The Dog That Was Dumped so the House Could be Remodeled
Mom received this email from my former family. They took me to the pound (Silicon Valley Humane Society) last August (2004) when I was 10 1/2 years old. I've overheard Mom tell her friends that I was about to be "euthanized" (a big word that I don't know) and I was rescued at the very last minute by the San Francisco Bay Area German Shepherd Rescue group. Mom was my foster Mom but now she is my forever Mom.
What do you all think of the email? The former "family" claims they read my blog so please add your comments.
Sammy
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Dear Ms. Typaldos,On behalf of my family, I thank you very very much for all that you have done for Ams. You fostered him in your home, caring for him the whole time. When he developed DM, you adopted him as your forever pet. Words will never express our gratitude for your kindness and magnanimity. Unlike what you have thought, we truly loved Ams and will always love him. I know that you may feel anger towards us due to the fact that we surrendered Ams. Indeed we were very hesitant to do so; however, we had no choice. Currently, we are remodeling our house; therefore, we needed to rent a home. We were somewhat lucky in finding a house very close to our old house. The only problem was that the owner did not allow us to keep any dogs. During this time, we had debated on whether on not to turn the offer down, yet in the end, we decided that we had no other choice. It was neccessary that we picked a location closest to our old house. I cannot tell you how much work and dedication my family and I places in the rennovation of our old house. Each week, we work in the job site, sweeping the floors and cleaning the site up. In order to save us money, my father has even decided to work on many parts of the house himself such as putting up the cables and wires. Without living this close to the job site, we would never be able to do all of this.Since the time that we had to give Ams to the Humane Society, we all miss Ams very much, unlike what you think. The week when Ams was at the Humane Society, each and every one of my family members cried. Sorrow filled the air, and no one was happy for one whole week. Now that you sent us the link, my family and I have been reading Ams' blogs everyday now. Again, we thank you for all the time you've spent in doing this.Even my grandma in Taiwain asks us about Ams everytime she calls. She had lived with Ams a long time. When we had to give Ams to the Humane Society, she even included Ams in all of her daily prayers, praying that he would find a good home. She is very happy for Ams that her prayers came true. To add to that, even my Aunt in New York asks us of Ams all the time. She has also visited his blog for quite a while. Since the time that Ams was taken in by the SFGS team, I have constantly stayed in touch with Sharon.For many times already, I have asked Sharon if it would be possible to visit Ams, and she had responded by saying no for evey single request. Upon reading on Ams blog that he goes to El Quito park, we have tried waiting for him at the park, but we were not successful. This park is extremely close to my brother's school. Although we were quite unsuccessful in finding Ams at the parker, we were, however, able to see Ams crossing the street while we were driving to school. We saw Ams last Thursday and Friday. Even though Sharon has turned us down towards visiting Ams even though you may feel a grudge towards us, I would still like to ask if we could possibly visit our one and only dog. My family and I thank you very very much for all that you have done for Ams. Like I said, words will never express our gratitude. We do hope that you understand the reason behind why we had to give Ams up. Again, thank you very much. We appreciate what you have done for Ams. Each of us feels really bad for Ams upon learning that he has developed DM, but at least we know that he has a wonderful family now. We will always read Ams' blog.
Photo: Ceanothus cuneatus in bloom in our front garden
Ceanothus cuneatus in bloom
Photo: Ceanothus cuneatus in bloom in our front garden
Ceanothus cuneatus in bloom
Photo: Native June grass in our front garden
native grass
Photo: Elsa the German Shepherd at the back door
Elsa
Photo: Me (Sam) in the kitchen
Me (Sam) in the kitchen
Photo: Me (Sam) in the back yard
Me (Sam)
Photo: Where I blog
Where I blog
Photo: Buffy in Jeff's lap
Buffy in Jeff's lap
Photo: Flowers on the apricot tree in our front garden
apricot flowers
Photo: Elsa the German Shepherd
Elsa
Photo: Elsa the German Shepherd
Elsa
Photo: Elsa the German Shepherd
Elsa
Photo: Elsa the German Shepherd
Elsa
The Tough Week
Well, I had a tough week. I could barely walk at all this last week. Makes life hard for both me and Mom.
On Thursday Mom took me to the vet. This vet was recommended by Kathy, who is the Mom of my GSD swim buddy Jake. The new vet is Dr. Jennifer Condreay at Porte Veterinary Hospital located at 3265 Winchester Blvd., Campbell, CA 95008 phone (408) 374-6114.
Below is the note Mom sent to her friends after we saw the vet.
I had tried to tell Mom I was in pain but she didn't understand! But I feel a LOT better now. I'm happier, I can walk a little bit better, and I'm not snapping at anyone. Mom thinks the new medicine is controlling the pain. I wish I could tell you exactly how I feel but I'm only a dog and sometimes I can't really express myself.
I don't want anyone to feel sorry for me though. I'm happy! I love to eat. I like to bark at the cats. I love to ride in the car. I don't really like to swim but I like to go to the pool and see all of my friends.
Note sent by Mom to the Yahoo Group on Degenerative Myelopathy:The new vet confirmed the DM diagnosis although she said she couldn’t be 100% sure. But given Sam’s breed, age, and behavior, DM is the most likely cause. Some kind of spine problem is a slight possibility, and X-rays would be required to totally rule it out. I didn’t have the x-rays done because the treatment would be the same as what we decided anyway.
The vet says that sometimes she has had temporary relief with steroids if the disease is a disc problem or a combination of a disc problem and DM . So Sam is now on dexamethasone (steroid) and sucralfate (for tummy lining). She said that we will know in 3-4 days if he is going to respond.
The vet confirmed that Sam is in pain in his rear end, particularly on his top back spine and around the tail base. This is why I am having so much trouble getting him into a harness. It’s pretty much impossible actually as he turns and snaps at me. The vet saw this behavior and she said he can’t be trained out of it because it is a spontaneous reaction to pain. She said I must not do things to him that cause him to snap at me as there is no doubt that eventually he could bite me very seriously. I had thought that DM was not painful but Sam’s reaction to being touched in the rear seemed out of character. The vet agreed this is not typical of DM and that’s why she wants to try the steroids. The vet said the steroids would help with the pain.
The vet also said that the sores on Sam’s foot would not heal well when he is on steroids and that I must wrap his foot in a bandage or have him wear booties.
She took a blood sample to check his liver function. (Results came back perfect.)
He was walking (wobbly) the whole time inside the vet office but when we left he collapsed in the parking lot. The vet assistant came to help but he snapped seriously at her even as she reached for him, she hadn’t even touched him. She and I spoke for awhile about Sam’s quality of life given that he is so afraid of being touched because of pain.
My GSD Friends Jake and Austi
Here are my German Shepherd friends Jake and Austi lounging around at their home. Note how their Mom Kathy lets them up on the couches. Our Mom never lets us on the couches. Oh wait, there's a reason...we don't have any couches in the family room or the TV room anymore because Pumpkin ate them. Well, I guess that's a pretty good reason. Pumpkin started chomping on the couches in the living room too so Mom declared that room off limits. She doesn't even go in there now; well why would she want to since we aren't there!
My friends Austi and Jake at their home doing what dogs do best.
My Swimming Buddy Jake
Here's a photo that Jake's Mom Kathy took of Jake swimming with Connie, our swim instructor.
Does Jake look happy? I don't think so...I can hear him whining "Mom...Mom...help...help!"
My swimming buddy Jake, the 8 month old GSD, and Connie our swim instructor. Who looks happier?
The Dog That Swims
Today was my 5th day going swimming. I am officially "the dog that swims". But I don't like to swim! I resist when I am asked to get into the pool. I try to run away and then
Connie and Mom have to drag me over to the side. Eventually I go along with it, and once I'm in I get into the mood and dog paddle, but honestly I would prefer to lounge by the side of the pool next to the heater and eat treats and watch the other dogs swim. I like going to the pool and all the social activity but why the heck do they have to ruin it by making me get wet!
All new dogs today at the pool. One of them looks exactly like Buffy but she is three times as big. Mom is going to take Buffy with us on Wednesday so the big Buffy and the little Buffy can meet. The other dog's name isn't Buffy but I forgot what its real name is.
The Daily Routine
Today I didn't wake up until 7:30am. I usually wake up before 6am and beg Mom to feed me. Not sure why I slept so long today. I did my duty, had my breakfast, did my duty, slept in the office, went outside, had a treat, slept in the hallway, got in the car, went swimming, got back in the car, went outside, helped feed the birds, napped in the office, ate dinner, did my duty, and so on.
At swimming class today there were new dogs. I met 3 German Shepherds and one medium-sized black mutt with 3 legs.
The little mutt has DM like me and she is missing one front leg so she can't walk at all. She doesn't even sit up. She swims a little bit and in between swims she rested in a doggy wheelchair that had a cloth "seat" with holes for her legs.
One of the German Shepherds has been swimming for 5 years! She chased a ball when she was in the pool.
I still do not want to get into the pool, but this time, when my feet hit that first step I jumped in! I really surprised Connie the swim instructor. I figured I might as well get it over with as soon as possible. My head went under water briefly and I got water in my ear but it's fine now. This was my fourth swimming lesson.
A good day that included some banana, treats, and ice cubes.
The Big Bully Elsa
Dang, Elsa jumped on me again today. Luckily Mom was right there and she got Elsa off of me and put her in the crate. I gave Elsa a little love-bite on the nose first. Since Elsa never actually hurts me and I have managed to bite her each time she tries to beat me up why does she keep doing this?
Mom says she is going to talk to Elsa's trainer to get some insight and suggestions. But Mom also says she feels guilty this time since she had just given me, and only me, a treat. Elsa, despite her advanced age, is an observant dog and I suppose she felt really jealous of me.
Mom does pay more attention to me and I get to go a lot more places than Elsa. I try to explain to Elsa that she would not want to go swimming, but Elsa doesn't seem to understand. All she knows is I get to go out and get into the car with Mom and she has to stay at home.
Well, there is nothing I can do about this. Mom says she loves us all the same although to be frank I don't find anything loveable about Elsa at all!
The Third Swimming Lesson
Yup, looks like swimming is going to be a regular thing for me. I like going there in the car. And I like meeting the other dogs. Today there was a three-legged black dog, another black dog with a curly coat, a black lab-mix named Ivy and a young beige Vizsla. I couldn't keep my eyes off of Ivy because she jumped into the pool on her own volition! Ivy's sister is the one who is having swimming therapy and Ivy just comes along because she likes to swim! Whenever her sister was in the pool Ivy would jump in too and swim after toys or race with Connie the swim instructor. Sometimes the Vizla would swim up to Ivy and try to climb on her back. Well, they have a different attitude about swimming than me.
When Connie calls my name I reluctantly go into the pool and only because Connie is pushing from the back and Mom is pulling on the front. I absolutely do not want to take that first step...but of course I do because they force me in. Then I paddle and paddle and paddle and try to get out of there but Connie hangs onto me and no matter how hard I swim I pretty much stay in the same place.
I go in and come out three times so that I can rest in between. I like the resting part because it's really fun to watch the other dogs in the pool. But I'm always shocked when I have to go in myself!
Connie says I am a very strong swimmer so despite my reluctance I am doing a good job.
The Second Swimming Lesson
I went swimming again today. Hmmmm. I'm wondering if this is going to be a regular thing on my calendar. There were two other dogs there. One was a little black ragamuffin dog, very cute. The other was a German Shepherd, like me, named Angie. Angie has been swimming for a long time and she is very impressive. She swims after toys that Connie throws. When Angie gets a hold of the toys she just holds them in her mouth and swims and swims.
Well, my turn came, and I had to go in. I sure didn't want to. But I didn't have a choice what with Connie pushing my back end and Mom pulling on my front end. When I got into the water I dogpaddled like crazy only pausing now and then to eat a treat. This time Connie made me go into the water 3 times instead of just 2. I'm kind of resigned to it now. I just get in and paddle and paddle and look at Mom with a sorrowful expression. The only good part is that I get a lot of hi-value treats while I'm there.
Apparently I have to do this swimming thing 3 times a week! It's supposed to help strengthen my back legs. That would be good because I fall down a lot now which is really annoying.
The Swimming Lesson
I went swimming today. I'm pretty sure it's for the first time because I was kind of nervous. Connie the swim teacher (at
AquadogK9PT in Los Gatos) was in the pool and she came over to the side, picked me up and put me in the water! The water was really warm and soothing but I had to dog paddle like crazy. Actually Connie was holding me but I figured I better get my legs moving just in case. I only stayed in 3 minutes the first time but I was exhausted afterward. Connie brought me out and Mom dried me off and I sat next to the outdoor heater and panted and ate a few cookies and tried to plot my escape.
There was another dog there -- Connie calls her Pumpkin but that's not her real name. Connie calls all dogs Pumpkin apparently, even me. Kind of confusing because we have our own real life Pumpkin dog here at home. Anyway the other dog got to wear a life vest but I didn't need one since I float more. After the other dog paddled for awhile she came out and...yikes, Connie and Mom made me go back in the water!
This time Connie took me down the steps so I wasn't as scared. I got to eat cookies the whole time to which helped a lot. After I sat on the steps awhile Connie pulled me out into the deeper water and I had to paddle like crazy again. I was less nervous but still not sure if this is something that I would choose to do.
After a short session I got to come out, they washed me off with non-chlorinated water, and Mom dried me off. Mom then sat down to fill out the form about me. That seemed like a good time for me to make a run for it. I got all the way to the gate but darn, it was closed. Well, the good news is that was all for today. Connie said I did well and that I would be tired tonight and tomorrow. Maybe so but I sure wasn't too tired to eat my dinner!
Connie in the water with another dog.
The Anticipation of Immersion in Water
I'm so excited! Tomorrow I am going swimming! Stay tuned for all of the details!
The Ancient No-Nose Cat Comes Home
Charli the Ancient No-Nose Cat came home from the hospital today. She seems to be fine now. I can see her in the cat room gobbling down her food. I sure wish I was in there doing whatever it is that I want to do. Mom never gives me full rein near the cats so I'm not sure what it is I want to do but I sure want to do it! I think it involves me touching them with my great big paw.
Charli in better days.
The Daily Banana
I've finally trained Mom to give me a banana every day. Actually, all 5 of us share one banana. I get about half because I'm the most enthusiastic. Buffy doesn't eat his pieces at all -- no problem since Pumpkin vacuums them up. I've tried to explain to Mom that I am also willing to eat the peel...I try to grab it before she throws it in the box that is full of delicious rotten stuff (she calls it the trash can!). I reach out for the peel and stick my big nose in the can. But she just says "No! Sam!" and closes the top. Oh well, I can't complain. Life is good.
I must mention though that the ancient no-nose cat Charli is in intensive care at Adobe Pet Hospital. Mom has had several long conversations with the vet today about her. From what I can overhear, Charli is doing better, eating again, but still very weak. Mom told us that Charli might have cancer and there isn't a cure, but she will probably be able to come home and spend one more spring sitting in the sunshine.
The New Wheels
Wow, what a great day! Amazing given that yesterday was not so good.
But today I could walk again. Don't know why but I was able to get up this morning and stay on my feet all day. My back legs are wobbly but that's how they are now.
Mom's friend Cindy came over in the morning and showed Mom how to use a towel to help me stand up and walk. I didn't like having it around my tummy at first but Cindy says Mom has to be firm with me. Then Mom's friend Jackie came over in the afternoon and brought me a cart! They put me in the cart and off I went! I tried to run away but Mom insisted I go to Fred and Peggy's house instead. So I did. I trotted up their driveway with my new wheels. Fred was standing on the porch and the front door was ajar. I trotted right up the porch and tried to go inside the house. The wheels kind of got caught on the step so I didn't make it. Jackie and Mom and Fred and Peggy are all amazed at how I love my wheels. I like them because they make it easier for me to walk and trot. I don't even notice that they are there. Mom says I will use my wheels to go for walks in the neighborhood.
The Difficult Day
Today has been a very hard day. I am in my crate relaxing now, safe from Elsa. Mom gave me a bunch of treats so I feel a little better.
I'm having great difficulty walking; my back legs just don't seem to work anymore. I don't really understand what is going on. I don't have any pain, but something is wrong.
Now that I can't walk, Elsa took this as an opportunity to beat me up! She jumped on me and grabbed my neck and pushed me to the floor. Luckily Mom was in the room and she pulled Elsa off of me which wasn't easy. Elsa didn't hurt me, she just likes to be the boss and push me around. You would think given my condition she would be nice to me but she sees my weakness as her opportunity. The only good news is I managed to bite her foot real hard. She bled a little bit and limped around for awhile trying to get sympathy from Mom. As you can imagine, Mom was not sympathetic to her and in fact is not pleased with her at all.
Well, luckily I am just a dog and I don't really know what is going on. Mom says some of her friends are coming over tomorrow to help her figure out how to keep me comfy.
The Well Groomed Dog
Here I am right after my grooming session. It wasn't fun but it was worth it!
Gorgeous Sam
The Nearly Captured Banana Peel
Today all 4 of us doggies and Mom shared a big banana. She throws pieces at me and I catch them in the air. None of the other dogs have any talent in catching flying objects...when they fall to the ground Pumpkin the Vacuum Cleaner goes to work. He ends up with far more than his share.
Then, when Mom was throwing the peel into the garbage I grabbed it! I was wolfing it down but Mom grabbed the end that was sticking outside my mouth and retrieved it. Very disappointing. I think the peel is the best part of the banana.
The Challenge Feed
For dinner tonight we had our first "
challenge feed".
Mom found this article on the internet about "
Challenge Feeding Your Dog".
"For many dogs feeding times are the highlight of the day, but 30 seconds later the bowl is empty and he is left with nothing to look forward to. This is obviously a very unnatural situation. Wild dogs and wolves spend a large portion of time and effort acquiring food. No one is suggesting that you stop feeding your dog and send him out to find his own dinner, but you can make getting food slightly more challenging.
"The first step is to do away with the food bowl. Eating a pile of food is never going to be a challenge. Instead, try scattering dry food around the garden. Not only does this encourage your dog to use his nose, which is mentally tiring, but you will be amazed at how much energy he will expend criss-crossing the garden to ensure that he has found every last crumb."
So part of our dinner, some of the dried food, was thrown out into the garden and we had to find it with our noses! It was really fun. All four of us were out there exercising our noses and our minds. I did pretty good, maybe the best, because I have by far the biggest nose.
Here's some
photos of the garden a few years ago.
And here's the ceanothus in bloom last year.
The Crushed Pineapple
All of us doggies are now getting crushed pineapple in our food. Elsa, Pumpkin and I love crushed pineapple. Buffy, who is a picky eater, does not like it much but since it is all mixed in with everything else he has to eat it or not eat at all.
Supposedly crushed pineapple makes our poop taste terrible. If you don't know
why this is important you probably don't want to know. Remember, we are dogs, not humans. Despite that we are "man's best friend" and incredibly loving and loyal and adorable, we do have some ummmmm behaviors that humans don't like much.
I'll let my cyber-buddy
Ditto explain.
Isn't he the cutest puppy in the whole wide world!?
