Dachshund Tails, life with 3 special dachshunds

Progress!!

2010-07-28T20:50:00.002-04:00

Here is Grace, just chillin', during a cold laser treatment with Dr. Pat.

AWESOME news, Grace is trying to stand!! This from a dog who showed "no clinical signs" of recovery when she came into rescue.

We will be getting a cart for Grace, but we have not given up hope of her walking. The cart will be used more as a walker in the next step in her recovery. This will give her the chance to move her legs as if she was walking with the cart supporting her.

Gracie's break through

2010-04-30T21:43:00.002-04:00

Major excitement at Grace's vet check up this week. She has deep pain sensation in one toe. This is a big deal as she has not had DPS for the last 10 weeks. She did not right her foot when the vet put it over on the knuckles (called "the toe test"), but Grace did make an attempt. Another first!!! She pulled her back foot out of the vet's hand 3 or 4 times.

For the first time, we have some traditional clinical signs of possible recovery.

Grace has had 2 treatments of discus compositum and 2 cold laser treatments. We go back in two weeks for another assessment. Although Grace is still on crate rest, she is allowed limited movements while I am changing her crate, 3 times a day.

www.tpdr.ca is the website of the rescue sponsoring Grace. She is on the home page. Thank you to all who have bought magnets to help fund Grace's treatments.

Our new foster, Grace

2010-04-23T22:14:00.004-04:00

We have a new foster in the house. Grace is a 4 year old doxie, down in the back about 10 weeks now. She came into rescue about 3 weeks after going down. She had received some medications, but no crating during that time.

We have a long road ahead of us. Grace is on steroids, crate rest and receiving discus compostium injections coupled with cold laser treatments. I am very grateful to Tiny Paws Dog Rescue for stepping up to the plate and providing Grace with every chance to walk again. Thank yout to Sandra Rosano as well for donated TellingtonTouch therapy and teaching me treatments we can do at home.

She does not have deep pain and fails the toe test, but there are some interesting reflex responses which tell us that some signals are getting through :-)

Grace is a happy girl. She LOVES belly rubs and giving kisses. Whether she walks again, or rolls through life in a cart, she will make someone a wonderful companion.

The circles of life

2010-01-26T17:57:00.002-05:00

I named this blog "life with 3 special dachshunds" when we were only 3, each with a different type of special need. Then Daisy Mae was returned and Stanley came into our lives. Then it was life with 3 dachshunds with a specific special need, plus "the boys".

Life has circled back; Daisy Mae left us December 18/09 and my sweet boy Stanley left us this past Saturday, January 23/10. Again it is life with 3 special dachshunds.

Stanley has changed me forever. His pawprints will always be on my heart. Quiet, dignified, with a charm that drew people to him at first sight, he was one of those "special" furkids. He forced me to face fears and grow, to give him his fluids. Never did I ever think I would stick a needle into a living thing. Love for him was greater than my fears. Stanley's legacy is that skill. Some place, somewhere, maybe on an EARS deployment, I believe I will need this skill again to help another animal - Stanley's gift to that furkid.

I am glad that I was able to track down his first family and they were with us at the end. Stanley did recognize them and wagged his tail. However hard it was to make that drive to them, knowing what was coming, I am glad that I was able to give him and them that last meeting.

I miss him so much.

Dogspeed my little Snorey Bear

Life with Kidney Failure

2010-01-08T23:01:00.002-05:00

We are doing pretty well. I am so touched with the response from the rescue community. I sent out an email asking for help to hold Stanley while I do his sub-q fluids. I am happy to say that we have a full rotation of volunteers; pretty well every day of the week has someone assigned to help us. Sometimes they come to us and sometimes we go to them. 10 minutes or less and my boy is good for another 24 hours.

I fuss over Stanley. If he does not eat/drink as much as I think he should, I worry. The vet said 24 hours without eating and we need to get back to the hospital. He needs to keep his kidneys flushed out. I try to add 2 cups of water per day to his food, in addition to his 100ml of sub-q fluids.

A bonus with having our "gas station attendants" is that I get impartial feed back from them about how Stanley is doing. Someone who sees him once or twice a week is more likely to notice changes that I am; seeing him constantly.

It is not easy to keep his appetite stimulated. He has not been a big eater since coming to me. He is not fond of the prescription dog food, so finding appropriate, low protein enhancements for his meals is a struggle.

I am getting much better at handling his needles for the sub-q fluids. Having someone hold him makes all the difference.

I know that we are just buying time. This is not a cure. We are grateful beyond words for the people who have volunteered to be part of his palliative care.

For now, my boy is content, eating well and taking an interest in his surroundings. He enjoys cuddles, tolerates his treatments and is just his charming, adorable self. What more could I ask for. Each day is a blessing with our Christmas Miracle.

Stanley Christmas update

2009-12-26T12:20:00.004-05:00

I had a lovely Christmas present yesterday, Stanley ate and had a good day with us :-)

Stanley slept a lot during the day, but we had a sucessful sub-q fluid session in the morning. This was my second time EVER sticking a needle into a living thing. My first time was Christmas Eve, my stomach was one big knot all day, knowing what I was facing. It went pretty well for my first attempt. The clinic forgot to tell me about the valve that needs to be opened and closed. In the beginning, there wasn't any fluid flowing; but a friend told me about the valve and we had a good session. (The clinic sent Stanley home for Christmas with an full IV bag, I need to get fluids under his skin once or twice a day, depending upon how much he also drinks during the day)

Stanley perked up in the evening at my sister's house. He had a nice meal of rice, water/gravy and a bit of turkey. He sat up and sniffed around at his different environment.

Since his is one of the cart kids, I started the sub-q fluids in his two haunches, where he has less feeling. I needed to stack the odds in my favour for our first couple of sessions. This morning we had to move up to the shoulder area. I got the needle in ok, but he could feel the fluids more, wiggled about and the needle came out before a full session. That is ok; I will do another half session tonight and then we will be on evening sessions, in preparation for me going back to work. Mornings are too busy to try fluids then.

Monday is "decision" day, if this course of treatment will support his kidneys and give him a quality of life. One of the key factors will be if we can keep him eating. IF his bloods tests are acceptable, then we will be doing these treatments every day. Such a small thing to do, if it gives my boy more (quality) time with us.

Who knows, he may be back in his cart soon :-) for that picture that I haven't taken yet to show off his new wheelchair.

Whatever the outcome, I have to thank several quiet angels. The vet clinic has received several donations towards Stanley's vet bill. Each angel has sworn the clinic to secrecy. I can make guesses, but don't know for sure who all has been so generous to my boy. Thank you is inadequate. Without these extra payments towards his bill, he would not have this chance. Thank you too to Dr. Makawol. All the clinic staff went above and beyond for Stanley while he was in hospital. As well, Dr. M. gave us a "holiday discount" on the hospital stay.

I am overwhelmed and humbled by the generosity and love shown to us this past week. Thank you is inadequate, but all that I have. Thank you and may God bless all of Stanley's quiet angels.

Merry Christmas everyone and wishing everyone health and happiness for 2010.

In Mourning

2009-12-23T21:29:00.001-05:00

We lost Daisy Mae to Rainbow Bridge on December 18, 2009.

Stanley has been in hospital with kidney failure. He will be home for Christmas as the vet clinic is closed. I will be giving him sub-q fluids for the weekend, and we will re-evaluate his condition on Monday.

I don't know if I can stand to lose two of my furbabies in less than two weeks.

Heidi, Valentin and Pogo are very subdued. They know things are very wrong.

New foster, Gwenyth.

2009-11-09T22:55:00.003-05:00

This is the picture from the shelter of Gwenyth, my new foster. She was rescued in a puppy mill seizure along with her two 5 week old puppies. She is not much more than a baby herself. We will get a better picture of her, this one does not do this sweet girl justice. She is so loving, especially considering where she came from. Her adopters, whomever they will be, will be lucky to get this sweetie. In the meantime, she is certainly livening up our household.

Good tissue alert!

2009-11-08T09:00:00.001-05:00

To My Foster Parents (and especially to Mardy from Heidi Ho Ho)

There I sat, alone and afraid,
You got a call and came right to my aid.
You bundled me up with blankets and love.
And, when I needed it most, you gave me a hug.
I learned that the world was not all that scary and cold.
That sometimes there is someone to have and to hold.
You taught me what love is, you helped me to mend.
You loved me and healed me and became my first friend.
And just when I thought you'd done all you do,
There came along not one new lesson, but two.
First you said, "Sweetheart, you're ready to go.
I've done all I can, and you've learned all I know."
Then you bundled me up with a blanket and kiss.A
long came a new family, they even have kids!
They took me to their home, forever to stay.

At first I thought you sent me away.

Then that second lesson became perfectly clear.
No matter how far, you will always be near.
And so, Foster Mom&Dad, you know I've moved on.
I have a new home, with toys and a lawn.
But I'll never forget what I learned that first day.
You never really give your fosters away.
You gave me these thoughts to remember you by.
We may never meet again, and now I know why.
You'll remember I lived with you for a time.
I may not be yours, but you'll always be mine.

author unknown

Continuing to recover, years later

2009-11-06T13:14:00.003-05:00

To recap briefly, Heidi came to me downed. She could take one or two steps at most, on a really good day with the wind blowing in the right direction, the planets aligned, after a warm soak in the jacuzzi tub, if the TV was on the right station ...... well you get the idea.

Fast forward 4 years, with chiropractic and accupuncture treatments, supplements, and other therapy, our little girl can stand and walk in deliberate steps. Running to keep up with the others is bunny hop. She bounces more than Tigger! Everyone is thrilled for her to have come this far and have regained some of her mobility. She uses her cart outside, but can get around in the house without it.

Last night, I came home from work to find Heidi's diaper down around her ankles (she has never regained bowel and bladder control). Valentin and Pogo have tried to steal Stanley's blanket from his expen, so Stanley (14, downed, very short sighted) is sitting in his squished expen, and the mill foster in the front hallway is in danger of finger/paw painting in her poop, so Heidi's diaper is going to have to wait for a minute. What's this I hear? A tail beating a tattoo on the floor? It must be Pogo and his smooth little tail. NO!! It is Miss Heidi!!! Free of the diaper, her little tail is just a blur as it wags!!!!!!!!! This is HUGE!! She has been able to wag her tail on her own for some time now, but never this hard and this fast. Our little girl (who is probably around 11 or 12) has come so far in her recovery, is there more to come????? Maybe control of bodily functions??? I am fine with the diapers, but wouldn't it be wonderful for her!

Again, I come back to the core reason for this blog. Do not give up on the downed ones (or other "handicaps"). They will suprise you. Heidi did not get the memo that she was paralized and had no hope of recovery - so she does not know that she is not supposed to be able to do these things. And I am certainly not going to be the one to tell her so.

Healing Hearts

2009-11-01T09:47:00.002-05:00

Mom just heard about this place, Healing Hearts. It is a rescue/sanctuary not far from Best Friends in the US. Healing Hearts takes in the disabled ones, like us. She has dogs, cats, bunnies and others all in carts.

Mom is going to do some research and post more about their work here. We are not sure if she takes in other disabilities as well. We have heard that she does not have the financial foundation that Best Friends has. So if any of our readers know about Healing Hearts, or want to do some research about them too, please "speak" and let us know too.

Maybe we can form our own international "cart gang" :-)

Mom's fallen down on the job

2009-10-26T23:58:00.003-04:00

Sorry folks, our mom hasn't been keeping you up to date on our exploits.

Valentin and Pogo got into the Tylenol gel caps and were very sick doggers. They are better now, but want to warn every dog to stay away from those things. We thought Pogo might be a gonner there for a while and boy, did Valentin ever throw up!!! Three days of barfies, not fun for any of us.

Stanley continues to lose weight. His belly bands are too big for him now. Mom is looking for foods to fatten him up. Shhhh, don't tell our friends over at Luv My Dachshunds this. Their mom just put them on a diet. Only Stanley is getting the good stuff, Valentin is on a d-i-e-t and the rest of us are staying stable. With the cold weather coming, mom is watching all our weight carefully.

Daisy Mae received some beautiful knit sweater/dresses. She is warm and stylin' when she goes out. We will nudge our mom to show you her picture soon.

Have a good night everyone.

Stanley's new bed a rousing success

2009-10-07T12:50:00.002-04:00

Stanley gives his new bed a four paws up rating.

He sleeps so soundly now that it takes several minutes to wake him in the morning and I havent even heard any snores coming from my little "Snorey Bear" either.

Warm and comfy, he snuggles right down on the mattress at night, gives a little doggie sigh and is off to dreamland.

We have another new day bed too for the handicapped kids to show you as well. It is made from the same material as crib mattresses. It is a nice, firm foam so that the cart kids and wheel right up to it and have a snooze while staying level. The firmness means that they won't be struggling in a regular pillow type bed and it will put less stress on their backs by staying level while snoozing.

Stanley's new bed

2009-10-03T20:17:00.005-04:00

Yes, Stanley's new bed is a baby bassinet. With the colder weather starting to come, I felt that he should be up off the floor and away from possible draughts. Heidi sleeps in the big bed, Daisy Mae is very comfy in her scoot sac, but the old man was starting to feel the chill.

Now he will be off the floor, cocooned in his bed, with a comfy mattress and on a level with the big bed,to give him closer human contact as well. This was a great find at a kids' recycle store (it even has a music box and rocking motion). They had a white wicker bassinet which would have been a better match for my decor, but I felt that it was too deep and Stanley would be more isolated in that model. This one has mesh windows in the sides and it is on wheels to easily move it out of the way when it is not bedtime (or when I get up during the nigh) and there is a storage basket underneath for his extra blankets.

Stanley's laundry basket is still a gret bed in the summer time and a wonderful way to safely transport him in the car, but I felt that at his age, he deserves all the extra perks and comforts that I am able to provide for him. Dachshunds love to burrow in blankets, but with Stanley's handicap, it is difficult for him to manipulate the blankets. With both his basket and bassinet, I can drape a blanket over the entire bed, giving him that burrowed feeling.

My bedtime music will be listening to his gentle snores right beside me.

Preparing for the unexpected

2009-08-26T01:00:00.000-04:00

Ok, "if it is unexpected, how can you prepare for it?" you ask.

First of all, background to this for newer readers.

I am an EARS volunteer (Emergency Animal Response Support). http://www.uan.org/ for more on that. Readers' Digest version, we help animals in any emergency, such as natural disasters (hurricanes, forest fires) or criminal seizures where the local shelter is overwhelmed with the numbers of seized animals requiring care.

In our basic training, we are encouraged to have personal disaster plans of our own, for our families and pets. The goal is to be part of the solution rather than the problem. Besides, it looks bad on the resume if someone has to rescue the rescuer.

To this end, I do have some basic plans. I don't have the full disaster kit that I should (pet photo ID, dog food, diapers for the special needs kids, copies of vaccine records, leashes, etc all in a "grab and go" container- the UAN website has a complete list). I do have several battery and rechargeable flashlights, a battery radio and a battery/crank radio & light combo, as well as half of Ikea's candle supply complete with 2 large boxes of wooden matches. I try to always have a sealed bag of each type of dog food on hand as well.

Last week Southern Ontario was hit with unprecedented waves of tornadoes and storm cells. One black funnel cloud was seen making its way down Yonge Street (the longest street in North America) in downtown Toronto. NOT an event that anyone would have imagined could happen.

I had the weather channel on the TV and they were saying "if you live in X,Y,Z cities, go to your basement NOW". I live in one of those cities. With that, out went our power. It was getting dark outside, but nothing that should have triggered a power failure. This is not good.

My one emergency light came on automatically, I grabbed the big flashlight, battery radio and battery lantern and took them to the basement, calling Valentin and Pogo to come with me. Pogo froze on the stairs and had to be carried down (trip #2 on the stairs). With them safely in the basement exercise pen (already erected), I then made 3 more trips for Heidi, Daisy Mae and Stanley; snatching up my cell phone as I went to alert my sister to make for her basement as well.

Because I had to carry a flashlight with me to see the stairs, each of the paralized dogs had to be ferried down the steps individually. This took WAY too long. As I was making each sucessive trip, the sky outside was turning a more erie orange/pink/green. It looked like something from a bad 1950's science fiction movie, just before the aliens land. Knowing that I had to make several trips to get everyone safely downstairs, I started the process as soon as the first alerts had gone out. What scares me is the time it took, if it had been more urgent........ I had thought I could get everyone and everything to the basement in 3 trips. V and P, with hardware (lights/radio) in one trip, the girls on the second trip and Stanley on the third. It took me 5 trips and at least 3+ minutes, NOT good in an urgent situation.

We spent about an hour in the basement, listening to the radio reports. This was an exceptional enough event that our usual FM station suspended regular broadcasts and joined with their AM all-new sister station for 2 hours. At the end of it, there was one death, numerous cars tossed about like dinky toys, 45 houses declared unsafe, an untold number of houses completely destroyed and about 150 homes evacuated across Southern Ontario, plus the usual downed trees and about 10,000 homes without power.

I am revising our emergency plans now. Hooks for the side door stairwell, where I can hang extra leashes, one battery radio to live downstairs, either a flashlight to live in the stairwell, or one of those lights you can strap on your head, so that I can see the stairs and carry 2 dogs at a time and a carry bag for Heidi (as she is the smallest and lightest of the handicapped kids to carry - I might be able to carry all 3 in a pinch with her in the bag). I need to dramatically cut down the time it takes me to get 2 able pawed and 3 disabled furkids to the basement singlehandedly. I had always thought Valentin and Pogo could get downstairs on their own. Pogo freezing in terror and needing to be carried, had not crossed my mind. DUMB!! I need to factor in storm sounds, scared dogs, to the plans. I know better, too, that is why I am kicking myself.

Those are the plans, if we have to head to the basement again, but 140 homes had to be evacuated; either because of damage to the homes or gas leaks. 38 more homes have been declared unsafe to live in. I need to get plans together for alternate shelter (factoring in closed roads, downed trees, flooding, etc). My sister could be our first line of evacuation, but she lives close by and could easily be impacted by the same reasons we would need to flee our home.

I have a pile of "stuff" in my van right now. I get home from work and think "I am too tired tonight, I will deal with it tomorrow". If we had had to leave home, stuffing all 5 in the van would have been problematic, to say the least, and definately time consuming. A further concern, is that the Canadian government has said they will VOLUNTARILY follow the new US law requiring pets to be evacuated with their families (a post-Katrina law); however, this did not happen in the recent BC fires. People were not allowed to take pets with them. I will not leave without the furkids and the faster and easier that I can get them out with me, the more likely emergency worker are likely to let me bring them without a fight.

Tornados, hurricanes, earthquakes, forest fires are not "likely" events in my area; not like California, the southern US, or the Eastern Seaboard. There are other types of disasters too, such as the gas leaks, train derailments, a fire today at a furniture manufacturer where the fumes were toxic. Many years ago, a train did derail and the tanker cars ruptured, sending toxic fumes throughout neighbourhoods. Several months ago a propane company blew up in the night; many of the resdients are still not back in their homes.

I cannot stress enough that everyone needs to have a plan to keep their families and pets safe; especially your pets, as you can pretty well bet your municipality does not have plans for them.

Everyone is fine

2009-08-25T13:17:00.002-04:00

It has been almost a month since our last entry, sorry folks. Life is a bit nuts here at the moment. I am about 1/3 of the way through working 17 days straight - then off to a family wedding for a week.

Everyone is fine, we have lots to share when I am finally home for more than sleeping and changing doggie diapers.

A small sneak preview: Stanley has his own personal bathtub that is going to be the envy of all his doggie pals, Daisy Mae has received two beautiful, handmade sweater dresses from a fan, our disaster plan had to be put into action (tornado warnings) and lots more.

For those who also follow Telly, his mom is occupied at the moment. Telly's "brother", Linus, has gone down. Linus has been seen by a specialist and is on 10 weeks crate rest.

Back soon with pictures and details.

Stormy Weather

2009-08-10T14:35:00.002-04:00

We are all out helping mama find all the outdoor things that blew away in the storm last night. Mama was muttering something last night about "Kansas" and "Toto was supposed to be a dachshund". We aren't sure what she was talking about, but it sure was scary with all that rain and wind and thunder.

We will be back to blogging again, shortly.

Happy Birthday Telly

2009-07-29T11:00:00.002-04:00

A little bird has told us that Telly (www.littlebluedog.org) is having a birthday today. Telly's story is quite heartwarming. He waited patiently for a year and a half at HUA (Hearts United) until his own special family found him there and adopted him. Telly (named after Telly Savalas) is bald and downed - used and discarded by a puppy mill.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our friend, Telly.

How to sleep in a cart

2009-07-28T20:08:00.006-04:00

I follow Telly, the little blue dog http://www.littlebluedog.org/. Telly is a bald, paralized doxie.

Stanley is getting used to his cart. I was looking for him and this is what I found (Telly is on the left, Stanley is on the right). It must be a "guy" thing.

Daisy update

2009-07-25T00:23:00.001-04:00

We were at the vet this morning. I thought he was going to remove her stitches, but it was just a check up. He is leaving the stitches in until Tuesday. The bigger wound is still weeping, but the vet is happy with the healing process. So more bandages for the next couple of weeks.

Injuries common with downed dogs

2009-07-22T18:52:00.003-04:00

I haven't been around for a while as Daisy Mae, a long term, downed foster, has been injured. It is an injury common with downed dogs. She has crawled over something that gouged her side. Because of her paralysis, she does not feel it when she crawls over something sharp. Frequently, downed dogs will get hurt crawling over the metal floor strip which joins different types of flooring. The screw heads in the strip can work their way up and become very harmful to these dogs.

With her heart murmur, she could not be anesthetized for stitches. The vet was able to stitch the smaller wound under local freezing. The bigger owie needed more than freezing, so it could not be stitched.

She is healing. I change the bandages twice a day. She has antibiotics and Medicam for pain. Of course, she is being carried more these days

Some dear friends are sending Daisy Mae a scootsack, so that this should not happen again. I will post a picture of DM in her new scootsack when it arrives. She also cannot use her cart again until this is completely healed as the saddle will rub the wound that could not be stitched. Poor little girl.

Oh no!

2009-07-09T20:42:00.002-04:00

I see from one of the blogs that I follow, Poppy the Little Blond Chi, has had to have a second back surgery. We think she is a chiwiennie, chi/dachshund mix.

Many healing thoughts for her. I have also referred her parents to Dodger's List www.dodgerslist.com

It is full of information, not only for during an IVDD crisis, but for preventative measures and for post-treatment help as well. I would encourage everyone to visit their site.

IVDD (Invertebrate Disc Disease) is prevalent in doxies (1 in 4), other breeds can suffer disc injuries as well.

Get well soon Poppy,

Wienerfest Costumes

2009-07-06T21:57:00.007-04:00

Stanley getting a tour of Wienerfest.

Here is the Heidi Express.
Unfortunately, her caboose car was cropped from the photo. She was one of the three top winners.

Stanley made it to the top 10. His sign says "Little Dogs on the Prairie"

Happy Canada Day

2009-07-01T21:53:00.001-04:00

This was the sight that greeted our neighbourhood this morning. One of our neighbours is a realtor and apparently he decorates our neighbourhood each July 1 with a small Canadian flag at the foot of every driveway. My camera really does not do justice to the effect.

Thinking especially of all our troops who are not home today.

We're back from Wienerfest

2009-06-29T11:42:00.001-04:00

We are back from Wienerfest. Everyone had a great time, the weather was perfect for the actual day. Human and dogs are exhausted - Valentin and Pogo were at "camp" and wore themselves out there as well.

Details and a few pictures when we recover. (I was so busy during the day that I got very few photos). Our good friend took photos and will be putting them on her blog http://luvmydachshunds.blogspot.com/ when she gets back home. She will be emailing them to me as well and I will put some up here too.

Only 4 more sleeps!!

2009-06-23T16:04:00.001-04:00

Only 4 more big sleeps until Wienerfest!!! We can't wait to see all our friends and introduce Stanley to them. It has been a whole year since we saw them.

www.wienerfest.ca

We are excited, mom is stressed, lol.

A Star is Born

2009-06-17T08:42:00.002-04:00

Stanley was wonderful last night. The TV lights did not bother his eyes and he sat so nicely on the interview table. The entire station fell in love with him. Everyone in the lobby, including the security guards, stopped what they were doing to see him. One fellow immediately got on his phone to call his roommate "you have to watch the show today, look for the dachshund".

You wait for your turn in a boardroom with sliding glass doors. Everyone who walked by came to a dead halt in their tracks when they saw Stanley sitting patiently in the stroller. "Ahhhh", "ohhhhh". He had his own fan club by the time it was our turn to be interviewed.

My prayers were answered and his bowels did not function while we were on camera (those treats can sneak up on you, you know)

Ann fell totally in love with him and stayed after the show to visit one-on-one with Stanley. Her time is highly scheduled, it is rare that she can linger, but our boy is a heart-breaker and "resistance is futile".

Our "star" is still his humble, loveable self. When we got home, he sat patiently while all the others sniffed him over to find out where he had been; then a little supper and off to bed.

Stanley's first TV appearance

2009-06-12T11:08:00.003-04:00

There is a fairly popular, animal, cable show here called Animal House Calls. I appear on it, from time to time, to talk about rescue events, my experiences as an emergency animal responder (puppy mill seizures, natural disasters), etc.

This coming Tuesday, June 16 I will be on to talk about Wienerfest. Stanley will be coming with me :-) It will be on Rogers Channel 24. The show starts at 5:15, we will be on sometime after 5:30. The first two guests are always the local shelter and the "ask a vet" segment. Heidi went with me last year, so this year is Stanley's turn.

Wienerfest is Canada's largest dachshund picnic. We had almost 1,000 dachshunds and 4,000 of their humans attend last year. Wienerfest and Rehab for Rescue are sponsoring Stanley's new cart too. He will receive it at the picnic June 27th.

I know the show's host, Ann Rohmar, is going to fall in love with Stanley, but he is such a low key boy that I am sure his "celebrity" status won't go to his head.

Hmmmmm, which belly band to wear???? The leopard one??? It's an animal show, I guess animal print would not be politically correct. The yellow one with the dancing cows???? Too frivolous. The blue one with the kittens on it??? No, cross-breed dressing, not a political can of worms we want to open (lol). I think we will go for the plain white belly band. Functional, understated, it is past May 24, so ok to wear white now - one must be fashionably "correct" :-).

Full Moon????

2009-06-11T10:51:00.002-04:00

Anyone want to adopt two dachshunds??? (ok, just kidding, well mostly)

I have no idea what has gotten into Pogo and Valentin these days. AGAIN !!! Bad dogs. I had to work at my part time job last night. I came home from the office, fed everyone, changed the handicapped kids diapers, etc and went to my part time, retail job.

When I got home last night there was an empty dog food bag in the middle of the kitchen floor, along with a HUGE pile of poop and two dogs (Pogo and Valentin) complaining that their "fur was too tight" :-) (They had also gotten the girls' bag of food out of the cupboard, but it was untouched. Either it did not appeal as much to them, or they were too stuffed with the Pacifica to care).

They had moved Stanley's exercise pen away from the base cabinets, opened the kitchen base cupboard door and pigged out on the rest of the bag of Acana Pacifica dog food (big time fish smell). Again, Stanley was sitting there like wise, old Yoda with that look on his face "I told you that you would get in trouble". Given the mess in Heidi's diaper this morning, I would say that she participated in the snack fest too.

So, the basement for the two "bad boys" and child safety locks for the dog food cupboard. Dog knows what those two will get up to in the basement. Rather than let them have the run of the entire unfinished basement (it is insulted, warm and dry), they may be put in a double exercise pen - for their own safety's sake.

ERGGGGGGGGGG !!!!!!

Stanley's new ride

2009-06-10T11:47:00.011-04:00

This is the wagon I bought from Craig's List to transport Stanley and Daisy Mae. Heidi is too smart for her own good; she tries to climb out the small opening between the rails, or over the top - commando style. I will have to push Heidi's stroller with one hand and pull the wagon with the other. If I can find the trailer attachment, maybe Heidi can ride (in a crate) in that. I have some memory foam to make a pad for the wagon and some red fleece to cover the foam, almost a perfect match for the wagon base.

On another note, Pogo and Valentin are in the dog house big time. The busted out of the kitchen gate yesterday and got into the BIG garbage bag. There were poopy diapers and used pee pads all over the living room and someone had pooped there too. I have to work at my part time job tonight, so tomorrow night's project will be to secure the basement for its two new "tenants" while I am at work. Saturday's project will be to rent a carpet steamer.

They both know they are in big time trouble, they were soooo good and polite last night. When mom uses the words "BAD DOG!!!" they know they crossed the line big time. (and in Valentin's case, "MAUVAIS CHIEN!!" He knows when mom uses French he is truly in trouble. Pogo seems to have forgotten more of his French than Valentin has). Stanley sat in his pen with a look on his face as if to say "I told you that you would be in big trouble". The girls slept the sleep of the innocent in their doggie beds in my room.

2009-06-09T05:00:00.000-04:00

Stanley's first rescue event

2009-06-08T10:04:00.006-04:00

Stanley went to his first rescue event on Saturday. He had a BLAST !!! I was concerned about him feeling overwhelmed with people and was prepared to keep his wagon at the back of the booth where he would be with us, but not in the limelight. He loved all the attention and was so patient with the children.

We had a rescue booth at a local neighbourhood street festival. Stanley was there in his covered wagon. He may have diminished sight with his cataracts, but he followed the movement of the people with his head (always tracking where I was with Heidi) and he soaked up all the attention and pats from passersby. The dear boy was so busy being a Rescue Ambassador that he missed his morning nap and did not take his afternoon nap until almost 3pm.

Stanley sat in his covered wagon, which worked out perfectly for him. He was comfy and safe, yet his head is higher than the sides of the wagon when he sits up. If anything, he was a bit cool with the shade of the canopy, so I just covered him with one of his baby blankies and he was quite comfortable. (He will be measured for his own hand knit sweater at Wienerfest later this month.)

As usual, I took my camera with me, but was so busy at the booth that I did not get a picture. Another volunteer did get some shots of the booth, so I will post them as soon as she sends them to me. We have two more events this month and I PROMISE to take pictures.

We raised $165 for the rescue and by the time we packed up and got home, there was an adoption application for one of our dogs waiting for us. It is from someone who saw Stanley and Heidi at the booth and have applied to adopt one of the other dachshunds in our rescue.

My little snorey bear had a good night's sleep Saturday night after all his hard work. (When my niece was a child, she received a teddy bear that snored when you laid him down. The toy was called "Snorey Bear", which has become Stanley's nickname because of his ever so gentle snoring.) Heidi, too, was out like a light after her day of charming people and demonstrating her wheelchair. (Mom was pretty wiped out too, old age isn't sneaking up on me, it is galloping towards me.)

Oh yeah, as an added bonus, this was all arranged by Angel's adopted mom (see December Multi task post and January Dachshund Wannabe post for Angel's story). Angel, now called Bella, was there too. She is still a bit nervous around so many people, but she has come so far in such a short time. It was so good to see her meeting people with growning confidence, jut 6 months after we pulled her out of that puppy mill where she had lived for the first 5 years of her life.

Saturday was a really good day.

I have now received a couple of photos of the day. Note Stanley's new wagon (Heidi's blanket is on his canopy)

The day after "Breath Busters"

2009-06-05T11:08:00.002-04:00

This is Valentin again.

Let's just say that "Breath Busters" don't smell as well coming out as they do going in.

Reporting from the dog house

2009-06-04T17:49:00.003-04:00

This is Valentin, reporting from the dog house again. (Really we don't have a dog house, but when mom thinks what I have done is bad, she says I am "in the dog house").

Mom left a bag of these really yummy treats on the shelf in the kitchen. The aroma of them was driving us all crazy (eucalyptus and parsley breath treats). Being the good older brother, I got them down for all of us (except Stanley, we couldn't get them through the bars to his pen). Mom was not happy to see the empty bag on the floor tonight. She said "no supper tonight" :-( (It's ok, we got supper).

Valentin reporting out from the dog house.

My friend Pam lost her Heidi today

2009-06-03T13:12:00.004-04:00

My friend Pam lost her standard girl, (also named) Heidi, today. Heidi was one week short of her 9th birthday; much too young to leave us.

I want to tell you about her Heidi, as she was an IVDD success story. Heidi had two episodes with her back. Crate rest and steroids worked the first time, the second time surgery was successful. Heidi had several good years after her back surgery. Pam ensured that Heidi's back stayed healthy with maintenance therapy treatments, weight management, no stairs, etc.

Sadly, we lost her today to a nasty disease that would not let Heidi's body produce its own red blood cells. Pam did everything she could for Heidi, including blood transfusions, drug therapy, etc. but Heidi lost her 6 month battle today.

Our Bridge Candle will be lit tonight for Pam's Heidi and our thoughts and prayers are with Pam and her other standard dachshund, Petey, as they cope with their loss.

Dogspeed Heidi

Little Dogs on the Prairie

2009-06-01T20:15:00.008-04:00

My sister, who is a grama, informs me that "Little Dogs on the Prairie" is a children's Christian animated show.

I was thinking of how to transport Stanley and co. this summer and found this

For costume contests, I was going to hang a sign "Prairie Dogs" on the side of the wagon. My sister suggested "Little Dogs on the Prairie". I wanted to know if this was a widely recognized title, or if people would just scratch their heads (or if it was still a cute title, even if they didn't know about the children's series).

For general transport, my plan is to put Heidi in the doggie stroller and Stanley & Daisy Mae in the wagon. I can push the stroller with one hand and pull the wagon with the other. The stroller hand can also control the two leashes (man, what a production with this crowd!!).

FYI, I will be using my wooden, 50 year old, vintage Radio Flyer wagon. I splurged and bought a twin bed size piece of memory foam. With it, I can make a pad for the wagon, one for Stanley's day pen, one for the stroller and one for Stanley's bed/laundry basket. Memory foam cannot get wet, so all will be wrapped and sealed in construction garbage bags (cheaper than buying vinyl).

I can get some small hooks and hang the three wheelchairs from the back of the wagon for transport.

I am not happy about the price (in US dollars) of the canopy, but I can't find suitable materials to make the supports if I try to make one myself. Any ideas???

Need to canvas my readers

2009-05-31T14:03:00.000-04:00

How many people know who/what "Little Dogs on the Prairie" is?

There is a reason for this question which shall be revealed shortly.

Stanley's wheelchair fitting

2009-05-30T09:07:00.000-04:00

Stanley went to the Canine Wellness Centre to be measured for his cart/wheelchair. It took the 2 of us to handle him for the measuring, so I was unable to take pictures of the process. When we stood Stanley up on all fours and supported his rear weight, he tried to take off on us!!! His front feet started pedalling for all he was worth. FREEDOM!! So I am hopeful that he will take to his cart. Some dogs get spooked by the equipment and just stand there when you put them in the cart.

A big THANK YOU to the Rehab for Rescue Fund and Wienerfest for providing Stanley with his Eddie's Wheels. Eddie, himself, will be presenting Stanley with his new cart at Wienerfest, so I will certainly get pictures of that.

More Stanley news

2009-05-25T22:34:00.005-04:00

I have been in contact with Stanley's past. Apparently, he is 15 or 16, than the 13 yrs old the shelter told me. I would not have guessed he is that old. It is a tribute to the care he has received with his family before me. I received a lovely email from Stanley's family. He was well loved with them, and I am glad to be able to provide them with some reassurance that I will cherish him as much as they have. I also have some more insights into his likes and dislikes.

Stanley was almost "lively" tonight. He has spent the entire evening outside his "room". He tracks where I go and he is starting, very tentatively, to engage Valentin and Pogo. They are the two most active ones, who are around Stanley the most. He and Heidi have been checking each other out as well. Foster Daisy Mae, well, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Our girl does like her power naps. With her heart murmur, who can blame her.

Stanley is now eating 100% kibble. I get a L@@K as if to say, "what happened to the good stuff?", but he slowly plods through his plain old kibble. It is so strange to have a dachshund take his time eating. Everyone else dives into their bowls.

I am making arrangements now to have Stanley measured for a cart. He is being sponsored by Wienerfest (http://www.wienerfest.ca/) and the Rehab for Rescues program at the Canine Wellness Centre. So, very soon, Stanley will be much more mobile. We will be able to run our own cart division wienerdog races pretty soon (If we can wake up Miss Daisy Mae that is)

Surf's Up !!!

I came home tonight to find Valenin on the kitchen counter yet again. I know that I said "one more time and to the basement", but I think I found his "step stool". There is a covered canister about knee height in the kitchen. I thought it was pulled far enough away from the counter, but Valentin might have done a "Rocky the Flying Squirrel" from it to the counter. I have taken the covered can away completely; so, one more chance, but only one.

Enough already !!!

2009-05-24T22:19:00.002-04:00

I had a meeting on Saturday morning and came home to find Valentin on the kitchen countertop AGAIN!!! I have pulled everything away from the cupboards that I think he may be using as a step ladder. This is the third time he has gotten up there.

One more time and he and Pogo will be spending their days in the basement when I am out.

Well, excuse me please!

2009-05-22T11:52:00.003-04:00

My cold is back again, and I was having a terrible night last night with the coughing. I was up most of the night coughing. I guess I must have been keeping the kids up with my "noise", because Pogo, Daisy and Valentin left the bedroom and went to sleep in the dog beds in the kitchen. Stanley could not get out of Dodge, as he was in his basket. Heidi was in the big bed with me, so she just headed for the bottom of the covers to block out mom's "noise".

Well, excuse me please, for keeping the furkids awake with my cough. How inconsiderate of me!!!

Stanley is improving

2009-05-20T21:30:00.004-04:00

Stanley's skin has almost all healed up. No fur growing back yet, but we now have nice, healthy pink skin, not red and sore.

Picking him up tonight, I think he may have gained back a bit of weight. He seemed a bit heavier to lift tonight. I shall have to pass by the vet's office next week to weigh Stanley. His belly band seems a bit tighter to fasten up as well. All that good hamburger and rice are working their magic. Now for my next trick ...... weaning Stanley off home-cooked meals and back onto dog food.

His blood test results came back and everything is within normal results for a 13 year old dog. I think he may have just been missing his old family and sad/confused about his time at the shelter. At least the worry of kidney or liver issues is behind us and we can focus now on helping Stanley to settle into our little family.

He has perked up enough to enjoy some sunshine and a couple of "bathing beauties".

Brotherly Love

2009-05-20T20:55:00.002-04:00

The "unoffical" start to summer

2009-05-19T14:26:00.003-04:00

The Victoria Day weekend is the unoffical start to summer here. It was a very rare treat for me to have an entire day completely to myself!!! The malls were closed, so I did not have to work at my part time job, I had visited my mom at the nursing home the day before, there weren't any rescue transports or home visits to be done; a day all to myself !!!! It was like Christmas and my birthday all rolled into one.

I slept in (until 8 am), and lounged over morning coffee. It was a bit cool, but a lovely, sunny day; so I opened all the curtains, rolled up the blinds and opened the inside front doors to let in all that sunshine and fresh air. While I was cleaning house and (finally) getting the last of my bedroom furniture built, the kids were doing one of the favourite dachshund things; lounging in the sun.

I thought I was lucky enough to manage a photo of the entire gang, having everyone looking at the camera at the same time was asking too much, lol.

Introducing (drum roll, please) Valentin The Great and his Tightrope act

2009-05-16T13:09:00.002-04:00

I came home from work on Friday to see Valentin on the kitchen counter top, walking across the narrow space of counter in front of the sink!! All he was missing was a spandex suit (which he has, don't ask) and a cape. One paw in front of the other, walking an invisible tightrope.

I don't know if he was the counter-culprit on Thursday, or if he learned from his brother's example. I suspect the latter, as it is quite evident (ewww, don't ask for details, please) that Valentin had been stuck up there for quite some time and was too afraid to jump down (thank goodness). It had to be the one day that I did not get home for lunch. He was there from sometime after 8 am until 5pm!!!

I swear those two are trying to kill me - death by dachshund induced heart attack.

I have made very sure that there isn't anything anywhere near the cupboards that these two could conceivably use as a stepping stone to greater heights. Now if I could just get my heart started again :-)

Pogo is well named

2009-05-14T13:57:00.003-04:00

Pogo is well named (it is the name he came with). The other possible name would be Jumpin' Jack Flash!

I went home at lunch today to care for Stanley and what greeted my eyes when I walked into the kitchen??? Garbage everywhere!!!

Pogo had gotten up on the kitchen counter top. YES, you read that right. A little short-*ssed dachshund, with 3 inch front legs somehow got himself up onto the kitchen counter top. The garbage bag that was hanging from the upper cabinet handle was in shreds. A full can of dog food had been knocked off the counter into Stanley's pen. Thank goodness it did not hit him on the head! A cookbook loaned to me by a co-worker was on the floor but not chewed. We won't talk about the rest of the eeeewww that scattered from h*ll to breakfast, nor the last 3 tea biscuits that no longer exist.

I know that Pogo is guilty party as he had the handle of a plastic grocery bag around his neck. Valentin is a garbage picker too, but he limits himself to what he can reach on his hind legs. Don't forget that Pogo has 3 loaves of bread to his "credit" (from the kitchen counter top).

The guilty party is now contemplating his sins in a crate in the middle of the kitchen floor for the afternoon. I am not taking bets that he will be inside the crate when I get home.

I really don't want to ex-pen them in the basement during the work day, but I am hard pressed to come up with another solution. I don't want to crate him on an ongoing basis, because if I can't get home at lunch for any reason, he will have to go 8 hours without access to pee pads or water.

Oh yeah, I got a locking garbage can. I came home to find the bag shredded in the middle of the kitchen floor and the can still locked !!!

Maybe his new name should be Pogo-stick-Jumpin'-Jack-Houdini.

More Stanley photos

2009-05-12T21:22:00.008-04:00

Now that Stanley is not coming to work with me, he spends his day with the others in the kitchen. He is in the expen so that the others won't pester him and so that he doesn't spread poop all over the kitchen. Poor little guy just can't get his tummy to settle down, still battling the diarrhea

Blessedly, Stanley does not mind a bath. He gets one every night, to try to keep his skin clean and help to heal his urine burns.

Here is Stanley's portable bed. It is so much easier to move him from room to room and take him to the vet this way. I wrap his blankies in a pee pad to help keep him dry. If you click on the photo to enlarge it, you can see Valentin in the left corner, checking out Stanley's "digs". Since this photo, I have "upgraded" Stanley's bed by putting a nice soft blankie over the pee pad to rest his head on at night.

Stanley says "good night now, it's my bed time".

Stanley update

2009-05-12T19:19:00.004-04:00

Tonight was Stanley's check up at the vet. Well he hasn't lost any more weight, but hasn't gained any either.

God Bless Dr. B, all he charged me for tonight was the prescription a/d canned food.

The vet is becoming as concerned as I about Stanley. His urine burns and skin are healing, but our boy is not well.

I am now trying a/d prescription food, canned tuna and grocery store kibble in order to get him to eat. He was fed grocery store kibble by his original owner, so maybe that is what he is missing. Grasping at straws to help this little boy.

If he does not show some improvement within the next 48 hours, we will do some more testing. The vet is concerned about possible kidney or liver issues. Stanley has been with me for 10 days now. I am praying that he will be with us for some time to come, but it is starting to look like we will need a miracle. For now, plans to order a cart for him are on hold.

I have a couple more photos that I will post later tonight, after I feed the pack, me and put Stanley's laundry in the dryer. (He was a dark poopy mess when I came home at lunchtime today :-( not a good sign)

We have a long weekend coming up. I am afraid. If we get into more trouble, the ER will not know his history, and may make an irreversible recommendation before Stanley's time.

Stanley

2009-05-11T10:13:00.005-04:00

Poor Stanley is still not feeling well. He had started to eat for me, the hamburger and rice were the winner, then threw up Sunday morning and has not been interested in food or water since. He did eat a tiny bit this morning and drink some water.

The laundry basket is a great bed for him. I can move him from room to room and not disturb him. With a fluffy blankie in the bottom, wrapped in a pee pad, he is nice and comfy and dry (along with his belly band).

The one photo is rather yellow, as I turned off the camera flash. It seemed to be bothering his cataracts.

The best Mother's Day Present from Heidi

2009-05-10T11:00:00.001-04:00

I received the best present in the world from Heidi today.

I was sitting with my morning coffee, watching the weather channel and not paying much attention to the dogs. The boys were doing "zoomies" around the living room/dining room, and then had a little tussle together. I glanced over to watch them wrestling when I realized that I could still hear little feet doing zoomies. I looked over to see Heidi rounding the dining room table, coming as hard as she could with her "bunny hop".

Heidi doing the bunny hop is not new, but Heidi playing with the boys is HUGE !!!

Before now, the best she had done was to watch them doing zoomies and sit at the narrowest point in their race track, to pounce on them. I was thrilled that she was engaging in play that much. To have her join in the "festivities" is just awesome. She also joined in the wrestling match with the boys. Poor Valentin, Pogo "chewing" on his hind leg and Heidi attacking a front paw. (all noise, no teeth). Of course, my camera was nowhere at hand to capture our "Kodac moment" :-( .

We are guessing her age to be between 10 and 12, so for her to start playing is such a wonderful gift. She must be feeling pretty good to want to play after almost 3 years of living with us. I would say that this break through is a result of the combination of chiropractic and acupuncture treatments combined with her supplements (primarily Ester-C and Sasha's Blend).

(Zoomies - for those unfamiliar with the term, it is when doxies get a build up of energy and can only release it by madly running in huge circles, until they burn out. It is actually where my screen name, Maddoxies, came from. I had golden retrievers before Valentin. When Valentin came to us and started the "zoomies", I would IM my golden friend that we had a "mad dachshund alert". Hence, Maddoxies)

Pogo eye update

2009-05-08T13:23:00.001-04:00

Pogo's eye looks almost 100% normal again. You have to look closely to see the tiniest bit of the abcess left. He is still on BNPH for a couple more weeks and one more recall appointment, but he is practically healed. Still no idea though about what caused this to happen.

And Stanley makes 3 (cart kids)

2009-05-07T09:44:00.001-04:00

Through the rescue grapevine, I heard about a senior boy at a HS who appeared to be down in the back.

Stanley is a sweet, senior gentleman. He is 13, has had back issues for some time, and his larger fur companion died the day before he was surrendered to the shelter. He has been well loved, but his family could no longer afford to look after him properly. They had contemplated euthanasia, but surrendered him to the Humane Society instead, in hopes that someone else could take up his care. He is a frosty faced, chocolate standard (small standard - 20 pounds with his atrophied hind end). Besides having almost no use of his hind legs, he is also incontinent. Girls and diapers are easy to handle, this is my first venture into belly bands and diapers combined (Stanley is both urine and fecal incontinent). There will be a learning curve for both Stanley and me. Being a standard, I am not sure about diaper sizes for Stanley. I found a part package of human Depends (size small) at our local Value Village. We started with the belly band last night, so I will try the Depends tomorrow night on Stanley and see how he reacts to them (and how the sizing fits him).

Stanley will be the third cart kid in the house (wear your steel toed shoes if you come to visit us, lol. Someone is bound to run over your feet with their wheels). Once he settles in, we will see about getting him a cart. He has minimal movement in his back legs, but his tail does wag a little and he has deep pain sensation. I am hoping a walking cart may help him to regain some strength in those back legs.

The poor boy is rather sad and depressed right now; but who can blame him. In the last two weeks, his buddy had died, he lost his family and has been living in a shelter. Now he has this strange lady putting funny things on him and a bunch of barky dachshunds running around. I do get little kisses from Stanley as I am cleaning him up, putting cream on his urine burns, etc. It is so strange to have a dachshund who does not wolf down his food. Stanley picks at his kibble during the day and just lays on his blanket. I am hoping as time passes (and his urine burns heal) that he will start to perk up a bit and his appetite will improve.

I am also having to adjust to the size of a standard. Stanley is small for a standard, only 20 pounds, but man he feels like a ton of bricks to handle after the minis. I expect he would go about 25 pounds or so if his hind end was not atrophied. Although it is preferable to keep the handicap kids particularly lean, he could stand about a pound or so of "meat" on his ribs.

I will post a picture of our newest boy in a couple of days. Right now, we are just letting him rest and get used to his new surroundings. My gang have pleasantly surprised me. They are curious about Stanley, but aren't their usual rambunctious selves. They approach Stanley's expen quietly and sniff him out. I took Heidi with me to meet Stanley at the Humane Society and he gave a little wag of the end of his tail when he met her. Our frosty face seems to be something of a "ladies man" :-)

The Humane Society did their best by Stanley. Before I came to see him, they were about to start looking for a palliative care foster home for him. In the 10 days that Stanley had been there, no one had expressed an interest in him; or as soon as they saw him, they moved on. It is sad to see how many animals they have there and especially the large number of seniors. It was about 10 minutes before closing when we were leaving, and I was surprised at the number of staff and volunteers who came out to say good-bye to him as we left the shelter. Apparently, one of the volunteer dog walkers was making a walking sling for Stanley, so he could enjoy his time in the exercise yard.

I have to haul my butt out of bed about 15 minutes earlier now to have time for Stanley's needs, but it is a small adjustment, indeed, to give this sweetheart a happy retirement.

UPDATE - next morning

Stanley is not doing well at all. We went to the vet last night to get something to help heal Stanley's raw bum. Stanley has lost 4 pounds since his admission to the shelter, and he is not eating for me. Picking at his kibble has dropped off to ignoring kibble, canned food and people food. Yes, a dachshund who does not want people food. He reluctantly ate one small piece of my chicken breast last night. He also refused the canned Gastro prescription food the vet sent home with us last night. We have a call into the vet now (who did not like Stanley's colour last night), so if you can spare a prayer or two for Stanley, he sure could use them. I am sufficiently concerned about Stanley, that I have brought him to work with me. They will just have to lump the doggie smell. Right now, he his laying too quietly in his laundry basket, under my desk at the office. I got a few ounces of diluted milk into him a little while ago and will try again in an hour.

Getting old sucks.

Pogo's turn

2009-05-05T14:08:00.002-04:00

Pogo's turn at the vet this weekend.

He was fine when I got home from work at 10pm Friday, but by bedtime, his bottom right eye lid was swollen with a huge abcess. Cue mom's heart attack!!

After my initial shock, I took stock of the situation. It did not seem to be bothering him, nothing was bleeding, he seemed otherwise fine; so cancel the dash to the ER. It is $250 to walk in the door and see a vet who does not know Pogo - and may not know much about dapple dachshunds either. My extra concern was that this is his "dapple" eye.

We saw our own vet the next morning. Dr. B is not sure what caused the abcess; we could not find a scratch, a bite mark nor a foreign object in the eye lid or bottom socket. Dr. B. flushed the eye well and gave us BNPH ointment for the eye.

Pogo is my study in constant motion; getting him to sit still enough for eye ointment is quite the challenge. We will have to work on his "stay" commands. I must admit, having is "brother" trying to see what is going on and why Pogo is getting the attention does not help matters any. I am sure I got some of the ointment on Valentin's nose somewhere along the way, lol.

I am happy to say that the swelling is going down considerably and we have a recall appointment for tomorrow.

Mom's heart, on the other hand, is almost back to a normal beat as well.

Those wascally wabbits !!!

2009-05-04T09:15:00.000-04:00

For those of you who don't believe in the Easter Bunny, well Heidi would like to correct you.

We were at All About Pets, working at the rescue booth on the Easter weekend. Of all the booths in the show, guess who they had to put our booth beside??? Rabbit Rescue!!!! Great

My girl was so frustrated at not being able to get to that wascally wabbit!! I took her for a walk around the show to distract her. No dice, she remembered where they were, the moment we got back to our booth.

At one point, I was holding the back of her cart and her front feet were running in place. I swear smoke was about to come of the wheels of her cart. Her frustration level was so high, she put her head back and treated us all to a hound dog howl of frustration. Great, right smack in front of Dr. Stanley Corin!! Thanks Heidi.

Valentin and my Visa card

2009-04-28T11:35:00.005-04:00

No, Valentin did not eat my Visa card, but they both could use some well wishes after this week's visits to the vet.

Poor wee Valentin is feeling rather tough today. Yesterday he had a broken molar extracted, his tear ducts flushed (for some reason they are starting to close up on him), his ears cleaned, a microchip installed, his nails trimmed and his anal glands expressed.

He hid his face in the crook of the vet tech's arm for the anal glands, ears and nails. I guess it doesn't hurt so badly if you don't look, lol. (This was only his second time at this vet and this is my fear aggression boy we are talking about here. He did very well with them).

His little face was swollen on one side last night and he ached from nose to tail. I know that he was not faking and sucking up to me. Normally when the oven timer goes off, the entire pack yells back at it, with Barky Boy in the lead. Pogo and Heidi swore at the oven timer last night, but Valentin did not react at all. He was curled up on my lap when my sister phoned and she could hear him moaning over the telephone. The vet had already loaded him up with pain killers, but I know that I can double dose with Sasha's Blend, so that is what he got. He seemed to be a bit more comfortable after that.

Normally, Valentin does not sleep in the big bed with me. It is too tall and I am so afraid for him when he jumps down. Last night I brought him to bed with me and the little man did not move all night. He just snuggled up to his mom and laid there with the occasional moan. He did not even attempt to jump down this morning. He seemed almost reluctant when I lifted him down from the big bed.

I am blessed that I can go home today at lunch time and check on him. We had some diarrhea issues this morning. That is nasty at any time, but with a long hair dachshund, it gets even uglier.

We have ointment for his eyes 3 times a day, and antibiotics twice a day for his tooth. For the next day or two, I am using my pill splitter to split his kibble in half and soaking it in water for him. Add antibiotics for Heidi and Daisy Mae and I hope I can keep everyone's routines straight. Pogo is feeling decidedly left out of all this, so he gets a placebo (an empty pill pocket, lol).

My Visa card??? Well, $1,500 later (exams, blood tests for the boys, the procedures yesterday, Revolution for the summer, meds for 3 of them, Heidi's acupuncture treatment), my Visa card is in ICU moaning right along with Valentin. Sadly, the only painkiller for my Visa card is extra hours at my part time job.

So much for central air-conditioning this summer. I think it will be more like an air mattress for the basement.

Vet bills $1,500, having my babies, Priceless.

Another sad good bye

2009-04-07T15:28:00.001-04:00

Last night fellow rescuers had to say good bye to their 6 yr old Great Dane, Carson. Carson was a rescue, beaten by his first owners because he would not listen to them. Listening is very difficult if you are deaf, as Carson was.

He was a huge teddy bear, a real lover and I will miss working at rescue events with this truly gentle giant.

When people die, we gather for some form of ceremony and usually go to somewhere afterwards to reminisce. We don't have that same opportunity for our fur friends; and so, I would like to share my favourite Carson story here.

One day, in his forever home, Carson got something he wasn't supposed to have. He did not want to "hear" his owner saying No, so Carson looked at his owner and very deliberately closed his eyes, so that he could not see the hand signal for "give". Carson's vocabulary of sign language was truly impressive.

A character, a sweet, sweet boy who charmed everyone who visited our rescue booth and all of those who knew him.

I will always have a picture in my mind of my Heidi, barking her silly head off at Carson, and Carson looking at her as if to say "the mouth is going, but I don't hear you, naya naya....."

Dogspeed Carson

Special needs doxie senior in Florida

2009-03-30T12:48:00.005-04:00

My family would disown me if I ditched Easter weekend to do a run to Florida for this boy (Florida is 26 hours one way, no stops.); but we could be at the shelter doors when they open on Saturday morming and be home in time for Sunday dinner.

Road Trip anyone???

Old, deaf and blind in a US shelter; this boy needs a miracle if he is going to survive. I don't plan to post dogs in need here, but this boy has just captured my heartstrings. He needs a loving retirement home, where he can snooze in the sun and get two square meals a day. Canada in winter, after living in Florida, may be a bit of an adaptation for him, but we have a nice heated dog bed at our house. We don't have any steps in our house, so his blindness would be easily accomodated.

Tommy is a approx 15 year old guy who is deaf and blind. He was picked up as a stray walking around. He is old and tired. We have him in a cage with a nice thick warm blanket. Would love to get him out if at all possible..Here is a link to his info:http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/dis...etid= 13353095

Anyone looking for low maintenance, unconditional love ?????

Adoption pending

2009-03-23T09:46:00.001-04:00

Angel, our chiwiennie foster, has an adoption pending. She should be in her furever home by this coming weekend. Only 5 more sleeps as a foster !!! :-)

Heidi and Mr. Sunbeam

2009-03-18T14:35:00.009-04:00

Heidi's original Deano made the trip with her from her foster home in South Carolina to Heidi's home with us in Canada. Heidi was so sad when one of our fosters "killed" Deano. Through some happy coincidences, a wonderful lady named Irma, send Heidi a lifetime supply of Deanos all the way from Arizona. My girl was so happy when I gave her Deano II. She carried him around with her for days, so he would not get out of her sight again.

Heidi with Mr. Sunbeam and Deano Dino - her two most favourite things in the world.

My sunbaby and her best friend; a very happy little girl

Oooops !!!

2009-03-17T09:58:00.004-04:00

Heidi has some mobility and can get around in the house without her cart. Yesterday was not my most brilliant day. I got to work only to realize that I had left my cell phone and debit card at home. I did not need gas or any other shopping, so not having my debit card was not critical; dumb but not critical.

I always use the side door to come and go at home. There is a french door at the top of the side stairs, so I know the dogs are secure and can't dash out the open exterior door. I came in the exterior side door, took off my coat and looked up through the glass door to see Miss Heidi looking back at me from the living room!!!

Ooops!!! The dogs are restricted from the living room during the day as someone (aka Valentin) likes to pee in the dining room. Miss Heidi must have taken herself into the living room and used the doggie steps to snuggle up on the sofa while I was wasn't looking. I never saw the little monkey when I turned on the radio in the living room and put up the gate.

She was so proud of herself, she got to sun herself in the afternoon sunshine and didn't have to share with the others. When I came to the gate at the living room door, she hopped over and showed me how she could roll on the carpet in the sunshine. "Look mom!! It's my best friend, Mr. Sunbeam!" Heidi is my sunbaby. She tracks the sunbeams across the living room floor on the weekends; moving a minute or so ahead of the sunbeam's track, so she gets the maximum rays.

She was none the worse for her experience, but I was concerned that she did not have access to water during the day. At least it is early spring and not too warm. Heidi is not a huge drinker and has a tendency to be slightly dehydrated.

I have learned at bedtime to check under the blankie on the sofa, as Pogo will be snoring away and miss the bedtime call. Now I have to watch for the morning "sunshine sneak" by Miss Heidi.

Border Collie

2009-03-15T18:46:00.005-04:00

Here is a picture of the blind border collie pup who is just learning that there is a day and a night.

He is a very sweet boy. Once he figures out the rhythm of life, I am sure he will be brilliant at it.

I started this blog to let people know about my Heidi and that she has a "normal" life. So many dachshund owners put their injured babies to sleep because they are not told about the options. I will do some updates from time to time on this boy as well, as vision issues occur with the piebald and dapple (especially double dapple) dachshunds as well.

House seems empty with only 4 dogs (and a cat)

2009-03-13T15:25:00.009-04:00

Angel is at the vet for her spay and the house seems empty without her. She will be back tomorrow, then we lose another 4 paws on Sunday as the cat I have been housesitting is returning home.

She has been in my basement for about 6 weeks, and up until this past Wednesday growled at me or ignored me. Wednesday, as I was filling her food bowl and cleaning her box, I was startled when she wrapped herself around my ankles. FINALLY, 4 days before you leave, you decide you like me. Now we have meowing downstairs, calling for me to come and pet her, and my guys (mostly Valentin) responding from upstairs.

Yes, Angel's absence is still felt in the middle of all that cross-species cussing. It is actually amusing. I have no idea what is going on in Valentin's little mind, but when he hears the cat meowing, he runs to my bedroom and barks down the heat register. Silly boy passes two big air returns on his way to my bedroom, to bark down the smaller opening. Oh well, it must make sense to him. I can only imagine the activity, when after kitty leaves, the boys get back downstairs. I must have the camcorder charged up for that!!

Angel left a chewie behind in her dog bed. Pogo has been doing everything in his power to reach through the exercise pen and get that chewie - little brat. That elusive chewie remains about 4 cms outside his reach.

We have our first adoption application for Angel as well, so our paw count may be diminishing even more in the near future.

Everytime I say "when this foster leaves, I am going to take a small break", there is always a furkid in dire need. I am hoping that once Angel is adopted, we can have a couple of weeks before the next foster, just so my kids can have some "family time".

Blind dog, need my readers' help

2009-03-13T09:59:00.008-04:00

I started this blog to share my experiences with handicapped dachshunds; to let people know that handicapped pets can have full and happy lives.

Today, I am coming to my readers for their help with a handicapped pet. A fellow rescuer has just taken in a blind border collie, 11 months old. He was born without eyes. A kind soul took him in, as a pup, so that he would not be euthanized. He was in a rural setting and not integrated into family life. He was surrendered to rescue last weekend.

Family life is brand to to this boy. One of the first challenges is day and night. As he can't see, he has no concept of bedtime vs daytime and is keeping them up all hours of the night. Poor boy is fussing, whining, crying, because all the people have "disappeared".

I have tried searching on blind dogs, and most roads lead back to one or two sites which don't really have much info on this issue. The bulletin board seems to not be very active as well. A post from Sunday has never been answered.

My dad was blind for the last 28 years of his life, so I have had some experience with the challenges of blindness, but Dad had memories of sight to help him, this little BC boy has never seen. I have suggested some Melatonin about an hour before bedtime. As his brain does not get the visual clues of darkness to stimulate the melatonin levels, this may help. Other suggestions have been a small amount of lavender in his bed at bedtime, vigorous evening exercise to tire him out and Tellington Touch massage to help relax him and stimulate night time body chemistry.

Does anyone have any other resources or suggestions?

The family is going to order an Angel Vest for him and we have run through the links from their website. By the way, this boy is not up for adoption. Although Sally is in rescue, this boy is now hers; he is home.

Fear aggressive foot warmer????

2009-03-09T16:07:00.023-04:00

A friend of mine was passing through town Sunday and was able to stop in for lunch. I was so looking forward for a chance to get together with her, but I was also worried about Valentin's reaction to strangers/invaders. Valentin does not do well with other people, and certainly not when they "invade" his home (in addition to the constant barking, he can get this "wild" look in his eyes and may give some warning snaps if they move too fast or come too close to me). If I wasn't housing a cat in my basement, I would have put Valentin and Pogo downstairs before "L" arrived. I would have spent some time squashing the barking, but there would be zero chance of any incidents with Valentin safely contained downstairs. As the cat is there, this was not an option.

He did bark at "L", especially when she stood up and moved too quickly to suit Valentin

BUT !!!!

at one point "L" was curled up on the sofa with Pogo on her lap and Valentin curled up warming her feet!!!! Granted this was after she came into the house (while Valentin and the others were confined to the kitchen), got seated and was armed with treats; but that is certainly not a receipe for complete acceptance. At best, this approach will stop most of the barking and challenging. Valentin will usually lay beside me "on guard". Having our squirt water bottle in view, will keep the last of the barking in check.

Valentin had met "L" once before, at least 3 years ago, when we lived in another city and visited "L" in her home. This is amazing for Valentin to take so quickly to an "intruder" in his own home. She did comment that, when we had visited at her home 3+years ago, it was my Valentin who taught her golden foster (now her adopted dog) that it was ok to jump up on the sofa and snuggle with humans.

Valentin is fine with his doggie day care folks, and will give one of the girls there kisses. It took him some time to reach that comfort level and they are professional, more attuned to doggie body language and techniques to handle situations. He enjoyed his bath there on his birthday, but this is astounding, for him to curl up so happily with a relative stranger in his own territory; especially when he had the option of my lap as well. His normal position is on my lap "defending" me.

A lot had to do with "L's" comportment around Valentin. She is very animal savvy, did not engage him, let him approach her, did not react to his barking at her, etc. She was relaxed, so he was relaxed; but still, this is a wonderful advancement for Valentin. My sister is an animal lover as well, but Valentin is not as relaxed with her, even though we have stayed at my sister's house for several months. He is "ok" with her, but not completely relaxed.

I had been worried about Valentin and this visit (the doggie gate was at the ready to contain him in another room), but it was a relaxed time and so wonderful to see "L", even for the short time we had to spend together. We chatted and caught up with each other's lives and I actually forgot to watch Valentin at one point.

I have consulted a behaviourist regarding Valentin. He did well in his session with her. I will admit that with our move, the mill seizure, etc, we have fallen down on our part of the homework. I have found that the bigger issue is getting visitors to understand and use the techniques prescribed for him. We have had some disastrous failures when visitors either completely ignored my instructions, or had their own version of how to execute those instructions. "L" did a lot of those techniques naturally, without my saying anything.

Sunday afternoon was a wonderful oasis; a too short, but good catch up with "L" and new hope that I can have more visitors in my home and not have to bann Valentin to barking in the basement.

Update on incoming doxies

2009-03-05T14:10:00.004-05:00

The little deaf girl was adopted out in Montreal as were two of the other doxies. We are getting the dapple boy and a smooth red girl. In addition, we are taking in a schnauzer and little shitzu who is missing a back paw. I have already emailed the Canine Wellness Centre to inquire about the potential cost to have her outfitted with a prosthetic paw. (We will need to do some fundraising for sure).

They arrive the day after tomorrow and will be whisked away directly to our vet for sterilizing and any other medical needs that present themselves; so pictures will have to wait for a few days.

Introducing Angel, foster chiwiennie

2009-03-04T12:38:00.003-05:00

The owner has surrendered all but 3 of the dogs from the December mill seizure, so now I can introduce my foster, Angel.

Volunteers named her Angel for those enormous doxie ears that stand up like a chi's; they thought those ears looked like angel's wings.

Miss Angel can now be spayed and then she will be looking for a furever home.

(Current paw count, 20 canine, 4 feline - for those keeping score, lol)

(PS: The SPCA is still fighting for the last 3 dogs which the owner did not surrender)

More doxies coming into our rescue

2009-03-04T12:29:00.003-05:00

The Montreal SPCA just closed down another "breeding facility" (that leaves 2,196 more to close), pulling approximately 60 dogs (including a sweet looking little poodle with a broken leg). Our rescue will be taking in the 5 dachshunds (I am happy to say that the owner has surrendered ALL the dogs, so they can all be sterilized and put up for adoption immediately).

In the group is a deaf piebald girl, age 3, a dapple boy who looks like my Pogo (but with all his hair) age 4, a smooth red female age 5; I am waiting on the info regarding the last two. They will go straight to our vet for their surgeries, a couple of weeks recouperating with foster homes and then they will be ready for adoption. So if anyone is interested in adopting a doxie, please stay tuned.

I am thrilled to say that I think the little deaf girl most likely has a furever home already waiting for her with one of our foster moms.

Daxitude

2009-02-17T19:48:00.002-05:00

Daxitude: dachshund + attitude, normal for the breed

My Heidi has Daxitude in spades

Happy 6th Birthday Valentin

2009-02-14T15:40:00.012-05:00

I cannot believe that my baby boy is 6 years old today. He was only 18 months old when he came to me, where has the time flown.

I booked him into the groomers today for a bath and blow dry. They are so nice, it was their present to him for his birthday; no charge. Thank You to Ajax Pet Care. They said that he really enjoyed the attention and brushing; preening as they groomed him.

See, I am all clean and spruced up

[Note from Mom: Valentin was such a good boy today. While we were out, I stopped at Heidi's vet office just to weigh Valentin. (Valentin goes to a different vet than Heidi, an all female vet practice). I was amazed that Valentin let Dr. Makawal pet him. No growling, no barking at all. (by the way, Valentin weighed 13.8 pounds, the diet starts in earnest tomorrow)]

Mama gave me a GIANT Bobo for my birthday. It is bigger than me.

This rope toy is supposed to clean my teeth too

I let Heidi play with my Bobo too

We all got rope toys. Here is Pogo with his.

Canadian Pet Military Fostering group

2009-02-09T21:34:00.002-05:00

I just found out there is a small group to help military pets.

There is a facebook group called Canadian Military Pets Fostering Network. One of the founders just joined our small breed rescue group.

I am so happy to see that someone has stepped up to try to address this very real need.

I hope that by posting this information here, it may inform potential foster families as well as deploying pet parents. This group takes in all pets, fur, feather, scale, you name it, they foster it.

TV appearance

2009-02-05T21:00:00.011-05:00

Heidi was not with me this time (she was on in June of last year), but one of my fellow rescue directors and I were on a cable animal show this week.

We were there to talk about my experience at the mill seizure in December. UAN very graciously provided me with photographs that had not been released to other media. It is very rare for the UAN to allow a volunteer to speak to the media.

I think it went fairly well (besides the usual vanity stuff - looking pale and fat on camera). There is never enough time on Animal House Calls to pack in all the info, but we hit the important highlights. One important fact, that the cute puppy in the pet store window comes from such filth and misery. Another important point that, although you may want to "rescue" that puppy in front of you, doing so only perpetuates the cycle. It will be replaced tomorrow by another puppy from the same filth and misery. The consumer has the power to stop the cycle. It is the simple balance of supply and demand. Cut the demand and you reduce the supply. Sadly, yes, some pups will die if they are not bought, but thousands more will suffer to continue the supply, if the demand does NOT stop.

It was good for Helping Homeless Pets and for EARS to have this moment in the public eye. We were no more off the set when some of the TV station staff were giving us donations for our special fund towards the veterinarian care of the mill survivors being fostered by our member rescues. We took a lovely little Pomeranian mill survivor with us for the show. Already, we have interest from potential adopters for her and the others.

Our sincere thanks to Ann Rohmer and Animal House Calls for their time and support.

(For those who are newer to my blog, if you go back to "Multi-task blogging" in December 08, you will find the links to my deployment with EARS to the mill seizure in Quebec.)

The Canadian SPCA estimates there are 2,200 puppy mills in the province of Quebec alone. Well, now there are 2,197 and counting down.

Ouch !!

2009-02-04T18:32:00.004-05:00

"It is a good thing I am out there helping the neighbours with my snowblower"

Why, oh why did I say that????

Sunday morning before church, I went out to clear the 3-4 inches of snow that had fallen overnight. Unfortunately, when I pulled the starter cord on the snowblower, I pulled something in my shoulder . It actually hurt badly enough that I went to a walk-in clinic that afternoon. Some good drugs and 2 days off work . It is doing better, but after a day's work, it is aching again, so no blogging for a few days.

The are most unsympathetic. No snuggles and kisses for mom, rather more chances to get into mischief when mom can't move as fast.

The Crazy Dog Lady

2009-01-29T15:03:00.003-05:00

is what I am sure family and friends are saying right now. I shudder to think what the neighbours are saying. It is a good thing I am out there helping the neighbours with my snowblower. I hope they remember these days, when the snow is gone and the dogs are barking.

I have made the offer to keep these two doxies while their daddy is away. I don't know this person, he is a total stranger. He is a civilian going over to Afghanistan in a support position. He is scheduled to leave Feb. 15. My friend who is being deployed at the end of March has a guardian for her golden.

I had also offered to help out another stranger who need somewhere for her cat to stay for 4-8 weeks while she transitions her life. I offered to help, if no one else came forward. Yup, you got it. No one else came forward. Pussy cat arrives next weekend. This could get interesting.

I have made one condition to my offer of help to these two doxies; they must be spayed and neutered (they are currently both intact). This is the only way I can even consider taking them in. Otherwise, it is a recipe for a dog fight.

It is all in the timing. Our rescue has also been contacted about taking in 8 dachshunds. A breeder has developed a nasty, quick acting, terminal cancer and she is trying to provide for her furkids while she still can. There is no way I can handle 7, even I recognize that.

So, we shall see how the paw count develops at our house over the next couple of weeks: our current 5 dogs and 1 cat, or 6 dachshunds and 1 cat, or the current crowd, plus one of the breeders doxies and a cat???!!!

You can't save them all, you can't save them all, you can't save them all .....

2009-01-21T22:42:00.009-05:00

but why not???

Ok, I am just frustrated and venting right now. Our rescue has received a call from a man who is most likely going to surrender a bonded pair of 3 yr old dachshunds. Perfectly happy, healthy, well loved pets. Why??? Because he is about to be deployed to Afghanistan and has no one to care for them while he is gone. The US has a foster program where civilian families volunteer to foster deploying soldiers' pets for the duration of their tour. Why isn't there anything like that in Canada? We have a rich history of peace keeping, but we don't look after our troops' family members who have fur (or feathers, or scales)?

I have a friend who is about to deploy to Afghanistan also. She is blessed to have friends who will care for her golden while she is gone. Her golden knows these people and is quite happy to spend time with them. He has been having sleep overs with them in preparation for her departure. I hear about so many of her colleagues who are not as blessed. Many can't find rescues with space and their beloved pets go to pounds and a very uncertain future. These men and women are sacrificing and risking a lot to help others, why can't we offer a little help to them?

This is a bonded pair, they can't be separated. Adoptions are slower in these economic times, let alone trying to place a pair. And my heart aches for this man who has to give up his beloved furkids.

Another of our foster homes could take Angel, which would leave me with my 3 and my handicapped foster.

6 is too many, 6 is too many, 6 is too many ........................it's only 6 months ............. 6 is too many ........ hmmmmmm ????????????

Pogo's dapple eye

2009-01-21T21:53:00.005-05:00

Here is a close-up of Pogo's eyes (click on the photo to enlarge it). One blue eye and one brown eye are a sign of the dapple gene. You can see how the blue eye is mishapen as well. Of course we love him all the same.

Heidi Break thru !!!

2009-01-20T17:44:00.010-05:00

There was no time to grab a camera.

Heidi has been building up her strength and she has been able to walk some in the house. We have been going to chiropractic for almost a year and acupuncture for about 4 months now.

Heidi is not in pain, she is a happy girl, but has never been big on playing. She loves to destuff her toys and will chew on a rawhide or cow hoof, but has never been big on playing with the other dogs.

Well, the other night "the boys" were being their usual silly selves and doing zoomies in the living room/dining room. (Zoomies for those not familiar with the term is when dachshunds go silly and race around the house in circles). They were chasing each other, overtaking each other and having a great rough and tumble time expelling some pent up energy. Heidi watched them for a few seconds and then positioned herself at the narrowest point in their circuit, where they could not escape her. As Valentin came zooming by, Heidi pounced on him, FROM A PLAY POSE !! She stood with her front bowed, diaper in the air and held the pose until Valentin came by. After she pounced on him, they had a good wrestle and tussle together.

This is the first time Heidi has EVER done that in the 2.5 years that she has been with us. I have no idea what came over her, or if she will ever do it again, but my little girl felt good enough and had enough strength and muscle control to be a "normal" dog for a few minutes. It would have been wonderful to have captured that on video and be able to send it to her former foster mom, but there wasn't time and, frankly, I was in shock. If she ever does this again, the camera is now at the ready so that we can share with Mardy how Heidi continues to build on the start that Mardy gave her.

Dachshund wannabe

2009-01-19T22:46:00.009-05:00

Life has gotten a little busier in our household. We are up to 20 paws at the moment.

As I posted in December, I was away at a puppy mill seizure in Quebec. Well, the last two dogs left from that seizure came into our rescue just over a week ago. I am fostering one of them, a dachshund wannabe or a chi-wiennie.

She has a dachshund body with the head and legs of a chihuahua. She was named Angel because of her ears. Angel has dachshund sized ears that stand up like a chi's; one of the volunteers thought they looked like angels' wings, so Mary Beth named her Angel. (I still say that she could receive satellite TV with these ears. I am surprised that her neck and small head can support these ears). The vet guesses her age to be around 6 yrs old.

Angel is very skittish about people. She is much more comfortable around my gang, than around me. It took some time before I could move her from the "safety" of the exercise pen in the basement up to the main floor. I would go downstairs and just sit beside her pen, reading or crocheting. I would "chat" with Angel, but not look at her or pay particular attention to her. Slowly she got used to me enough that she would eat while I was in the room. In the beginning, Angel would be interested in her food bowl, but would not make herself vulnerable enough to eat while I was around.

Angel is pretty good about urinating on her pee pads, but she has not quiet figured out yet that ALL bodily functions should happen on the papers. One thing she has taken to very early on and very well, is her nice, soft, comfy bed. It is definately her security place.

Angel had another little break thru tonight. For the first time, she took a treat from my hand. It was a slow process, she had to work up to it and I could not look at her while she approached, but she did finally touch my hand with her nose and gently lick off the treat. I had to stay on the other side of the baby gate as well. She still jumps and skitters to the opposite corner of the area when I change her pee pads, or fill her water bowl. It is a little dance that we do, so that she is always in the furthest corner away from me. It breaks your heart to see how afraid and unsocialized she is. But she has come a long way in a very short period of time. She definately has the potential to make a loving and loyal companion.

The owner has not surrendered the dogs from the seizure; this is going to be decided in the courts, so I am not comfortable posting her picture here at this time. Depending upon which way you look at her, she morphs between looking more chi and highlighting her doxie body. Her bark is definately that of a chi. Angel has only recently found her voice here and she does not use it that often. Mostly after my guys start up the chorus, she will join in.

If you are counting, then Heidi, Pogo, Valentin and Angel total up to 16 paws. Yes, I am an accountant. The last 4 paws belong to another foster, a special needs doxie like Heidi.

Add to it all, a broken snowblower, year end at work as well as for the rescue's books, and you get an idea of life in our household at the moment. I am seriously considering sending flowers and a Get Well card to my snowblower - I ache all over from shovelling.

Well, I am off to tuck everyone in for the night,

And Pogo makes three

2008-12-30T16:08:00.017-05:00

The legal limit where I live is 3 dogs. I considered my age and the average life span of a dachshund and decided that I could treat myself to one puppy. The pup and I would become senior citizens together. I really wanted a standard wire-haired dachshund. I had fostered a mini wire and loved their personalities. I had had a standard, black and tan smooth dachshund when I was a child. Standards were the norm back then (in the dark ages, lol) whereas minis are more common these days. A combination of the coat and size seemed perfect. I started to research good breeders of wire standards.

Well, "man proposes ........".

Along came Pogo. I got an email from a rescue friend in Quebec that there was a mini teckel who on death row at the local SPCA. My rescue accepted him into our adoption program and I agreed to be his foster mom. Another member of our rescue come out to meet the transport just to see what kind of a dachshund a "teckel" was. Dachshunds were newer to this rescue and they were facinated with the variety of dachshund colours and coats and sizes. Little did they know that teckel is just the European name for a dachshund.

When the transport arrived, inside the plastic crate was this scared and shivering little black and tan, silver dapple doxie. He had been scheduled for euthanasia due to his "skin condition" and aggression. (The shelter manager at the SPCA realized that Pogo was not aggressive but rather, just scared out of his mind. He had been in an apartment all of his life, never going outside until he was brought to the shelter along with a 16 month old doxie. The owners were moving and the dogs were not going along on the move. The younger doxie was deemed adoptable, but not little Pogo). Some thought Pogo's baldness was due to a food allergy; some of the transporters thought he had mange. I took one look at him and knew exactly what we were dealing with. Poor Pogo has Dachshund Pattern Baldness. This phenomenon is found in smooth dachshunds particularly. Due to his dapple genes, Pogo's one blue eye is a bit misformed as well. (Most dapples have one dark eye and one blue eye.)

You can see his Dachshund Pattern Baldness here

Pogo really was to be a foster and was listed on the rescue's website of available dogs.

Valentin had other plans.

On one hand, adopting Heidi had been a mistake. Having a buddy did not bring back the confidence that Valentin had developed around my golden retriever. With her handicap, Heidi was just one more person that scared Valentin felt he had to protect.

Valentin was thrilled with Pogo. I had fostered several other dachshunds and Valentin did not react to them as he did to Pogo. Within a few days, Valentin started to bond with Pogo. Valentin became more confident as he grew to trust Pogo to help him with the duties of being the "men" of the house. They raced and wrestled, played and slept together. They truly became brothers as you can see here. Those are Valentin's hind legs and tail wrapped around Pogo's shoulders in typical "dachshund pile" fashion.

I maintain that I did not fail Foster 101, but rather, Valentin failed Foster Brother 101.

That is my story and I am sticking to it.

Aren't all dogs "special"?

2008-12-30T10:51:00.016-05:00

Yes, everyone's beloved pet is special.

I named this blog "... life with 3 special dachshunds" because each of my 3 are particularly special plus their special needs. I started this blog to show how dogs with special needs, be it physical or behavioural, can have happy lives.

Heidi's special need is obvious; her IVDD, her cart (or wheelchair) and her diapers. Her love of life and people make her "differences" fade away within seconds of meeting her. She is truly special rather than special needs.

Valentin's special need is an invisible type of disability or special need. Due to the lack of socialization and mistreatment during the first 18 months of his life, he has fear aggression issues with people. From the first moment I met Valentin, he was fine with me, but he is definitely not comfortable with the rest of the world. As long as I control his environment and exposure to people, he can have a happy life; but it requires a constant awareness on my part to ensure he is not put in a situation that would trigger him. I also work with him on an on-going basis following a desensitization program specifically designed for him by an animal behaviourist. As our behaviourist has said, "Valentin is as much as special needs kid as Heidi". He has improved. Valentin is comfortable at his doggie day care and gives at least one of the staff members kisses. I expect that he will be a "work in progress" for all of his life, and I am fine with that. With me, he is as loving a little furkid as anyone could ever ask for.

Pogo was an indoor dog 24/7 before coming to live with us. His special need is learning about the great outdoors. He is almost perfect at using pee pads, but his transition to also using the great outdoors as a bigger pee pad is very slow. Pogo will hold it until he gets inside to his papers. We were out travelling for the day and I did not realize that Pogo had not eliminated once, although we were outside for a great deal of the time. The poor boy was so happy to get home and rush into the bathroom to his pee papers. You could almost hear the sigh of relief. He is also still learning about the great outdoors beyond being the world's biggest pee pad. Wind is scary, this invisible hand that pushes him along. Rain, cold and snow are things to be avoided at all costs (although the silly boy LOVES to eat snow and will sneak snowballs into the house, hidden in his mouth). His dachshund pattern baldness is a special need in so far as he gets cold more easily and usually wears a t-shirt inside for most of the year. When he came into rescue, he was misdiagnosed as having a food allergy. We do want to raise the awareness of this phenomenon that is more common to dachshunds.
The other thing that makes Pogo special, is not a need, but a characteristic. This boy can JUMP!! So far, he has gotten two loaves of bread down from the kitchen counter top. He can jump straight up, shoulder height. I am so grateful that he has (so far) not been able to combine forward motion with his leaps. We are working on keeping him on the floor, as this behaviour will almost inevitably lead to back injuries if he continues. Some statistics say that one in four dachshunds will have some sort of back episode in their lifetime, while others say one in five. My hope is that through education, the use of ramps, etc, that the odds are slowly improving for this wonderful little breed.

Next came our "special" girl, Heidi Ho Ho

2008-12-29T12:19:00.001-05:00

Within two weeks of losing Champ, I had to take an extended business trip back to the company's head office. Valentin and I would end up living in an hotel room for 4 months (blessedly, a pet friendly hotel). I think being away from our home, the familiar surroundings and Champ's scent made it easier for Valentin to deal with his buddy's absence, but I could see that he was lonely and needed another friend.

I searched the DRNA (Dachshund Rescue of North America, http://www.drna.org/) website, looking at the furkids who had been waiting the longest for their forever homes and fell in love with Miss Heidi Ho Ho. There was something about her picture on the internet that kept drawing me back to her. The fact that she was a "special needs" girl did not deter me. Due to my working hours, I did not feel comfortable taking on a dog that needed expressing, but Heidi was incontinent and diapers easily handled that.

Heidi had been found by the side of a country, dirt road. Although it was early December in South Carolina, the people who found her kept her outside in a box on their front porch for a few days, in case someone passing by recognized her. She then was turned into the local kill shelter as a stray.

When no one claimed her after 7 days, she was scheduled to be killed. You see, Heidi was found already paralized. We estimate her injuries were 2 years old at that point and she had wear marks on her feet that she had previously been in a cart. YOU figure out how a paralized dog ran away from home. Heidi`s age was estimated at 7 to 9 yrs old at that time.

Blessedly, a wonderful lady named Mardy realized how special Heidi was, and stepped forward to become Heidi's foster mom. Mardy nursed Heidi back to health (she was very thin, had a UTI, her legs and feet were very scraped up from dragging herself over the rough ground). Heidi hated being in that cage at the shelter, her nose was bloodied from banging it against the cage bars. Here is a picture of her poor little feet when she came into rescue.

Mardy and I talked several times about Heidi's needs and how I would look after her, working and being single. In theory, on the phone, it was all good.

After being approved, volunteers helped to transport Heidi from South Carolina to the Canadian border at Niagara Falls. It was a 2 day car ride for my girl, she loved every minute of it and charmed each of her transporters. Heidi is a real trooper. I will confess to panic as the transport pulled away, leaving me holding Heidi. "What had I gotten myself into?" "How could I possibly care for her?" I wasn't even sure how to put her into her cart, let alone change diapers, etc. The first 5 or 6 weeks I guarded the last diaper that Mardy had sent. Each new diaper was carefully measured against the sample, so that I would get the hole for her tail in exactly the right place. With time, I did relax. Heidi was very patient with me. Today, I can free-hand cut the tail holes and change her diapers with my eyes closed.

We were in the hotel room for another month, then 2 months with my sister while I had knee surgery. Heidi did not actually settle in to her new home until 3 months after she became a Canadian. She took it all in stride. Heidi reigns over whatever situation she finds herself in.

Heidi was with Mardy for about 6 months before I adopted her. Being a foster mom myself, I know how hard it was for her to let Heidi go so far away, knowing that she would most likely never see Heidi again. We have stayed in touch for these past 2.5 years and 14 months after the adoption, Heidi and Mardy got to meet again in Virginia, at the Mid-Atlantic Doxie Phest. It was a great reunion, Heidi obviously remembered Mardy and I got to thank Mardy in person for the wonderful gift of Miss Heidi Ho Ho.

Here is Heidi in her newest cart. This was taken at one of Heidi's public education presentations. We teach children the proper way to meet a strange animal and that having "special needs" does not mean being different or excluded from day to day life.

This was the first day with her new brother, Valentin

Here they are today, as close as if they have been together all their lives.

White Christmas

2008-12-22T10:26:00.000-05:00

2008 will be a White Christmas for all of Canada. The last time this happened was 1971.
We certainly have more than our fair share of snow. We have received half the season's average snow fall within the past week. I am so glad that I bought a snow blower. It was not cheap, but well worth the investment. Even with the machine, my knees and hips are aching for this weekend's workout. Without the machine, I would be lying in a snowbank, probably dead from a heart attack.
Our doggie run has about 3 feet of snow, so obviously the boys are not getting their exercise out there. Instead, Pogo is finding all sorts of mischief to get into while I am at work. (He has now learned how to unzip my backpack.) I was going to send them to the basement during the work day, where they would have lots of room to run and play, but with -20 C temperatures today, I felt it was too chilly to leave them there. Valentin and his long hair would be quite happy, but Pogo, with his thin fur and dachshund pattern baldness, would feel it. Even in the kitchen, Pogo wraps himself up like a mummy in his blankie on the heated dog bed.

Heidi's intro will be coming shortly, just wanted you to know that we have not been buried (yet) in the snow.

Multi-task blogging

2008-12-17T19:30:00.000-05:00

I have been AWOL for a few days.

Heidi's introduction is postponed for a third time :-(

I am a volunteer with the UAN (United Animal Nations) EARS (Emergency Animal Response Support) team. We have been working with the HSUS and HSI at a puppy mill seizure.

I had the honour of making two posts to the UAN's blog. Two blogs for the price of one. In today's economy, bargains are extra special.

http://unitedanimalnations.blogspot.com/search/label/Montreal%20Puppy%20Mill%20Dec%202008

Farewell to a rescuer

2008-12-10T20:19:00.000-05:00

Again, my intended entry has been set aside, this time to mark the passing of a woman who cared deeply; for her family, her friends and for every animal who did not know the comfort of a loving forever home.

The rescue world was shocked and saddened today with the news of the sudden passing of Barb Kemsley. Barb was a Board member of Tiny Paws Dog Rescue and a mainstay rescue transporter, participating in transports for a wide range of rescue organizations. She spent many weekends on the highway, helping animals to foster care or forever homes.

One special project that Barb managed was obtaining and distributing paw print shaped decals and magnets that declared a vehicle to be an "Animal Rescue Transport Vehicle". Transporters all over our province have these affixed to their vehicles. These help us to identify fellow transporters as we hand over our precious cargo, from driver to driver (Barb, herself, being one of these most regular drivers). I should like to think that a bit of Barb's spirit now rides with each one of us who displays this symbol on our vehicle. It will be our own, private, Highway to a Hero.

Barb's passing is sudden, she was only 45.

Barb leaves behind a husband, daughter and son.

My deepest sympathies to Barb's family, as well as the many expressions of condolence from the rescue world.

Rest in Peace, Barb. We've got this run.

Day of Mourning

2008-12-05T12:08:00.000-05:00

My next entry should have been about adopting Miss Heidi. Instead, I need to mark the passing of a friend's golden retriever.

I used to house/dog sit for her when I lived in her area. Her 3 goldens, my golden and my doxies all played, ate and slept together (all of them in the big bed with me).

If I were still in the area, I am sure I would have been house sitting for her this past week. While she was away, someone poisoned one of her dogs. Just hours before she arrived home, the sitter let her 2 goldens (one of her 3 has already passed) out into her very securely fenced acre+ yard. When they came back in, Dodger was foaming at the mouth and collapsed. He died of poisoning. My friend was in the air on the way home and had no idea she would arrive to a dead dog. She is beyond devastated right now.

If I had been there, could I have some how prevented this? Or would Valentin now be dead too?

We have the evidence that he was deliberately poisoned, we have a suspect. What we don't have is proof, just a dead beloved fur friend and some ugly suspicions. Dodger is not the only pet in the neighbourhood to have been murdered.

I feel as if I have lost one of my own. I can't count the number of times I have stayed at her home, nor the hours that I have spent with Dodger and his brothers. To bring this even more closer to home for me, is that her remaining golden, who came in unharmed, was my former foster dog. He was rescued a day before he was scheduled to be shot. We thought we had brought him to safety. He was a stray in a very northern, isolated, native village. He is a golden/arctic wolf cross; a miniature golden with blue eyes. Welcome to "civilization".

I know her yard is 100% secure. Valentin has been in that yard countless times and could never find a crack to escape. It is almost an acre of backyard, so there isn't any room for anything to have "accidentally" gotten into her yard.

You can be sure that I will now be checking my dog run before letting my boys out. I live in a very pet friendly neighbourhood, but anyone could still toss anything over our gate. Afterall, we never, ever dreamed that this might happen to Dodger.
Dogspeed, sweet, sweet Dodger - you never hurt anyone, even when little Miss Heidi would nip at your paws, you never reacted back. You did not deserve this death.
Give all your furkids an extra tonight, for Dodger --- RIP my sweet friend.

Introducing the furkids, in order of adoption

2008-12-03T11:42:00.001-05:00

First came Valentin. He is my "middle child" in age, but the first to be adopted. When a rescue foster home adopts their foster, we usually say that they "failed Fostering 101". Well, in Valentin's case, I managed to fail "Transporting 101".

I was living about 350 miles away from my family and was back home for a long weekend. Valentin had been adopted in the area, but his adopters could no longer keep him and he needed to be returned to his home rescue, run by a friend of mine. I had agreed to pick up Valentin while visiting family and return him to the rescue after the long weekend . At that time, I had a golden retriever; I had had goldens for 30 years and was heavily involved with my local golden retriever rescue. My childhood, standard dachshund was a dim memory. Just to add to the weekend, I had also transported a shepherd puppy and chinchilla (yes, chinchilla, rescued from a fur farm) to waiting adopters. My poor family never knew what critters I might be bringing along with me.

Valentin came into rescue at the age of 18 months. Sadly, he had not experienced any human kindness in those first 18 months. He had learned early in life that people hurt him, and he responded accordingly.

He barked at me when I went to retrieve him. In my naivety, I told him to stop barking, and just picked him up. I did not understand at the time, the shocked looks, as Valentin did as he was told and allowed me to carry him out to my van. My golden was in the van and Valentin immediately took comfort with this big "body guard". From that moment on, Champ and Valentin were buddies and Valentin accepted and loved me almost as quickly. By the time we had returned home on the Monday, he was "mine".

Valentin will be 6 this coming February and he still has fear aggression issues with people. We are working on it, he may always be a "special needs kid" in this area. I can do anything with him and he gives kisses to the ladies at his doggie day care; so we know he can progress, the question will be, how much of his first 18 months of abuse will never quite leave him. We have a wonderful behaviourist to help us expand Valentin's comfort zone with the world. He is great with other animals, it is just the human race that he is afraid of (with just cause for what has been done to him in the past).

My long haired boy is truly my Valentine (yes, his birthday is Feb 14). He is a beautiful, long hair, red brindle boy. You can see why he was used for breeding purposes at the beginning of his life (by the way, he is modeling a harness purchased in support of Dachshund Rescue of Houston).

We lost our golden boy very suddenly to leukemia about 6 months after adopting Valentin. Valentin had started to overcome some of his fears, but regressed dreadfully without his large body guard. He grieved the loss of his buddy and tried to take Champ's place as our "protector".

Dachshunds are pack animals and so I began the search for another dachshund buddy for him. That is how Heidi came into our lives. He loves Heidi, his special needs "sister" who was adopted next. We moved back to my family's area and I started to foster dachshunds. Valentin bonded with our foster Pogo, which resulted in Pogo's adoption.

Their stories will be next.

In the beginning, I started a blog

2008-12-02T17:58:00.000-05:00

Well, here I am, in the 21st century, or at least I have a toe in the 21st century.

I am not on Facebook, or My Space, don't have an ipod or MP3player, not even sure what all those things are; but, I have a blog .

Why? Why start a blog?

Well, as life gets busier and busier, it is harder and harder to keep up with friends and family. So, a "one-stop" shopping overview of what is going on in my life seemed like a good idea.

Most of what goes on in my life, is involved somehow, some way, with my dogs, so Dachshund Tails seemed like a good, buyer beware, title.

Who is this person, other than obviously a "dog" person?

First, yes, I am a "dog" person. I am owned by 3 rescued, miniature dachshunds: Heidi, a physically challenge senior, Valentin a 5 yr old who has not always seen the better side of mankind, and Pogo, our newest addition, a 2 yr old (and therefore, teenager) with all the bounce and impetuousness of youth.

Heidi is a big motivation behind starting a blog. So many dachshunds suffer back injuries (current statistics say 1 in 4 dogs) because of their body shape and so many of those are prematurely euthanized due to lack of information about the possiblities for their lives and exactly what their day to day care would entail. This is a way to share what it is like for one girl, who was saved at the eleventh hour by a rescue group. She has come to be one of the lights of my life and a wonderful ambassador for both rescue and handicapped causes.

I am a Christian, who tries to live her faith. I am human, I am weak, I do not always achieve the grace that I am called to strive for in this life.

I am an animal rescue volunteer. I foster, fundraise, transport and use my network of contacts to bring needs and resources together.

I am an accountant, by day.

I am a new homeowner.

I am on the "back 9" of life (although I still feel like I am just teeing off), playing a single round.

I am a daughter, a sister, an aunt and a great-aunt.

And, now, I am a blogger as well.

I can't wait to see what else will be added to the list.