www.Straydog.org UPDATE posted FRIDAY 12/26/03 at ~8:30 p.m. ct usa

Bill Arnold's Daily Straydog Log

FRIDAY DECEMBER 26 2003

Erin reports ...

A dog who was hit by a car needs help

     An animal lover called today. She had found a dog lying in the road who had been hit by a car. The dog was lifting her head up, and the woman could see blood. This kind lady had a blanket in the car and took the dog to her vet. The 30-pound red and white brindle female pup is between eight months and a year old and has a slight concussion and a fractured upper jaw. The vet will have to recommend a surgeon to fix the jaw, because it is too complicated for him to fix, but he said the pup's injuries are not life-threatening. The pup might have seizures in the future, but he said those could be regulated by a drug.

     The woman had heard about our organization, and because she cannot afford to pay for the expensive operation, she called us to see if we could help. I asked her if she could foster the dog until we found it a home, because we don't have much kennel space. She knows of a friend who can possibly keep the dog inside while she's recovering.

     I told the woman that we have a lot of nice contributors who care very much about situations like these and that we might be able to help out, so I asked her to find out some more information about the medical costs to rehabilitate this dog, and she said okay. She'll try to get a picture of the pup if her camera is working.

     I asked the woman about her pet situation, and she told me she has 30 cats and one dog. Then I asked her about Tom, our newest cat who is in a large kennel in the same "hospital ward" (formerly the trailer's master bedroom) with Ojay (who's just had an ear operation) and Jeannie (who's just had her first heartworm treatment and must remain quiet).

     I asked the woman if she thought Tom was tamable and how to tame this feral cat if he is tamable. The woman said she'd like to try to find Tom a home because all cats are tamable. She asked if we would consider keeping an office cat. I said I knew it would take weeks to tame the cat, and she said yes. You'll need treats and to talk to him a lot. Sometimes the most feral cats can be the most lovable because they are grateful for a home.

     We'll have to talk to Tom more. We know that Dr. Morton does neuter feral cats though, so we can take him there to be fixed and then re-release him if nobody is up for the 'office cat' scenario or if the woman can't find Tom a home.

 

Bill's report ...

Ojay gets his stitches taken out by our local vet

     Dr. Morton says the incision has healed well and that Ojay no longer has to wear his E-collar.

     In two more weeks we'll be taking Ojay back to Dallas Veterinary Surgery Center to have his other ear operated on.

Ojay looks better with his "hat" off. His left ear was the first to be operated on, leaving his left eye wide open now because the nerve that controls blinking (and other facial muscles) was cut during the operation as it was embedded in the calcified ear canal. Ojay receives eye drops that replicate tears. His right eye is still secreting goo as were both eyes before his ear surgery.

Ojay is such a beautiful dog.

Jeannie wonders about her buddy's new look without his E-collar.

 

Saturday Adoption Day will once again be at PetsMart on Central at Parker in Plano

     Colby (the big Rott) will be going accompanied by four other dogs, yet to be named. Our crew of volunteers will be there along with the dogs from 10:30 a.m. till three p.m.