www.Straydog.org Update - POSTED EVERY DAY AT NOON

Bill Arnold's Daily Straydog Log

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 4 2004

Rudy's doctors talked with each other last evening

     I got the above information this morning from Dr. Morton's receptionist and am waiting for a call from Dr. Morton. ... Later Dr. Morton called to say he was just then sending the paper work to Dr. Bronstad. A few minutes later Juana called the diagnostic center to try to reschedule Rudy's appointment, but the diagnostic center still hadn't gotten the fax, so Juana called Dr. Morton's office again to see what fax number they had sent the paper work to. ... Finally the receptionist at the diagnostic center found the faxed paper work, not realizing that the dog's name is Rudy Arnold (instead of Rudy Straydog). They took the faxed paper work to Dr. Bronstad and then called back in a few minutes saying we could bring Rudy in tomorrow morning at 7:45 a.m. and Dr. Bronstad will squeeze him in.

     To be sure to get there before 7:45 I'll have to leave Straydog a little before six, which will be no problem, since I'm always up by five o'clock. Juana will have to come in to Straydog early to cover for me as the hospital attendant. The plan is set.

Erin's report on Tom, the recently neutered feral cat

     Tom tested negative for Feline Leukemia and Feline Aids. Dr. Morton said that really one should test again for Aids in a couple of months to see if an animal was incubating the disease at the time of the first test. This way you would know for sure.

     Tom is a beautiful cat, Dr. Morton said. He weighs 10 pounds and appears to be over a year old because of his massive size, but under three years old because of his clean teeth. He had ear mites, which they treated by cleaning and then administering ear drops and Revolution.

     Dr. Morton expressed his bladder after Tom was sleeping, as he was too nervous to go potty in the cage it seemed. Tom's bladder was full and the color of his urine was good. All his organs felt okay, Dr. Morton said.

     We talked for awhile about T/N/R (trap-neuter-release). Dr. Morton said that at Texas A&M they have colonies of ferals that are neutered and have their territories, keeping other cats away, the population not growing because of the cats being spayed and neutered. Feral cats can survive okay in safe areas with a caretaker feeding and watering them. I told the doctor that I had been working with feral cats in the historical part of East Plano before Mom died, after which my focus shifted to Mom's shelter dogs. We talked about the ear-tipping or notching that they do on these cats to indicate they've been spayed or neutered.

     Tom and I left Dr. Morton's just as it was getting dark.

     After driving a short distance, I asked Tom how he was feeling. "How do you think I'm feeling?" was the response I imagined Tom would say. Soon after this I smelled his strong urine. He had relieved himself without making a move.

     When I got to my house, three of my six cats met me at the door, and they knew right away something was up.

     I took Tom to my art room bathroom upstairs, and as I was getting things ready for him, my cats were having a meeting in the hallway outside the art room door, their hair frizzled and eyes wide open, except for Tino, who keep running under the bed and couches.

     Tom spent time during the evening cleaning himself, and I changed his bedding a couple of times.

     He ate a little and curled up to sleep. He's still a little hissy, but I'm going to take things slowly and not try to bother him too much. Last week he played with me with a feather for quite some time in his kennel at Straydog, so I know he may feel somewhat comfortable around me sometime soon.

     He'll get to have the whole room soon, and we'll bring one of the cat trees upstairs so he can bask in the sunlight up on the highest perch. I shed some tears last night over my previous cat who died in 2000 from cancerous tumor that had grown at the site of her vaccinations. Tom Cat looks just like my Mama Cat, a fairly long-haired, black and white "tuxedo cat ." I'll get some pictures soon.

Puppies Holly and Grace are getting bigger every day

     On nice days (even when it's in the 30s and 40s) these two are spending quite a bit of time outside in the tiny puppy kennel, taking their naps in the tiny Igloo dog house we put in the kennel for them.

     Their mange is still causing them to scratch a lot, but their hair is growing thicker all the time.

Grace and Holly hear the camera person (Erin) and come out of their little dog house.

As it was a little chilly yesterday, they go right back inside.

Grace comes back out.

Now they're both huddling back inside.

Jack and Jill leaving for vet visit at 1:00 p.m.

     It'll take me an hour and a half to get to Arlington, and our appointment is for 2:30 p.m. We'll report on the results tomorrow morning.

Two dogs and two pups went to Dr. Morton this morning

     We'll report on their visit in tomorrow's update

Email from a reader who rescued one of Jesse-Bear and Laura's relatives

Hi Bill & Erin-

I read your update today ... as I do everyday. I am one of your supporters who definitely likes to read about the daily activities of your shelter. It makes me feel included and up-to-date... Thank you for writing all that you do! I wish you all the best with the dogs. Rudy's situation concerns me, I hope you are able to get down to the bottom of this so that the pup gets better soon. What a sweet dog...

I hope to be able to give a substantial contribution soon...please know that I admire you and your staff for your dedication!

Take care, Katie

PS - I need to send you some pictures of our rescue dog, Sydney, who we found on Tenison golf course a few months ago. She has to be related to Jesse-Bear and Laura...once you see her, you'll know what I mean! You'll be happy to know that she is a spoiled house pet and pal to our other dog, Luke.