Saturday, April 27, 2013

Josh - His Place in the Pack

Off to the vet first thing this morning with Josh and Annie.  We found out after Annie came to us last year that she has some damage to her liver and kidneys from medication that she was being given. Thankfully with a supplement we were able to stabilize them.  But Annie's last blood work results showed some changes in her kidneys so she needed to have a couple of more tests done. One was to check her blood pressure.  A laid-back-and easy going 14 year old Golden Retriever with high blood pressure just doesn't seem possible, does it?  But  apparently it can be in dogs suffering from kidney issues and if it is left untreated, hypertension can contribute to the damage done by kidney failure.  Thankfully Annie's blood pressure was just fine.  
For Josh it was a yearly exam, and a required rabies vaccine.  He also has a pretty good ear infection so that needed tending to as well.  I don't write too much about Josh. He found his way to us in 2002 as 3-4 month old puppy that was found on the side of the road after he'd been hit by a car.  It took 5 orthopedic surgeries to both hips, pelvis and front leg and a very long recovery to get him back on all four feet again.
Josh's position in the pack has changed little over the years.  He's a relatively quiet and very easy going dog, that loves to chase the frisbee and stays in the background, allowing the others to shine. Within the pack I think that he is probably considered one of the lowest dogs, but I can't be sure.  When he comes to me for attention, most often he is nuzzled out of the way by one of the other dogs. When I try to get him to jump onto the bed he won't if Charlie or another dog is there first.  Josh patiently waits for his turn to be given his dinner and his treats.  I have watched him interact with the other dogs and he seems to have their respect and he (thankfully) is not being bullied or picked on, which the lowest dog can be. It all just reminds me how complex pack-dynamics can sometimes be, so I guess I should just give up trying to figure it out.  But what wasn't hard to figure out is that it was really nice to spend one-on-one time with him (and Annie) and I think he really enjoyed his outing as well, even if it meant having to have a sore ear and vaccine to get it.

44 comments:

  1. Josh is a charmer for sure and am glad he got one on one time with you. Copper is the high demand dog at our house while Moon takes what she can get. I make it a point of favoring her and having the boy wait his turn!....:)JP

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  2. Well Josh you are just a loving dog. I love your laid backness. And you are very handsome. Like you if I am with a pack, like at Bert's place, I wait to be fed. Never lunging in to get mine first. I believe in taking it at my own pace and if others want to push in then so be it. Except when it comes to my MOM. I don't like it when the other dogs try to get her attention. In that case I am the one pushing them out of the way to get to her.
    Blessings,
    Goose

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  3. He sounds like a sweetie....looks like one, too.

    XXXOOO Daisy, bella & Roxy

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  4. I've always found the boys seem to like it if I just take one somewhere. The other one is miserable, but it seems like such a treat to the other.

    Sam

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  5. i always love annie's sweet white face. josh is almost 'new' to me! he's beautiful! i am glad he has a place with you - and your pack.

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  6. Josh has such a soulful loving face,such a sweet looking dog.I`m so glad he is with you & your husband,phyllis

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  7. He looks like a sweet heart and I am sure he loved his time out with you.
    He is very sweet!!

    wags
    Jazzi and Addi

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  8. Josh, you are a sweetie, always waiting for others to have their meal first, never butting in, a real gentle boy, just like our ginger cat Tom was, and one on one time, so good for the quieter ones,he is at home with you for some special reason.Fond greetings, Jean

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  9. I think your right Kim. I have a feeling Josh enjoyed his time with you and Annie even if it was going to the vet. What a sweet soul he is.
    His gentleness can be seen in his eyes.
    Were happy his check up was good ,, and that Annie is doing good too..
    and we hope you and Carl and the rest of the pack are good too.
    love
    tweedles

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  10. Two sweethearts! I did not know Josh's story. He has come a long way.

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  11. I love Josh, but even more, I love your heart.

    Thank you so much for your sweet words.

    I have to ask you if you're comfortable telling me what town you're near? My new book for Random House is set in 1858 Virginia around Purcellville, Hillsboro, and Waterford (my favorite town).

    Also, I know your time is stretched, but just wanted your say about Wheaton terriers. Their temperament, energy level, etc. I've always wanted one. I lost my two dogs a few years ago and have sort of sealed myself off from a new one.

    Thanks again for your words,

    Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

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  12. P.S. Reading Never Cry Wolf by Farley Mowat taught me a lot about pack dynamics.

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  13. What sweethearts. The quiet contentment of sharing life with characters like this.

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  14. We don't recall hearing so much about Josh, but he is sure a pretty, sweet boy. Good for you giving him and Annie one on one time.

    Cheers,

    Stella and Zkhat

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  15. Glad Annie had a good check at the vets. As for Josh, what a handsome chap he is and so lucky for him to be living at Golden Pines :)

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  16. Sounds like a nice boy, I love his colour!

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  17. Josh has such a sweet face and eyes -- I'm glad he got some time with you. xo

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  18. Morning Kim, I adore Josh, what a story how he came to you at Golden Pines, he has such a sweet face.......So happy he is with you and your loving home......Blessings Francine.

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  19. What a sweet face Josh has. Wow, his life started hard - but he has a home at Golden Pines!

    Woofs
    Nadine & goldens Neeli & Elle

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  20. He just looks like a sweetie and your description of him confirms that. I'd love to cuddle up with him!!

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  21. He understand his place and is happy with it, that's pawsome and josh your one pretty puppy!

    We here are all very much equal, it's one for all, all for one, as they say

    The Mad Scots

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  22. Josh is a lucky boy to be with you Kim!!!! Glad Annie blood pressure was good!!! You are a good Mom!!!

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  23. Josh sure is a sweetie. Glad you two got to spend some quality time together.

    Cindy

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  24. Josh looks like such a kind, mellow guy :) I'm glad all is well with him and I hope that everything turns out okay for Annie as well!

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  25. I have a real soft spot for the dogs lower on the order. I like to give them special alone time with me so they feel important.

    Josh has always been one of my favorites, maybe because he loves his frisbee so much.

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  26. He is regal and beautiful!

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  27. josh is just a gentleman.
    like my zeke was.
    they are special.
    hope he can have more one on one days with you without going to the 'dreaded vet!' LOL.
    beautiful faces looking at me from this post. they make my heart sing.
    xo

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  28. Aww, Josh seems so sweet. Love his angel face. He is gorgeous. Reminds me of my Roscoe on color.
    Glad to know that everyone in Golden Pine is doing well.
    Ana

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  29. I hope you and all the pups had a terrific weekend Kim!
    Wishing you a lovely week.
    xo Catherine

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  30. Gorgeous dog.
    Hope you all have a blessed week, Kim. ♥

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  31. Thanks for the highlight on Josh! He's super handsome and sounds like a sweetie. He's been with you for a long time - lucky for him and you!

    I'm glad about Annies BP too!

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  32. I have a soft spot for an "under dog" and it amazes me how they just accept their place in the scheme of things. Our two take it in turns to be bossy, depending on whether it is food or the bed of choice. Joy

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  33. I love the photos you post of your dogs as you write about them. You always capture their soulful loving eyes and I'm reminded they are looking at you taking the picture, so this is the way they look at you :)

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  34. I agree...Josh is a charmer. Such a sweet face! Let's hope he and Annie will continue to enjoy a long, happy life with you.
    Lotsaluv
    MAXMOM IN SA

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  35. Josh indeed has such a refined status and shines throughout.

    Annie has a similar to my human condition. In that my kidneys failed and my BP is extremely high as a result. However, I am pleased to say that with dialysis and my lovely wee Cavalier King Charles - I always smile throughout the ordeal.

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  36. What a sweetheart, I hope his ears are feeling better!!

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  37. Sweet Josh. I'm glad he got some time with you.

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  38. Maybe you and Josh should plan some more one-on-one outings again...no Vets! He looks like a sweet heart.

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  39. I love that first photo of all the green! We hardly any trees have their leaves yet here. Your dedication to your dogs is a joy to read about Kim. They all look so happy. x

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  40. Oh! What sweethearts! They're so beautiful...

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  41. Josh=Easton, Easton + Annie = :-)

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  42. I only remember Josh because of some frisbee posts I think you wrote. He is a sweetheart. I'm glad Annie is doing OK. I will ask the vet about supplements for Soldier since he is on a lot of pain meds. He can't go to the vet, he fights them so hard that it isn't worth him injuring his back again. So I ask when we take Samson or call the vet and it works fine so far. But he's due for his shots this summer, so I guess we have to sedate him in advance. Thanks for mentioning the supplements, it may help him.

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  43. Howdy Mates, good to hear Annie is well and oh how Josh made mum's heart melt. He sounds like a gentle soul who would be loved by all. Thanks for sharing him with us. No worries, and love, Stella and Rory

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  44. Josh is just a perfect gentleman. Sounds like a dog anyone should be glad to have in their life.

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Speak--I really enjoy your comments! Thanks for stopping by today!!