On 3 July comes the news from Maureen: Sarge's blood chemistry results arrived today. There is good news and bad news. The good news is that his chemistry is overall extremely good, which indicates he is a healthy boy. However, the bad news is that his thyroid production appears to be fairly low. He tires easily and sleeps a great deal. Thyroid deficiency may explain these characteristics. The result? No surgery for our guy this week. He will get to keep his various appendages for a bit longer but, unfortunately, he will also have to keep the huge cyst on his shoulder, the growth that is scraping at his eye and his matted feet. The vet is not keen to put an apparently hypothyroid dog under anesthetic since his system is already stressed by this issue. Frankly, I prefer this careful approach. It's much safer for Sarge. The next step is to obtain a blood sample and submit it to Jean Dodds' lab in California for an accurate assessment of Sarge's thyroid situation. AMY WAHL & ZOEY: Oh, awesome, Maureen! What a lucky boy. And I'm happy as can be I can finally get rid of those two big jars of pennies I've had in my possession for the past 20 years! (Zoey thinks Sarge is kinda cute!) MARY LaPOINTE & SARGE: Dear Auntie Maureen . . . . This is Sarge LaPointe. My mom & I really enjoyed reading about Sarge of Canada. And we think he is a beauty . . . a diamond in the rough! We are so happy that he has such nice foster parents, who are also pursuing adopting him. And what a great name for a Dale! Of course, I'm prejudiced. Thank you, Auntie Maureen, for making all of this possible . . . and Barbara too. Your pal, Sarge Affectionate nosey pokes & headbutts to you & The Circus. LIBBY KARIER & MOLLY: Hooray for Airecanada, Sarge & his foster family. A great tale, Maureen; thanks for posting it. Hope his thyroid gets well in hand so everything else can get taken care of. Molly sez, "It ain't Canada Day, it must be Thanksgiving Day!!" JACKIE McGUINNESS & THE WILD BUNCH: It was so nice to hear about Sarge's rescue and how lucky he was to find a nice home so quickly; his luck is obviously holding out cos I got paid my expenses today. It's not much but it's winging its way to help cover some of his costs The Wild Bunch sez: "Do you think he's a lucky four-legged clover?"

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