tussled with a stick, a leaf and ran back to see if that ball dared to move, it hadn't. He tackled the old basket ball but give it up as a lost cause because for now, at least, the ball is bigger than Charlie.
I will always miss those dogs that went before Charlie but this little imp is certainly help to heal a very broken heart. He has a vet appointment next week for his rabies shots etc and I bet the vet et al will not believe their eyes when Charlie struts on in.
I don't know what I did right to deserve Charlie but I hope I keep doing it.
Unlike Rocco who would suck the food in, seemingly swallow it whole and wait for more, our Charlie is a gourmand. He takes the food ever so gently from your fingers and chews it thoroughly, swallows and then asks for more. And when he has had enough, he still takes the food from you, as to not insult you by refusing and then buries it someplace, for later.
Now this is where I have become convinced that Charlie is channeling Rocco and Ollie. Ollie buried his food. Usually not outside. Instead he would tuck it in my shoe or purse or tuck it under the pig dog bed he loved or even ever so carefully cover it with something. Charlie took a cookie then spent the longest time burying it in a napkin. Another thing that was an Ollie and Rocco thing was their safe place, which was that big pillow. If you were playing a game with Ollie and he took whatever it was you were playing with onto the pillow with him, it was safe and you could not have it. Rocco did it to, to an extent, but his was, if Ollie was on the pillow, Ply time was over and you could not snatch anything from him. This was something they made up.
So last night I said I was going to bed and suddenly Charlie grabs me by the pant leg and drags me over to the pillow only letting go once he had be safely on the pillow. I tried to leave again and back to the pillow I was pulled, so I gave up and sat and that was when Charlie began bringing me all of his toys so we could play. I can only guess that he was saving me for later.
I've mentioned Charlie on the desk, that was a Rocco thing but Charlie has figured how to climb back down and not jump to the floor. Charlie checks on me whenever he comes in the house, searching me down and letting me know he's in, exactly how Rocco did it.
When Rocco used to be ready for bed and stretched out on the big bed and I was staying up too late on the computer I would get these side ways glances from him and then he would sign, these big put upon sighs and if that didn't convince me to turn out the light, he would pull a blanket up over his head. Charlie is starting with those looks but not yet the sighs though I do expect them any time now.
Charlie is growing. I can almost see it happening. His legs are getting longer, his feet bigger but he is still a puppy.
I think he thought he died and went to heaven when he discovered all there was to discover in our back yard. In face, I think our back yard is what dogs have in their heaven. There is the bamboo and the piles of brush and the pool, toys, critters and fence. Charlie spent an hour and a half in the yard this morning before I could convince him that it was too hot to sit outside, because I must sit outside that's part of Charlie's world. He occasionally checks to make sure I'm still there.
This morning he watered all of the usually spots, checked out the bamboo, ran around the pool, grabbed a toy off Rocco's grave then had an argument with a ball that would not stay still as he tried to grab it. The ball fought backa nd the two of them went tumbling down a small decline we have in the yard. But Charlie won and told me, the ball and the world in general that he had won. He dropped the ball, bounced through the grass where he tussled with a stick, a leaf and ran back to see if that ball dared to move, it hadn't. He tackled the old basket ball but give it up as a lost cause because for now, at least, the ball is bigger than Charlie.
I will always miss those dogs that went before Charlie but this little imp is certainly help to heal a very broken heart. He has a vet appointment next week for his rabies shots etc and I bet the vet et al will not believe their eyes when Charlie struts on in.
I don't know what I did right to deserve Charlie but I hope I keep doing it.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
A Charlie weekend
Boy, when a puppy gets better a puppy gets better!
I cannot believe how fast he recovered and now he is doing what a puppy should do.... RULE THE ROOST!
Charlie and I have a routine, he wakes me up way too early so I can take him outside where he explores the yard. Josh took him out to meet the neighbors the other day and now Charlie no longer stays close to the house but roams the whole yard. It's a big yard, fenced all the way around and holds all the wonders a puppy could want. there is the pile of branches waiting for a chipper and the stand of bamboo that would make King Kong feel small. There is also a path worn through the bamboo by other canine feel but Charlie will have to find that path on his own, since there is no brother to show him.
The yard is puppy paradise and the only thing he likes better than the yard is... the desk. We moved an old desk to the front window for Rocco and with an arrangement of this and that, we created 'steps' of a sort for Rocco to use to get onto the desk. Well, Charlie figured that out for himself an I guess we aren't going to be moving that desk back to someplace sensible any time soon.
Yesterday morning after making our countless loops around the yard, I had to crawl back to bed. 5:30 is too early for me. I had pooped Charlie out sufficiently and it was back to bed. This time he wanted to be on the bed, instead of the air conditioning vent and then my pillow where he draped himself over the top of my head like a living head band and putting me right to sleep. We made it to 8:30 this morning and I may have enough energy today to get some, any crafting done.
Speaking about crafting, Charlie Wanted to do some yesterday, as he sat on my lap at the craft desk and was disappointed that he didn't have the thumbs needed to do much of everything. I am wondering if we can do the paint on the paws type of thing and have him decorate paper for me. That I need to think about because I certainly don't want to make him sick. Maybe finger paints are the way to go. After all toddlers can use it and while Charlie galumps instead of toddles, he is still a very hairy toddler.. who eats grapes and bananas. So Charlie is well and still healing my heart. I think he's up to the task.
Now to find him a brother.
I cannot believe how fast he recovered and now he is doing what a puppy should do.... RULE THE ROOST!
Charlie and I have a routine, he wakes me up way too early so I can take him outside where he explores the yard. Josh took him out to meet the neighbors the other day and now Charlie no longer stays close to the house but roams the whole yard. It's a big yard, fenced all the way around and holds all the wonders a puppy could want. there is the pile of branches waiting for a chipper and the stand of bamboo that would make King Kong feel small. There is also a path worn through the bamboo by other canine feel but Charlie will have to find that path on his own, since there is no brother to show him.
The yard is puppy paradise and the only thing he likes better than the yard is... the desk. We moved an old desk to the front window for Rocco and with an arrangement of this and that, we created 'steps' of a sort for Rocco to use to get onto the desk. Well, Charlie figured that out for himself an I guess we aren't going to be moving that desk back to someplace sensible any time soon.
Yesterday morning after making our countless loops around the yard, I had to crawl back to bed. 5:30 is too early for me. I had pooped Charlie out sufficiently and it was back to bed. This time he wanted to be on the bed, instead of the air conditioning vent and then my pillow where he draped himself over the top of my head like a living head band and putting me right to sleep. We made it to 8:30 this morning and I may have enough energy today to get some, any crafting done.
Speaking about crafting, Charlie Wanted to do some yesterday, as he sat on my lap at the craft desk and was disappointed that he didn't have the thumbs needed to do much of everything. I am wondering if we can do the paint on the paws type of thing and have him decorate paper for me. That I need to think about because I certainly don't want to make him sick. Maybe finger paints are the way to go. After all toddlers can use it and while Charlie galumps instead of toddles, he is still a very hairy toddler.. who eats grapes and bananas. So Charlie is well and still healing my heart. I think he's up to the task.
Now to find him a brother.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Charlie
prolog I wanted a puppy. NO, I needed a puppy. My heart was so broken I thought I would never stop crying. You have to understand, I am not a crier. Tears do not come easy to me. In fact, it would often be a year before the tears would fall and that would only happen when I would watch all those 9-11 shows that would tear my heart apart. Oddly it wasn't the whole buildings falling down that would get me but the small random kindnesses that often went unnoticed in these shows: someone crossing themselves as they watched someone jump from the windows, others helping someone to their feet or sharing a cell phone. The story that really gets me is the one about a wheelchair bound woman who met with the other disabled at their designated point on floor 17, that is until one of this woman's co workers saw her, scooped her up out of her chair and carried her down those 17 flights and saved her life. That could make me cry. My mother's death an funeral didn't even have me tearing up but then I lost Rocco the Wonder dog and within 6 months Little Dog Ollie and I was so broken I cried at dragonflies or for no reason at all. There I would be , doing nothing, thinking of little and the tears would roll down my face.
Even worse, no one understood, or cared to comfort me except for my cat Isabella who would come running even when I made no sound. Finally I realized that is something didn't stop this, I would be forced into psychiatric care.
A puppy. I needed a puppy and, hence, Charlie.
CHARLIE IS FOUND
Now you would think that once I decided I needed a canine furbaby I would just go out and get one. Not so. I felt I should get a rescue dog, but I wanted a puppy. Did I want big or little? Boy or girl? I know I wanted a mixed breed but that was about it and forget asking anyone else in the family because the answer I got constantly was "Whatever you want." Well, for god's sake if I knew what I wanted I wouldn't have asked. So then I started checking rescue sites which are so overloaded with pit bulls you wonder if any of them actually find a good and loving home. I thought I found a mid sized dog who had been rescued and was living in someone's office for the past 6 months but the squeak of my kitchen door scared it when its foster family brought him to visit and then resposted the dog on craiglist without telling me. And then there was Charlie. It was a friday and the post popped up on craigslist along with the picture and I called the owner and said I wanted the dog. To make a long story short after the owner hemmed and hawed Charlie was ours.
Oh my god, look up adorable in the dictionary and you are sure to find a photo of Charlie. he's a lab shepherd mix but looks more labbish with the most incredible eyes that change from amber to hazel and back again. He was little and round and full of energy and we all fell in love with him instantly. He nipped toes and chased balls and refused to let you leave the room by holding onto your pant's cuff and not letting go. He slept sprawled next to the air conditioner vent and thought canned catfood was gourmet dining. Each day I loved him more and then he was sick.
I didn't say got sick because we now suspect he was sickish all along. The people who had him before us had gotten him from a rescue group that had saved him from a high kill shelter down south. The new parents were giving Charlie milk at night and so Charlie had this big round belly so when Charlie's nose began to run I thought it was milk alergy, then he became lethargic and it was down hill from there. we took him to the vet where he was examine, no fever, given his shots and suggested that we give the boy a benadryl. Come Saturday he was all skin and bones and I was frantic. Luckily the vet squeezed us in because Charlie never would have lasted till Monday.
Charlie had lost 2 pounds between Wednesday and Saturday morning. I had been up most of the night, on line trying to find out what might be ailing him and it looked like parvo fit the bill. By now Charlie had the dry heaves and I was told by the husband that I was worrying over nothing and, for god's sake, couldn't I be positive once in awhile? Don't you just love the support.
So Mr Skeptical the husband went with us to the vet's and was in for a rude awakening. It seemed as if everyone but the phone lady was in that exam room, giving him fluids, checking his stool, soothing him, getting meds into him, testing the stool (bloody of course) and trying not to panic. You see, this poor vet is the one who had put three of our previous animals to sleep and had given a death sentence to one, who died in his sleep thank god, and so Doctor Suh was not going to give up. Thankfully the parvo test was negative but Charlie did have a massive infection of his gastrointestinal track which was causing the internal bleeding. We got our bag of meds and special food and pages of instructions and took Charlie home.
I had thought the waiting for Rocco to get so sick that it was his time to be sent over the rainbow bridge was horrible, dealing with the puppy sickness threatens to break me forever. This loving adorable puppy looks like the nazis got hold of him and tried to starve him to death. He slinks around house ears back giving you this look as if begging your forgiveness for something that he did not do. He wants to be left alone and now sleep with our ancient cat who is as light as air and who tolerates his warmth against her.
We were at the vet's again yesterday to discover he had lost another pound. Back with the iv, the pills and this time the vet showed us how to force feed Charlie, plus we got even more special food and a gel like nutritional suppliment that will help. His stolls are now solidish and blood free but with the force feedings and the pills, Charlie screams whenever I get near him. He wants no part of me and while that breaks my heart, I have accepted it. I don't care if he doesn't love me, I love him and I want him well. I do not get impatient when I end up with dog snot and mooshed dog food sneezed all over me, or if I have to try and try and try again to get the pills down his throat. I am his mommy and I want him to live. I am to call the vet tomorrow but what is there to tell him. The food is getting in, he is a little more alert but screams when we get near.
This is horrible. Truly horrible and I feel as if I am in this battle alone. I've told Josh that I don't want him feeding and pilling the dog because Charlie has to have someone he feels save with. The husband yells at the dog to stop squirming and I am better off doing it all myself. I have on line friends but none in my real off line world and so I am alone in this.
So I have started this blog because I have to share this with the universe somehow, as if saying it out loud (so to speak) will strengthen Charlie's hold on this life. The vet thinks there is a chance for Charlie and is as determined as I am to do the best for him and, of course, if it is needed, he'll join Rocco and Ollie, Mutley and Emily, Rubby Bunnits and unnamed kitten, Pip and Bunbun in our little grave yard under the big tree. And I...... I will be empty.
Even worse, no one understood, or cared to comfort me except for my cat Isabella who would come running even when I made no sound. Finally I realized that is something didn't stop this, I would be forced into psychiatric care.
A puppy. I needed a puppy and, hence, Charlie.
CHARLIE IS FOUND
Now you would think that once I decided I needed a canine furbaby I would just go out and get one. Not so. I felt I should get a rescue dog, but I wanted a puppy. Did I want big or little? Boy or girl? I know I wanted a mixed breed but that was about it and forget asking anyone else in the family because the answer I got constantly was "Whatever you want." Well, for god's sake if I knew what I wanted I wouldn't have asked. So then I started checking rescue sites which are so overloaded with pit bulls you wonder if any of them actually find a good and loving home. I thought I found a mid sized dog who had been rescued and was living in someone's office for the past 6 months but the squeak of my kitchen door scared it when its foster family brought him to visit and then resposted the dog on craiglist without telling me. And then there was Charlie. It was a friday and the post popped up on craigslist along with the picture and I called the owner and said I wanted the dog. To make a long story short after the owner hemmed and hawed Charlie was ours.
Oh my god, look up adorable in the dictionary and you are sure to find a photo of Charlie. he's a lab shepherd mix but looks more labbish with the most incredible eyes that change from amber to hazel and back again. He was little and round and full of energy and we all fell in love with him instantly. He nipped toes and chased balls and refused to let you leave the room by holding onto your pant's cuff and not letting go. He slept sprawled next to the air conditioner vent and thought canned catfood was gourmet dining. Each day I loved him more and then he was sick.
I didn't say got sick because we now suspect he was sickish all along. The people who had him before us had gotten him from a rescue group that had saved him from a high kill shelter down south. The new parents were giving Charlie milk at night and so Charlie had this big round belly so when Charlie's nose began to run I thought it was milk alergy, then he became lethargic and it was down hill from there. we took him to the vet where he was examine, no fever, given his shots and suggested that we give the boy a benadryl. Come Saturday he was all skin and bones and I was frantic. Luckily the vet squeezed us in because Charlie never would have lasted till Monday.
Charlie had lost 2 pounds between Wednesday and Saturday morning. I had been up most of the night, on line trying to find out what might be ailing him and it looked like parvo fit the bill. By now Charlie had the dry heaves and I was told by the husband that I was worrying over nothing and, for god's sake, couldn't I be positive once in awhile? Don't you just love the support.
So Mr Skeptical the husband went with us to the vet's and was in for a rude awakening. It seemed as if everyone but the phone lady was in that exam room, giving him fluids, checking his stool, soothing him, getting meds into him, testing the stool (bloody of course) and trying not to panic. You see, this poor vet is the one who had put three of our previous animals to sleep and had given a death sentence to one, who died in his sleep thank god, and so Doctor Suh was not going to give up. Thankfully the parvo test was negative but Charlie did have a massive infection of his gastrointestinal track which was causing the internal bleeding. We got our bag of meds and special food and pages of instructions and took Charlie home.
I had thought the waiting for Rocco to get so sick that it was his time to be sent over the rainbow bridge was horrible, dealing with the puppy sickness threatens to break me forever. This loving adorable puppy looks like the nazis got hold of him and tried to starve him to death. He slinks around house ears back giving you this look as if begging your forgiveness for something that he did not do. He wants to be left alone and now sleep with our ancient cat who is as light as air and who tolerates his warmth against her.
We were at the vet's again yesterday to discover he had lost another pound. Back with the iv, the pills and this time the vet showed us how to force feed Charlie, plus we got even more special food and a gel like nutritional suppliment that will help. His stolls are now solidish and blood free but with the force feedings and the pills, Charlie screams whenever I get near him. He wants no part of me and while that breaks my heart, I have accepted it. I don't care if he doesn't love me, I love him and I want him well. I do not get impatient when I end up with dog snot and mooshed dog food sneezed all over me, or if I have to try and try and try again to get the pills down his throat. I am his mommy and I want him to live. I am to call the vet tomorrow but what is there to tell him. The food is getting in, he is a little more alert but screams when we get near.
This is horrible. Truly horrible and I feel as if I am in this battle alone. I've told Josh that I don't want him feeding and pilling the dog because Charlie has to have someone he feels save with. The husband yells at the dog to stop squirming and I am better off doing it all myself. I have on line friends but none in my real off line world and so I am alone in this.
So I have started this blog because I have to share this with the universe somehow, as if saying it out loud (so to speak) will strengthen Charlie's hold on this life. The vet thinks there is a chance for Charlie and is as determined as I am to do the best for him and, of course, if it is needed, he'll join Rocco and Ollie, Mutley and Emily, Rubby Bunnits and unnamed kitten, Pip and Bunbun in our little grave yard under the big tree. And I...... I will be empty.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)