Dusting off this thread!
I have been a very busy girl, volunteering at the local humane society and starting online training to become a certified dog trainer.
Posting here because I am asking for some positive energy for the next several days. To recap - in 2020 I lost 1 chihuahua and 2 cats to various illnesses, and was left with Coco the Chiweenie. I also got a new generation of kitties. Coco and the boys are doing great.
On one of my shelter shifts last week, I was scrubbing kennels and I met a super sweet mini-shepherd mix dog, a rescue out of a high kill Texas shelter. I took some pics and videos of him. I made a plan to put a hold on him, but by the time I got to that, he had already been adopted out. I was so sad for me, but happy he got a new home. Yet and still I had one of my feelings... (LOL everyone on here knows what I'm talking about).
I started checking the society website a few times a day and lo and behold last night he was back on the site. So at start of my shift this morning I had a staffer put a hold on him and make an appointment tomorrow to go talk with staff about him. I asked why he was returned and apparently his adopters had 3 other dogs at home, one of them was a pure breed german shepherd, male, the alpha. So he didn't like the new guy, and the people decided to cut bait within 2 days. Their loss.
Apparently he has an "old fracture" that "may need care in future," gotta find out what-all exactly that means. I also need them to help me figure out if he's cat-friendly. I already told them that Coco is small, calm, submissive but not a pushover either, which they said is fine, they just won't adopt him out with more than 1 other dog, especially a male alpha.
So send some good vibes to sunny San Diego that this all works out for the best for everyone. His rescue name does not suit him at all, but his initial is W (for now - I would change the name). I want this guy to join my pack asap, but also want whatever's best for him too. Send calming vibes to both of us, please and thank you!
I'll circle back to let everyone know what happens.
@laura-f Joining hopes with yours that W comes to you to be a much beloved family member. I may be totally off base here.. but I am thinking "old fracture" may actually be a torn ACL that wasn't not treated and he has some limping issues, right rear. Most old fractures that are not treated result in the bone healing out of position and a crooked limb with concurrent remodeling of bone structure and mobility in ambulation. Either way? It does not affect the huge spirit I feel this little guy has!
Praying for the Highest Good for all concerned and a loving joyful outcome!
Welp, that didn't work out. I'm sitting here crying, I am heartbroken.
Despite me volunteering at this shelter, there was a lot of miscommunication, and bottom line the shelter veterinarian had a lot more to say, notably that the needed surgery should be done asap and should cost about $5000 (which pet insurance will not cover).
The fracture was in his right front humerus, and happened in TX, and by the time he got here it had healed incorrectly, so it is already arthritic with osteophytes. This will get worse quickly with time in terms of pain, and this is a dog that should not be taken on long walks or hikes (we like to take our dogs on hikes). The surgery involves fusing the joint with hardware (he would lose all range of motion in the joint).
Ran it by my husband and he nixed it so I had to cancel.
Let's all send some good vibes to this dog anyway so that he ends up in a great home, preferably with a pool (because swimming will be the safest exercise for him), that has the patience and resources to help him. My biggest worry is that the adopters will say yeah sure fine, but then not actually do what's needed and re-dump or euthanize him when push comes to shove.
Since I'm not renaming him, his current name is Wario. He's a black shepherd mix... sending him love, light, health...
? ? ?
Thank you, I still have Coco the Chiweenie at my side.
It actually is all for the best, as hubby is dealing with some extended issues around his heart health that need addressing asap, so integrating a new pup into the household would have been difficult to say the least.
I am soooo not religious, but at my father's suggestion I offered up a few prayers to St. Francis of Assisi. Can't hurt might help.
I thought perhaps since there are so many pet-lovers here, someone might offer some advice on a situation I have with a kitten (yellow tabby, 8 or 10 weeks old?? not sure) who's been hanging out in my yard the last few days. I don't know whether he/she is a lost pet, a feral who has lost his mother, or a dumped-out unwanted kitty.
I first heard him meowing terribly loudly and emotionally on Friday morning. He ran away when he saw me. I've putting food out and I'm sure the kitten (and not some other critter) has been eating at least most of it. I know where he likes to hide (under some stuff by a storage shed, which is under a canopy so it's dry) and I've been putting the food there. I talk to him when I go over there and sometimes he talks back. We have "conversations". His meows are now are more normal and not the very scared, heartbreaking cries he was making earlier. I hope to eventually to get him to come out on his own because I don't want to traumatize him by trapping or chasing him. I hope this will be possible.
Right now he's got food, water, and shelter so he's safe for the moment. My main concern is whether he's a true feral and will never make a good pet, or whether he's had some socialization. I'm hoping that the fact that he meows back at me when I talk to him is a good sign.
Any thoughts?
@ana I have a feral that was dumped out here about 5 years ago.. it took me 3 years to catch him in a have a heart trap and take him in for TNR... trap, neuter and vaccinate and parasite treatment - and release back in to his territory. He always came to scrounge for scraps and catch the abundance of chipmunks, mice and birds in my yard and goat lot. Turned out he was a cryptorchid ( testes never descended were in his abdomen so like a spay for females an abdominal surgery) and had many intestinal parasites and liver flukes. ) He had to stay confined in a large crate for the week post op to be medicated and restricted activity. Once he was turned loose he was gone for a week but then was back and began to ask for the bowl of kibble I left for him. That was 2 years ago... this Spring he was in a fight with a raccoon and bitten severely in his left rear and had broken bone and abscessed... the 7 week recovery period on my sun porch with safety, comfy easily accessed bed and abundant food water meds and temperature control.. we made friends.. I am now his person. I would share a picture of him but I no longer see and upload a photo feature here. I named him Majestic.. for .. he is... and.. he is quite the conversationalist when he has things to tell me. He serves as "seeing eye cat" for my 17.5 year old geriatric canine. We have a unique and supportive unconditional love situation here where we appreciate and honor each others idiosyncrasies and allow us to be who and as we are. This was a several years in process situation .. but one well worth the love and time and effort that goes in to it. Yes.. that he is "talking" to you is a good sign ❤️
Kittens are not truly feral. Given that the kitten is near you, it is willing to be socialized. Try luring him out with some "high quality" food - can of tuna or some fresh chicken. Move the food and water closer and closer to your house/door every day, or make a little trail of little containers with tidbits of food that lead to your door. If you keep leaving the food at his hiding spot he may never feel compelled to come out.
Also - get a cat toy that has a long string - something with feathers and/or fur. Try to play with him in his hiding spot, stay at arms length. If you can engage him in play for a bit, do that, and THEN offer some tasty tuna as a reward - put it halfway between you.
I'm presuming the kitten appears old enough to be weaned? (5-8 weeks old) and that he is actually eating the food you are leaving? Have you looked around for mom or siblings? Just check. It's high kitten season right now, so it's unlikely he was dumped.
Do you have a vet you can also call for advice? Also to give them a heads up so that when you do get your hands on the little bugger you can set him up with immediate care. He will most likely have fleas & parasites. And if a trap becomes necessary, most humane societies have free ones to borrow.
Keep trying and have patience. He's just scared. Sounds like he has already picked you and just needs some convincing. Keep us posted!!!!
@journeywithme2 @unk-p @laura-f
Keeping kitty myself could be problematic because my husband and my own cat don't want another cat. 😐 My cat seems much more content since her "step-brother" passed away two years ago.
However my next-door neighbor might take kitty in. I think he was actually looking for *her* and not me when he came to the yard. I have been cat-sitting their three cats while they were on vacation. Kitty first appeared at the boundary between our yards. My neighbor is a total sucker for stray animals and has rescued many. Animals seem to *know* that hers is a safe-house. She just got back from her trip so we will have to talk about it.
@ana Perhaps he will be like my Majestic... and you both may have to spend time making sure he has adequate food,water and shelter until you can handle him and take him in for exam and vaccines and of course neutering/spaying when that time comes.
He may have chosen both of you LOL and wants to be an outside cat for now.
As I stated it took a long time for Majestic to be come comfortable and now he enjoys staying inside for the most part...but still needs to go out in the yard a bit every day.
@ana I have never met a feral that I haven't been able to tame - while "basement kitty" (the one who mysteriously appeared in our basement during that one fluke April snow storm) isn't my "bestie" she does come out to see me and play. So my advice is to continue feeding, talking to it, and letting it make the moves/call the shots. If you're able to get to the point where you can hold it a gentle rub inside the ears is something most cats have taken to. You'll know you've arrived when you can rub the back of your index finger under its chin and it lifts its head up to let you do it.
Update on the yellow tabby kitten: When my cat-whisperer neighbor returned from her trip, the kitten took up residence on her side of the boundary fence. We both put food out for him but he would not approach us. After several more days, she borrowed a trap and caught him quickly. He's skittish about sudden movements and noises, but likes to be cuddled and petted. So he's definitely pet material! My neighbor has located a possible home for him but will keep him in the meantime. All is well. Such a relief not to have to worry about the little guy anymore. He doesn't look more than 8 weeks old.
I had an amazing dream/vision. Last night when I was in the tub I wished for my dog Toby. I dreamed that he was reanimated and a dead mouse in a brown lunch bag took his place. We were overjoyed to see each other. I was at my old house. My ex was living at his parent's house a block away. I ran with Toby there. I was going to leave him there. Next thing I saw was Toby running as fast as he could back to me. When I woke up I heard the song...last night I had the strangest dream, I sailed away to China...It was a beautiful visitation.
I made this artwork of him years ago. I became an artist so that I could paint his likeness. He changed my life so much for the better.
@tonyaW, Sammie is an eager excited happy little guy. He needs a lot of loving care if he's to keep that happy eager attitude because he is so sensitive. He makes mistakes sometimes because he's just so young, and can get ahead of himself, but he will learn and be the joy and love of your lives. I doubt the cats have a lot of patience for him, but they will let him know that and he'll know to keep his distance. I notice that his two eyes have different expressions, much like humans. I see in his eyes that he is both still naive and open to the world, and yet has been checked in his behavior more than once and could become sad if he doesn't get a lot of love. But I know he will be safe in your hands. I love this little boy. What a sweet beautiful eager happy guy!
@tonyaw Sammie is so furry I just want to hug him! Dogs have so much energy and pure nature at that young age that they can tear things up in the house. I picture him with a stuffed toy or rope toy shaking his head and play-growling. He needs play interaction with you so that he can learn to trust when you are grabbing things near his mouth. I don't think he's too fond of water and getting his feet wet. He knows he has a good home and will love you steadfastly. Pretty Boy!