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Sunday, May 6, 2018
Monday, January 8, 2018
Happy 8th Birthday to Buddy! This is his story.
Happy Birthday to one helluva dog. Buddy came to me, as his fourth home in under 2 years, blind with juvenile cataracts. He was hyperactive, peed on everything, jumped on everyone, and not leash trained. When I first saw him I thought he was so handsome. Perfect little muscled dog.
I think the others before me tried hard, and loved Buddy, but neither had the time nor finances to deal with all his needs. Myself and the rescue group coughed up the money for eye lens replacement surgery so he could see and I took good care of him for vet visits, and routine care as his foster mom.
Being able to see again dramatically changed his personality. He came to me so frightened and scared, seeing only see shadows. And he missed his last family- he seemed depressed. I have a big yard and other dogs, so lots to navigate as young, hyper pup without sight. There were fences, steps, curbs, slopes, large rocks, lake, dock, decks, trees, and so much more he could not see. To make matters worse, his retinas only work about 50% (birth defect) so he cannot see very well at dusk/dark. Thus he bugs his eyes out to try to see better.
Buddy now does fine on a leash. Has had his daily walks for years. He rides great but some of his other bad habits persisted no matter what I tried. It is stuff I can live with, so we cut a deal. He won.
It is important to mention, Buddy is a survivor. As his 4th home, no one wanted to put him down- just needed to find money to help him see again and work on his behavioral issues (Boston Terriers do not do well emotionally being transferred from owner to owner). Our first accident was after having him about a month (still on a waiting list for eye surgery), he somehow wandered out of my gate and walked right off my dock at dusk. I was outside but did not see him. When I noticed he was missing, it was too late. He was gone.
I knew he could not see to find the shore, and I also knew he could not swim....I had been trying to teach him enough to survive as I do all dogs I rescue. I was sick to my stomach thinking he had drown. Such a sweet, spunky, gorgeous dog. I ran around looking everywhere, hopeful he made it to shore somewhere. I incorporated the neighbors to help me look. I was in panic mode/ill. Then one neighbor said he heard his "gravel like" bark. I hadn't noticed how it sounded, distinctive. I didn't hear it at first, but eventually could hear it way down the cove. It did not sound like him to me but I had to try to see who it was barking. He sounded a mile away.
So I got in my kayak and started yelling for him. I had been yelling the whole time (now about 1 hour has passed) so he could find my voice and lead him "home". I was still just his foster, so he wasn't even my dog and I dreaded telling the rescue group the poor boy had drown on my watch. I could hear the barks coming closer, though it was dark and I could not really see now either (we were even). And yes, it was Buddy. Somehow instincts had kicked in and he dog paddled to the shoreline and then started walking, albeit away from home. The echoes can play tricks on your directional hearing.
I found him a bit cold, muddy, and scared but he was fine. That was EXPERIENCE #1. Number 2 you already know about from above. He was blind, after being able to see perfectly throughout puppy hood. Not all dogs are candidates for surgery and not all our successes, but skip to the chase, he was! His vision isn't perfect but fine to live a normal life after surgery. With his vision restored, so was his confidence.
Experience 3 has been the hardest. Two years ago Buddy, the hyper dog full of life and energy, slipped a disk peeing on a bush in the yard. Yep, at six years of age, simple as that. He could not move below the chest and was in sheer panic mode calling for me. I rushed him to the vet ER, then x-rays, MRI, etc. Three days in the ICU, then finally he came home. I tried everything and he was patient: laser therapy, electrical stimulation, acupuncture, swim therapy, exercise balls, harness walking, supplements, and nothing worked. His paralysis was permanent. Buddy could no longer pee on his own and needed bladder expression and could not feel or move his back legs ever again.
Buddy fought it for a while. I kept him calm as he would panic, not being able to do everything like walk, sit up (at first), roll over, etc. He couldn't scratch his own head or ears anymore so I do that for him now. Then one day, he just gave up. Gave in. He adjusted. He no longer was stressed out and freaking out because of his physical issues. He forgot he could ever walk or didn't wear a diaper and just became happy again overnight. It took me a lot longer to adjust. But like him, one day I just accepted the facts and dealt with it. We got a wheelchair, then others, built ramps, made special food bowls that tilt, got on amazon auto ship for diapers and such, and got a new dog sitter that was willing to manage his special needs.
Experience #4 and last one we hope forever....as said, I have a big yard. Trees. Woods. And snakes. I try to watch for them but almost impossible especially at night. This past Summer, Buddy was outside with the other dogs and me, and was bit by a copperhead on his back foot (2 fang marks). I rushed him to the ER again, as he was sluggish and throwing up within 5 minutes and his foot/leg was already huge. He was there for 2 days, touch and go. The vet asked me to sign a resuscitate order in case he went into anaphylaxis shock. I kinda laughed and signed it right away...if he can survive all this, heck yes try to bring him back so he can fight off this venom.
He came home looking worse than when he went in and I was unsure if he would make it. He would not eat or drink water. Finally I got him to take a little nourishment so he would not have to go to ER for IVs. It took 2 full weeks to get back to normal, but he did. No snake is going to kill this 19 lbs of energy.
So Buddy has lived a full life already. He aggravates his siblings with his playful energy. He tears up any and all toys and stuffed animals (none of the others can have nice things). I have special beds on the floor and ramps in my home for him. He has been on TV (WBTV Charlotte, NC). When we go out, HE gets all the attention- diapers and wheelchair, bouncing around like he owns the world. Kids love him, adults are inspired by him. I am in awe. Nothing gets him down or slows him down. He is famous around here, for his car seat beer cooler, his red cape, his dominant personality (will chase any dog or car now that he has a metal shield around his body- OMG).
I just call him Buddy.
I think the others before me tried hard, and loved Buddy, but neither had the time nor finances to deal with all his needs. Myself and the rescue group coughed up the money for eye lens replacement surgery so he could see and I took good care of him for vet visits, and routine care as his foster mom.
Being able to see again dramatically changed his personality. He came to me so frightened and scared, seeing only see shadows. And he missed his last family- he seemed depressed. I have a big yard and other dogs, so lots to navigate as young, hyper pup without sight. There were fences, steps, curbs, slopes, large rocks, lake, dock, decks, trees, and so much more he could not see. To make matters worse, his retinas only work about 50% (birth defect) so he cannot see very well at dusk/dark. Thus he bugs his eyes out to try to see better.
Buddy now does fine on a leash. Has had his daily walks for years. He rides great but some of his other bad habits persisted no matter what I tried. It is stuff I can live with, so we cut a deal. He won.
It is important to mention, Buddy is a survivor. As his 4th home, no one wanted to put him down- just needed to find money to help him see again and work on his behavioral issues (Boston Terriers do not do well emotionally being transferred from owner to owner). Our first accident was after having him about a month (still on a waiting list for eye surgery), he somehow wandered out of my gate and walked right off my dock at dusk. I was outside but did not see him. When I noticed he was missing, it was too late. He was gone.
I knew he could not see to find the shore, and I also knew he could not swim....I had been trying to teach him enough to survive as I do all dogs I rescue. I was sick to my stomach thinking he had drown. Such a sweet, spunky, gorgeous dog. I ran around looking everywhere, hopeful he made it to shore somewhere. I incorporated the neighbors to help me look. I was in panic mode/ill. Then one neighbor said he heard his "gravel like" bark. I hadn't noticed how it sounded, distinctive. I didn't hear it at first, but eventually could hear it way down the cove. It did not sound like him to me but I had to try to see who it was barking. He sounded a mile away.
So I got in my kayak and started yelling for him. I had been yelling the whole time (now about 1 hour has passed) so he could find my voice and lead him "home". I was still just his foster, so he wasn't even my dog and I dreaded telling the rescue group the poor boy had drown on my watch. I could hear the barks coming closer, though it was dark and I could not really see now either (we were even). And yes, it was Buddy. Somehow instincts had kicked in and he dog paddled to the shoreline and then started walking, albeit away from home. The echoes can play tricks on your directional hearing.
I found him a bit cold, muddy, and scared but he was fine. That was EXPERIENCE #1. Number 2 you already know about from above. He was blind, after being able to see perfectly throughout puppy hood. Not all dogs are candidates for surgery and not all our successes, but skip to the chase, he was! His vision isn't perfect but fine to live a normal life after surgery. With his vision restored, so was his confidence.
Experience 3 has been the hardest. Two years ago Buddy, the hyper dog full of life and energy, slipped a disk peeing on a bush in the yard. Yep, at six years of age, simple as that. He could not move below the chest and was in sheer panic mode calling for me. I rushed him to the vet ER, then x-rays, MRI, etc. Three days in the ICU, then finally he came home. I tried everything and he was patient: laser therapy, electrical stimulation, acupuncture, swim therapy, exercise balls, harness walking, supplements, and nothing worked. His paralysis was permanent. Buddy could no longer pee on his own and needed bladder expression and could not feel or move his back legs ever again.
Buddy fought it for a while. I kept him calm as he would panic, not being able to do everything like walk, sit up (at first), roll over, etc. He couldn't scratch his own head or ears anymore so I do that for him now. Then one day, he just gave up. Gave in. He adjusted. He no longer was stressed out and freaking out because of his physical issues. He forgot he could ever walk or didn't wear a diaper and just became happy again overnight. It took me a lot longer to adjust. But like him, one day I just accepted the facts and dealt with it. We got a wheelchair, then others, built ramps, made special food bowls that tilt, got on amazon auto ship for diapers and such, and got a new dog sitter that was willing to manage his special needs.
Experience #4 and last one we hope forever....as said, I have a big yard. Trees. Woods. And snakes. I try to watch for them but almost impossible especially at night. This past Summer, Buddy was outside with the other dogs and me, and was bit by a copperhead on his back foot (2 fang marks). I rushed him to the ER again, as he was sluggish and throwing up within 5 minutes and his foot/leg was already huge. He was there for 2 days, touch and go. The vet asked me to sign a resuscitate order in case he went into anaphylaxis shock. I kinda laughed and signed it right away...if he can survive all this, heck yes try to bring him back so he can fight off this venom.
He came home looking worse than when he went in and I was unsure if he would make it. He would not eat or drink water. Finally I got him to take a little nourishment so he would not have to go to ER for IVs. It took 2 full weeks to get back to normal, but he did. No snake is going to kill this 19 lbs of energy.
So Buddy has lived a full life already. He aggravates his siblings with his playful energy. He tears up any and all toys and stuffed animals (none of the others can have nice things). I have special beds on the floor and ramps in my home for him. He has been on TV (WBTV Charlotte, NC). When we go out, HE gets all the attention- diapers and wheelchair, bouncing around like he owns the world. Kids love him, adults are inspired by him. I am in awe. Nothing gets him down or slows him down. He is famous around here, for his car seat beer cooler, his red cape, his dominant personality (will chase any dog or car now that he has a metal shield around his body- OMG).
I just call him Buddy.
Monday, July 11, 2016
Buddy's Story and GoFundMe Page
Thank you for reading and supporting Buddy with interest, sharing, donations, prayer/good vibes/smiles, and all the other dogs out there in need!
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Link to Buddy's TV Debut
http://www.wbtv.com/story/32280418/paralyzed-boston-terrier-overcoming-all-obstacles-even-swimming?clienttype=generic&sf29446959=1
(Cut and paste into your browser and will take you to WBTV GOOD NEWS program today by Kristen Hampton)
(Cut and paste into your browser and will take you to WBTV GOOD NEWS program today by Kristen Hampton)
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Squirrel
Every day I take my dogs on a walk through a wooded area. Today Shanti was leading, walking in front, Sam was riding the golf cart, with me and Buddy was close behind in his wheelchair in his own world.
As Shanti runs ahead to lead, the golf cart spooked a large squirrel and it darted across the path and slammed right into Shanti's front leg. It tripped her up, and the squirrel tumbled and was dazed for an instant. I knew it was over for this squirrel. Shanti shook her leg and never glanced at the squirrel being the oh-so-great hunter that she is today. She just kept marching right along, happy to be on a walk. My black beauty queen isn't about to chase her dinner.
Seeing this all unfold before us, I knew for sure Sam would be hot on that squirrel's tail. But alas, it was HOT outside mom, Sam is hefty, with a lazy streak. He looked at me as if to say "must I"? He didn't.
I didn't worry about "Blind Buddy" seeing it. While he IS my only hunter in the pack, he has weak retinas and was blind when I adopted him (juvenile cataracts- had surgery and doing fine but not great vision). And he is in a wheelchair now. And he didn't see it. But just as we got close to home, one darted in front of him and it was on. He was in HOT pursuit, rackity wheelchair a rollin after the grey squirrel as it dashed up a tree. Buddy rammed the tree, but did not attempt to climb it and just flip his wheelchair like he has before. But he had it treed and that is what counts. Good boy.
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
The life of a dog parent...
I return from my vacation, ready to meet and greet my babies as I have missed them. And so the story goes:
1. I let Buddy out when I arrive and his NEW wheelchair literally falls apart and dumps him into the flower bed.
2. Go down the NEW handicap ramp built for Buddy, slip and fall. Buddy has accidently pooped on it, my slippers hit it and slidding I went.
3. I put Shanti's seizure meds in her food, she walked away and Sam ate all her food while I was not looking. He has slept all day.
4. We go for a ride in my truck (I upgraded to a 4 -door so everyone can have space) and they all insisted on cramming upfront (Shanti likes to growl at anyone near her).
5. I put Buddy into his backup wheelchair (also brand new) and he flips it off the handicap ramp and has to be rescued.
Yep, it is good to be home!
(Mom why are you sitting upfront crowding us when you have room in the back? PS- I licked the opening in your coffee cup- and yes, I ate my own poop this morning)
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