Bill Arnold's Daily Straydog Log

THURSDAY MARCH 25 2004

NOON UPDATE (Our Only Update for Today):

Diabetic Julie has a bulge on her hind end--probably an infected anal gland

     Juana will be taking Julie to the vet this morning and we'll report on the outcome later--maybe by post time.

Juana calls from the vet clinic about Julie at a little before noon: it's a cyst

     It's not an infected anal gland; it's a cyst, and we are to watch it. If it grows, the doctor will surgically remove it. Nothing has to be done right now.

Newsletter is still in the works

     Five sheets of standard copier paper (which is 10 pages of printing on both sides of each sheet) in a regular business envelope weigh exactly (or a fraction less than) one ounce, so this is what we're putting together. The configuration of the printed pieces will be: one two-page, front and back, single-sheet; and two four-page, front and back 11" x 17" pieces folded to 8-1/2" x 11" and then letter-folded. We've got the two-pager ready to go to press and one of the two four-pagers is ready to go to press. The second and last four-pager is almost finalized and will hopefully be done sometime today. If I can just concentrate on this project without being interrupted ever three minutes by things like (1) Who's got to go to the vet right now? (2) Come take a look at so-and-so's poop; (3) If we moved Jordan and Baby Girl's kennel down to the other end of the park, they would be a lot calmer, not living so close to Jesse and Laura's kennel; (4) Puppy Grace has a sore under her arm; (5) Jeannie seems depressed today; what shall we do? (6) Return a call from yet another family interested in Thelma and Louise; (7) Pay some Straydog bills that will be late if they're not in the mail today; (8) Take the books to the accountant and find out why the bank balance is off by a few pennies; (9) Julie's blood glucose level is 79--give her a biscuit and check again in an hour; (9) etc., etc., etc. ... Maybe I'd better go to my dad's until the mailer is finished. But I can't. I keep hearing Pat telling me, "Stay and take care of my dogs!"

Recent emails

Bill,

I just finished reading the last few days of your daily website update, and I am always amazed (but not particularly surprised) by the meanness and hatefulness shown by some people towards animals. It does my heart good to read the e-mails that dog lovers have sent to you. Please remember how much you and Pat have done and are still doing. All of your contributors thank you and will continue to do everything we can to continue to support you. I wanted you to know that Straydog is listed in our will as the main beneficiary after our own animals are taken care of. Also, I agree with you about most people wanting pedigreed dogs or puppies. I don't understand that either. Maggie and Dallas [two mix-mixes whom Pam and Gary adopted from Straydog] are the joys of our lives. They are sweet, loving, well-behaved, and we are so glad that we adopted them. Thanks again to you and Erin and all of the caregivers at Straydog. We love you.

Pam

P.S. I am putting a check in the mail tonight.

Hi Bill,

Sam and Baxter's half of the kennel is approximately eight feet by 32 feet. I brought them some toys and Joyce fed them again. They both emptied their bowls and Sam went into his dog house for a nap. Baxter discovered a chew toy and lay down to play with it. I think they are starting to relax.

Renate

Hello Bill,

Joyce finally managed to get in touch with Ann. Somehow Ann's
phone number was written down incorrectly. Joyce dialed the phone number printed on the dogs' vet records and got thru immediately.

Ann was very, very happy about the good news and thanked Joyce over and over again. She told Joyce the poor dogs had been in concrete runs for over two months, so they would really enjoy the grass in their new kennel. Joyce said she and Ann talked for quite a while and Ann feels like her prayers are being answered and she can turn
her life around. My friend Joyce is a very uplifting and supportive person, and I hope she and Ann might even become friends over time.

Ann will go visit the dogs next weekend in their new foster home. Joyce said she will send you some pictures every now and then.

Renate

From Ann (Sam and Baxter's mom)

Dear Straydog,

I intended to write today to thank everyone for helping me with Sam and Baxter on Saturday. Much to my surprise (and shock!!!), I saw my picture on the website!!! I had no idea anyone was taking pictures of me! However, that was okay, because the point of the story was my dogs, not me.

I left PetsMart Saturday with a completely different feeling than anticipated when I walked in. After having been so profoundly ill with depression for such a long time, I (as well as my doctor) was fearful of the devastating effect giving up my boys would have. I'm certain that many people can understand the grief I would have suffered from losing them and not knowing their future--were they happy or sad? Had they been ill or healthy? How long would they live? Not being able to squeeze my huggable, big tough-guy Sam and have goofy Baxter sit on me. But, the Straydog folks changed all that. I walked out of the store actually repeating, from the deepest part of my heart, "Thank you, God!" and I knew Sam and Baxter would be okay.

So, I was very surprised the next morning when Joyce called to tell me she had my guys, that Sam and Baxter had been so stressed and apparently (from what Joyce said and after reading the Straydog Update) out of control. All I can say about that is that those poor dogs have not known what was going on in their lives ever since I lost my house at the end of October. For several days, they had to stay in my car a lot of the time. Then they were sent to a boarding kennel. Then to another one in January (for which I now owe a fortune). Then for three days to my daughter's crazy household (between her and her husband, there are six kids in too small of a space!) where the dogs had to stay inside. And finally to where they ended up Saturday--and you all know how that day went for them!

The only constant thing in Sam and Baxter's lives since we left the house was having each other. I'm so sorry that it didn't work out well for Susan and Sam, because Susan seemed really attracted to Sam. I felt very secure that Sam was going to have a wonderful home and be well taken care of. And poor Macy didn't deserve getting beaten up in her own territory. I can't tell you how deeply I appreciate Straydog's help and the sincere concern of all the Straydog people for my dogs and for me. All of you and your good work will be in my prayers.

I'd like to hear from Susan what happened when she got Sam home and what happened with Baxter and Macy. Also, I'd like to hear from the people who adopted Doogan [see last October's Dog Log table of contents to find the original story on Doogan]. Please feel free to give them my e-mail address or my telephone number. It was very difficult giving Doogan up, but I'd known since I first found him that he needed to be with kids. Doogan is truly a great dog. But aren't they all! THANK YOU.

Sincerely,

Ann