Back On All Fours

UPDATE:

Sampson was successfully adopted by a loving family in Tucson, Arizona on April 26, 2011.  He has every hope of living a long and happy life.

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It was very difficult  nursing Sampson back to health, but I did it!!!!  I have accomplished my goal and he is doing awesome.  He loves the gourmet meals of chicken, brown rice, sweet potatoes, cottage cheese and pumpkin that I have been feeding him everyday.  Sampson now has a spring in his step and a happy heart.

Yesterday, some really nice people came over from Tucson to meet Sampson.  He dazzled them and won their hearts.  They want to adopt him and it looks like it is a perfect match.  So, transport called and Sampson is scheduled to be picked up tomorrow.  Another transition, but I believe this is Sampson's forever family and he will have a wonderful life!

Between A Rock and a Hard Place

 "If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went."           -Will Rogers  

 

I got a call yesterday that Sampson was ready to come home from the hospital.  Yeah!  When I picked him up he was all wobbly and sedated and he looked terrible.   Maybe, on his last leg...... it was a tough afternoon and night not to mention the ride home.   Of course, I should have anticipated stomach problems of another kind. Then I received the news the family that was to adopt sweet Sampson changed their mind.  Transport was indefinitely canceled.  Sampson no longer had a loving forever family waiting for him.  And. I have a plane ticket to Oregon.    Ok.  This is where I tell you that I am having a very difficult time with the situation.  It is really tough.

Stayed Tuned

Just a quick update for those of you following Sampson.  Transport called to say they couldn't transport.  Huh?  Well, we had an awesome weekend.  Sampson played and chased bunnies, birds, bugs and lizards while Steve chain sawed some dead trees in the yard.  It was all good, until....... Sampson started throwing up Sunday night (actually, Monday around 3 am).   Yucko!!!!!!!  No sleep for the weary and that would be me.

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Tonight Sampson is in the hospital.  Unfortunately, he was real sick last night and today.  I had to take him in.  He didn't want to leave my side ..... even for the cute girl who beckoned to him.  They took him away and I am not sure if I will ever see him again.  As he was walking down the long hall of the hospital he turned around and looked at me.  Whoa!  It was really, really hard to turn my head and walk out the door.  Sampson needed medical help and I had to let him go.  So many moments are unbelievably heart wrenching.

Transport Calling

Sampson just isn't feeling that great.  Valley Fever is a devastating disease and when it has progressed to a dog's bones it is extremely painful.  Sampson has had some good days that are followed by days that he feels poorly.  But, Sampson is strong.  He's overcome a lot of adversity so far, lets hope he has  the strength to continue fighting.  He'll be on meds for a long time, maybe the rest of his life.

As far as I know the family that originally wanted to adopt Sampson still wants him.  I think the plan is to have him transported to Tucson sometime soon.  That's all I know.  I try to keep focused on the present and the time we have together now.

Oh, the phone is ringing..............

A Few More Days

Sampson's stomach didn't feel so great on Friday, so his adoption was delayed about a week.  After several home cooked meals of white rice, chicken and carrots and a Pepcid here and there, he is feeling much better.  It is great to have more time together! Sampson has calmed down quite a bit since we got him.  I think he thinks he is staying with us forever and that has made him very happy.  There isn't any way to explain to him the situation........

Sampson has captured our heart.

Our Time Is Short

Sampson and I were out on a walk yesterday in the late afternoon when an older lady crossed the street and looked at me and said, "Do you know your dog has a hitch in his get-a-long?"  Then she crossed the street and continued on her way. 

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Dear Sampson,

Our time together is very short.  I was planning on having you much longer.....for at least a month!  I was really surprised to learn just now that a family out there in Tucson wants you.  They want to nurse you back to health and be your forever home.  Wow!  Are they lucky to get such a great guy like you.  (What's this with Tucson?)  This time, no one called me for any input on how fabulous you are, but I guess everyone knows.  Gosh, as handsome and well mannered as you are it is no wonder you are wanted right away.  Too bad for me.  

 I thought this time I would not become so attached, but even though it has been only five days, I have to say that the thought of you leaving so soon is bringing me to tears.  I want you to stay, but I know you need to go.  As happy as I was to get you is as sad as I am to see you go. 

Pictures of Sampson

Stop And Smell The Flowers

Sampson Has Valley Fever

Today we are celebrating the bad news, which is actually the good news.  Yeah!  Sampson.......you have Valley Fever.  Valley Fever is treatable with medications and you will get all better!  It will take awhile - no one really knows for sure how long, but you will get better!  Awesome news!

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OK........folks, no I haven't lost my marbles.  Sampson came to me with a big time limp and with a bullet that is still in his side.  The leg he limps on is the opposite side of the bullet wound.  He had an Xray and it showed a bone in his shoulder that looked like swiss cheese.  More tests were done and I was told that today was the day we would know if Sampson had Valley Fever or worse......cancer.  If it was the latter he would be looking at amputation or worse.  It is cause for a celebration .......Sampson has the promise of a bright, happy and long life!!!

Sampson Is Here!!!!!

Sampson!

Hello Sampson!!!!

Wow!  Sampson, you are coming to live with me for awhile and I can hardly wait!  You sound like quite a trooper and I am really looking forward to meeting you.  I have been waiting a couple weeks for my next rescue doggy and I have to admit I was getting a little impatient.  Now I see the big picture.....the stars were trying to align just right so that I was available to take care of YOU!  It was no fault of your own that you were taking your time to get to me.  You needed a pit stop at the vet hospital.  I was told that your owner dropped you off at the Humane Society with a bullet/pellet in your shoulder.  How awful!!!  Someone shot you with a stinking gun.  Thank goodness the good people from Rescue A Golden of AZ  saved you!   Like I said, you are a trooper and real brave, too.  Well, I am here to tell you that I will take care of you and get your life started in a new direction.  And, even though we haven't even met yet, you have reminded me I need to believe and have patience that things will work out exactly the way the are supposed to.

Goodbye Odie

*Update:  Odie was successfully adopted.  He now lives with his loving forever family in Tucson, Arizona.

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On the Road Again

The Long and Winding Road

It is Friday night and Odie we just gave you a real good bath.  I know it had to feel amazing.  Of course, we must go for our nice long walk as the sun sets.  The sky is pink and beautiful and there is a warm gentle breeze.  Even the moon is shining down on us.  Tomorrow morning is the day you will be picked up and taken to a place called Tucson.  Since you love car rides I know you will be happy to get into the car.  I will pack up all your "things" and send them with you.  It's going to be so hard to say goodbye, but it has to happen sometime.  Odie, I am sorry ....... we won't see each other again.  But, on a positive note you are on your way to a life filled with so many possibilities.  A new family that really wants you and promises to love you.  You will learn about each other and you will become a member of their family.  It will take time and adjustments, but you will become the dog you were meant to be.  I know you will be happy.

Odie, I will always remember you and think of you.  You were my first rescue golden and what a lucky gal I am to have had you for three weeks.  I wish you love, contentment and happiness all the rest of your days.

Update

Odie's adoption has been put on hold for a few days and he will be staying with us a little longer.  I don't know how long exactly, but I don't expect it to be more than another week.  He stopped eating his food altogether and that was a big concern to me.  Actually, he never really ate his food very well the entire time he's been with me and I brought it up many times with the vet.  When Odie's ultrasound showed he was good, it was just a couple hours later I was called that he was cleared for adoption.  (Even though he wasn't eating much)  Anyway, some calls were made and now the vet has put Odie on a low residue canned food diet, pepsid and a supplement.  And......he LOVES the food!!!!  I think Odie, as big as he is, was starving.  The weight management food was really hurting his tummy as it is full of fiber.  Poor guy!  So we are working out his diet.  The vet wants me to start putting the weight management food into his canned food in three days and gradually increase it and then stop the canned food.   (??????)

That's the update.  Odie is feeling better and better every day.  Last night he even chased a rabbit.  He has so much more energy.  Even my neighbor can't believe the change in him.  It is good.  I just want him to be in tip top shape when he starts his new life.  He needs to know what it feels like to have someone truly care. 

Since I have more time left with Odie, look for more pictures very soon!

A New Home For Odie

Odie will have a new home soon.  Looks like this Wednesday to be exact.  He is being picked up by the RAG transport gal and she will take Odie to Tucson, Arizona to meet his new forever family. 

I Knew It Would Be Hard, But.......

"Good Morning Shelley,

I thought of you when I read this poem in our Golden Tails Newsletter.

Have a great day."

Kathie

Placement

 

 

A poem to my foster dog:

 

I am the bridge Between what was

and what can be.

I am the pathway to a new life.

I am made of mush,

Because my heart melted when I

saw you,

Matted and sore, limping,

depressed, Lonely, unwanted, afraid

to love.

For one little time you are mine.

I will feed you with my own hand

I will love you with my whole heart

I will make you whole.

I am made of steel.

Because when the time comes,

When you are well, and sleek,

When your eyes shine,

And your tail wags with joy

Then comes the hard part.

I will let you go--not without a tear,

But without a regret.

For you are safe forever–

A new dog needs me now.

---unknown

A Funky Haircut and Good News - Kind of

Good News for Odie!!!!  He had his ultrasound today and he is perfecto on the inside.  Everything is just as it should be.  The vet was really relieved because she didn't think he could live through a surgery with his weight issue.  Odie has even lost weight!  I knew he had a little more zing in his step.  Then it hit me.  I turned to the vet and she said he was ready for adoption.

ARG!  I asked if she couldn't keep him on medical hold a little longer so I could have more time with him.  She seemed to ponder the idea and I thought I might have a couple more weeks with Odie.  That is until I got the call several hours later from the RAG placement lady saying she has five different people wanting the gentle giant.  She wanted to know more about him so she could make the best placement possible.  Dang!  Here it comes.  Tears!  Dang! Dagger to my heart.  I gotta remember:

 "Saving one dog will not change the world, but, surely for that one dog
the world will change forever." -Unknown

I told her all Odie's wonderful qualities and quirks with a quivering voice and she said he sounds like quite a dog.  "Are you sure you don't want to adopt him?" she asked.  Oh, my heart hurts.  I told her I didn't think it was possible, but that I need some time and that I will call her this evening.  I also asked how long I had left with him.......not long once we make a match.

So, I know Odie will be very happy with someone else.  I came in to this situation knowing that I was a temporary home. The nice lady promised me she would find him the best home and I believe her.    Actually, right now I don't want to write about it.  Like the vet who did the ultrasound today said, "you are in love with Odie".

One Hurdle At A Time!

 Odie, you are on the road to recovery!  But, I am afraid that the road has a few stops at your new vet's clinic.  Maybe we can call them hurdles you just have to jump before you get to the finish line.  Now, I know you can jump, so this should be a piece of cake!

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 Odie's medical update:  Odie is scheduled for an ultrasound tomorrow March 10th.  His tests came back and showed that not only is his thyroid non-existent but, he is anemic.  We've addressed the thyroid issue and now on to his belly.  More tomorrow! 

Pulling My Heartstrings

"Shelley, I know you and Steve are only scheduled as Fosters for Odie, but in our discussions you seem very much attached to him.   Have you considered adopting him yourself?  Would you be interested?   If you would we can change your status to FWITA, Foster with intent to adopt, while he goes through his medical challenges.

Think about it and let me know.

Laura"

    

"Hi Laura,
Yes, I am attached to dear Odie.  He is a gentle giant and so well mannered it is unbelievable.  He is walking and moving much more and seems really happy.  I even think the pounds are melting away before my eyes!  So......that being said.....I want to keep fostering him until he is better and RAG can find a great loving family for him.  The timing isn't right for my husband and I as we have some long trips planned this year and I also plan to go back to Oregon for about four months this summer.  (We have a house to sell amongst other things)  He deserves a stable forever home without someone coming and going.  One day we will be settled again and be ready. 

I want to be the best foster mom he could ever have and I am expecting RAG to do an exceptional job in matching him to the most perfect loving home possible.  He deserves no less.

Thank you, Laura.

Shelley"

Spring Fling With Odie

Today our adventures with Odie took us to the Franciscan Renewal Spring Fling Adoption event.  Odie was not up for adoption, but he represented Rescue A Golden of AZ along with other rescued goldens.  He was an ambassadog for a day!

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What a fun morning we had, Odie!  There were sure a lot of people and dogs everywhere.  You felt right at home walking around, especially when we approached the Rescue a Golden booth.  There you met other goldens just like you and you settled right in.  I was so proud of you.  You are the best dog!

What a surprise to have Steve ride his bike to see us!   I know you loved it when he took you on a little walk out back.  Steve thinks you're special.  He sure talks about you a lot!

When we were ready to go back home I let you look at the horses in the pen.  One of them snorted so loud you jumped higher than I ever thought was possible.  We laughed so hard.  It was a funny sight, but we weren't laughing at you.  You just made us smile real big!  No horses for Odie!

When we got home you were so tired I had to take a picture of you.  

Another great day with Odie!

Tomorrow the dog park!

A Trip to the Vet

 I pulled the car out the driveway for the big event of getting Mr. Odie in the back seat of my BMW.   Awesome!!! Odie wanted to get in!  Okay......passenger seat needs to be all the way forward.  Now....front feet in and ...... whoa!  I am not strong enough to lift his rear and put it in gear.  Dang!  Push!  I pushed with all my might. His hind legs made contact and with a deep breath by both of us, Odie was in!

Saving one dog will not change the world, but, surely for that one dog
the world will change forever." -Unknown

              

 Odie!  What a good boy you are.  That wasn't so hard.  In fact once you were in everything was great.  Obviously you love car rides!  I guess you didn't mind either that I got lost and took you on the scenic route to the vet.  When I put the window down for you, you put your handsome head into the wind and closed your eyes.  You looked like you were in a very happy place.  Contentment was in the air.  Yep, life can be so good!

When we walked in the door of the vet clinic there were lots of dogs everywhere.......and you just beamed with excitement.  You wiggled your whole body and wagged that tail of yours.  The tech ladies giggled at you because you were flirting with them and they adored you!  When they tried to get you on the scale to weigh you (floor level) you teased them by rolling off one end then the other.  You had them in stitches!  (me, too)

Well, the vet took lots of blood and did some tests and gave you all your doggy shots and even put a micro chip in you so that we can find you if you were to ever get lost. Actually, you don't want to run away.  You stay about as close to me as any dog ever has.

The nice lady vet sent me home with some special weight management food.  She said that your heart is working for about three dogs and that you need to lose weight.  Then she told me you were the equivalent of a 500 pound man.  Whoa!  We have some serious work to do Mister!   We are team Odie!  Oh, look!  I will put on my shoes.  It is time for another walk in Paradise!

Odie! Odie! Odie!

Welcome Odie!  You are my first Golden rescue doggy.  I am so happy to be your foster mom!  I saw your picture ahead of time and was told a little bit about you, but I think that you look nothing like your picture and your story really is a mystery.  Probably, not a good mystery, that is.  I am so sorry for what I can only imagine your life has been like for you up to this point.  You are 7 years young and you act like you are a very old man.  Goldens your age should be able to run, play and have lots of energy.  Someone fed you lots of food and maybe you did not ever get out to walk.  Your poor body is so heavy that you look like you might "POP".  You didn't get this way over night.  Oh Odie, you have missed out on some fun.

Today we go together to the vet.  That is we go to the vet if I can get you into my car.  You are too heavy for me to lift any part of you.  Lets hope you have a little hop in you.  It will be important to hear what the vet says about your health.  I hope that you are OK.  I think the vet will do a bunch of tests.  The fact that you don't have hair on your tail is worrisome to me, but maybe this is partly about your thyroid?  Oh Odie,  your life will be better and there are a lot of good people that are going to take really good care for you!

Odie, you are such a good boy and I can see a gradual positive change in you already.  You wiggle with happiness in the morning and you are starting to explore your surroundings inside and out.  You sure are super friendly to all the dogs we pass on our many walks.  Every day is going to get better......just you wait and see!