Monday chat

Hmm...I'm sure I logged out earlier, but I see I am still logged in. Weird.

I adopted a 14 y.o. female yellow Lab mix on Saturday. Her name is Ginger; I don't think I'll change it. She's very sweet, but overweight, has a hard mass on her ribs on one side, is apparently completely incontinent (though she was okay the first day), has incredibly bad teeth, extremely labored breathing, but can still eat like a Lab. Yes, I was thinking with my heart and not my head. I need to take her to the vet.

LOL, Tina, you definitely were thinking with your heart.  Poor old girl is lucky. Not sure about your pocketbook though.  I hope the vet visit goes ok.  We need pictures!

Tina, congratulations! It sounds like Ginger hit the jackpot big-time. What a lucky girl to get to spend her retirement with you!

Is Julie in Vegas now?  Some sun and warmth would be a welcome relief for so many people this winter!

Tina, you are awesome!  Your heart sure did take charge there, but that's because it's so big and generous (and soft, too).  .  Ginger will soon realize how her life just improved ten-fold.  Do you know her background?  I'm assuming some insensitive person surrendered her because she was "old and sickly," but maybe her owner died or went to a convalescent home or something.  Either way, she's got the good life now!  Photos, please!

I just saw a thing on the news this morning saying studies with rats have shown that sugar is several times more addictive than cocaine.  As someone who can't get thru a day without something sweet (and usually more than once a day), I think I need to go on the detox diet the doctor on the news was explaining.  But first I'm going to eat a fresh blueberry scone from my local bakery!  

Thanks everyone! I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed at the moment, but will have a better sense of direction after our vet appointment today at 2:15p.

Tracy, what I was told about Ginger's background is that she lived with one family her whole life until they moved to a place and couldn't take her. It seems the family had been leaving her in the garage prior to moving. I try not to think the worst of people, but after the years I spent volunteering at the local shelter, nothing surprises me when it comes to this throwaway society we live in. Ginger still has some spunk in her, so she'll be safe with me however long she has.

Tina, I bet you'll see her improve a great deal in no time -- with good food, lots of TLC, attention, exercise, and other stimulation -- she'll show even more spunk in the coming weeks.   I just don't understand how people turn their backs on a pet they've had for so long unless it's 110% impossible to keep them.  When we moved across country with Tonka, it was very difficult and it wasn't the nicest place, but we found a rental property that accepted him.  But you're right -- I've heard/seen some pretty heartless stuff over the years of my involvement at our shelter, too.

Speaking of our shelter, I mentioned that yesterday was a reception for key donors (those who've donated for a certain number of years, a certain financial level, etc.).  It's generally the same group of folks every year, including some senior folks who are just the best.  One woman is a hoot -- she's probably in her 80's, but seems much younger.  She wore a sweater with a pattern of American flags and Olympic rings all over it, along with leopard print sneakers.  Another couple are huge cat lovers.  The man is in his early 90's but he gets around fine with a cane and is as sharp as a tack.  He announced yesterday that he hopes they'll always hold the annual auction/costume party in October because it's a great event and he loves going to it!  He's an inspiration, that's for sure.

Oh Tina!!  How wonderful for both of you!

Just as fair warning, when I tried to log in at the bottom of the page I got sent to a page that wanted to "use my account" for tweeting"...I believe.  So, word to the wise.

Julie, glad you are enjoying that weather!

Good news - Ginger is heartworm negative and all her other levels are in normal range! We got her nails trimmed so she might actually be able to walk normally. She was so good for the vet. She weighs 67lbs, so we need to get that down a bit. Like 15lbs down. Still have to do a urine and fecal (I can hardly wait to catch the urine in 10 degree weather). But for her age, she is doing okay.

Here is one picture:

Awwww, what a sweet looking girl she is!  Give her a gentle hug from me.  

Great news that her first vet visit went so well and that she's heartworm negative.  Hopefully her excess weight will come off pretty easily just with some walks -- sounds like she probably got zero exercise living in a garage, so anything will help increase her calorie usage.  And maybe if they left her in a garage, they let her self-feed with a giant bowl of food, so controlling her food intake will have quick effects, too.

She'll be burning calories just by expressing her happiness now that she can greet each day with joy and hope.  Yay!

Tina what a wonderful person you are. Ginger is beautiful, Hope you both have lots of love to give one another.

Aww Tina how awesome! Congrats!

I am sooooo enjoying this nice weather. We have spent 2 days hiking and tomorrow is going to be Vegas day. Walking around shopping shows etc. Really looking forward to it.  We are having a ball :)  I've never traveled with these girls before. (they are on my sar team) and they are turning out to be a lot of fun an very easy going! It's been great