Anna

Well, I have bad news, good news, and some WONDERFUL and FANTASTIC news!

First, the bad news: Anna’s nasal condition appears to be chronic, and she will likely need treatment periodically for the rest of her life. She had a full rhinoscopy, and per the totally awesome Dr. M, the results of all of Anna's tests support a diagnosis of chronic inflammatory rhinitis. There is no specific cure for this rhinitis, but there are measures that can be taken to help manage the symptoms. So, right now, Anna is getting treatment with a course of antibiotic and anti-inflammatory therapy. Hopefully, this will get her feeling better again, and maybe for some weeks afterwards, too.

The good news is that there was no evidence of cancer or fungal organisms within her biopsy tissue. We are more than just a little bit happy that they did not find any evidence of severe, life-altering disease!!! While we wish this was something they could just treat and be done with for her, at least now that we know what we are up against, we can make a plan that will hopefully keep her happy and feeling well.

And now for that marvelous bit of news I promised you: Anna has found her forever family!!! These people already go outside with their dogs when it’s time to go potty, can you believe it? Anna will fit right in! And for a middle-of-the-pack kind of dog like Anna – well, guess what? They just happen to have a high-energy, playful, young male Lab and an older female Golden that is a bit anxious at times – again, Anna is right in the middle of those temperaments. It’s like they posted a job description, because she certainly has the right qualifications! Her new family is dog-savvy, so they’ll be able to figure out when Anna is feeling nervous or scared, and when she’s needing comfort. Or when she’s feeling frisky and fun, so they should just laugh with her! Plus she’ll be with a family where the dogs aren't left home alone for more than about two hours at a time, so she’s going to get all the attention and love she could possibly need or want.

It’s bittersweet, because like I said from the very beginning, this little girl has touched my heart. I’m so thankful to all the people that helped me take care of her, and to people like you, who read these postings, and then find yourselves adopting a dog from RAGOM. People often ask me how I can do it – love a dog, and then give it to someone else. The answer is: 1) I sorta trick myself, and think of it as dog-sitting, same as what we do when we watch dogs that belong to relatives. I love those dogs too, but I always give them back. 2) I keep in mind that not only did we find Anna a home, she’s going to a home that will be even better for her than mine is. Really, who could ask for more?

It’s time to let everyone know the results from the scope procedure that was done to help diagnose Anna’s nasal condition. Unfortunately, the results were inconclusive. The vet said that he felt like he got as good of results as one can get; he said he was able to get pretty deep -- almost 2 inches -- into the nasal passage. He was able to get some tissue samples, which were sent to a pathology lab. The vet was hoping he would find a twig or piece of grass or a BB (from a gun) or something lodged in Anna's nose, but he found nothing, and nothing showed up on the X-rays either.

The vet's best guess as to what is causing the discharge is that there is still a foreign body of some kind up in her nasal passage somewhere, but it was just too deep for him to be able to see it. His second best guess is that Anna has some sort of tumor, but again, it would have to be pretty deep in there, and there were no cancer cells on their tissue samples. His third best guess is a yeast or fungus infection, but again, they did not see those types of cells on the tissue samples.

The good news is that Anna gets to see a specialist. Yay! This makes me even more grateful for people who sponsor dogs (thanks again, Judith C.!) and all the people who help RAGOM, not only with money, but also with time and talents and efforts. And not just with Anna, of course, but all RAGOM dogs. Tomorrow morning, I’ll be calling the specialist to make an appointment. (Yay again!)

So Anna will be staying with our family for just a little while longer. No complaints here! She really is one of the best foster dogs I've ever known. By the way, we took our first out-of-town trip with Anna last weekend and she loved it -- we missed our normal Labor Day traveling due to me being ill that weekend, so it was fun to see how Miss Anna handled the trip. I knew she liked car rides, and now I know that she is good for long rides of 3 to 4 hours, and is just a gem the entire time. She happily went from one lap to the next, or if we asked her to get down, she just lay down on the floor of our van and took a little snooze. She really does love car rides, so much that if we can let her come with us, say, to pick up one of the kids from school, we always do.

She really is a good dog and wants to please. She’s not perfect, but sometimes she behaves even when I don’t fully expect her to do so! For example, earlier this evening, she was helping me clean up the area around our compost bin, which happens to be located near our property line amidst a bunch of trees and brush. By “helping,” I mean that she was excitedly running around the bin, seeing if the squirrels were around, and having fun with all the leaves that had piled up. Suddenly, she noticed that the neighbors were outside and WHOA NELLY, they had one of their dogs out there with them!! Anna took off like a jack rabbit, bounding through the obstacles like a pro, because she REALLY wanted to go see that dog!! However, these neighbors don’t really like it when other dogs stray onto their property, so I called her back immediately. By that time, she was closer to the other dog than she was to me, but she still turned around and came back. Now that’s a good dog! We still haven’t completely broken her bad habit of trying using her mouth when she wants to play with us, but even with that, she is easily redirected. She really is just a love.

So let’s hope the specialist can help, and then we can get this sweet little girl on her way to a forever home!!

I know that Anna’s fans have been wondering about her medical situation.

The good news is that she did get spayed on 09/24/14 by the wonderful folk at MN SNAP. She was licking the incision a bit, so first we tried a necklace, and then a skirt, but she did not like either fashion choice, so I was forced to give up! What I really mean is that we tried to stop her from licking the incision by using a round neck pillow, which would not allow her to reach the incision – like a neck cone, but softer. I attached it to her collar with sewn Velcro strips, but she decided it must be like a stuffed animal, and was attacking it and getting the stuffing all over, so that experiment was over. So then I took one of my daughter’s old T-shirts and put it on Anna upside down, with the fluffy tail through the neck hole, the back legs through the arm holes, and the bottom of the shirt cinched up around Anna’s waist. That worked OK for two days, and we didn't need to have it on her when we were around her, because whenever she started licking, we just asked her to stop, and she did so immediately. It was just for when we were gone to work/school and overnight. Well, by the third day, the skirt outfit must have been unacceptable, because when we came home, it was off, and Anna had two large scrapes on her tummy from her exertions to remove it! So foster mom quickly decided that the incision was healed enough, and the licking was infrequent enough that we could quit trying to augment Anna’s wardrobe. Or maybe foster mom just knows when to give up.:)

Now the bad news: Sadly, the second type of antibiotics did not do the trick. The nasal discharge came back. I had started to think it might be gone, because it is less frequent now, or else Anna has learnt to quickly lick it away before I can see it. It appears most often right after exertion. Our walks are relatively slow and sedate, but Anna gets the zoomies occasionally, and that's when I notice it: When we go out to potty, she zooms around the yard in a humorous mood, just wanting to play and let off some steam. The exercise doesn't seem to hurt her, but when the discharge starts, she stops running - maybe because breathing is more difficult? And the running makes the snot run down her face all the way to her chin, poor, poor dear. When I can, I wipe the discharge gently off with a tissue, because when Anna licks it off, then she tends to hack up phlegm. Anna also sneezes fairly frequently, but this rarely causes her nose to run. She does not show any signs of allergies, i.e. no hot spots, no itching, no scratching, no red skin, etc. So, this week, she is going to have that scope procedure, so my next update will probably be about the results and any treatments.

In the meantime, let me tell you a little bit more about Anna and some of the things that we will be looking for in her forever home.

First, she is loving and sweet, but she needs a certain amount of attention each day, so we want a family that has time for her. There was one day last month when this became very evident. We got up early, because we were moving my older daughter back to college. We took care of Anna, and she got a short walk, but did not really get any attention. We left her home with our 17-year-old twins, but they slept in and then left mid-morning to go to Marching Band practice. My husband and I got home around 4:30, let Anna out and fed her, and then left to go watch a Marching Band show at 5:00 p.m. So we did not have time to give Anna attention until about 8:30 at night. When I got home, Anna followed me around like the proverbial lost little puppy – I literally could not take a step without my little shadow following me, right next to me. I felt so bad, and we've never done that to her again. We spend individual time together every day, because she needs it in order to feel safe and comfortable. And I’ll tell you, when she trusts you, she’ll crawl on your lap, and then lay her head on your chest and just look at you with those warm brown eyes of hers. If that isn't incentive to give her your time, then this probably isn't the right dog for you.

Secondly, by the way, is that we prefer a family that will allow Anna to occasionally crawl onto your lap(s). :) This means that you will need to allow her onto at least some of the furniture.

Third, Anna has a good sense of humor and is adorable on a regular basis, but she was never taught some of her manners, so she needs a family that will calmly correct her behavior when she does something inappropriate, like playful biting or inappropriate jumping. From everything I have seen, she is good with children except for the biting and jumping, and so I think any children in prospective forever families should be older than 8. However, I did meet one 6-year-old at a Meet and Greet, the daughter of another RAGOM foster, and I was impressed with how safely she approached and handled all the foster dogs that day, so younger, dog-savvy children are also a possibility.

Fourth, as mentioned in a prior update, Anna is definitely a middle-of-the-pack animal. When I say this, I mean that Anna is often wary when facing new situations. She lets me know that she is feeling nervous or uncomfortable by licking her lips or yawning frequently, or just by looking scared. I've included a couple of pictures of Anna to try to show what this looks like. The first is from the first day of school, and while Anna was willing to help my daughter put on her shoe, she knew something was up and looked a little intense at picture time. The next photo is from right after the kids left, and she had just turned over in the chair so her ears flopped funny, but if you look at her eye, you’ll see that while the concentrated stare is gone, there was still some stress, and maybe some sadness, too. Sometimes I have no idea why she might be feeling anxious, but I comfort her and talk to her, and she usually cuddles right up next to me, or she want to play, so I take that as a sign that she feels better.

The last picture is from just the other night. You can see that now both Anna and my daughter have big smiles for each other, both of them confident in their affection for one another. This is important from the standpoint of understanding what Anna needs from her forever family – she is not going to be the leader. And from a practical standpoint, if you do not have a confident resident dog that will go outside to potty with her, then a human must do so. That might seem fine now, but when it’s -20 degrees and windy, it will be less attractive.

Also, any resident dogs must have good canine etiquette or be able to learn it quickly, because Anna does not tolerate it well when other dogs get in her face. She will huff and puff, and put that other dog into its place! However, I do believe that with proper introductions, Anna can get along with just about any dog. For instance, it’s been a few weeks already, but I thought I’d tell you a few things about our day at Goldzilla – Anna thought it was GReat! She met lots of nice people and got lots of attention, so she thought that was just GRand. She also liked the other dogs, but we've learned that she is a proper sort of young lady, the kind who insists on polite introductions to other dogs – which means that Anna does not want her butt sniffed unless she knows it is coming. Dogs who came up from behind without any warning and just started sniffing were apt to get a sneeze, or even a snarl, and Anna would back off and look slightly tense, so I know she was not comfortable. So then I tried to make sure, as best I could (which wasn't 100% -- did you ever see so many gorgeous dogs in one place before in your life??), that Anna saw the dogs first before the butt-sniffing would commence. My intent was to make sure Anna was prepared to greet all her adoring public and that she could meet the other dogs carefully. Like I said, though, with neutral introductions, I believe Anna can get along with any dog, and the reason I think this is because she got along with my brother’s dogs, and one of them doesn't really like any other dogs. The first few weeks that Anna was with us, we were dog sitting for my brother. He has a two shih-Tzu mixes, rescues of course, but they were abused before they were rescued, and so they are frequently testy with other dogs. We let them meet Anna slowly, one at a time, at the edge of our driveway. We watched them carefully, and let them fuss a little bit at each other for a few minutes, but soon started rewarding them with attention and treats for tolerating each other’s presence without any kerfuffle. They did not become BFFs (best friends forever), but within two days, they could all stand to be within 18 inches of one another, snoozing on the same love seat. So I know that good things are possible, even when dog personalities are difficult.

Well, that’s all for now. I’ll try to let you know soon about her nose situation. In the meantime, please think positive thoughts for our sweet little Anna!

Varmints beware, and vice versa.

Before we get to any of that, first and foremost, THANK YOU SO MUCH to Judith C. for sponsoring Anna! You don’t know how my heart sped up and did a little pitter-pat dance when I saw what you did!! You are awesome!!

OK, so here is what happened. Remember how I told you that Anna is always on the lookout for varmints? Well, that hasn't changed. I should also mention that we've learned that Anna is like a teenage girl when it comes to going to the bathroom. In other words, Anna will not go by herself. It’s not a problem by any means; it just shows that she feels more comfortable if she has her pack with her, meaning that another dog or one of her favorite people needs to come outside with her. Even when she needs to go, if she is let outside, she will just hold it and will linger near the door until someone will come along. Once she is not alone, she is fast; she zips over to the grass, does her business, and comes right back. No problem. She does not linger outside unless you decide to linger with her.

Anyways, back to the story. On Thursday morning, I was running late for work. I brought Anna into the garage with me so she could potty, and I brought my computer bag and work items over to the car. I sort of shooed her towards the outside, saying, “Just let me put these things away, then I’ll walk outside with you.” As I was bent over with my head inside the car, I heard her take off, and I thought, “Wow, she is either getting brave, or she sees a squirrel.” I stood up, and I could hear her trotting alongside the driveway towards the road, but could not see her because of all the leaves on the trees. She normally stays in our yard with no issues, so then I wondered if there was a stray dog or something out there. Finally, I got to where I could see her, and she had found a small black animal; I thought maybe it was a cat or a small dog. As I got closer, they came near to the driveway where I could see them better, where I caught sight of Anna’s new friend’s distinctive white stripe! Yes, it was a skunk, and before I could call her away, the skunk was already taking aim and firing. Anna had heard me approaching, and had started to dart back towards me, so she did not get a full blast. But a little bit of that stuff goes a long, long, long way.

Poor Anna. She did need a bath before Goldzilla. I’m not sure she needed three of them, though, but that’s what she got. I wish I had been able to get a picture – it was a very sorry day, and you know that Anna was as sad as can be because that cute curly tail actually was limp and scraggly and almost straight – I didn't even know that her tail could do that!

Not pregnant! Let me say that again: Anna is NOT PREGNANT! Yay!! The wonderful veterinary staff at Ham Lake Veterinary Hospital even went above and beyond and took an X-ray at no charge to RAGOM just so we could be absolutely sure before I schedule her spay appointment. We are very happy because it means we can take the next steps needed to find Anna her forever family.

Unfortunately, there’s a bit of bad news to go along with the good: Anna still has some kind of a nasal issue. If you recall, the vet put Anna on an antibiotic after our first visit. It seemed to work, because the icky yellow discharge stopped running out of her nose and she had been vomiting small amounts of mucus almost daily, and that had stopped too. But when the antibiotic was done, the runny nose started up again. So, we refilled the prescription, but, unfortunately, Anna got worse again when done taking it. Since the antibiotics seem to work, at least partially, this time the vet decided to try a different class of antibiotic and for a longer period of time. If it does not work, then they are going to try to see if there is some sort of obstruction, and Anna may need to be sedated so that a scope can be inserted up her nose for the X-rays/photos. Makes my eyes water just to think about it!

RAGOM often does not know what kind of medical costs will be required before a dog will be healthy enough for adoption. Just like with children, it takes a village to properly raise critters, including RAGOM dogs. Our RAGOM village includes all kinds of behind-the-scenes volunteers, as well as foster families, veterinarians and staff and specialists, and of course, our forever families, which give RAGOM dogs the loving homes they need. Although vets may discount their services to rescue organizations like RAGOM, they still cost money, so I would like to encourage you to attend our RAGOM fundraiser, which has the fun name of Goldzilla. Goldzilla is Sunday, September 14th, at Long Lake Regional Park in New Brighton. Visit the website at goldzilla.ragom.org to read about all the fun activities for you, your family, and your dogs. If Anna is not adopted by then, then she will be there. But even if she has been lucky enough to find her forever family by then, there will be lots other dogs to visit and see, so I hope to see you there!

Here are a few pictures – Anna and I had some awesome visitors, and they were able to get some photos that show her cute smile. Enjoy!

Just a few quick update notes:

I better start by letting you know that we still don’t know anything more about whether Anna is pregnant or not. The vet says I need to be patient and let nature take its course. I know, that’s what I told you last time, right? The vet said we might, and that’s a big might, know more towards the third or fourth week of August.

Anna is starting to show more of her personality. She hasn't really wanted to play with many of our dog toys, not even the stuffed ones with squeakers in them that most fosters have liked immediately. Anna likes to spend most of her time just snuggling with her people, on our laps or right next to one of us. I thought that maybe she was just more people-oriented, although I know she also likes other dogs. Interestingly, though, I was walking in our play room upstairs earlier this week, and I found one of my daughter’s teddy bears on the floor. That was strange because my daughter had just spent the entire afternoon cleaning her room. Then, while I was taking a shower, my daughter’s treasured stuffed horse found its way to outside the bathroom door. (Yes, my daughter is 17. Yes, she has treasured stuffed animals – don’t judge.) Anna looked up at me innocently, and she did not protest when I took the bear and horse away, but it seemed to me that she was looking for a toy to call her own. So, I asked my kids to find a big stuffed animal, similar in size to the ones she had stolen, and one that would not make any noise – we have extras for when young family and friends come over. They offered up a snowman that is about half Anna’s size and Anna’s been really happy with it, tossing it about, biting it, and gnawing on it. She hasn't tried to steal any more stuffed animals that don’t belong to her, and while we had to throw away his hat after he lost it during one of his battles with Anna, Mr. Snowman still has all his limbs and head. We’ll keep supervising to make sure that that Anna doesn't start eating Mr. Snowman, but so far, it’s been a fun toy for Anna to play with.

Last but not least, Anna and foster mom are planning to be at the RAGOM MEET & GREET on Saturday, 8/9/14, from 11am-1pm. It’ll be at Chuck and Don’s in Plymouth and we are hoping we get to see you there!!!