BHRR's Emma is doing better today than yesterday. She had a good night yet; getting her to eat was a bit of a challenge and I have her on homecooking with some canned wet dog food mixed in. She seems to be eating that well and is drinking much more normally.
She has had two accidents in her crate; one pee in the night(she was out around 2:30 AM and again at 5:00 AM) and she had a poop inside of her crate today – soft yet fairly well formed.
I meant to take her stomach measurement yesterday for all of us looked at her today and went 'we are sure she is bigger!' but she is eating and drinking better and on that rack of bones body; she would be bigger. She is being fed 5 meals a day right now. I did take her measurement tonight just at the last rib and she is 37" around. We shall see if that changes dramatically over time.
She seems most comfortable with me and is already responding to her name and Sean and I worry a lot about her balance. She is not steady on her feet and she also seems to have some trouble lifting her head straight up. She clearly is lacking muscle tone in her hind end and her back legs are weak plus her hips are not great. 🙁 Her front end is stronger(just as our Kona's was) and she is a very pretty soul.
She will growl a bit in fear at Sean or even Mason at night and the light is behind them and she cannot see who they are. She settles done well and I have both of them feeding her some of her meals and talking to her and around her in normal conversations while passively ignoring her.
She has been integrated with BHRR's Gretta and BHRR's Peanut and BHRR's Jetta. She seems mostly indifferent overall to them yet; did a mild grump at BHRR's Peanut when she was having a drink out of one of the communal water bowls and BHRR's Peanut came up to also have a drink. She will learn to share and she was softly corrected with words and she calmly just looked at me and then drank some more sans more grumping.
Tonight, she has grumped at any of the dogs that she feels is getting too close to me; for she has 'claimed' me as her own in her own way and will come to me when called and also on her own volition. She will lean and almost try to sit on me. So, we will be working on the 'sharing' as well. She is a strong girl and as I have said many times over; these survivors of hell have backbones and wills of steel. She is not overtly dominant, yet more subtle with a look and soft growls/grumping. You can tell that she has had to take a stand or two in the past and she just wants to have space and not worry about the other dogs taking things from her or hurting her.
I do worry about how quickly she can begin to pant and her legs will begin to shake if she stands too long. We will be doing bw including a hwt. Her right eye appears to be weeping a bit and we will also check into that.
I LOVE how she lays in her crate! Her front legs crossed. She is very quiet and she just LOVED the smoked bone she was given as a treatie last night. She chomped and munched on it and this is only going to benefit her teeth and body. Her teeth are in quite good condition, surprisingly enough and she has been very accepting in allowing me to touch and feel and hold ears, tail, feel, mouth etc.
I have to be really honest; this girl has just grabbed deep into my heart with those eyes; yup! THOSE eyes again…. LOL and I am looking forward to Tuesday and to seeing if we can obtain a better determination re: any possible pregnancy.
I know some are not going to want to read this part; but; if she is pregnant and if it is; early enough along; we shall spay her if BHRR's Emma's own health shall not be compromised at this time with a spay. There are enough puppies in this world born and not enough homes for them; let alone the parents and the breeding of dogs should be taken very seriously. The health and behavoural issues that comes with byber and puppymiller dogs is also very paramount in the minds of those of us in Rescue.
It is not just the cost to the Rescue that shall be incurred; for we committed to her welbeing; with the awareness that she could be pregnant and we will do right by her should she be pregnant and it is not safe to spay her due to her own health or if she is too far along to do it safely.
We are going to take this one step at at a time and for those wanting to donate to her cause; she has an account set up at:
Kanata Animal Hospital (613) 836-2848 and they will take Visa, M/C and AMEX over the phone. They will take Debit or Cash in person at 440 Hazeldean Road in Kanata, Ontario
You can also mail donations via a Bank Draft to:
Birch Haven Rescue & Rehabilitation Services
C/O Gwendilin Boers
2425 Totem Ranch Road West
RR#1 Oxford Station, Ontario
K0G 1T0
OR email transfer to gwen@birchhaven.org
OR via PayPal(please use the 'gift' option)
What she does need to date are:
1) Packing Blankets/Duvets/Comforters as she does have some sores and is weak with bad hips
2) Puppy Pee Pads as she is having some incontinence and discharge
3) She LOVES the smoked knuckle bones
4) Rice
5) FROMM Wet Canned Dog Food
6) Towels
7) Pinesol
8. Leash(she has a collar – thanks to Karen and to HotDogsallDressed Inc.)
9) Donations towards her Vet Bills that shall be substantial regardless if she is pregnant or not
10) Paper Towels
***I will continue to update the list as needed**
BHRR's Emma's ANGELS:
Maggie