Remembering Ozzie

I first met Ozzie on December 6, 2008. He was sitting on death row at an area shelter and his shelter walker asked us to consider him because he was such a "good boy". Ozzie was a good boy. He spent the last year of his life living with us. Ozzie had a few oddities. He would dig huge craters and stand over them and bark down into them for hours. He had a fetish for digging up tree roots and he would stand over his food bowl and bark at it. He never tried to escape his large fenced yard which was nestled around a series of tall pine trees. Ozzie loved to chase squirrels. Seldom did he retire to his dog house. In the summer he loved to stretch out under the trees and stars. As I was making the rounds a few weeks ago I noticed Ozzie was missing. Nothing in his yard seemed amiss so I searched the grounds for him - calling his name repeatedly to no avail. In the meanwhile, Billy searched the perimeter of Ozzie yard to find the breeched spot. Then Billy caught Ozzie's large brindle head slowly poke out of his house and watch me....at this point, there is no doubt in his mind that I am looking for him! He just watches me....knowing I am searching for him! He finally catches Billy's movement and pops his head back in his house like a turtle and crouches in the back of it! So I walked to his gate and said you are so busted you might as well come on out. So, he strolls on out like okay but it sure was funny watching you look for me! A few days before Christmas Ozzie was barking with delight and chasing a tree squirrel. Of course, the squirrel was in the trees and Ozzie was running along the ground but he was having a high ole' time. Christmas eve was cold and rainy and Ozzie retired to his hay packed dog house and slumbered the night away waiting on Santa. Christmas night, he barely touched his dinner and again he retired to his dog house. The next day, he came out of his house and stretched out on a pile of fresh hay to sun himself. As he napped, he drifted away. Ozzie just never woke up. I guess if you have to go, that is the best way to way. I wish he could have stayed awhile longer though. I miss you, my big brindle buddy. Enjoy your craters, roots and squirrel chases until we meet again.

Barney's Broken Heart

Barney was hospitalized on Sept. 23. His paws were so swollen, he was unable to stand. We had to gurney Barney out. On the way to the clinic, he slept in the back seat with the wind gently blowing in his face. He seemed peaceful. Dr Bradshaw did the usual series of tests. I know when a senior goes down, the news is never good. I expected to hear that his kidneys were not working properly - but his kidney values were fine. I was relieved and expected Barney to come home soon. Barney's testing didn't turn up anything out of the ordinary, he was eating well and drinking well. He was able to stand on his paws once he was helped to his feet. I felt pretty good at this point. Dr. Bradshaw told me that he was going to keep Barney over the weekend because he needed to find out what was going on and he had some ideas. When he callled me Monday afternoon I was all happy, thinking it's time to pick Barney up and bring him home. He was calling to tell me that Barney was already home. I wasn't expecting to hear that.....he explained to me that Barney had a heart murmur. Apparently Barney's big old heart had gotten too weak to pull the fluid off his paws. It breaks my heart to think of Barney struggling to his feet that last day he was with me to greet me. Bless his heart. He suffered a sudden heart attack. I went to Barney's run - I had put fresh blankets in his igloo. I had a refrigerated entree ready to greet him. His bowls sat in their place waiting on his return. I went and picked Barney up. He was all wrapped up in a white blanket with his collar on top. Barney was one of those dogs that I knew would be with me until the end. He loved me and I loved him. I miss his raspy bark. Until we meet again, my big pawed friend - play in Heaven on paws that no longer hurt. I love you my big orange baby.

Barney's final expenses are $211. If you would like to help cover them, please visit http://www.fundable.com/groupactions/groupaction.2009-09-22.2516438209

Barney Hospitalized

Barney remains hospitalized. This is the third day. Test results are not yet in. His appetite continues to be good and he continues to drink well. He is still unable to get up. Please help us get Barney back on his feet by donating to his fundraiser at
http://www.fundable.com/groupactions/groupaction.2009-09-22.2516438209

Harland Arrives

Harland is 12-14 years old. Bless his heart. His backend is weak and he walks in circles. I felt so bad for him. The first night, he would not go inside his dogloo to sleep. He paced back and forth and drank a ton of water. The second night it was sprinkling and then came a light rain. I was worried about him and decided I better crate him if he wasn't going to take refuge in his dog house. When I went back to check on him, he was inside his house all snuggled up snoozing the night away. He seemed to be in the exact same position the next morning - he must have been exhausted from pacing most of the night before. My personal dog, Duke, relishes in making visitors jealous. He came over and put one paw on my leg and looked over at Harland....no response from Harland, so he put both paws in my lap and looked over his shoulder at Harland....still no response. Duke then repositioned himself, placed his paws on my chest and nuzzled his head on me....and cut his eyes at Harland....to his dismay still no response. What Duke failed to realized is that Harland probably doesn't see too far away nor did he care about Duke's shenanigan. Duke was completely let down by Harland's lack of interest.

Hudson

Hudson is a new arrival. He is a senior chow who was rescued just before euthanasia. He is a sweet boy who gets along well with other dogs and pays no attention to cats. Hudson has some medical needs including a broken tooth that has become infected and needs to be removed. We are having a fundraiser to help offset his medical cost. Hudson is in the market for a new home. This sweet fellow still has many good years to share. If you would like to adopt or foster Hudson, please complete and return the appropriate application which an be found at http://poundpals.cfsites.org/index.php If you can donate just $10 toward Hudson's medical needs please visit his fundraising link http://www.fundable.com/groupactions/groupaction.2009-09-19.6600368198

Sam Settles In

Sam is a senior lab who was rescued just before being euthanized. He is guessed to be 11 years old. He is friendly and laid back. His foster mom says he is the perfect house guest. Although Sam is still on his medical clearance hold, he has already generated a lot of interest.

Update: Babs

Many of you may remember Babs. She is a senior shelter chow who we rescued on the day she was to be euthanized. She arrived frail, underweight and seriously ill. She had an infection in her uterus which generated a heavy discharge and attracted flies. The flies got imbedded under her thick undercoat and went to work - almost killing poor Babs. She was hospitalized for 12 days. After several months of care, three rounds of antibiotics and gaining 8 pounds - Babs has finally been cleared for surgery. The tumor you see attached to her rear end is the size of a softball. You can help Babs by making a donation to her fundraiser http://www.fundable.com/groupactions/groupaction.2009-09-19.5077608315