My Birthday

I'd say it was about March, when I decided that my birthday, this year, was going to be the greatest birthday I'd ever had. I am not sure why, I did not have a reason, just a feeling. In fact, I really believed it, and told everybody that would listen about how this year, on December 3rd, I would celebrate the greatest birthday of my life. I mostly fantasized that this day would be spending the day doing Winterly Christmas things like ice skating, Christmas shopping, and dinner with my family.

Well, I found out last night that Al's next heart worm injections will be December 1st, and 2nd, and he will be returning to us in the middle of the day on December 3rd. It kind of puts a damper on my Winterly things day, especially since he will probably feel miserable again. But what greater gift could I receive then for Al to come back after receiving his (Hopefully) final heart worm treatment. On my birthday, I will get to know that from that day forward, Al will feel better and better each day, and be completely worm free!

Heart Worm

I am watching Al. He wants to rest, but he is uncomfortable. I have no idea what he is going through. All I know is that I wish he did not have to go through it. Watching a dog with heart worm suffer, and then go through the heart worm treatment, and suffer some more, certainly is a reality check. I hope I can share my experience with the people around me so they know how important it is for them to be proactive in preventing heart worm.

The Vet

Today the rescue picked up Al for his appointment at the doctor's office. The doctor will determine if he is healthy enough, now, to begin his Heart Worm treatment. The hardest part, for me right now, is not having any direct contact with the vet. I have my phone in front of me, just staring at it, waiting for a call. I hope his treatment can be started today, and I am praying that his body can handle it.

Al's been busy!

Al is an amazing foster dog. He's certainly stolen our hearts, and I am so anxious and excited for him to find a home of his own. Al has completely mastered "down", and is learning "look", and "come". He learns so quick, and I am so proud of him everyday.

He's doing great!

Al is completely house trained (Yes, I am certain this time), and his food manners are improving incredibly. He has stopped coughing, his breathing has improved, and I almost see a little bit of shine in his coat.

My sister bought him a huge horse ball and he LOVES it. He is so smart, he pushes it around with his nose and has so much fun. I wish we could let him run around and play with it, but I am sure he will be well enough to do so before I even know it. Pictures coming soon!

That is not even the best of it. When we first had him he acted very indifferent to people. Almost as if they were not even there. On our walk today, he actually tugged to go towards people out in their yards. He is starting to see people as good already!! I know there is a long road ahead for Al, but I could not be happier to see how well he is doing.

Next up for Al... "easy" and "down"

Oops... Did I say he was housetrained?

Al is back!

We have a short time, and I have a big plan...

First, and most importantly, Al needs to get well. He needs lots of rest, and unfortunately very little exercise. My short term goals are recovery, house training, and food manners. My long term goals (within a few months) are basic training, a few games of fetch, and an awesome adoptive family.

Al is Sick

Marianne called. Al was checked by the vet, and along with his HW, he is also has a bad case of pneumonia. She asked if I can foster him until November 2nd. He needs to be somewhere safe and quiet for a few weeks where he can recover.

I can not foster him. I just can not put Pepsi at risk because her immune system may not be able to handle it. However, now Al had touched my heart, and he needed help. I wanted to do what I can to help him find a loving family. I feel so very lucky to have Nick in my life, and he said Al can stay with him, if I think that is the right thing to do.

Of course I think it's the right thing to do! :) I promised to be there everyday. We're going to get Al well, and well adjusted for his new family!

Al is coming back tomorrow!

Bye Al!

We finally found a ball that lasts for more then a few minutes!

Al is going to his rescue today. I am worried about his HW. He really deserves a chance at life to have toys, balls, and food. And he deserves a shot to learn to trust and love people. After all he has been through, whatever that might have been, he is still sweet and trying to trust us. I can just tell. I do not know what happened to him, but I am glad his former "owner" is in jail now. For the time being, at least, he can not starve another dog, or leave another pet outside to get bitten by flies and have to endure the hardships of heat, cold, and sickness.

Good Luck Al! Get Well and find an awesome home!

Toys and Balls and Food

Well, he is only here for two days. He does not know his name, but his rescue is calling him Alabama. I've decided to call him Al for short. Al is REALLY hungry and an all around really cool dog. He is indifferent to people right now, and amazed with his new ball. Everyone that meets him, really likes him so far. He is minding his own business AND having a blast playing by himself. Plus he wags his tail when he eats. How can you not love love a dog that wags his tail when he eats?

He might even actually be house trained because he has not made a mess in his room. We've really got to work on "easy", though, before he accidentally eats my hand instead of the treat.

Oh, and by the way, it takes Al approximately three minutes to destroy a tennis ball.

I was only supposed to transport Alabama.

I was only supposed to transport Alabama.

Marianne called me and asked if I could help get Alabama to her vet. If so, she would accept him into her rescue, and could save his life. It was a call like any other. He would be a dog like all of the rest. They all touch my heart in some way – the dogs I pull and transport, they are all special. I meet them for an hour, or two, or three. If I am lucky, and I happened to remember a camera, I grab a photo with them, and then I wish them well, and they are on their way.

It turns out that, in order for things to work with transportation, and the vet, and the rescue, Alabama needed a place to stay for a couple days. Marianne called to ask if I could take him, so I typed in Alabama’s Petfinder page. I see his fly bitten ears, and automatically know he was an outside dog with the Heartworm to prove it. I doubt he’s house trained, and probably not people trained either. Oh well, I also know that I can not say no, and Alabama is staying for a couple days.

Fast forward to Alabama's pick up day...

Then fast forward again to two baths later and a new collar for Stinky Mc Stinkster...

And I have my new foster dog. Of course, it's only for two days...