Small Surgery - Prayers Appreciated

I have a small growth on my paw.  Mom's watched it for a few weeks and took me to the vet earlier this week to see what was going on.  We aren't sure what it is right now, but I go to the pawtor early Thursday morning to have it removed.  Please say a prayer for me.  I's a little nervous and even though mom is trying to stay strong for me, I know she's a wreck.  Thanks, furiends!  I wuf vu all!!

Ice, Ice, Doggie

Know what happens when you eat a refreezable ice pack?  Nothing good, and Kudzu can attest to it!

Last night our peaceful sleep was disturbed a number of times by Kudzu.  The same scenario repeated itself several times throughout the evening.  Kudzu would 'AROO' (not to be confused with AROOOF!), Mom would get up, he'd pretend to be asleep, mom would lay down, he'd AROO again, and mom would get up and take him out.  (Ok, so dad got up with him some too, but who's counting?) 

Then this morning Kudzu vomited and had a bout of diarrhea.  But what happened next stunned us all.  Kudzu refused his breakfast.  Mom knew it was serious.  So off to the only vet opened on Saturday anywhere around we flew.  (Well, mom and the kids with Kudzu.  I had to stay home.)  <disappointed sigh>

Mom called the vet's office to confirm that they were indeed open.  We were informed that they were but would close at noon.  Any patients entering after  12:00 P.M. would be charged an emergency visit which is a hefty hundred extra buck-a-roo-roo-roos.  It was 11:26 and we were thirty miles away.  Mom told the kids to buckle up and hang on.  *It should be noted that mom is a safety freak and never drives more than three miles per hour over the speed limit.*  They arrived at the animal hospital with four minutes to spare.  And everyone was still in one piece!

Upon examining Kudzu and after all his fecal exams had come back negative, the vet asked if he'd eaten any hoo-man food.  This is a big 'no-no' in our home, and mom quickly conveyed that message.  It was at that point that one of the hoo-man children recalled Kudzu had busted and eaten part of an ice pack the night before. 

A shot and four medications later, we are proud to report that Kudzu will be a-ok in no time.  Mom, however, is not thrilled with that bloomin' ice-pack costing $155.

But at least Kudzu is safe.  And that's all that matters.

The Great Kudzu

 

Earlier this week I briefly introduced you to my new brother, Kudzu.  He is healing up really nicely and is quite the cool pup.  The kids seem to really like him which is good because he is drawn to them.  Our resident 'alpha' dog, Ohno (aka Mr. Grumpy Pants) isn't particularly fond of him. Mom says he'll learn to love him though.  Kudzu seems to be trying to eat us out of house and home.  Mom thought I ate a lot!  HA!!  The vet says that as he continues to heal, he burns more calories and will have a bigger appetite.

It's hard not to feel sorry for Kudzu, but Mom says that doesn't help him one single bit.  From what I understand his life was kind of chaotic before coming home with us.  His first owner had a lot of land and Kudzu roamed free.  This guy worked away from home and was gone sometimes days at a time.  Family and neighbors stopped by to feed him while his owner was out.  (Mom says she thinks that adds to his eating problems.  She's not entirely convinced that he is use to being fed two square meals a day.)  Then when he got caught in the hammock, he was all alone and not found for several hours.  We are all extremely grateful for the vet that footed the cost of the bill to save him rather than to put him down as his previous owner had requested.

Life is good for Kudzu now though.  He is part of a family who adores him.  Instead of acres of land to roam, he lives inside.  Instead of being at the mercy of folks who don't care about him to be fed at their convenience, he is fed on a strict schedule twice a day.  Instead of not having a visible purpose, he is now being trained to be a therapy dog.  Mom says because of his new found appreciation for life, he may just make the best therapy dog ever.  (Of course, we know that's not right because that title will one day belong to me!) 

I really like Kudzu.  He's only a few weeks older than me.  He likes playing with me a lot.  Mom says she's proud that she doesn't have to remind me to be gentle cause I already am.  We are destined to have many great adventures together. 

Life is good!

AROOOF!

Boondocks

New Family Member

If you noticed that I was MIA over the weekend, I had a really good reason.  First, my HS (human sister) had a big dance recital.  It took a lot of time getting her to and from final rehearsals and ready for the show.  She danced last night, so that is behind us for a few months now.  (You did fabulous, DJ!  At least from what I've heard.  I wasn't allowed to go. *sigh*)

My big sis and her BFF.

In addition to "all that jazz", we brought home a new golden retriever puppy!!  I am so excited to have a new playmate that is the same age and size that I am. 

He is a really special guy and as of right now, my human family has yet to decide on a name for him.  Indecisive humans!  Sheesh!!  But anyway, here's the back-story...

Last week Mom received an email from one of her friends at Brookhaven Animal Rescue League.  It went something like this:  A golden retriever puppy has been surrendered by its owner after having its front left leg amputated.  When it comes to goldens, I come to you."  Mom made a couple of phone calls and headed out to meet the pup. 

With intentions to foster until a suitable home could be found, Mom, Dad, and the four hu-kids found themselves head over heels once they met the little guy.  Mom told them that they'd be happy to bring him home after his sutures were removed to be part of our family. 

Interested in what caused "lil guy" to lose his leg, mom questioned the animal hospital team.  "He got his leg caught in a hammock and was not found for several hours.  By the time he was all the circulation had been cut off through his leg.  The owner brought him in to put him down.  We asked him to surrender him instead and our "gold" hearted vets fixed him up and began looking for a new home."

Yesterday Mom, Dad, and the kiddos went and picked him up and brought him home. 

So now I have a new friend.  Mom hopes that "lil guy" will soon be healed up enough to begin training with me to be a therapy dog.  Right now he gets tired easily. Until he has a little more time to adjust, he's just going to live the good life of a pampered house dog!

So what'd y'all do this weekend??

Oh, and if you want to vote on his name, visit my Facebook page!  www.facebook.com/boondocksthewonderdog


(UPDATE - THANKS TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE VOTE ON FACEBOOK.  VOTING HAS NOW CLOSED.  MY NEW BRO'S NAME IS:   KUDZU!!)

AROOOF!!
Boondocks