Straydog UPDATE posted THURSDAY 6/26/03 at ~8:00 p.m. CT

Bill Arnold's Daily Straydog Log

THURSDAY JUNE 26 2003

Shannon brings Rocky, Benny, Rudy and Rex home from the vet clinic

Shannon's report:

     Rocky: After x-rays, blood tests, and a thorough exam, the cause of Rocky's cough is STILL undetermined! In fact, the dog walker, the vet assistants, the receptionist, and the vet never even heard Rocky cough! They actually had me do an impersonation of his cough. The only thing Dr. Morton can figure is that it's allergies. I asked if the sand could be causing irritation, and he said it's possible. He suggested starting Rocky on Benedryl and see what happens. Ginger was sure happy to see Rocky when he got back home this afternoon. She had acted very depressed all day until Rocky returned.

Rocky was still groggy from the sedation as Ginger sniffed her buddy all over to find out where he'd been.

Ginger is so happy that Rocky is back!

"If it weren't so darn hot, this would be a really neat place," says Ginger.



     Benny, Rex, and Rudy: They are all home, running and jumping around like they never had surgery. Nikki (who usually hides when I come to her kennel) stood right by the gate. She must have been so excited to have her little friend Rex back that she forgot to hide.

     Rosie was happy to get her other two boys back, and they were happy to see their mom. Rudy actually got away from me when I was taking them back to Rosie, and he just ran straight to his kennel to let his mom know he was back home.

 

Mike Nicholson, Blind Stevie and Little Pete's dad, answers an email from my daughter, Erin, in which she asked Mike if he would talk a little about what it's like having a blind dog

Erin,

I can't answer you on how blind dogs do so well, but it is truly incredible. We have a large patio with table and chairs and a steel support column. Stevie will start out the door on a full run and never touch anything. Then he will make a right turn at just the right second, still running full speed, goes about 25 feet and makes another right turn into their dog run and never hits a thing.

Stevie also will wind and curve his way around the house never hitting any furniture. When people first see him do this, they think it is a trick, but he has learned all this on his own. I do not know how, but we have not trained him at all. Please tell the people looking at [and considering adopting] the twins [Chubs and Cassie] that I will be glad to have them come to see Stevie.

I cannot really make a list of the things you have to do special for blind dogs as you don't have to do that much. They will fit right into anyone's way of life with no trouble. I had a wrought iron fence installed around my pool when we first got the boys, but I truly feel that if I had not done this, Stevie would have been able to learn where the water was and manage just fine. The key to adjusting is to not move things around because they quickly learn where everything is and remember. Stevie also knows where the "TOY " basket is, and he goes and gets his toys every day. He, of course, gets all of them out and then plays with only one.

I hope this will shed some light on what most people fear as a big deal and maybe not worth the effort, but please assure them it is worth it a million times over for very little effort compared to the return.

Mike, Ann, Stevie, & Little Pete