Roscoe's New Family

Roscoe found his fur-ever family on June 4th. Yes, I realize it's July now, but it was harder to see him go than I expected.

Roscoe's new family is wonderful. He's got acres to run around on and little kids to play with! I know he'll be happy with them. Mostly because he didn't even look back. I tell myself that's a good thing, but after four months of couch cuddling, neighborhood jogs, and having him follow me around everywhere; I didn't realize until he was gone how attached I had become.

Roscoe's new Mommy sent me a lovely email about how well he's been doing. I was so glad to hear it. I hope for pictures and more updates.

#3750 Roscoe is doing well

I know, I know... way to be on top of things, Angela...

Truth is, I have been super busy. Things to take care of, and do, and get done have been raining down upon me, and I've been super scrambling to get things done. Back to my Poo-bahs:

Roscoe came home last Thursday night. For a guy who just got his balls removed, he was rather lovey and tried to be active (I put a cease order on that- "limited activity" the vet said). He's totally an optimistic :) My 65lb Mr. Brightside :) He had the last of his pain meds Monday and didn't have any adverse side effects. So other than the fact that I know he had surgery, and you can see the surgical site, he seems back to normal. I need to do his write up, but I just don't know what to say. I'll sit down with him tonight and see what he thinks.

Dahnke has a vet visit coming up, she needs to have another HW test done. Apparently they don't trust the ones done in the fall, they can sometimes give out a false negative if the heart worms haven't developed to a point, it won't show up. She's been on HW preventative since October when i got her, and i think she's fine, but better safe than sorry.

It's finally supposed to be nice outside tonight after work, so I will be able to tell you how he is on a leash soon! (but just a short walk, "Limited Activity!")

#3750 Days Seven and Eight and Nine

I'd apologize for the technology blackout this weekend, but it was nice and refreshing... and I won't apologize for the nice weekend I had. :)

So the mutts and I had a very exciting weekend! I think they know it's an awesomely special day (weekends) b/c I go out of my way not to leave the house as much as possible. Of course there's the regular errands, like getting groceries, but I try to do that in one sweep and then I'm home, and it's play time for me and my pups!

I did add a hair appointment, and one other (huge) errand. I finally bit the bullet and got a washer and dryer! Big save on the leaving the house errands! Not that you care, but I am the happiest girl on earth! I know three dog beds, five dog blankets, and a whole bunch of other things that are getting washed this weekend! :)

Roscoe is doing great. I have pictures that I will upload later. He's just the cutest little cuddle bug! I say little, but he's huge, I'll get a new official weight Thursday, as I'm sure he's gained a couple pounds... At least he seems heavier every time he tries to crush me on the couch, lol! Thursday is creeping up a lot faster than I thought it would. Poor boy. I'm gonna make him a hamburger patty to console the loss of his little soldiers.

Pictures soon!

#3750 Day Six

Well, folks, it happened... Dahnke shocked my pants off. Not only did she get cuddly with our new arrival last night, but this morning... This morning she PLAYED with him. Amazing, I know.

Roscoe is doing VERY well. He's a very quick study, he has stopped jumping up, and hasn't put his paws up on the table since the first time. He definitely craves a lot of attention though. He likes to get up and lay down on you and squirm around a lot until he's comfortable. Hopefully, the weather has some breaks in it this weekend, I'd like to get him out and start working with him on leashed walks. He's stopped pulling so much in the yard, but potty trips are different than a leisurely stroll around the neighborhood.

I still need to get my letters printed out and start sending donation requests out for the GOBR Boxer Bash Fundraiser. This will be my first year going, and I'm pretty excited to be helping out. There's a database to send the letters to, and I'm encouraged to send them to new businesses, but I don't have to first clue where to start. I'll sit down and brainstorm after I have done my bills this weekend... to do, to do, to do!

#3750 Day Four and Five

Where to start?...

I'm back to Roscoe, Tony just doesn't fit him like Roscoe does. Also, it's a big plus that he responds to Roscoe, and in a positive manor. I scheduled his neuter for next week, and thanks to my Mom, I won't have to try to finagle time off work. I can drop him off before hand, and she's going to pick him up for me and bring him to me when I get off work... It's a huge help to me. His neuter is the last thing standing between him and adoption through GOBR. It's really going to be hard to see him go, it's only been five days and he's already left a paw print on my heart. I still have to do his write up for PetFinder...

Outside of a scuffle that I'm sure Dahnke started with Roscoe last night while I was in the bathroom (see what happens when I lock the door!?) Last night was rather uneventful. I did get a couple more pictures which have been updated accordingly in my blog and with the group. In case you are wondering, the scuffle was resolved with my trusted squirt bottle followed by a ten minute cooling off period in their crates. I had them all out for the remainder of the evening without any problems. I'm just going to have to keep an eye on Dahnke. She's absolutely fine with Medwin. Never harmed a hair on his furry little butt. (And he pesters her CONSTANTLY). But this is why I'm recommending her to a single pet household. She would be happiest in a house with just her and her person...

Dahnke's back story is a post all it's own. I'll share that one later.

#3750 Day Three (and Morning Four)

Well, I guess we're back to Tony... That's what his official file says... Once his furever parents  find him, they are probably going to change it anyways... To Spot, or Fluffy, or Bingo... 'Sigh'

Spot/Fluffy/Bingo/Tony/Roscoe/Sidney Shelter Dog/#3750 did very well yesterday. He and Medwin played almost all evening. (Until Medwin tuckered him out) Medwin is like the Energizer Bunny... He wore out Dahnke (per usual) and Tony (I have to get used to calling him that). I find it very amusing.

You see, Tony was picked up by a passerby who found him playing by the side of the interstate in southern Ohio. This person decided that they liked his friendly, larger than life personality and took him home. Turns out, Tony was a bit much for this person to handle. I didn't get any details, but this is common with boxers, as they can be *ahem* a bit energetic.

So it makes me laugh that my little Medwin tuckers out these dogs that other people just "can't handle their energy." Because then the tired pups crawl up on the couch and cuddle up with me and try to bury their heads to hide from Medwin who is still going strong tossing toys and running after them by himself... He will come up and cuddle too, once he's bored of playing by himself.

Anyways, Tony really is a good boy, a little horny (scheduling his neuter today, poor boy) but all around an absolute joy in the house. He's already better on a leash, is now waiting for me to go through doors first, and is working on his table/counter surfing. (a squirt bottle is this lady's best friend!) He got his last dose of Panacur today, so no more struggle with that until round two in four weeks...

Roscoe #3750 Day Two (and Morning Three)

Yesterday started out well, it would seem to me that Mr. Roscoe likes to sleep in or is used to someone with a working schedule. He went out when I got him up, ate, went out again, and went back into his crate to sleep... I wasn't feeling very well, so most of my morning was spent on the couch with my pups. (Roscoe came out when he realized I wasn't crating them). Some times I wish I had 'Go-Go-Gadget Arms' so that when they all pile up so cute together with me I could take pictures. The three of use were very lazy for most of the morning. I needed some cuddly nap time, and they were just the medication for me.

Nap time had to end sometime, and I am not rich enough to afford a maid, so I had to get off my duff. I even left all three to roam while I cleaned... Cold dog noses sniffing my rear while scrubbing, reminded me why I normally crate them... On the plus side, Roscoe wasn't even fazed by the floor scrubber OR the vacuum. Of course, they would all get up close to sniff it and run away, and then come up and sniff and run and sniff... I had to laugh.

Dahnke and Roscoe like to lay on the floor and guard the bathroom door while I'm in there. My bathroom isn't very big, so it's an interesting squeeze. I try to shoo them out, but Dahnke just opens the door and lets herself (and Roscoe now) back in. So I gave up, I need to remind myself to lock the door.

Roscoe got his first dose of Panacur yesterday morning, and the second this morning for the hookworms. Tomorrow will be the last dose for a month and then he will have three more daily doses and be done. But since I've had some questions in the groups about hookworm, here's some more information:

http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/infectious-parasitic/c_multi_ancylostomiasis

http://www.petsandparasites.org/dog-owners/hookworms.html

Basically, I can't stress enough the importance of picking up after your animals. Hookworm is an intestinal parasite that gets into animals (yes, even humans) via ingestion or through the skin (yes, even unbroken skin). The eggs are released in the excrement and if the conditions are right, within 24 hours there are young larvae in your yard waiting on their next victim. Once into a host, they travel to the digestive tract (primarily the smaller intestine) and they attach themselves to the intestinal wall and suck blood. According to my research, about 300 of these suckers can cause about 10% blood loss in a medium sized adult dog. The symptoms include pale lips, gums, and ears; diarrhea, vomiting.... But every dog is different. There are also HW preventatives that treat other worms and parasites too (including hookworm), but you should have your vet run fecal tests 1-2 times a year.

I've been taking Roscoe to a part of the yard that my two can't go into and cleaning it up right away. This, the Panacur for him, and the Revolution I keep my pups on is sufficient treatment and prevention. I might take this diagnosis lightly, but it's only because it was caught early, and that I'm already taking preventative steps and treating. Gone untreated this can become a very serious problem. If you have any questions, you should talk to your veterinarian. 

#3750 Day One

Yesterday was a very busy day! I got up early to get some stuff done around the house before leaving to pick up the new pup, and got on my way. The drive was uneventful, and I picked up Tony #3750 (now Roscoe) and we went straight to the vet (and by straight, I mean it was a little over an hour and a half from the pickup point).

The basics:
Age: approximately 1-1.5 years
Weight: 65 lbs, could stand to gain 5-8 more pounds
Shots: now current
Neutered: not yet
Teeth: Excellent
Coat: Flashy Brindle- soft

He seems to be adjusting well. I let him roam the house a for a few minutes, then crated him and let D and M out to meet him and go outside. Then I cycled out of the crate time Two at a time. D and M, M and R, R and D, repeat. I had all three out for about an hour last night all together at the end of the night. And so far so good. Medwin wants to play with him, but Dahnke seems a little leary.

Roscoe is a puller, so we will need to work on that. He had his first dose of Panacur, for the hookworms the vet found in his stool, and I've been letting him relieve himself in a part of the yard the other dogs can't get to and cleaning it up right away.

So all in all, everything is going well here. Pictures soon.