One of the unfortunate things about pulling a dog from a shelter is that if the dog is on any meds, you don't get to take them with you. I can only assume it's got to do with them not being licensed to sell animal pharmaceuticals or something. Freckles really did seem to have some respiratory issues, but I was hoping he could hold out to start a new course of antibiotics when he got to the rescue in Frenso.
Below is the email I wrote the rescuers about trying to get him some drugs.
...I was thinking I really only need 2-3 pills since he's headed to the rescue tomorrow. I don't have a vet, but if someone can just call in a couple of pills, I can pick them up.
His breathing is better today, but last night he had issues. He does better lying on the flat floor. He didn't get the concept of "bedtime" whatsoever. He hasn't had any accidents (or purposefuls) in the house, but I think it may be because I'm giving him ample opportunity to go outdoors. We went to bed at 11, back up and outside at 2:30am (He wags so hard, it just looks like he's about to pee his pants). Then up again at 5am (didn't take him out, he just wanted to either be on the bed with me or have me down on the floor with him)...finally had the official morning walk at 8:30am....and of course now HE'S sleeping on the living room floor.
He does seem better this morning. His breathing has slowed to normal pace. He's vocal as well. Grunts and moans trying to get his point across, and even let out a bark when I explained for the fifth time that I was not sharing my breakfast and he could have his own on the floor...he then went over to the dog bowl, stuck his foot in it, and tipped it over.
He really is quite the character. I think he'll be fine till he gets to the rescue, but I didn't want to see him have to do a full course all over again. His stool is really soft, and he's kind of constipated (hunches for a good long time, wanders a bit, etc before anything comes out). And when he farts, geesh. It's REALLY bad. The stench actually woke me up.
Let me know if you can find a couple of pills, and I'll get them.
Thanks!
stephanie.
Precious Cargo: The Journey Continues
Monday, May 4, 2009
Freckles - Tons of Pics
I had received an email about a pit bull mix that needed to get from a South LA shelter to Valencia, less than an hour round trip. Initially he was supposed to be neutered first, but he couldn't have surgery because the shelter had diagnosed him with kennel cough (sick dog=no surgery). He was red-listed, and the transport couldn't happen until Tuesday, so I offered to pick him and overnight him until then.
Hi Helene and Riki,
Thought you might enjoy some pics of Freckles. He really is quite a great dog. His paperwork says he was caught as a stray, which if that is the case and he's never been in a home, he's done quite well in my opinion. He was a little antsy in the car, first trying to sit on the passenger floor while his head and front half of his body was on my lap, next by finally sitting in the seat but every now and again trying to get into the back seat. I found out what he wanted back there was a rolled up travel blanket to chew on, not food or toys--just the blanket.
It's easy to know when he's about to get mischievous because his tail wags, giving him away. I keep wanting to call him Mr. Waggles. When he finds something especially fun, his tail wags not just back and forth, but in every which direction in a chaotic semi-circular motion. He loves to hear laughter; it makes him wag even harder so his whole body wags. He also just wags contently as he wanders about. And my favorite: he was lying on the floor sleeping when out of nowhere, I heard two THWACK-THWACK's on the floor...he even wags his tail when he dreams.
He doesn't know Sit or Stay, but gets the concept of Come, and responds to a quick "Eh!" to stop him from something.
As for his health, he drank a LOT of water when he got here...almost all of which ended up on the potted plant outside two hours later; the rest he saved for the neighborhood. He ate dinner, and eats a little quickly. I don't think he always chews. I've given him a treat and his mouth opens, it goes in, and it's gone--not chewed, just swallowed. He is panting a lot, but now only in bursts as evening as turned into night. I think some of it is just anxiety. He tends to starts panting when he gets up to see where I'm going. As he sleeps now, he's not panting, but the rhythm of his breathing is still a pant--rapid shallow breaths--but his mouth is closed. So I do think some of it may be from the cough, but some of it is just stress. He does whine too, although I haven't figured out why--except when I went into the bathroom and he couldn't come: that got a whine, and a pounce on the door actually.
Oh, he's a bit of a drooler. No Hooch from Turner and Hooch, but he really hasn't any clue when a thin seven inch drool is hanging from the left side of his mouth.
I think he's going to make somebody one very happy person. He's a cuddler, but can't seem to get comfortable. It's like he wants to be close to you, but not sure how to go about it. So he ends up with his face in my boobs, then his ass in my armpit, then leaning with the side of his body into my leg, then stretching his legs into my thigh, and all sorts of strange positions that don't look very comfortable. He's quite limber, and sits way back on his haunches so his back legs are straight, and has no issue showing you his goods. Anyway, I realize I've gone on and on about him--I can't help it. He's a good dog. Here are some pics. I do think perhaps he should get back on his meds, just so he doesn't relapse. He's been on Baytril 68 since April 26th.
I look forward to hanging out with him for the next couple of days. Riki, just let me know when and where you want to meet whomever on Tuesday and I'll be there!
stephanie.
Hi Helene and Riki,
Thought you might enjoy some pics of Freckles. He really is quite a great dog. His paperwork says he was caught as a stray, which if that is the case and he's never been in a home, he's done quite well in my opinion. He was a little antsy in the car, first trying to sit on the passenger floor while his head and front half of his body was on my lap, next by finally sitting in the seat but every now and again trying to get into the back seat. I found out what he wanted back there was a rolled up travel blanket to chew on, not food or toys--just the blanket.
It's easy to know when he's about to get mischievous because his tail wags, giving him away. I keep wanting to call him Mr. Waggles. When he finds something especially fun, his tail wags not just back and forth, but in every which direction in a chaotic semi-circular motion. He loves to hear laughter; it makes him wag even harder so his whole body wags. He also just wags contently as he wanders about. And my favorite: he was lying on the floor sleeping when out of nowhere, I heard two THWACK-THWACK's on the floor...he even wags his tail when he dreams.
He doesn't know Sit or Stay, but gets the concept of Come, and responds to a quick "Eh!" to stop him from something.
As for his health, he drank a LOT of water when he got here...almost all of which ended up on the potted plant outside two hours later; the rest he saved for the neighborhood. He ate dinner, and eats a little quickly. I don't think he always chews. I've given him a treat and his mouth opens, it goes in, and it's gone--not chewed, just swallowed. He is panting a lot, but now only in bursts as evening as turned into night. I think some of it is just anxiety. He tends to starts panting when he gets up to see where I'm going. As he sleeps now, he's not panting, but the rhythm of his breathing is still a pant--rapid shallow breaths--but his mouth is closed. So I do think some of it may be from the cough, but some of it is just stress. He does whine too, although I haven't figured out why--except when I went into the bathroom and he couldn't come: that got a whine, and a pounce on the door actually.
Oh, he's a bit of a drooler. No Hooch from Turner and Hooch, but he really hasn't any clue when a thin seven inch drool is hanging from the left side of his mouth.
(Salvador Dali Perspective)
I think he's going to make somebody one very happy person. He's a cuddler, but can't seem to get comfortable. It's like he wants to be close to you, but not sure how to go about it. So he ends up with his face in my boobs, then his ass in my armpit, then leaning with the side of his body into my leg, then stretching his legs into my thigh, and all sorts of strange positions that don't look very comfortable. He's quite limber, and sits way back on his haunches so his back legs are straight, and has no issue showing you his goods. Anyway, I realize I've gone on and on about him--I can't help it. He's a good dog. Here are some pics. I do think perhaps he should get back on his meds, just so he doesn't relapse. He's been on Baytril 68 since April 26th.
stephanie.
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