Warrior's Story

Warrior is a Boxer who never had a chance to find his fur-ever home.  Warrior died this week on Wednesday, July 28, 2010.

Some of you know of a wonderful dog whom we called Warrior. Warrior was found at large in June and no one ever bothered to claim him. He was thin and dehydrated but so sweet. We were asked if we could take him in and a wonderful foster home agreed to care for him. Warrior had some fear issues concerning small spaces and being enclosed. He also had very little muscle strength in his body, particularly in his hind legs. X-rays, blood workup, and other tests revealed, too, that Warrior had some kidney and liver damage. With extra supplements, lots of good food, an exercise regime, and an endless supply of love and support, Warrior began to improve. He was neutered and on the road to being eligible for adoption.

Unfortunately, Warrior suffered from 'gastric dilatation and volvulus syndrome', commonly known as bloat. Warrior's foster rushed him right to the veterinarian where x-rays diagnosed him and he was rushed to life saving surgery as soon as it was possible. Warrior did not recover as quickly as she had hoped and, unfortunately, 2 days later, Warrior passed away. There was no explanation for Warrior suffering from this condition such as the typical factors of excess eating or drinking, swelling foods, excessive exercise. This happened first thing in the morning, after he was sleeping all night. The vet acknowledges that with Warrior's other concerns he could have had another complication but we'll never know. Poor Warrior was never able to find his new home but we were glad to let him know that he deserved love, like all dogs should have.

So, please, make yourselves aware of the signs of 'bloat'. Warrior's foster's quick thinking gave him a chance but even with this and a short trip to a vet, Warrior could not be saved. Here is a reference chart you should keep handy:
http://www.gdca.org/Bloat%20Chart.pdf

Although we would do what we can for any dog, the extensive cost of Warrior's treatment and emergency surgery has halted us from this. His total cost has totalled almost $4700 that we just don't have. Although we've been lucky to have a great list of applicants for most available dogs we do still have others in care who are what we call 'permanent fosters' because of health ailments which makes them unadoptable.

We've had to switch gears and go full steam ahead with fundraising now. We've added a store to our website with collars, hoodies and raffle tickets for a beautiful oil painting. We would appreciate any help and, as always, are thankful for your support.


You can donate directly using the PayPal "Make a Donation" button found on this page, or visit the store above.  In addition, FaceBook users can join the group page Collars for Critters, and take part in the current collar auction, which also includes the very wonderful Oomaloo toys!



yours in rescue,
Boxer Rescue of Atlantic Canada
www.boxerrescueatlanticcanada.com

Oscar update again, again....

Sadly, we've had a little bit of a setback...

Those of you who read this blog and my FB updates know that Brosa is a bit bouncy (and should have been named Tigger):

Tigger: [singing] The wonderful thing about tiggers / Is tiggers are wonderful things / Their tops are made out of rubber / Their bottoms are made out of springs / They're bouncy, trouncy, flouncy, pouncy fun, fun, fun, fun, fun / But the most wonderful thing about tiggers is I'm the only one / IIIII'm the only one!
[growls]

But I digress....

Last night, after arriving home from work and taking all 3 pups outside for their nature-calls, Brosa, as usual, bounced up on me, and unfortunately came down on Oscar's back.  Oscar, who had been doing phenomenally well all week, let out a yelp and from there on, I could see a regression in the good progress he'd made.

This morning was his scheduled appointment to remove his stitches with Dr. Carnegy, who unfortunately was quite busy and running far behind and therefore wasn't able to see us.  It was decided to let one of the technicians remove his stitches, and because of what happened last night, he was given another two rounds of therapeutic laser.  He was a very good boy, and even wanted to play with a sweet little Dobie puppy who came in.

After our return home, I got him settled into his crate while I went out for a few hours.  I came home to discover he had been licking at his incision so much that it opened up a bit.

You can't really tell in this photo as I didn't want to fool with it too much.

Minutes later, off we go to the Metro Animal Emergency Clinic.







Sure enough, the very nice (and good looking!) Dr. Alex Hare, the doctor on call, confirmed that I was not over-reacting and that he required 6 staples to close this back up. 

Poor FrankenOscar!











And if that was not bad enough, I've noticed in the past few trips in the car that Oscar is beginning to suffer some anxiety.  Just as we left MAEC, he started open-mouth panting, then crying, then outright squealing, which he has never done before except for when he was high on a drug he was given once upon a time in order to cut his nails.  I did an illegal U-turn at Wright Avenue and sped back to the clinic.  Dr. Hare also believes it's his anxiety as the sedative they gave him is not strong enough to cause any adverse reactions.

Poor buddy - we can't stop going for therapeutic laser treatment when he needs it (and eventual staple removal), but I will have to start clicker-training drives to be a positive thing again for him.  He used to always love drives.  This little guy (no bad nick-names for the time being) is breaking my heart!

Oscar update again

One more day and Oscar's sutures come out!  It's amazing how fast animals recover from this sort of thing - last night he took me by surprise when he jumped up on the couch & loveseat, not once, but twice!

The attached video is from 26 July 2010, walking and bouncing as if nothing was ever wrong with him.



And here he is getting his therapeutic laser treatment to help speed healing of the tissue, etc.

Oscar update

Well, it's done!  On Wednesday, July 21, 2010, Oscar underwent a cruciate repair surgery on his rear left leg, along with dentistry.

He came out of it with flying colours!  It was a very routine surgical repair, and the dental resulted in no extractions - everything was very healthy.

I picked Oscar up after supper around 7 p.m. and after paying the bill (aka the bathroom that won't get done this year), Oscar led the way out of the back area, sporting a very spiffy lime-green bandage.

He was very glad to get back home again!

Last night (Thursday, July 22), his lower leg/foot was quite swollen; about 2 times the size in fact.  I was very concern because obviously the bandage is now too tight.  I made a couple of snips in the bandage around the foot to help give some relief and a while later there seemed to be SOME improvement.  Not quite enough to alleviate my worry.

This morning, his foot was about the same, so a return visit to the vet was made first thing.  They agreed that the bandage needed to be removed and in fact, should come off today anyway.  As well, he was treated with 3 sessions of therapeutic laser, with the next session booked for Tuesday.

And here is a photo of his leg, with 11 stitches.  It doesn't appear to be bothering him too much, although there was a point where he was licking it a fair bit.  If that continues, he'll be wearing an e-collar!

Meet 'n' Greet Bark-B-Que

On Sunday, 18 July 2010, a fundraiser was held in Flynn Park, Halifax, NS, to raise funds for Animal Rescue Coalitions.  ARC are well-known here in the Atlantic Provinces for rescuing, fostering and finding fur-ever families for homeless animals (not just dogs!).

The Meet 'n' Greet Bark-B-Que (Facebook event link) was a small, but fun gathering!  It was a scorcher of a day today, but the event was planned in a lovely shaded area of Flynn Park.

Brosa came with me of course - photos follow!

Oh, a PUPPY!  Brosa has fun playing with this very beautiful Weimeraner puppy.

More puppies!  This pittie loved to pounce on Brosa.

And just look at THIS adorable fella!  This is Brosa's pal Maximo, all grown up!  Max's mom Janet brought him out.

The lovely Miss Nells, the most beautiful Leonberger around!  Nellie's mom Heather brought her today.

These 2 cute Doxie's are Nellie's cousins.

There was live music to serenade us as well.

Joan's regal old lady, Buttercup, working hard to keep everyone away from her mom!  Joan also blogged about the day.

Gail's boy, Bullet, turned 13 years old today, complete with cake from Three Dog Bakery.  Happy Birthday Bullet!

Even with shade, it's hot work being a social boy!

Brosa, taking a break before we head home.

A busy (and hot!) July weekend!

On Saturday, 17 July 2010, there was a Community Fun Day (Facebook event link) in the park/playground around the street from my house.  This was a day-long fundraiser event to help raise money to offset the costs for a neighbour stricken with Multiple Sclerosis to to travel to Mexico at the end of the month for his Liberation Treatment (simply put, this is a balloon angioplasty and considered "experimental" for Canadian MS sufferers and therefore not treated nor covered in Canada).

They started at 2 pm with games for the kids and adults, a Silent Auction (with really fabulous donations!), a raffle prize and of course, a Hot Dog BBQ with pop/water.  The event went through the evening with a street dance.  I missed this part as I had gone to see a special showing of "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" at Park Lane in Halifax as part of Pride week. (I found out after coming home from the movie that the day raised $3,000!!  WTG neighbours!  I also won the raffle prize!  I'll add a photo once I receive it).

While this event was going on, my friends Tara and Jane brought their pups for a play date!  They needed their exercise and it was much too hot to go walking.  So here, they had cool grass underfoot, a pool to splash in and a hose to play in/drink from!  Some photos follow...

Enjoying an iced capp while watching the fundraiser get set up and waiting for the girls/dogs to arrive.

Sade the Ninja immediately cools her jets in the pool.

Oscar hanging out in the shade by the fence.

One of Jane's two pups, Molli, littermate to Sade the Ninja.

Scully and Delta looking over at the Fun Day event - do you suppose they're hoping someone will bring them hot dogs?

Brosa and Scully have a little fun with the water hose.  Scully loves the hose but will NOT step into the pool!

Brosa having a little break. :)

Blondie, aka Debbie Hairless, relaxes under the umbrella on the patio.

Delta chills the best way she knows how!

Sweet Old Man Obi, just waiting for me to toss the frisbee for him. :)

2011 World's Ugliest Dog contender?

Poor Brosa!  His mean first mom, Lee Anne, thinks I should send his picture to the World's Ugliest Dog contest.

Granted, this is not the MOST attractive picture of him (it's hot!), but wouldn't YOU want to kiss this face?  ;)

Oscar, Thundershirts, Cold Stone Creamery and Ursa

Last week, Oscar and I went to see Dr. Carnegy for a 2nd opinion (3rd really, as I don't discount Shelly Beazley's opinion!) on the condition of Oscar's legs and the recommended course of treatment.

Dr. Carnegy has confirmed that Oscar did indeed have a complete separation of his Anterior Cruciate Ligament in his left leg.  In addition, the patella in his right leg was also causing mobility issues.

A health exam left Dr. Carnegy with the opinion that despite Oscar's age (12 years) and his Grade 4 heart murmur, Oscar is actually quite stable and should withstand surgery/anesthesia without any complications.  The alternative, non-invasive treatment would be to buy a brace, but in all likelihood, Oscar would require one for each leg; it would be an expensive purchase, long-term use, and there would be no guarantee that this ACL injury would heal like the January 2009 injury did.  Dr. Carnegy indicated that "if it were MY dog", he'd choose the surgery.  Hearing that he believed Oscar's heart was stable enough to go through with it was all I really needed to hear.

On July 21, 2010, Oscar will undergo surgery to repair the ACL injury, and will also have his teeth cleaned at the same time.  Will be nice to know that he doesn't have gum disease, although I wouldn't be 100% surprised if a tooth or two is extracted as some of the ones out front are looking quite dark (dead?).  He will be treated with therapeutic laser following surgery to help speed the healing time, and if necessary, I'll continue to take him for therapy with Shelly.  Time will tell if Oscar needs surgery on his right leg as well, but hoping not!

Adina MacRae, of Sublime Canine, placed a bulk order of Thundershirts a couple of weeks ago, and I was quite fortunate to be among those who placed an order for two shirts (a medium for Oscar and and XL for Delta).

With its patent-pending design, Thundershirt’s gentle, constant pressure has a dramatic calming effect for most dogs if they are anxious, fearful or over-excited. It is this pressure that has a dramatic calming effect for most dogs if they are anxious, fearful or over-excited. From real world experience, we know with certainty that Thundershirt DOES WORK.

Delta and Oscar are both fearful of thunder & lightning, and fireworks.  It's my hope that when either events happen, the shirt will help reduce, if not eliminate, their behaviour (shivering/shaking, panting, leaning).

Delta wearing her thundershirt.  She was pacing a bit, and trying to rub the shirt off when I put it on her for the first time.  She soon calmed down.

Oscar wearing his Thundershirt.  He was very calm wearing this.

The next night, there was a forecast for thundershowers.  While I didn't hear them, he could certainly sense or hear them.  As soon as he started shaking/shivering, I put the shirt on him and within 2 minutes, he was calm and able to fall asleep.  This is great!  The true test will be to see if we get the same result with actual loud thunder, and fireworks.


Brosa did not receive a Thundershirt of his own as he appears not to have any of those phobias.  Such a relief!




Brosa came with me on the ride to pick up the Thundershirts, and on the way home, I stopped at Cold Stone Creamery in Bedford, NS, to pick up a small cup of ice cream with my birthday coupon.  I couldn't help but share some with him!

I bit the bullet last week and bought a portable Air Conditioning unit.  6 years I've spent in this house, which has direct sun all day long, and 5 summers of saying "I'll wait until the end of summer sales are on".  Well, as we all know, life usually has other financial plans for us!  This year, the humidity has come on like gangbusters and it's only the first 2 weeks of July!  Therefore, I made the decision last Thursday night to go purchase a unit (after much debate on portable vs window installation) and bring it home.  Thanks to Kent for having a Danby unit on sale!

It's currently installed in my powder room but I plan to buy a piece of Plexiglass cut to size for my casement window in the living room.

It makes a HUGE difference in how my house feels.  Now I no longer have to worry about the comfort level of the fur-kids while I'm at work, and also know that Oscar will be comfortable during his recovery from surgery.



I did receive a bit of sad news this week.  Our friend Janet had made the decision to give her ailing Rottweiler the kind gift of peace Thursday morning.  Ursa is a lovely ambassador for the Rottweiler breed (she is a certified St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog and was a regular visitor at the I.W.K. Children's Hospital when she was younger) and a fun-loving resident at the Canine Casbah.  She will be missed by many.  Godspeed sweet girl.  (photo by Joan Sinden)

R.I.P. Jackie

Thinking of my friend Joan in her time of grief.

Jack is gone

Please hug your pets a little closer today and be thankful that they will never know the years of abuse which Jackie suffered prior to being adopted by Joan 2.5 years ago.

Happy Belated Canada Day 2010

It's been a busy couple of weeks (including a birthday)!  First off, Oscar's leg definitely has an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, and to make matters worse, his patella is involved too (but not sure it's a luxating patella condition or not?).  His physio-therapist, Shelly was quite concerned when she saw him last week, as it was obvious that the leg is worse than originally thought and it was also exacerbating the condition of his other leg, which had an ACL injury in January 2009 and not 100% strong.

We have an appointment to see the very lovely (and extremely busy!) Dr. Eric Carnegy on Tuesday, to get his opinion on the leg, and whether he thinks Oscar can tolerate surgery at his age and heart-health (my other vet at another practice is 100% for surgery, which I'm not totally comfortable with).  Knowing Oscar's leg is worse than originally thought, the risk of surgery MIGHT be worth it, but I need to weigh all the options first.

Poor little bugger.  On the plus side, his mobility was actually quite good this morning - perhaps with all the carrying him around I've been doing, his injury has had some time to mend a bit.  We'll see!

This holiday weekend's fireworks have reinforced that Brosa is not afraid of them, so that's great news!  Delta and Oscar are still scared of those (and thunder/lightning) and therefore, their new Thundershirts cannot come soon enough!  Thunderstorm season is still ahead of us and I'm sure the shirts will be well used!  Thanks to Adina for ordering them for us.

We enjoyed a Canada Day playdate at my house with some friends.

 Karma, digging a hole to China behind my shed.  Little stinker!

Obi, fully recovered from a serious operation to correct bloat.

 Sade the Ninja, stalking her prey

 Scully, taking a break from wrasslin' with the Ninja.

 Fudge the Dalmatian, and Mick the PRT visit my house for the first time.

 Delta and Brosa having fun with their friends

 Oscar needed to stay on leash the entire time (as he has been since his injury) to prevent him from running and making his ACL injury worse.  He's still quite mobile though and wants to smell all the pee spots along with Karma and Delta.

And last, but not least, introducing Tara's newest addition, an adopted 8 year old female Chinese Crested who is still to be permanently named (it changes every day until she decides she has found the one she likes, lol!).

ETA:  Blondie, AKA Debbie Hairless (Hairless/Harry - get it?  *snickers*)










Brosa and I went to the Lietash farm last Saturday for the first time in a month (due to the busy times with the Relay for Life, no lessons, etc.).  As it was raining, the lesson was in the barn and I think Mr. O was pleasantly surprised to see the progress Brosa has made!  He no longer uses his paws to assist with catching (not at distance throws, but at close-up tosses he does) - can catch the frisbee mid-flight most of the time, and also did tricks (jumped over my leg, weaved between them) really well (although we hadn't practiced much!).

I mentioned to Mr. O that my friend L.A. joked that I should combine Brosa's love of jumping and water and get him to a dock-dog lesson; he agreed, and suggested I should take Brosa down to the lake and let him walk around/play in the water.  So we did, although instead he wanted to walk on the dock with all the beaver poop to smell (he didn't eat any nor did he roll in it, thank goodness!).  We walked to the end of the dock; Brosa looked over the edge at the water, and WALKED RIGHT OFF THE DOCK.  He sank like a rock!!

Thank goodness I had his long-line on him - at the same time I dropped to my knees to grab the line, he surfaced, doggy-paddling wildly to get out.  I was able to grab him and get him out on the dock.  He was a little water-logged, but not faring too badly.

It was about 5-10 minutes later, while walking him around to dry him off, that I discovered his leg was bleeding badly.  He squealed and hollered at me when I attempted to press a napkin to it as a compression.  It appeared he'd scraped his dew claw pad quite raw.  I took him up to Mr. O's house for assistance, but after 10 minutes it was decided it was much too tender to fool around with (Brosa was quite upset!) and the bleeding was already stopping - therefore, just keep it clean/disinfected and let Brosa lick it.

He was NOT a happy dog on the way home or for the rest of the day.  He didn't want to come near me much at all, thinking I would hurt him some more.  :(  It wasn't until the next day, Sunday, that he relaxed enough to accept snuggles from me again.

Little did I know when looking at this injury, what was to come a few days later!

A few days later, he was holding his paw up outside; when I went to investigate, I discovered his dew claw had fell off!

No wonder he was so tender!

Looking back at the previous photo now, I can see that the injury site was where the dew claw had been ripped off.  OUCH!



He's on the mend now - it doesn't seem to be bothering him anymore.  It remains to be seen if the nail grows back.  I hope not!  I despise dew claws.