Please welcome Pirate to the Pack....New pic in #35

[Cinder & Smoke]

Tamara, I think you're the one ending up with the real treasure - Pirate!

I pray I am blessed with people like you who'll respect & care so much about me
when I'm old-but-not-quite-ready-to-go, too!

Not holding out too much hope, though - You're one in a million!

DITTO!!

Pirate got the GOOD Deal here ...

Wish I could slip into a Husky costume and move in myself.

I'll try to *fluff* Cinder's Tail and teach her to *curl* it ...
SmokeMutt's gonna be a problemo, though --- no Furr to *fluff*!
Guess we'll need TWO Husky costumes.

Leave the Light ON, please.

[Suki Wingy]

You are such a good person. Any old dog would be mighty lucky to end up in your loving care.

[K9karen]

I want to be reincarnated as one of your dogs, too, Tamara.

You are an angel on earth. The mold was thrown away when you were born.

[cassiesmom]

I want to be reincarnated as one of your dogs, too, Tamara.

I do, too! (Does the ability to carry a tune translate into the ability to go, "Arooooo!" in the next life? I hope so!)

I am just here looking at the photo in #37 again - it's making my eyes leak!

[Grace]

I wonder - you're giving Sleet DES for bladder control. It might work for Pirate also?

[gini]

Such a heartwarming thread!!

[Glacier]

I wonder - you're giving Sleet DES for bladder control. It might work for Pirate also?

I hope so. She's off to the vet tomorrow morning. That's one of the things I want to talk to him about.

I suspect she has some spinal problems that are contributing to the problem. Spondylosis is very common in sled dogs(Sleet has it too). If she has a neurological problem in her lower spine, she may not be getting the "I have to pee" message. Anti-inflammtory medication and maybe some prednisone would help with that. I don't usually like to use too many meds, but with the seniors, I figure the benefits outweigh the risks.

[Canis-Lupess]

Spondylosis occurs in nearly all old dogs, it just depends on whether it causes clinical symptoms. As with people, in a lot of cases it doesn't but most people over 40 have it to a degree but most wouldn't know.

There was a border collie lived just round from me and they lost him a couple of months ago. He had always had digestion problems but he took a turn for the worst. Turned out he had severe spondylosis and the calcified bone had grown downwards and caused his bowels to detach and collapse so his ability to control himself was non existent and he was in a lot of pain and the vet said his bowels could be expelled from his rectum at anytime. He was only 10 years old too. You wouldn't have been able to tell from looking at him beforehand. No roach back or anything like that and I used to see how he could still sprint after the ball when his owner threw it for him. Maybe the bone grew more downwards rather than upwards. In any case, they had to have him put down. Problem with spondylosis is that it just keeps growing and will grow back even if they operated to remove the horns of calcified bone that grow. I think in his case, the symptoms were a more worst case scenario for spondylosis. Most of the time, it wouldn't cause such massive problems.

That shot of Pirate sleeping reminds me of our Jess sleeping, lol. Our Jess still has her hearing but she sleeps that deep these days, she can sometimes scare you into thinking she's dead.

[Tollers-n-Dobes]

What a terrible story. I'm so glad Pirate found such a great home with you though.

[robinh]

for taking in this beautiful, gentle old soul.

I want to come back as a dog with people like you...someone with compassion and a forgiving heart for things that are sometimes beyond ones control.

Pirate, you are definitely safe with Glacier!

[Glacier]

Thanks everyone. She's a sweet old soul. I am not the amazing one around here. The dogs are the amazing ones. I am constantly stunned by their ability to forgive, try again and live in the moment!

I fed Pirate in the shop tonight and then I decided to make some beads. She's definately deaf--my oxygen concentrator squeals when I start it and she didn't react at all! Even the dogs who are used to that sound jump when I turn it on!

When I checked on Pirate I saw this:

She was out like a light! Didn't take long to find the comfy dog bed!

There was some definate urine leakage when she got up from her nap. She tried to get away from me when she got up. Just broke my heart to see her so scared! She's clearly been yelled at or something for that before. I just rubbed her ears, let her outside and put the bed in the washing machine. She'll learn that she doesn't get in trouble for what she can't control around here and hopefully, after her vet app't she will be able to get better control.

She didn't have any trouble with the lino tonight and went straight to her crate when she came inside! That denning instinct is one of the things I love about huskies, makes them so easy to crate train!

[captain]

Tamara,
I have LES of JOY looking at this pic.



She looks so peaceful. Thank you again for taking her in.

Karma Baby, Karma :-)

[Pawsitive Thinking]

Hey Pirate - welcome to your new home. You have certainly landed on your paws there sweetheart

[Animalhouse26]

Your AMAZING for all you do for the dogs. And this poor girl I feel awful for what she had been through! And I am sooo glad she ended up with you! She will have a happy life now.. even if it isn't for a long time! Good for you!

[finn's mom]

She sure knows how to enjoy a good bed. Is she all white except her ears and that little bit by her mouth?