Blue 19-047
Profile
Updates
Saturday, April 6, 2019
Hi. Blue here. I just wanted to give you an update on my experience as a foster dog.
First, about my health. Good news! My ear infections are gone. G. O. N. E. Whew, what a relief. Foster Mom says my ears look pretty now. It really bothered us both that I had swollen itchy ears. The doctors says that my forever home should clean my ears at least once per week.
And… I have lost 7 lbs. I’m now 77 lbs! I feel much better at a lighter weight, but have some more to go. My Bell’s palsy is still present, but not as pronounced as it once was.
Also, my allergies are bugging me. I am less itchy when I take 3 Benadryl. I should take them 3 times per day. I’m onto the vanilla ice cream trick, so now I think she sticks my pills in a hot dog or piece of ham.
Foster Mom talked to the doctor about prescription allergy medication. The doctor said that there are two kinds - one is oral and the other is a monthly shot. Both cost about $90 per month. We’re going to stick with the Benadryl for now to see how I do on that, but we know that prescription medication is an option, too.
Lastly, I have been diagnosed with Lyme disease. I have to take antibiotics twice a day for 30 days, and then that will hopefully be gone. I don’t really have any symptoms, except sometimes I’m not that interested in eating, but I do eat because I don’t want Duke (the other Golden in the house) to eat my food.
About Duke: I didn’t mind him at first. I mean, he was okay. Maybe I thought he was just okay because I wasn’t feeling well with my ear infections and extra weight. We tolerated each other at first. But since I have gotten to know him, I really like him. I even initiate play with him now!
I love to take a toy and run around the yard with it so he will chase me. Then I let him get close and we play tug. In the end, he always gives it to me. He’s a good guy. Foster Mom says that Duke isn’t a Golden “Retriever”; he’s just a Golden because he doesn’t retrieve.
But I retrieve! I run fast, too! There is this boy at this house, too. He’s about 8 years old and he shoots a tennis ball out of a gun, and I chase it and bring it back to him. I also like it when the boy chases me around the yard. The boy likes it, too.
Then there’s this girl who is 6. She likes to snuggle me. I could snuggle all day.
I have also discovered that I like dog beds. They're soft and comfy. Duke lets me have his at night in Foster Mom’s bedroom because he likes to sleep in the hallway to protect the family from squirrels (or whatever he thinks they need protecting from).
I’m not really a protector. I don’t bark… well, except that one time when I barked at the neighbor dog as we ran up and down the fence together. That is the only time I barked. It surprised Foster mom.
Sometimes Foster Mom spies on us through the camera when she is at work. When she does, she sees me either sleeping by the front door or on the couch. She’s not there to tell me to get me off the couch, so….
Anyway, I’m enjoying feeling healthier and having a house and a family with kids and a dog to live with. Life is pretty good here. I wish the lake across the street would turn to water because I like to swim. Maybe I can teach Duke to swim with me.
Sunday, March 24, 2019
Blue was surrendered by her family when their child grew up and left the house. She is a 7-year-old spayed purebred Golden Retriever.
She is a petite Golden, short and when at her ideal weight will be very small. However, she is currently 84 lbs... and significantly overweight. Ideally, Blue would be about 60-70 lbs, so she has 15-25 lbs to lose.
Blue came to me with severe ear infections. Her ears were swollen almost shut from the infections.
She also has Bells Palsy (temporary paralysis of half of her face), likely due to the ear infections. She looks a little lopside right now, as one side of her face is droopy. She is on antibiotics and steroids for her ear infections right now. She takes them in vanilla ice cream.
She also is taking 3.5 Benadryl for allergies. Blue's forever family will have to commit to maintaining her weight and keeping on top of ear infections and allergies.
Blue is great with our dog, Duke. When she first met him, she gave him a low growl, but that was it. They like the company of one another, but don't play together. Her surrendering family said that she can be a bit bossy with other dogs - I haven't really seen it.
Blue has shown a slight tendency to guard toys from another dog. Our dog Duke is very laid back and there have been no issues. However, because of this tendency, Blue should be in a home without very young children (under age 8) to avoid any problems.
I bathed her, and she was perfect. She got in the tub herself and just sat there through the whole bath. She is great in the car, too - she sits pretty for her rides.
She loves dog walks and walks nicely with her harness. Without her harness, she pulls some at first - until she gets some energy out, then she is fine. She is possessive of bones and will try to keep them if you take them (runs from you and tries to swallow them).
I think she has tendencies to swallow parts of toys. She wasn't feeling great for a day and then vomited up some fabric from a toy. So, she should be watched when chewing toys to make sure she doesn't swallow them.
She likes tennis balls and will retrieve, but won't drop unless you have another to throw. Her surrendering family stated that she loves to swim.
Blue doesn't bark, but instead makes low groan/moan/purr/growl sounds. She is a total lover and just wants to be with her humans.
Because of the steroids, she is drinking a ton of water, so I have been keeping her in the kitchen while I'm at work. However, she would be fine with free range of the house after she is off the steroids and drinking a normal amount of water.
She prefers to sleep in the kids' room at night, which they love. She will start on the bed, then jump down and sleep next to it when she gets hot. She doesn't jump on furniture.
Blue is an absolute love. I don't have anything negative to say about her. We are all completely smitten with her. She is a perfect houseguest and will make a wonderful companion for the right family.
Closed to Applications: Many families have submitted applications for Blue or she is working with an applicant for a potential adoption. We are no longer accepting applications for Blue.
