New year's eve

I can't say that I really recommend this as a way to end the year. Thursday night, Declan and River were in the kitchen after we had gone to bed. But they weren't ready to sleep. Instead, someone (River is my prime suspect), tore up a large cardboard box and its contents, old gift wrap and shipping paper. I got up and came down to a fine mess in the kitchen, as well as some vomit in the hallway (again, River is the prime suspect.)

I cleaned up that mess and went back to bed, but soon heard more noise from the kitchen. This time he had dumped out a plastic container and spilled a couple hundred zip ties all over the floor. I was pissed at them both and banished them to Daneland to spend the night. It was not to be, however, because they started barking. I brought them back inside and gave them both a Benebone to chew on. They actually laid down and began chewing. I got back to sleep although Clay got up with them once more.

Friday morning I went downstairs and found no more destruction, but I did find another large pile of vomit. River had now gone 48 hours without keeping any food in his stomach and given his penchant for dietary indiscretion, I was really concerned that he had a blockage that was preventing food from leaving his stomach. 

I put both boys outside in Daneland but didn't feed either of them. I called Erika who started calling vets and I started work. We got a "we'll work you in" appointment for 2:00 p.m. River was no more inclined to get into the van than Declan, but he's not as big and I was able to make it happen. I had two slip leads on him, and I'm glad I did because when I opened the van upon arrival he shot out of there like a bat out of hell. I don't have the skilled eye and hand and reactions of an athlete, but where my dogs are involved I can be fast when it's needed. I managed to grab the longer of the two leashes as River shot past me and he got into the clinic safely. 

They did blood work, which was normal, and then took x-rays, which were inconclusive. They seemed to show "something" but it looked the same as the x-rays that were taken before he came to us earlier in the year. Given the lack of weight gain, the vet suggested that there may be some underlying gastro-intestinal issue that we'll still need to follow up with and get figured out. For now, they gave him some fluids and an injection of cerenia to control vomiting. 

He still wasn't inclined to jump into the van, but he was still a bit groggy from the sedation so I scooped him up and deposited him in the back of the van and we headed home. I should have walked him a bit first, because he desperately needed to pee, which he did in the back of the van on the way home. I cooked him some rice and we will see if keeps it down and passes it on through his system. I'll worry about cleaning out the van tomorrow. Happy new year everyone.

 

When I clean up the back of the van tomorrow, it looks like the back window

could use a little work too.

Leaving the vet's office a big groggy

He stood up for most of the drive home, but wasn't very steady on his feet.

These pictures of him back home are a little fuzzy,

but that's how he's feeling right now anyway.

Dreary day

When the day is dreary it's difficult to have a mood that isn't the same. The dogs seemed to feel the same way, except Hugo, whose happiness is only defined by the number of discs throws in a day and how long it's been since the last one.

But it wasn't cold and it wasn't really even raining, so I did take most of the dogs out to the pasture for some exercise. Hugo is supposed to go to his new home on Saturday. I'm going to attempt to give him a bath tomorrow, so if there are no more blog posts you'll know that I didn't survive.

Declan wasn't invited to run with us today. He's recovering from surgery and I'm really trying to keep him quiet because I don't want to deal with his supersized scrotum swelling up.

Della and Serena facing off, one of them will break into a run and the other will join in pursuit.

Max, in a rare moment with nothing in his mouth.

River will now run towards me like I'm his long lost best friend.

He's not fond of Hugo, however, because Hugo tries to run him off if he comes near me.

Front to back: Hugo, Max, and River

I started feeding River some satin balls I had in the freezer, but I may have overloaded

his system because he has barfed a couple times in the last two days. 

Running to the front fence, hoping someone is out across the street to bark at.

I should have taken River out for a beer today. Maybe tomorrow.

Della joined me in bed this morning. We should have just stayed there.

Maya takes Clay's spot.

Fortunately, Serena stays on her own bed.

Declan is ready, (mostly) willing, and able

Declan got neutered today. He weighed in at a whopping 170 pounds!, and emerged slightly lighter after the removal of two fairly sizable testicles. This means that Declan has accomplished what he needed to in foster care and he's ready for a new home. Here's some things you should know about him.

He's about two years old and he's an Irish Wolfhound (they just call them wolfhounds in Ireland). He's 170 pounds, which is a LOT of dog. He makes my two female Danes seem small. He fills the hallway when he's in it.

Declan has been very good indoors, uncrated, in my downstairs kitchen area at night, along with another dog. I would have brought him upstairs to one of the giant Dane crates in my office at night, but Declan has refused to do the stairs. He also refuses to jump into the van when I need to take him someplace as we did today, going both to and from the vet. I put one front leg up at a time, shift him forward, and then pick up the back end. He's going to need someone who is prepared to do some positive reinforcement training with him to work on those things that he's not willing to do.

Declan is very friendly both with people and other dogs. Strangers are just new friends to him. The vet tech from today described him as an "aggressive kisser." When she knelt down to remove the bandage from his leg, he just covered her in kisses. He is always wanting human contact; he head always shows up under my hand, he leans, he nudges. He picked the least friendly dog we have around here and insisted on making Hugo his friend. It took some doing, but Declan prevailed and actually taught Hugo to play with another dog instead of constantly wanting to retrieve.

He has not been leash walked and that will be another challenge for his new owner, although I'm sure that could be sorted out easily with a gentle leader, and maybe some lessons with a trainer.

Declan's fur was badly matted when he arrived, so he got a short hair cut, but it will grow back to normal wolfhound length. I had thought wolfhounds were always shades of gray, but no, other colors exist and Declan is all wolfhound. 

As big as he is, Declan is still rather light on his feet. As demonstrated above and below, Declan goes airborne, all four feet off the ground, when he's playing with another dog. 

Everyone at the vet's office today loved him and he was very good about it all. The woman who groomed him gave him a rave review too, and said he was wonderful in the bath.

He doesn't want to get into the car, but once he's in he rides very well, quiet and no car sickness.

Declan is a wonderful dog and he will certainly fill up your home and fill your heart with love, much like his own.