Sponsored by:
Jessica & Adam Erickson
Welcome Cali to the RAGOM family! She is a Lab mix, approximately 6 years old. Cali came in as a bonded pair with Simba 14-162 .
How did these cuties end up in RAGOM's care? The original owners dropped off the pair at a Good Samaritan's home, thinking they were going to dog sit for a couple of days. Well, the owners never came back for them. When the Good Samaritan got ahold of the owner, she was told that they don't want the dogs anymore. One thing we know about their prior life is that they lived their life under an unenclosed porch. Cali and Simba were very lucky to be in the Good Samaritan's care until a foster was found.
Little Cali is the most shy out of the two. She needs Simba, who is more confidant, to show her the way. When she entered our home, Cali was very nervous. With a little coaxing, we led her by the leash into the backyard to meet the two resident dogs. We didn't have any issues, but I can tell you that Cali probably doesn't like a rambunctious, in-your-face type of dog. Luckily, the resident dogs read her signals and gave her some space. Cali does fine with the cats here; she completely ignores them. Cali does have her safe spots in the house: the bedroom closet and in the hallway.
At her wellness exam, she weighed in at 44 lbs. The vet also checked out a small eye laceration on her upper left eyelid. I noticed it the second night she was with us; you don't really notice it unless you're really up close to her face. I am not sure how she got it or how long she has had the injury. She will be having surgery soon to help it heal together and also, she will be getting spayed. When the vet was listening to Cali's heart, she mentioned she could detect a heart murmur. Parasites were also found in her stool. She already had 1 treatment of dewormer and in a week, will have another dose of dewormer. Cali has been brought up to date with her vaccinations and tested negative for heartworm.
Cali is a sweet little girl. We have taken Cali and Simba out for walks around the neighborhood. At first, when they see the leashes, they will run away. So, my trick is to get them in the fenced-in backyard and leash them out there. Cali walks nicely on the martingale collar. Most times, she is walking behind us, so we have to give her some extra cheer and support to walk with us, instead of behind us.
One of the many sweet things about Cali is that she loves foster dad. She has created a little special bond with him. When we are sitting on the couch, she absolutely has to come up and lay by him for some pets. I believe she even has given him little kisses on the cheek.
You would think having 4 dogs in the house might be chaotic (2 foster dogs + 2 resident dogs), but Cali and Simba have been super fun and easy to have around. We are enjoying their company as they are very well-behaved.
Their new life began with the Good Samaritan and will continue now as RAGOM dogs.
| Mixed Breed | Born: June 2008 |
| Female | 30 lbs |
Status: Deceased
Sponsored by:
Jessica & Adam Erickson
Welcome Cali to the RAGOM family! She is a Lab mix, approximately 6 years old. Cali came in as a bonded pair with Simba 14-162 .
How did these cuties end up in RAGOM's care? The original owners dropped off the pair at a Good Samaritan's home, thinking they were going to dog sit for a couple of days. Well, the owners never came back for them. When the Good Samaritan got ahold of the owner, she was told that they don't want the dogs anymore. One thing we know about their prior life is that they lived their life under an unenclosed porch. Cali and Simba were very lucky to be in the Good Samaritan's care until a foster was found.
Little Cali is the most shy out of the two. She needs Simba, who is more confidant, to show her the way. When she entered our home, Cali was very nervous. With a little coaxing, we led her by the leash into the backyard to meet the two resident dogs. We didn't have any issues, but I can tell you that Cali probably doesn't like a rambunctious, in-your-face type of dog. Luckily, the resident dogs read her signals and gave her some space. Cali does fine with the cats here; she completely ignores them. Cali does have her safe spots in the house: the bedroom closet and in the hallway.
At her wellness exam, she weighed in at 44 lbs. The vet also checked out a small eye laceration on her upper left eyelid. I noticed it the second night she was with us; you don't really notice it unless you're really up close to her face. I am not sure how she got it or how long she has had the injury. She will be having surgery soon to help it heal together and also, she will be getting spayed. When the vet was listening to Cali's heart, she mentioned she could detect a heart murmur. Parasites were also found in her stool. She already had 1 treatment of dewormer and in a week, will have another dose of dewormer. Cali has been brought up to date with her vaccinations and tested negative for heartworm.
Cali is a sweet little girl. We have taken Cali and Simba out for walks around the neighborhood. At first, when they see the leashes, they will run away. So, my trick is to get them in the fenced-in backyard and leash them out there. Cali walks nicely on the martingale collar. Most times, she is walking behind us, so we have to give her some extra cheer and support to walk with us, instead of behind us.
One of the many sweet things about Cali is that she loves foster dad. She has created a little special bond with him. When we are sitting on the couch, she absolutely has to come up and lay by him for some pets. I believe she even has given him little kisses on the cheek.
You would think having 4 dogs in the house might be chaotic (2 foster dogs + 2 resident dogs), but Cali and Simba have been super fun and easy to have around. We are enjoying their company as they are very well-behaved.
Their new life began with the Good Samaritan and will continue now as RAGOM dogs.
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Cali crossed the rainbow bridge on Tuesday, September 6. Her body was shutting down from the kidney disease. When she was first diagnosed, the vet said the average life expectancy once diagnosed is 6 months to 1 year. Cali lived 2 years after being diagnosed.
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Happy Spring! From Brian Sweet - In memory of my own gray-muzzled, black dog Buddy,
who looked remarkably like Cali. Click here to learn about Buddy
Happy Valentine's Day from Laura Kreun!
Thank you, Laura K., for the holiday mitten.
Cali spends most of her days sleeping. The cold temperature has not been to kind to her left eye as it's been more watery. Usually, Cali is always the first one back to the door, but lately, she's been lingering in the yard longer. I recently got Cali an elevated dog bowl and it helps her so much. I wish I would have gotten it sooner. She had her wellness exam earlier in the month and her health seems to be stable. The vet noted she did have a broken tooth, which probably explains her breath (a little stinky). Cali is in good spirits, except when she sees the ear cleaner, then she boogies it into the bedroom fast. :-)
From Laura Kreun
Hi, RAGOM fans!
Cali still seems to be doing well. The most significant health change is when she gets up from the bed, she's stiff when walking. I recently bought an extra strength hip and joint supplement, hoping this will help her.
Thank you, Mary R., Debra H., and Karin S for the paw prints for Cali, from the Goldzilla fan board.
In the picture, Cali is laying with resident dog, Mollie. This was a first occurrence that Cali shared the bed with another dog, so I had to quickly capture the moment.
"Loving fan!" -Mary R
"In memory of Trisket." -Debra H
"Hugs from Sandie." -Karin S
Cali is doing well. About a month ago, she scratched her eye growth which caused it to bleed a good amount. We went to the vet and came home with eye ointment. In the picture is Cali and the 2 resident dogs enjoying a bone.
May you be well, Cali! Christine W.
With love and hope, Clarice
Happy Holidays to everyone!
It sure is cold out and Cali isn't a fan. When it started to get cold earlier in the season, she would be shivering while we were all outside. Her short coat isn't much help in these elements. I went to Chuck and Don's and picked out for her the red and black plaid jacket, as seen in the pictures. She looks quite classy, I must say. The only time Cali barks is when she wants to come back inside.
We added a new foster, Auburn 14-375, a few weeks ago. At first, Cali didn't enjoy this young pup, but now, when going outside for potty, they go in and out of the house together.
We noticed Cali got her very own sponsor, wow! Thank you, Jessica and Adam Erickson! So very grateful that Cali has a special place in your hearts.
Cali and I would also like to thank Christine W. for the holiday mitten and Clarice for the holiday bell.
Cali is doing quite well. She is a heavy sleeper, though. When we get home, she usually is sleeping on her dog bed in our bedroom. We call her name, clap our hands, but that noise doesn't wake her up. We have to be one foot from her or touch her in order to wake her up from her deep sleep. When she is up and about, she can hear things just fine. A special treat Cali definitely enjoys are fish skin sticks. She tends to eat those a little too fast.
It's been a month since Simba 14-162 has gone to his new home. Cali is doing just fine without him here. I almost want to say she is hanging out more with us instead of in the bedroom. Cali definitely loves the dog beds here. She doesn't have a favorite one, but will rotate amongst the 3 dog beds.
Health-wise, Cali seems like she's doing well. When she gets up, she is getting a little stiff when she walks around at first. It snowed so much last week, when Cali was outside and sneezed, she dipped her whole head into the snow! She definately loves making snow angels out there.
Thank you, Barry K. and Nancy A., for the paw prints and thinking of sweet little Cali.
Since the last update, I mentioned Cali was going in for surgery to be spayed and for her eye. I took Cali to a different vet, VCA in Richfield, as they have a great relationship working with RAGOM dogs. During the pre-exam on the day of surgery, the doctor was very concerned with her loud heart murmur. The doctor didn't want to put Cali under anesthesia without knowing more about her heart murmur and recommended we do an echocardiography. RAGOM approved the echo, X-rays, and blood work tests. When I picked up Cali that evening, the doctor said there was good news, that they were hoping it was this type of heart murmur vs the more severe type. I don't understand all the medical terminology, but I believe she said something about it leaking from the top and bottom. Also, when they viewed the X-rays, they believe Cali was spayed prior to coming into RAGOM's care. The vet told me they would call in a day or so for the blood work results.
As you have seen, Cali is now considered Hospice, as she will remain in foster care. I got the call about her blood work results, and it wasn't good. Cali had elevated kidney values which is consistent with chronic kidney disease. The progression of the disease can't be stopped or reversed. The vet said the average life expectancy once diagnosed is 6 months to 1 year. I was very heartbroken hearing all of this, as I have never had to experience this with a foster dog yet. I have been researching like crazy for the right kind of diet that would be best for Cali, that will help nourish her little body and kidneys. At this time, Cali won't be having surgery on her eye. We don't want to put her through anesthesia.
RAGOM has done a lot for Cali, and I am sure there will be more medical costs in the future. Please consider donating to RAGOM, as they treat every dog that comes in like their very own, providing the necessary medical care.
Little Cali is doing well. She is scheduled for surgery on her eye, Wednesday the 13th.
Cali is potty trained. In the first week, one of the foster dogs did have some loose poop accidents in the house, while we were gone at work, which would be expected as they are in a new environment. But since their stool has firmed up a bit, no accidents have happened. Cali can hold it up to 9 hours. When someone is home, we let the dogs outside quite often. When she first arrived at the house, she was hesitant to go through the back door. But now, she joins in with the other dogs, like she doesn't even have to think about it. She will sometimes let out a little bark, letting me know she wants to come back inside. When no one is home, Simba and Cali have free roam throughout the house with the two resident dogs.
In our fenced-in area in the backyard, it is pretty much dirt, as the grass doesn't even have a chance to grow with the dogs. In the pics, you can see Cali enjoying a good roll in the dirt to scratch her back. I was cringing a bit, but couldn't stop her as she was having too much fun. Cali is letting her playful side out slowly. If I get playful towards Cali, she has been getting playful back; she'll do a play bow towards me. Not quite towards the other dogs yet.
