How Does Daisy Do?

An Update

(For my new followers: Daisy, formerly "Roxie", was a neglected and abused black Labrador who decided to adopt us as her new family by showing up on our doorstep not once, but twice, last summer. She was underweight and had not been receiving her medication on a consistent basis to relieve her arthritic pain. Her prior owners neglected to use heart worm preventative. Daisy also had suffered several injuries to both front and hind ACL's and a terrible chest wound that almost killed her when she was younger. This was not a case where the family couldn't afford proper care. This was pure, simple, and willful neglect.)

Daisy has integrated herself well into being part of a loving family. She has gained weight. She's no longer in arthritic pain and her heart worm treatment has, thus far, been effective.

We are, however, experiencing a few minor issues. Now that she's gained weight she is much stronger. Now that she's no longer arthritic she is quite hyperactive. Now that her heart worm has been treated she has much more stamina. She's pushing boundries, that's for sure. 

I used to be able to take her for walks without her lunging in every which direction trying to chase that rabbit, meet that dog or sniff that human. She used to be so sedate and sweet but now I'm having to pull out every Dog Whisperer trick in the book to try to get her to behave on her walks. She has even dragged my poor son literally off his feet to get at a couple of chihuahuas out on their evening jaunt. 

She knows the commands sit, stay, lay down and heel. I think she has decided that maybe we really don't mean what we say. It's like having a 2 year old all over again. 

Regardless, we love her and are very glad to have her as a part of our family.  

The 1st Vet Visit

Daisy had her first veterinary appointment today. All in all everything went as expected. She does have arthritic hips (as suspected), an old ACL injury to her left hind knee and a current ACL injury to her right. This is why she's been hobbling and is quite "stiff" in the morning before we go for our walk. We need to begin supplementation with a product that contains glucosamine, chondroitin and blue-green algae (a natural anti-inflammatory). It's not cheap as the medication runs about $40/month. The doctor assures me that by taking this medication Daisy should be soon able to go on morning runs with me.

It also appears that there is an old injury to Daisy's right eye and that is why the iris has a cloudy appearance to it. They will monitor this closely at all subsequent visits. Additionally, she had experienced, in the past, an old chest injury that had become infected and was difficult to treat but has since healed nicely.

Daisy is about 5 lbs. underweight so we need to fatten her up just a bit. In addition to her 1 1/2 cups of kibble morning and night, I will be adding a hard boiled egg to her breakfast. She'll continue to get the occasional doggy treat for her exemplary behavior.

Now for the bad news: Daisy has tested positive for heartworm. If left untreated this is always fatal. This is the reason she had become so thin. How could this happen when it is so preventable?! Mr. Sister had already ordered Heartgard for her (along with Advantix) because even we, as non dog owners, know the importance of prevention. The treatment will be very expensive (to the tune of about $500-Ouch!). I will be taking her in for her initial treatment tomorrow and then for a 2 day treatment a month from now.

The problem I am facing is that I am harboring some anger directed towards Daisy's prior caretakers. I need to let that go and be comforted in knowing that Daisy made the right choice in adopting us: for by doing so, she has the chance for a long, safe and happy life.

Roxie to Receive a New Name

After much discussion amongst the kids, they decided that Roxie just wasn't a suitable name for a pet in the Sister household. They even nixed the name they dubbed her just a few weeks back. What is Roxie's new name? She shall henceforth be known as:

DAISY

Allow Me to Introduce....

...the newest member of the Sister household: Roxie!

Roxie is a 4 year old black lab whose previous owner, a teenage girl, was unable to provide the attention and care she deserves. Her prior family feels it is best if Roxie is entrusted to our care and we all couldn't be happier! We plan to get together, next week, to finalize the adoption.

(I have a feeling I will be posting lots of "Roxie miles" on our AR GNAT threads)

A Tale of a Black Lab

Do you all remember Jet, (oops, I mean Roxie)? The black lab that showed up on our doorstep a few weeks back? Well let me tell you a story:

I was coming home from work last evening when I spied a sign that said "Found: Black Lab". I took down the number and decided to call it this morning. I spoke to a lovely woman by the name of Emily. I described Jet, (oops, I mean Roxie), to the woman down to a tee. This was definitely the dog she had found. Apparantly Emily found Jet, (oops, I mean Roxie), on the easement of our property, along the busy street just behind our back yard. I talked Emily into bringing Jet, (oops, I mean Roxie) over this afternoon. I will then keep Jet, (oops, I mean Roxie) until morning when I will take her back to her vet. I then plan on having a very deep conversation with the vet, concerning Jet's, (oops, I mean Roxie's) apparant lack of supervision/safety. I will emphasize that we are willing to provide Jet, (oops, I mean Roxie) a good home with a fenced back yard, kids to play with, someone to run with and a family to love her for always. We would be honored to care for this beautiful creature. Emily tells me she felt that if she did not pick up Jet, (oops, I mean Roxie), when she did, she was certain the dog would have been struck by a car. Also, Jet, (oops, I mean Roxie), still doesn't have the proper tags in place. Will people ever learn?

I would like to hope that this is a perfect world where the outcome would be one that would benefit all involved in this canine love story. We can always dream.

Update: Jet, (oops, I mean Roxie) is here! We are all very excited to see her again!

Guess Who Showed Up For Breakfast

And lunch, and dinner? Why this sweet creature:

Unfortunately her collar has no registration or ID. I put in calls to the local animal shelter and to Animal Control so they would be aware that I have a beautiful black lab if anyone reports one missing. I even posted signs at every entrance/exit of my neighborhood. The signs have since been torn down. Can you believe that? Sometimes I really hate my neighborhood: apparantly the signs were "unbecoming" to the aesthetics of the community. Oh give me a break. I'm trying to reunite this adorable dog with her rightful owners.

I do have one problem, though...the kids have already named her "Jet".