Life in the Dog House

No worries, my friends. I am not in trouble.  We have a D.o.g..

When I married Mac, aka Mike, he had a big white dog named Cherry, a mixed breed, with the

 the American Staffordshire Terrier being predominate in her. She was abandoned and timid at first sighting, and my stepdaughter, Sammy, took her in. One day, they came over to where my husband was living before he met me, and Cherry landed at his feet, and decided she would stay with him. So, it was.

Cherry when we had a yard.

We do not know her history, but, we figure she was abused, and she had a clear dislike of other dogs. On the other hand a stranger could walk up to her, or she to them, and I could here her say," Pet me,  Pet me, Pet MEEEEEEEE!" I do believe if a thief came to the house, and saw her, he would probably realize he was at the Wrong Place at the Wrong  time, and beat feet to get out of there, but, more likely she would invite them in, and show them where the valuables were! This did not work for me, most likely as we had very few valuables.

I am in the top 8%, but live in the poverty levels set by the Govt.

She was a gentle giant, as I suggested. No sign of aggression at all, and loved people. When I moved to Valrico, I moved alone. Mac followed me here a few months later, but the MHP I moved into limits us to 1 dog, small breed, so, we could not bring Cherry, which makes my husband upset still 9 yrs later. We did re-home Cherry, with a very close neighbor we trusted, and had visitation rights. One day, a friend of hers, a recent widower, who wanted her as a companion, took her home. He treats her like royalty, even built a set of steps to get up into his truck, he takes her everywhere. She was a sweety, for sure. Don't even come up behind her as a male dog, though, cuz you ain't gettin none of that!!!

In our new little home for about 3 yrs, when I re-retired, sort of, lol, and Mac decided I needed another hobby, or, a dog. Off we go the the First Saturday event at the county shelter,  and adopt the ole dog , Ferdinand, whose story I have told already in one of the blogs.

We adopted him and he had a good 2 yrs with us

Ferdie

We let Ferdinand go a few months ago, as he was in pain 24 hours a day,he was 15 yrs old, and we gave him the best 2 yrs he could have had.  I told Mac, I could not go through that again, and he agreed. He agreed in words, but, not in action. 2 weeks later, he looked at me and said"You need a dog! Find one!" I think that under all that tough exterior, he wanted and needed a dog, so, I found one.

I was in Facebook, where I am often. ( All right, I am in there every day, most of the day, either catching up on all the posts or messages from family and friends, or to feeding  my addiction to Candy Crush Saga. Oh, I CAN quit any time, but, not. Level 1658 boys and girls, and if you ever catch up to the CC Queen, be prepared to be stuck for weeks. Thus far, I am into week 2. !@#$%^

First I searched animal services, online. I had the criteria, small dog, and I did want another senior at this junction. They had none that would have worked for me. Big Dogs.. Dogs behind bars...  Then I found on FB, a group called Rehoming Tampa Area, and posted my "want ad, ISO", and was referred by one of the group members to look at Catalina Rescues page, as she saw a little dog there on their page.

Flipping into the search box, I found the group, and saw a small dog, oh so cute dog, 4 yr old cute dog,  and inquired about him to Rose R, who seems to be " the  person in charge", and she replied back a little bit about  Corkie, a Chiweenie.. making him Chihuahua and Dachshund mix, weighing in at about 13 pounds. Apparently surrendered to a vet for not getting along with the 2 90 pound dogs they already had, therefore, would be best with an older couple, and being the only pet.

Corke aka am the cutest dog ever. until....

Who could resist? My husband couldn't, he said, that is the one! I arrange for Rose to come do an inspection of our house. and us, and she handed Corkie over to me. All well in the Cagle home. 

Not so fast! Corkie seemed to take to us both immediately, and we were able to pet and love on him, and he was pretty good about potty time. Then one day, he was eating something off my kitchen floor, near where Mac had put down some roach poison, and I quickly jumped in to get it off the floor. That Tiny but Mighty dog  jumped up about 5 ft to try to snatch that " whatever it was" and snapped at my hand , just missing it. He did get a piece my finger nail. 

Ok, we just need to give him a little bit more time and love, right?  We noticed he was food aggressive and toy possessive as well. Mac could play with him with the un-stuffed bear I  gave to him, and I wanted to play too. I reached for the bear, and he turned at me all teeth and growling, and grabbed my hand and shook it like it was his toy, or live prey.. I did not move my hand, for fear pulling away would do more damage, so despite the intense pain I was already feeling, I sat still and calmly told him to Leave it, stop, no, etc, to no avail. My daughter Laura, came over and smacked him on the butt, so, he released my hand, to turn around and snarl at the other person threatening his possession.  He then suddenly got still, and hung his head, quivering in fear. I treated my wounds, they were nasty and hurt like a MOFO.. ( I never saw the Commandment that says Thou Shalt Not Cuss, just sayin!)

When Mac came home from work, and learned what had happened, he said send him back, NOW! I cried, and got in touch with Rose, and she would come in 2 days, as she had errands to run nearby our home. During those 2 days, I researched, and Mac researched, how to handle a possessive aggressive dog.  Then, I said, baby, maybe we can help him and keep him. He agreed, as our hearts were already full of love for the little guy.

After informing Rose, we would try a different approach, we put our " plan" into action. Turns out, we were not training Corkie, but, ourselves, especially myself,  as I did not want to get bit again. We avoided the entire kitchen when he ate, never touched him if he was hovering over " his precious." " You touch it, I eats you!", I believed him.. Then he bit me again, like Cujo, for sitting in MY spot on the couch. He barked at everything that came near the house. Heck this guy even slept in our bed from day one.. you gotta be kidding me? Two nights later, he was already in bed, as was my husband. I did not turn a light on, of course, and when I reached for my pillow, the teeth of fury lashed out at me with violent growling, and got me hard again.

from THIS

to hovering over My Precious

to THIS in less than a second

That was the end of my innocence, and it broke my heart, but, he had to go. We have very young grandbabies, and I would not risk that dog ripping off those faces. Why me?? Whatever happened to "Don't bite the hand that feeds you?" We also found out via the vet's office staff, that he had been turned into the Vet's care to be euthanized. We know now, that he was abused, and obviously, he bit someone or the Big Dogs.  Um, what? The vet refused to do so, and Rose came to rescue him.  We sadly returned him. I hope they can help him.

My last wound caused a severe infection in my hand, just before Mac and I were heading out to sea, courtesy of my son Mike and his wife's very generous gift to us for Christmas. I had to go to the ER, where they lanced it open, and " drained" the infection. I think Mac is glad I was holding his hand, and not the sensitive part of his anatomy. ( aka schmeckle).  The feeling in the hand,  did come back in an hour. ( his hand). I was informed when they gave me an antibiotic, that I could not swim, not even in the pool. Bummer, we were booked on Carnival to go to Mexico , and booked a Beach excursion, we could not use. Luckily they did refund the money.

After recovering from missing the little monster, about a month later, after deciding again we did not need a dog, Mac asked me one morning" I am going to get the oil change on your car done  Do you want anything?" Um, no, no I do not, I am going back to bed. " How about a donut, or a bagel? ", um, no, thank you, I have bagels in the freezer. " Ok, off I go, I will find something to bring you." Kiss, and go back to bed.

About 2 hours later, and not sleeping but, in that  between sleep and awake mode, (You know what I mean, right?  No?  Is it just me? Again? ) I hear my husband come in the house and give a whistle, followed by foot steps that  sound way too small for his big feet to make. I know that sound, I get out of bed, and run into a D.O.G looking at me with a cocked head. Beautiful dog, a big, beautiful doh, not under 20 pounds like in the rules, Big,  beautiful dog.

He grins and says, " Meet Daffy. I told you I would bring you back something!" Oh, boy, I say she is beautiful, but, too big!)He is grinning from ear to ear, and reminds me half of the people in this park have HUGE dogs, Daffy is only. ONLY 35 pounds, 2 yrs old, and will not grow any larger. Mac had gone to he First Saturday again, and small dogs were not available, and then he saw her, and said, that is the one. Daffy had all of her immunizations, Heartworm preventive meds, flea treatment, and was spayed the day before we got her. She was registered, and micro-chipped and out the door for $20 fee.

Sweet as candy, without all the nuts.

Daffodil aka Daffy making herself at home, on my spot on the couch

She needs a lil ' adjustment", namely she does not like being in the car, and will chew and sometimes swallow, anything that is within reach. First day I left her here alone, she went through a wicker trash bin, whatever was in it, my favorite slippers,  a tube of denture cream, 2 nail polishes bottles, ( fortunately she did not get any polish in her system, but, the basket? Yes, she ate that sh--, and had lil mini choking episodes til it was gone. ( Yes, we consulted the vet)_.She has one of the most "guilty and I am ashamed and sorry faces I have ever seen.  She is almost house trained, she has only been here a month. We are patient.

Daffy acts just like a toddler, and is a work in progress, but, has already made us love her so much, and the first night, she jumped into our bed ( which I am glad it's not a waterbed, or we may have been launched off.) She then slid up to our faces, and gave us both a lick, curled up and slept there like we always have done before, she fit right in, right off the bat. Very smart, and highly trainable member of our family. Today is one month since we adopted her.  My furbaby and her furever home.

She ate another Teddy Bear yesterday... I am still cleaning that up. It was full of those little tiny foam beads yeah, fun times.  She was sorry, though," but you left me alone again, and you know if you leave me alone, if I finds it, I eats it. " I started hiding all the would be chewed items, closing my bedroom and woman cave doors, I hide the  phone and remote, when I am going out. I haven't figured out how to hide the couches, yet. LOL. I take her out for a walk, make sure she has food and water, and give her a chew toy and a Bully Stick. ( know what that is? I did not either, but,we do not give our dogs rawhide. Angus Bully Stick, made in the USA, good for a long chew. is actually made from Bull Penis. Yep... they start out with a 24-26 inch penis, hang it to drain, and cut up into these Bully Sticks, so Now You Know)  Today as she was sunning on the porch, she ate the lamp plug. See? All of our diligence and patience is paying off. Bwahahahahah! We do not want to crate her, we are being patient and saving up for new stuff, lol.

TV Commercials and It's a Dog's Life

Have you ever seen a TV commercial for a new medication, and listen or read all the potential side effects? Like one that is for migraines, that can cause headaches and blurred vision? ( Isn't that a migraine?" How about one that can cause death?  My favorite is , If you are allergic to this medication, or any medication containing this medication, stop taking immediately. How did you know you were allergic until you tried it?  If it causes death, is that immediate enough? Things that make you go hmmm....

Another pet peeve of mine is.. why, I ask WHY.... do they advertise restaurants with delicious you have to have it NOW food at 10 pm and beyond, if the restaurant is not open at that hour? I mean, now I a starving, and drooling , and angry at the restaurant that caused this. Right? Seriously? Who would not be craving Lobster and a good juicy steak at midnight?

How about all of the commercials letting you know that if YOU or a loved one have died from...( insert the disease here), you may be entitled to substantial compensation. Um, what?  There is a new settlement :"If you're developed ovarian cancer from talcum powder,, " etc,,,don't you all wonder, how do they prove you used it? How did  they know back when we slathered that stuff all over our bodies, including all of our babies bottoms, this would cause cancer?
I 
There are some really good commercials, too. A recent one airing on current television, is for  Heartworm prevention, and has the dogs hiding in camouflage, such as a plant surrounding his body! Cracks me up!  I remember the dogs, but, I have no idea at this moment what brand of treatment the commercial is for. Go figure.
(update, I found the commercial. Heartguard! Inserting You tube video here:)



Speaking of dogs, my dear husband decided when I retired last year, that I should have a companion, ergo, a dog.  So, off we go the the local animal control shelter, formerly known as the " pound", on the first Saturday of the month. They have a " First Saturday Celebration" , oddly, on the first Saturday of the month, drawing in a lot of people with  pets that are " ready to go", at a substantially reduced fee.

I live in an " Active Adult Community",  a manufactured home community, formerly known as a Senior Citizen Park, also formerly called a mobile home park. Rolling my eyes. We are restricted to having one pet per household, and that pet is not supposed to weigh more than 20 pounds. ( Yes, because a 20 pound dog will make me feel secure, or as my husband would say, that is not even a whole dog.)

None the less, we are searching for the holy grail of small dogs, and a Chihuahua is definitely not my favorite dog. ( ok, I do not like them, they are under your feet and yipping all the time). There were a lot of big dogs, really big dogs,  and a lot of Pit Bull types, etc. Small breeds, not so much. I saw one with these HUGE eyes, and a ball of fur that kept watching me walk back and forth. Big eyes.

I finally take a look at him closer, and read the information on his kennel. " Ferdinand" is a Pekingese, found as a stray, he is 13 yrs old , has sclera of the eyes so, he is nearly blind, and he has hip dysplasia, so, he is nearly crippled. I go UGH,  he is old! ( I am old.) Ugh, he can't see well. ( neither can I). He can barely walk he has bad hips. ( Snap! me too!)  He is severely underweight, and can feel his ribs ( um, never mind, we won't discuss that comparison to me.)  Guess who we took home?

The adoption process was easy. they were amazed anyone was taking this little guy home. As he was a senior dog, he had a reduced fee, and as I was a senior human, I rec'd a reduced fee... so, the fee was $5. As we left, we were paraded up and down the fair booths, in the walk of honor, for taking home the oldest dog ever. Cool.

Well, the poor guy's hair was so badly matted, he could not even walk up or down the steps to the house, and the bad hips did not help.  So, first order of loving him, was to the groomer and get him shaved and cleaned up.

He looks like a puppy

First Saturday love at first sight

Shaved.. naked, thin, and crippled up

                           


Well, from day one, I realized that at  some point in his former life, he has been spoiled.  The second I went to the stove, there he was. He would alert me as soon as the timer went off that dinner was done. I also knew he deserved the best chance to live a bit better than he would have on his own, or worse yet, left to die in the shelter. So, his new Mommy chose to make his dog food, added a senior vitamin with glucosamine, coconut oil,  and to go ahead and give him some of ours now and then.

He loved us from the first day, too, although he could not jump up on the couch, or in our bed, we helped him up, however he could not sleep with us, or sit too long on the furniture. I made hm a " pet bed", but, he preferred to sleep either on a blanket nearby, or on the hard floor near an air conditioner vent, even on the vent itself. He began to be a " new" dog.

Look Mom, my ribs are not showing!

Puppy? or Senior Citizen?

He filled in nicely, going from the 7 pounds I brought him home at,  to 10 pounds of fluffy cuteness. He could RUN up and down our steps to go outside. He stood up straight and proud. Our neighbors asked me 3 weeks after we brought him into our home, where did the first dog go, and were amazed this was that dog! We continued to groom hm, and I bathed him in between. He was very " mean" during grooming, as it caused pain. I took him to Pet Smart for a 3rd grooming, only to be told, he was not welcome back there EVER again. What? LOL

Lion cut? Seriously?

We tried another groomer, and was called back 10 minutes after dropping him off, to come get Cujo. Oh, boy. Kicked out of another groomer's. Geeze, we are blackballed from grooming. I bought a razor.. that did NOT work out... he would not sit still, I had no idea what I was doing, left him near bald on half his body, and totally unscathed on the rest. I surrendered my razor. I think my husband uses it as a trimmer on his beard occasionally. Good Boy! LOL

Ferdinand was with us for 2 yrs, and he was beginning now to be in constant pain. He cried and moaned most of the time. He continued to eat, but each move, or laying down hurt. I could not bear it any longer, as he had no quality of life, and my keeping him was becoming pure selfishness on my part.

I did research on euthanasia, and was assured by other pet owners, that this was the best option, and humane thing to do for a 15 yo dog that was in pain all the time.

Reluctantly, my husband and I came to terms, and brought him to the Humane Society to be euthanized. They were very compassionate and gentle with him, and us. I could not bear to watch the procedure or stay with him while he passed, so, my big, brave, loving husband promised to stay with him. I left that room hysterical, and had to go outside to sit, as my crying was upsetting children, whose pets were in for vet care, and did not need to know my purpose.

Mac  was gone only 5 mins at most, and when he came out to me, I snapped " Why are you here, you are supposed to be with Ferdinand!" He gently wrapped his arms around me, then took my hand and said " Baby, after you kissed him, and left, the tech inserted a needle, and told me it will not be long, as he is so small. Ferdinand licked my face as I held him in my arms, and just went to sleep. The tech checked, and he had passed away. Two minutes, that is all it took."  He then led me to the car, where I remained inconsolable for the next 2 days.  Then I finally made peace with myself, as he reminded me we gave him 2 good years he would not have had without us.

RIP my friend. I loved you.

One week later, my dear beloved husband decided, I needed a companion." Look for another dog." Enter a real life Cujo named Corkie, and another day's blog.