Temporary Influx, Part Two

Argo

Argo is the black shepherd I met and took in several weeks ago--the one with the bad rear end and disorganized legs. He's been with another foster home in the area and by all reports is doing well with the kids, cats, and other dogs in the household. Aside from being able to reach everything without even standing up, they haven't had any problems with him and don't even need to crate him. They are going on vacation this week so Argo came to stay here temporarily.

Meeting Cabell

He met all the dogs without problem. His legs are such that he can't really do the stairs to make it up to the office, so I think he will be Cabell's downstairs buddy this week. The stairs are hard on Cabell these days too so mostly he stays downstairs although he comes up to the bedroom most nights, with some assistance and encouragement.

Getting checked out by Maya

I've got two big crates set up in the kitchen area. Cabell has never been crated but he has taken to using one of the open crates, mostly I think because he likes the big comforter that's in there. The other crate has a rug and multiple blankets and I will encourage Argo to use it. I had been using the extra crates upstairs and downstairs for some combination of Max, Ochie, Sparky, and Charlie at night, but with the warmer weather I've been leaving them in the outbuildings at night, at least some nights. With the extra dogs in the house right now (Argo, Trinity, and Toquima), it makes things a little easier.

Greeting Trinity

In addition to his orthopedic problems, Argo has a common shepherd digestive problem--he can't gain weight. The EPI test was negative so we are looking for a dietary solution. I had some of the raw food that we used for Zachary still in the freezer, so I pulled it out and will give that a try this week.

Trinity seems to be back to eating and pooping normally, as is Trooper, but last night Maya had me up at 4:00 a.m. wanting out and again at 6:00 a.m. You can hear an audible gurgling coming from her guts so she's fasting today and will get the chicken and rice treatment starting tomorrow (along with an Immodium and an acid reducer). There must be some bug going around because Maya is the fifth dog around here to have this problem. I sterilized food dishes today and will do so after each use for a while, but they have plenty of other opportunities to pass around something like this.

With Trooper

Our place can be a bit overwhelming
and intimidating for a new dog.
Argo seems to be looking for a way out.

I'm including this last pic for readers who don't see my non-blog posts on Facebook. It's a picture of former foster Patch, the inter-sexed miracle dog, who is now the resident shepherd, Lord Protector, and Vice President of Peaceful Passings, a rescue for senior dogs. Patch was adopted by the folks who run Peaceful Passings and he's now part of the operation. Patch is quite protective of those in his care and this little dog shown here with Patch is 14 year old Greta.  Peaceful Passings recently took in Greta after she was unceremoniously dumped by an owner into a dumpster like so much garbage.

Greta came with a host of medical problems as most dumped senior dogs do, just ask Patch. Peaceful Passings is a small operation with some big bills, so if anyone is inclined to help, donations can be sent to: Peaceful Passings, 2856 Cloverdale Road, Bremo Bluff, VA 23022, and you can "like" their Facebook page at:  Peaceful Passings Senior Animal Rescue. Just tell them that Patch sent you.