Buddy Arrives at Golden Pines

I'm glad this is the weekend! Last night wasn't a good night. It was 12:30 when I woke the first time and it felt like I’d been sleeping for a long time when in fact it was only two hours. I woke up again at 1:30 when Chip was barking. Thinking he needed to go outside, I tried to coax him out the door with a treat, but he wouldn't go. Back to bed, and awakened again not long after that when it was Rhett's turn to bark. He did want to go outside. Then at 4 something, Todd jumped off the bed, and knowing he'd want to go outside too, and since I was feeling wide-awake, I decided to just get up and stay up.  With our cooler night temps, and the open windows, maybe the dogs are hearing something outside.

Or maybe the dogs were just feeling out of sync because of the arrival of a new foster dog, Buddy who came Friday afternoon.

~On the way home!~

Buddy, is around 10 years old, and comes with a little-bit of a story.  Originally he was used for breeding in North Carolina. The second chapter of his life was spent at a Christmas tree farm, where he chased deer away from the Christmas trees.

When Buddy no longer had interest in chasing deer, in January of this year, he went to live with the family that turned him over to the rescue - Sadly it was because of a divorce and the changes that one can bring, meant that not being able to keep Buddy was one of those changes.

~A tag from Buddy's collar~

Buddy is easy going and very friendly and always smiling. So far, things have gone well with our crew.

~Meeting the new boy~

The cats however, are a different story. I knew by the information the owner provided that Buddy would chase cats if they ran. But a big pounce onto our outdoor kitty Gino was a bit unexpected.

~Nervous drool after meeting our crew~

Also unexpected was that his house-training needs some polish. A lot of polish. That's all I'll say about that.  I'm hopeful we can work it all out. But it all means that we'll watch him very closely around the cats, and wherever he happens to be when he's inside.

Finally, wish our girl Ginger good luck on Sunday! Semi retired couple (see previous post) are coming to meet her. After 286 days with us, I'm hopeful it'll finally be Ginger's turn to have her very own forever home!!

Aches, Pains and A Forever Home

September ended quietly at our house. And the first weekend of October, after a long summer, and above-normal temps this past week, autumn found its feet this weekend in northern Virginia. A cool breeze the last couple of days allowed us to have the windows open to bring in some fresh air.

Mother Nature aside, I've felt like we were the walking wounded at our house this past week. At the top of the list is Charlie. Yes, Charlie. The Charlie that never needs help or anything.

I'm don't know how or what happened. On Wednesday morning he was really limping and needed help getting to his feet, and had to be carried outside. Charlie has never been stoic and even when he was laying down, he was whining. I have a hard time thinking of Charlie as anything but that young vibrant dog that I first met in 2006 and so he (of course) had me worried. Mobile vet is out of town, so rather than wait for his return, I know I have some room to raise the amount of medications he takes daily, so that was what I did. By Friday evening, thankfully Charlie was up and around again on his own and his appetite has returned. So, I'm back to thinking of him as that young dog once again. But I'm keeping a close eye on him.

The rest of the crew will be okay too. Mostly it's aches and pains that age can bring. Sunny has a vet appointment in a couple of days for his ongoing ear problems. The photo below is Saturday morning. The girl that trims dog nails for us came and trimmed Sunny's nails and paws which takes two people to do because he doesn't cooperate.  She does a great job, and we're lucky to have her!  

But if there's any good news, it's with our Lab Fosters. There was an inquiry for Tanner this past week. After a few conversations, the family came on Saturday along with their Goldendoodle, Ollie. It could not have gone better, and I couldn't like them any more for Tanner. So, he left with them yesterday to begin the next chapter of his life. **I've yet to receive an update from the family. But knowing that "the Mom" is a NICU nurse, I am sure her busy schedule has just kept her from responding. 

~SMILES ALL AROUND - Just look at Tanner!! (left)~

As if that weren't enough, I also received a call about Ginger yesterday. I was surprised. Semi-Retired couple are in their 70's and want to give a senior dog a good home. They've had their eye on Ginger since July and want to come and meet her next weekend. With no other pets, they seem like they'd be a good home for Ginger. I've held off on adopting Ginger because I've felt that she should be in a home where she can be the center of attention and be a star.  She can't be a star in our house.

Because we already have one....

Or two...

Or three stars already.

Off to the Vets!

I was up this morning at the usual time of about 5 o'clock. and for whatever reason the dogs didn't stir. Not even Todd. Maybe it's the darkness at that time that's keeping them from starting their day. Or maybe they just know that their breakfast won't come for a few more hours.

~Eager for breakfast!~ 

Our week ended with vet visits. On Thursday I took new girl Sophie to see Holistic Vet. Our hope is to slow down what we think is a re-growth of a tumor on Sophie's thyroid.

~Sophie at Holistic Vet~

So we have started Sophie on a special mix of chinese herbs similar to the ones that Charlie takes. Also prescribed was a medication called Doxepin for her laryngeal paralysis.

~Sophie's Chinese Herbs~

Also along with us for the ride was Tanner. Lab Rescue asked about trying him out in a "city setting" to see how he reacts to traffic and new people. I also took him to the shop where we buy our dog food, and we walked around the city center. Tanner did really well, and wasn't bothered at all by the city sounds and people. Knowing this should help broaden the pool of hopeful adopters for him. At least that's the hope and plan.

~Tanner watching the other patients at Holistic Vets Office~ 

We rounded the corner to Friday and drove the opposite direction from Holistic Vet to the office of Mobile Vet with Todd and Alf.

Both were due for yearly check ups, blood work and to update vaccines. Pending the return of the blood work, they got good reports from Mobile Vet.

~Alf and Mobile Vet~

Todd got his last distemper vaccine. He was happy to be on his way back home.

And with that, at the moment, everyone is all caught up on their needed vet care for the month of September.  Good thing, given that there are 8 days left. Where did September go?

It'll be Halloween before we know it!

~Rhett being a good sport in a Halloween Headband~

Finally it's Friday!

Finally it's Friday!  We have a lot going on behind the scenes that I won't bore you with, but its been a busy and roller coaster of a week. 

The new arrivals, Sophie and Tiggy the cat, are settling in nicely.  I grew up with siamese cats, and I've been reminded more than once this week about what unique characters they are, and Tiggy is no exception. They are a breed of cat that my Mom loved, and just about the only cat she'd let us have as kids. 

~My late brother and me, circa 1966~

Which is why my brother and I decided that having Tiggy as part of our household reminds us of her. 

I did finally catch up with the vet who has cared for Tiggy, whose real name is actually Tigger, and the lovely Sophie.  He told me that Sophie had radiation for throat cancer last year. The radiation she had did shrink the tumor. However, during an exam that Sophie had recently, her vet said a lump has appeared next to her voice box, but he can't be certain if it's the same one.  I've decided to take Sophie to see Holistic Vet next week. I hope that maybe herbs like the ones Charlie takes may help Sophe as well. 

~Sophie and Tanner - I love Sophie's white eyebrows~

Our other new arrival, Tanner was posted on the Lab Rescue (LLRCP) Facebook page today, for "Foster Friday."   I know I keep saying it, but I hope his new forever home comes forward soon.

~A Facebook collage for Tanner~

Our Friday was a quiet day. We enjoyed cooler temps and I let Todd spend most of it outside.

As for me, I spent most of my day inside catching up, and I even took a nap. I'm just so happy the busy week is over!

~Charlie!!~