When blind Madison arrived a couple of weeks ago, we noticed how thin she was under her thick coat that she was beginning to shed out for summer. As the days ticked by, she seemed to be losing weight, not gaining any, despite the huge portions we were feeding her. In fact, we were feeding her as much as she would eat, yet we didn't seem to be turning the corner on her weight. Her water consumption seemed a bit high, too.
Given her age, we worried that she could be starting down the path of renal failure, or developing cancer of some sort. I arranged to drop her off at our internal medicine specialist's clinic in Missoula yesterday while I ran to other appointments.
At first Madison was happy to be in the truck with me, but then as I headed down the drive, she became very quiet and subdued. I looked over my shoulder at her in the back seat and could tell she was fretting. I think she suddenly thought she was going to be taken someplace else and left to start all over again. We've seen this before -- the first time we take a new arrival to the vet clinic, he or she will get stressed about being uprooted again, thinking they're going back to the shelter. I'm sure that's what was going through her mind.
Yesterday afternoon Dr. Dave Bostwick did a physical exam and abdominal ultrasound of her organs, and everything appeared normal. He sent her blood work to the lab, and that meant we'd have to wait until today to find out the all-important results.
I picked Madison up yesterday evening to bring her back to the ranch. As the vet tech led her down the hall towards me, she heard my voice calling her. There was this flash of recognition on her face -- "Oh! It's him! He came back for me!" -- and my goodness, how her tail started wagging! Bless her heart, that's when she realized she hadn't been left to start over somewhere new, she was going home!
When the phone rang at 8:30 this morning and the caller ID showed it was Dave, I held my breath for a second ... and then answered. All he said was, "It's been a long time since I've seen blood work this good." Whew. What a relief!
Dave's advice: Keep feeding as much as we are and be patient. Unless it's a weird GI tract malabsorption issue of some kind -- which are very rare and hard to definitively diagnose in any case -- he thinks it's just a question of calories and time. (That's what turned a similar problem with blind Evelyn arround.)
So I went over to Widget's House to hug our little lady and give her the good news. That's when I got the photo above of Madison, who was happy to be outside on a beautiful and sunny summer day.
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Don't forget, you can vote every day for us in The Animal Rescue Site/PetFinder's Shelter Challenge.
Enter
"Rolling Dog Ranch" and our state postal code, MT for Montana,
and it will bring up our listing so you can cast your vote. Invite your family and friends to vote, too!
Wow .. still No. 3, and that means a $3,000 grant if we can hold that spot! Please keep voting -- thank you!
Noticing the difference in her behavior is what gets me.......being connected to our animals is probably the best gift I have ever received. Not only the trust and all the other stuff that comes with these relationships, but the sensitivity animals possess. My little guy Johnny doesn't like to go for rides in the car I suspect for the same reason.....he LOVEs it when we end up some place fun and then is OK getting back in when we're going home. Each time, I talk to him in the truck realizing that language is powerless for such emotional trama. He trusts me enough to go. Totally heart wrenching.
I know you guys know you do wonderful things, I hope you know how it affects the rest of us.
NPD
Posted by: NinjaPonyDad | June 26, 2009 at 10:47 AM
You really seemed to hit a nerve with this story. It's curious that so many of us can relate in some way to a feeling of abandonment. Maybe that is why we are good at "rescues".
Posted by: Lynne Parker | June 25, 2009 at 05:25 PM
What a sweet story! I've seen that happen with my own dogs, when they've had to be boarded or left with the vet. That's one of those times when you wish you could just explain things to them, so they don't have to go through the fretting. Madison sure looks happy in that photo!
Posted by: Tonya | June 25, 2009 at 11:49 AM
This story had me in tears too! I am so happy Madison is home and I love her happy face in the photo.
I saw the same thing in my dog, that I got from the pound. The first time I boarded her, I could tell, when I picked her up, that she had not expected to see me again.
That was 6 years ago, she still hates being boarded, but when I come to pick her up, she is joyful, she comes into the reception area so happy because she knows I will be there!
Nancy
Posted by: Nancy | June 25, 2009 at 11:11 AM
Thank you again for all your work with the animals at RDR...I can only imagine how happy Madison was when she realized she had not been left again and could return to her forever home at RDR! Tears of joy!!
Posted by: Brenda | June 25, 2009 at 10:39 AM
So great to hear this good news!
Now Madison knows she has nothing to worry about and can start putting on some pounds.
You are so beautiful Madison and loved so very much.
Posted by: Chloe | June 25, 2009 at 10:32 AM
Tears here, too,Madison. If only we could tell you... you now have the BEST forever home. Actions will speak loudest and no worries. Chow down girl! You are blessed.
Posted by: Margaret | June 25, 2009 at 09:44 AM
Well that was a heart tugger! I got a visual of Madison thinking she was being dumped again and just teared up good. Give that sweet face an extra kiss from all of us out here. We're pulling for her to pack on some pounds.
Posted by: Miranda | June 25, 2009 at 09:29 AM
What a pretty girl! Glad blood work was ok. Madison, I know most girls don't want to gain weight but a little extra will look smashing on you. Enjoy your wonderful new home.
Posted by: Lynda | June 25, 2009 at 09:04 AM
Madison is saying.. more cookies.
She is such a pretty girl, and I know her heart jumped for joy when she heard your voice.
Posted by: Debbie B. | June 25, 2009 at 09:02 AM
This is the kind of story they all deserve. Thanks for making it come true for him.
Posted by: Lana Martinez | June 25, 2009 at 08:40 AM
Tears stream as I write this. It's so sad she had led a previous life so disruptive that it made her worry to go for a car ride. No animal should ever have to worry!!
Darling, Madison, I love your sweet, smiling face. Sweetheart, rest assured you aren't going anywhere now that you are living at RDR. Everyone loves you & you are safe!
I'm so happy her health report was so good & all she has to think about now is eating until her tummy is full, playing in the warm sunshine, & perfecting her high jump!!
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | June 25, 2009 at 08:40 AM
That photo says it ALL !!
What a great addition to the gang !
Posted by: Bibi | June 25, 2009 at 08:37 AM
Have you checked into Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) which prevents absorption of food? I read about it in the Whole Dog Journal. And of course this story made me cry to think of her feelings in the truck on the way to the vet. Poor punkin. Thanks so much for all you do.
Posted by: Connie | June 25, 2009 at 08:27 AM
My heart breaks for Madison's reaction to possibly being left behind.....you and Alayne are amazing and I know she feels loved and cared for. Great news on the medical front!
Posted by: Nina | June 25, 2009 at 08:15 AM
What a fantastic photo and what wonderful news!! Woo hoo!!
Frankie's Mom,
Barbara
http://www.frankiethewalknrolldog.blogspot.com
Posted by: Barbara Techel | June 25, 2009 at 07:41 AM
Since good Dr. B is happy with Madison's blood work; we're beyond happy too!!
I can only imagine how unnerving life can be when you're trying to get settled and have memories of being left. But sweet Mad knows she doesn't have to worry about that anymore! A car ride with you at some point means a car ride back home! : )
Posted by: boundforglory | June 25, 2009 at 07:16 AM
I'm simply overjoyed at reading that there's nothing wrong with sweet Maddie!
Keep on eatin', girl!:-)
A HUGE hug to you all from Italy.
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | June 25, 2009 at 06:30 AM
Maddy my dear, you have what all girls want: eat all you can, you have to put ON weight! I'm jealous.
My little dog (who's been with the same vet for all her 11yrs, and is brave enough to take on cats twice her size) is a complete wimp when it comes to going to the vet! No matter how ill she is, as soon as I say it's over now, we can go home, she (13kg) will DRAG me (uhm .. much heavier) out the door!!
Enjoy your weekend.
Posted by: bregda, south africa | June 25, 2009 at 04:44 AM
Relief is the perfect word is so many ways. Madison--you have a forever home at RDR!!! Another reason to keeping voting for RDR as our favorite rescue group!!!
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | June 25, 2009 at 12:49 AM
What a sweet face. I just love her. My gang fretted for a day while we left on vacation. I have seen the same thing with other rescue dogs. You guys are the best!
Posted by: Jenniew | June 24, 2009 at 10:05 PM
This story had me in tears. Yay that the blood work is fine! Madison, you'll never be left behind again. You are loved and you matter to a bunch of people.
Posted by: Carol | June 24, 2009 at 09:52 PM
Good news on the vet visit - I hope she starts to pack on the pounds. She clearly loves you and RDR after a short time there. That is true K9 gratitude.
She is such a cutie. I would adopt her in a minute if I didn't have my own blind gal (who btw has no problem putting weight on!).
Posted by: Jane | June 24, 2009 at 07:05 PM
What a great title for your piece.
Relief for you that Madison was healthy. And relief for Madison that she got to go home again.
Good news all around.
Posted by: Peggy | June 24, 2009 at 05:23 PM
"Bless her heart, that's when she realized she hadn't been left to start over somewhere new, she was going home!"
That made me cry. Bless you and Alayne.
I'm so glad she is okay.
Posted by: Lynne Parker | June 24, 2009 at 05:20 PM
Well, today, this story had me tears. I'm helping a friend who's fostering a sweet, sweet kitty who's been passed through several homes. Her life in the past two months had been chaotic. Now she's finally got a place where it's quiet and she's not stressed. I can sure understand the fear of being left somewhere else...again.
Maddy, tuck in, darlin' and put on some weight and don't worry. Steve and Alayne aren't leaving you behind!! You're home, indeed.
Posted by: Janet in Cambridge | June 24, 2009 at 04:52 PM
I bet Madison was REALLY happy when y'all turned into your driveway and she knew she was truly back home again!!
Thank you for all your work. You two are taking some fabulous photos lately. I still think you should compile these blog entries and photos into a book. I wish I lived closer and knew how to do it for you. I realize you haven't any spare time but I just know it would be a best seller.
Posted by: Lynn | June 24, 2009 at 04:09 PM
How wonderful to hear such good news! I wish I was there to hug her (and all of them)...it's nice she can have a stable home now and know she is not going to get left again. Thank you for taking her in.
Posted by: Leila from Washington | June 24, 2009 at 03:46 PM
Happy to read the good results. As you said in your blog "bless her heart". Poor sweetie is afraid of being abandoned again. You and your wife are incredible. God bless you both.
Posted by: Evelyn | June 24, 2009 at 03:45 PM
Oh poor scared thing on her first trip "away". Jumping Madison...one of my favorite pictures ever is her jumping up to greet you amongst the pack. So glad it doesn't seem to be serious...
Julien
Rescue dog Verdell
Rescue cat Melvin
Posted by: Julien Sharp | June 24, 2009 at 03:32 PM