Just In Time For Christmas: Oliver & Twist. And Another Cat, Too.
I drove over to our vet clinic in Helena, Montana Veterinary Specialists, this afternoon to pick up three animals we'd never seen before but had agreed to take last week. In this photo I took at the clinic, vet tech Heather A. on the left is holding a blind cat that the Lewis & Clark Humane Society in Helena had asked if we could take. Although the cat doesn't look happy -- he just had surgery yesterday to remove a painful, glaucoma eye -- he in fact was purring up a storm.
Vet tech Jayme J. is holding two Dachshunds (what? more Dachshunds?) who came from a bad situation here in Montana -- a woman had more than 100 Dachshunds and Jack Russell Terriers at her place. Yes, she was breeding, and clearly things had gotten way out of hand, as these backyard breeder situations often do. Another lady had convinced her to start letting go of some of the dogs. This lady was able to get 20 of the dogs out last week, and she called us when she realized that two of the Dachshunds had medical problems.
The clinic staff had named them Hairy and Smoothy, for obvious reasons, although Alayne had since decided to name them Oliver and Twist. We often say that Widget claims to be a Beagle trapped in a Dachshund body, and Oliver would appear to be an Airedale trapped in a Dachshund body, too. He's one very long-haired guy ... he's got curls, too! He has intervertebral disk disease, with weakness in his limbs. He hops when he walks, although this is more from poor conformation than from an neurological problem. You'll see in this photo of Oliver kissing Jayme how his back legs go out:
Oliver also needed to be neutered. Did someone mention "breeding"?
Twist's left rear leg is his major problem. In the photo at the top of the post, you can see how it juts straight out. Our vets took X-rays yesterday and said it looks like his joints were "installed" backwards in that leg. So when he walks, the leg is twisted (hence the name) outwards at an angle, stiff as a board. Yet he doesn't seem to be in any pain, and our vets didn't think there was any need at this point to remove it. He seems to get around fine with it. Twist is also developing disk problems, and although his back is impossibly long, right now he is not showing any neurological damage.
If Oliver's a bold kisser, Twist is really shy. I was trying to get a photo of him so you could see all of him, but the only thing he wanted to do was hide behind Heather's legs:
And the cat ... he needs a name! The shelter had named him "Seer," but we'd like something different, so suggestions are welcome for this one, too. (We've enjoyed all the suggestions for the three-legged girl and will make a decision next week on her name!) Everyone at the clinic described him as just a sweet little lovebug. As soon as I put my hands on him this afternoon, his purr engine roared to life. (And he can't feel very good anyway, having just had an eye removed yesterday.)
Here's what he looked like in a photo the shelter director emailed me last week:
The left eye turned out to have very high internal pressure from glaucoma, and the pain meant it needed to come out. Inside that socket on the right-hand side he does have an eyeball, but it is very small and not functional. It doesn't appear to be painful.
Here's the final shot of the day, with Heather holding the-cat-who-needs-a-name:
I also brought blind Allie the Lab home tonight. She had her eyes removed last week, but she is feeling a lot better than she has in a long time -- she's frisky and bouncy and has a real spark again. So it was a full truck headed back to the ranch!
How about the name Taffy for the new kitty?
Posted by: Carisa | December 29, 2007 at 09:37 AM
I love the idea of Drumlummon. Lovebug sounds pretty swell, too. Cheers to you and all of your fur heads! Amazing work you're doing. All the best. ;)
Posted by: Sue Morrow | December 26, 2007 at 07:54 PM
They are precious! How about Dodger- like the "Artful Dodger", from Oliver Twist! So glad they are home for Christmas!
Posted by: Mary Young | December 24, 2007 at 07:43 AM
Dachshunds Toby, Annie and Lucy thoroughly approve of the adoption of Oliver and Twist. As far as they are concerned, you can't have too many doxies!
Merry Christmas to the Rolling Dog Ranch Animal Sanctuary!
Posted by: Julie | December 22, 2007 at 08:06 AM
Per the appaloosa with the yuck on his penis, my sister's pinto/arab had a similar problem. Eventually it was found that he had cancer. He had surgery at UW and part of his penis was amputated. Yuck again. Luckily it gave him another year or so with my sis. Perhaps it is a light colored horse thing.
How about naming the new one eyed cat Wink.
Evelyn
Posted by: Evelyn | December 22, 2007 at 12:07 AM
Oh, what a wonderful Christmas threesome! I most definitely agree that Dickens would be a great theme name, but I also like Carol for the beautiful carols of the season.
Merry Christmas to all!
Posted by: Patti Hernandez | December 21, 2007 at 02:13 PM
I also like Herbie the Lovebug! I also like Kringle, as in Kris Kringle. What a beauty he is, along with the doxies! They will be so happy at RDR!! Merry Christmas to all the furry critters at RDR...(and Alayne too! tee-hee)
Posted by: KCBORRS | December 21, 2007 at 12:15 PM
Minions unite!
Posted by: Kate and Luke! | December 21, 2007 at 09:33 AM
Oh my God they are all so beautiful I think noel for the kitty Thank you both for all you do for the animals
Sonja
Posted by: sonja matzkanin | December 21, 2007 at 08:25 AM
Yeah - I like Harley because of his big purr-engine! That's a keeper.
Posted by: Tracye J. | December 21, 2007 at 06:22 AM
You have endless love, as would i.
thank you
Posted by: Lisa James | December 20, 2007 at 09:55 PM
Ohhhh, more dachsies!! And a wire-haired one at that! Darn those backyard breeders. But thankfully Oliver and Twist have found their way to such a wonderful place!
Posted by: Shannon | December 20, 2007 at 09:33 PM
Hmmmm...I do like Herbie. Welcome all new RDR residents--welcome to a wonderful new life.
Posted by: Shirley & James, Portland, OR | December 20, 2007 at 08:26 PM
I agree with Heidi and the kitties. If he's a lovebug, his name should be Herbie. Welcome to the doxies. They are precious.
All three have found a "forever" home for Christmas.
Posted by: Sonya Brooks | December 20, 2007 at 07:18 PM
They are all so cute! They will have a wonderful Christmas this year with you and the furry family. How about naming the kitty "Dickens" or "Charlie" (I like that better than the more formal, Charles), keeping the Oliver Twist theme with the new trio.
Posted by: Sue H | December 20, 2007 at 05:06 PM
Bless your hearts Steve and Alayne!
When it comes to doxies, the more, the merrier! We will always support you and the Ranch.
A Very Merry Christmas to you and all the guests at the Ranch.
Jim and Diane
Posted by: Jim | December 20, 2007 at 03:14 PM
What a lucky trio to be coming to RDR just in time for Christmas! I have several suggestions for the cat that needs a name: Dickens, Rudolph, Blitzen, Donder, Carmel, Braveheart, & Maxwell.
Thanks so much for taking these sweet dogs & cat in. Their lives are going to be heaven on earth now!
Big hugs to all,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit
Posted by: ginger & Tobias (the greythound) | December 20, 2007 at 03:08 PM
Wecome home sweet angels. Your new home is the happiest place on earth with lots of new friends to play with.Since you have an Oliver and Twist how about Dickens for the new kitty. Blessings to one and all at RDR!
Posted by: Beverly | December 20, 2007 at 12:48 PM
Shince she is a female call her lovie she looks so sweet
Posted by: Harold | December 20, 2007 at 12:34 PM
Wheat,
(although I like "Herbie" too. :)
Posted by: Lisa | December 20, 2007 at 12:14 PM
How about "Twinkle" for the cats name? It reminds me of a little star...and that is exactly what the cat is after suffering so...a little star.
Posted by: English Claire | December 20, 2007 at 12:06 PM
His purr-engine roars to life, eh? How about "Harley"? BTW, what a sweet face he's got - he's going to be plenty happy from now on!
Posted by: jeanne | December 20, 2007 at 11:47 AM
there is no such thing as too many dachshunds - welcome Oliver & Twist!
as for the little lovebug, I concur with "herbie" - perfect!
Posted by: Jenn | December 20, 2007 at 11:08 AM
Here's an idea for the cat with no name: This guy came from the Lewis & Clark shelter here in Helena .... and his fur is a beautiful golden color ... so why not a name that reflects some of the gold camp history of Helena? How about Cruse (Thomas Cruse, who filed some of the earliest claims, including the Drumlummon Mine, and became hugely successful). Or even Drumlummon? Giving him a name that is strong, and rich with history, seems like a good start for his future life.
Posted by: Helen Rietz | December 20, 2007 at 10:54 AM
I am so happy for all 3 of them. What a wonderful Christmas they will have, the first of many with you.
May the both of you have a wonderful Christmas and the best year ever in 2008.
And thank you again for all you do! I only wish I could do more.
Nancy
Posted by: Nancy | December 20, 2007 at 10:08 AM