MICKY IN WISCONSIN 21 DECEMBER 2009

Colleen Swartz writes: I went to my Mother's house on Saturday to borrow her van to transport the five fosters to Wisconsin. She doesn't own a dog, and can't quite understand my desire to add yet another dog to my world. She asked me if I knew what I was doing, and I just couldn't explain it to her . . . . Transport went off without a hitch, and when I got home I had some quality time planned with Micky. His weight, especially in consideration of the fact that he had a week in a vet's office to gain weight, is shocking. This is my first foster right from a breeding facility . . . it was an emotional weekend vacillating between tender loving for Micky and anger at those responsible for his horrible condition. You have to assume that this ten-month-old dog nursed for at least six weeks, taking the nutrition he needed from his mother and once he was weaned, he lost all of that weight in just eight months? Saturday night, we slowly introduced Micky to his foster brother, Romeo, and his brother, Bubble and our houseguest's dog, Gnarly. I held him in a blanket while we watched TV and searched the internet for recipes for safe weight gain in canines. He was withdrawn, nervous & sick. He ate like he had never eaten before and drank bowl after bowl of water. At least he has the will in him. [Romeo is from MAY'S BOUQUET Rescue Mission; you can read about him HERE] I put him in his kennel at the foot of my bed. At 4 a.m., I heard him moving, so I got up and took him outside. He managed to poop & pee outside, so I decided to take him in bed with me to cuddle. He loved that, snuggling closely and waking me at 6 a.m. with a face full of kisses. Saturday we went to Pet Smart to add a "Micky Swartz" tag to his collar and returned my mother's van. I brought Micky with me to Mom's house. I had my mother sit in her recliner and I told her that I wanted her to hold Micky. I laid his little body in her arms and had her feel his bones just under his skin. She was shocked, she was horrified and together we cried for what this sweet puppy had gone through. I said to her, "Mom, I don't know how to tell this little guy that I don't have room in my house for him." Mom now understands why I am becoming the "crazy dog lady". His Sunday was spent lying in my bed. He didn't want to walk, he didn't eat much, his system is adjusting to the new food, I am sure. I did cook him special food to add to his kibble to help him gain weight. Here is the recipe if anyone wants it: 5 lbs hamburger (do not drain fat) 1 lb chicken liver 2 lbs chicken gizzards & hearts 1 cup wheat germ 2 cups oatmeal 2 cans salmon 2 large yams, cooked & cubed to this I am adding a daily vitamin and mixing it all with his corn-free kibble. Just a bit at a time . . . so he doesn't get sick. Today he is doing much better. I took him to work with me (as I do with all of my dogs) and he met the resident pit bull who lives at my work. He is still wobbly on his rear legs and it is hard to walk him with his brothers because they want to run & play and he is lucky if he can walk in a straight line. But we did go for a quarter-mile walk this morning. He is completely clueless about housebreaking, as after his big walk, he came inside and pooped. But he no longer has the runs; he has really bonded with me and he is not as lethargic as he was yesterday. He loves my homemade food and scarfs it down so fast, I don't have to worry about getting those little 1/2 pills in him; he gulps them right down. Here are some photos from Saturday & Sunday: Micky was a mess from being in his kennel all day, so right off he got a bath. Then he sat with my son, Jack, getting dry. My other foster, Romeo, is very loving with Micky. I wish it were the same for my dog, Bubble, who hates the new addition. So Sweet. This is my sister-in-law (and downstairs neighbor), Dianne. She has prescribed flower essences to add to his water to reduce his stress levels and oil of oregano to put on his incision to help it heal. It is nice having a holistic healer living downstairs. She adores Micky and I have been telling her she needs to introduce him to her cat now in case she decides she wants to adopt him. Thanks to everyone for being in the trenches on this! SHELLY & BOB SIMINSKI: ABBY, who can be seen HERE SYDNEY, who can be seen HERE Micke is a handsome little guy! He looks so at home now. His foster family are angels; he looks so content & loved. People who have never had a Cairn don't know the addiction to them until they have one in their lives; 'n' then it's all love 'n' kisses 'n' a home with Cairns. Merry Christmas to Micky & his family of angels. Love to them all. PERLA CHIAFFITELLA: KELSY, DUGAN & LOGAN, who can all be seen HERE Another CRUSA Happy Ending (as soon as Dianne adopts him, which I think she will). Great holiday stories and hopefully all will have Forever Homes. BOB ANDERSON: Micky sure is doing well, all things considered!

MEET TINY TAMMY IN WISCONSIN HERE