Blind Gabe's long stay for radiation treatment at Washington State University's veterinary teaching hospital is coming to a close -- if all goes well this week, I will be picking him up on Friday and bringing him back to the ranch. In the meantime, the 4th-year vet student who is Gabe's current case manager, Ida P., has been taking Gabe home with her for the weekends and on some nights during the week. We were delighted when Ida asked us if she could do this, because we knew Gabe would love getting out of the hospital.
Ida recently sent us these photos of Gabe hanging out with her dog Sachi. The only issue with taking Gabe home was that her apartment was at the top of three flights of stairs ... and Gabe didn't know how to navigate stairs yet! (We don't have any stairs here.) So the first time she took him home, she patiently coaxed Gabe up the stairs, showing him how to do it, literally one step at a time.
With each visit, Gabe got better and better at it, and Ida said that Sachi would stand at the top of the stairs, barking for Gabe as he made his way up. Ida said that it was like Sachi was "cheering him on." In her last email to me, Ida said Gabe has mastered the stairs.
Here's another photo Ida took of Gabe staring at Sachi ... I'm not sure what that expression on his face means, but I loved the shot!
---
Still No. 1!
Please keep voting for us every day in The Animal Rescue Site/PetFinder's Shelter Challenge. Thanks to your votes, we came in third nationwide and won $3,000 for the animals in the previous contest. Now we have a shot at No. 1 and the $20,000 grand prize! 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. Please ask your family and friends to vote, too. Thank you!
Love this story & what dedication Ida has. Sachi was a great new friend to Gabe. I believe that look is a big thank you from the bottom of Gabe's heart for Sachi & Ida's hospitality in sharing their home.
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | October 12, 2009 at 06:06 PM
This is such a heart warming story. I see Ida going along way in her career, if she has this much passion for these animals already. Thank you Ida ,Sachi and the RDR.How lucky we are to have peoplr in the world like all of you!
Posted by: Kathy and Harley | October 08, 2009 at 06:23 PM
Love little Gabe.
Posted by: Pennyheinrich | October 07, 2009 at 04:14 PM
Wow - Gabe looks pretty smitten!
Posted by: JC | October 07, 2009 at 03:23 PM
Ida & Sachi- You are sweethearts. I'm sure that you're extra special care is why Gabe seems to be looking so good despite all that he's going through. Thank you. You now have many fans.
Posted by: Margaret | October 07, 2009 at 12:16 PM
Lucky Gabe to have Ida and a darling little cheerleader with a great name like Sachi cheering him on. Maybe you will have to find some toy stairs for the ranch? Well I know you have enough to do already!! Sweet story and pictures.
Posted by: Angela | October 07, 2009 at 09:56 AM
That is so awesome! When my dog, Jenny, had her radiation treatment at UC Davis last year, we arranged boarding with a vet tech who took her home each night and we went down on weekends to visit. It helped the time pass with less stress for all of us, and Jenny was grateful to be out of the clinic.
Thank you, Ida, for taking such good care of Gabe!
Posted by: Linda | October 07, 2009 at 07:57 AM
God bless Ida do I see an adoption
in the future???
Posted by: gayle | October 07, 2009 at 07:30 AM
Hooray for Gabe! Learning some new things and with 2 new friends!! Bless you Ida, for sharing some home time with Gabe. I love the last photo too!!
Posted by: boundforglory | October 07, 2009 at 07:13 AM
It is so wonderful to hear stories like this - Ida you are the best! It's too bad that we can't hear more of these types of success stories on the evening news. Thanks to RDR and to Ida for all that you do!
Posted by: Kristin (in Georgia) | October 07, 2009 at 06:42 AM
Tell Ida we are grateful to her for taking Gabe home with her...so much less stressful for the little boy to be in a home rather than a clinic all night. Prayers continuing for complete recovery!
Posted by: Debbie | October 07, 2009 at 05:39 AM
God bless Ida! What a sweet idea to give Gabe a break from the hospital!
But I'm sure he'll delighted to be back at the ranch on Friday.:-)
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | October 07, 2009 at 04:19 AM
That is the look of Puppy Love for sure!!!
Posted by: Joanne | October 06, 2009 at 10:53 PM
Gabe is so precious..I love that last picture of him! Hope he is enjoying his stay in Pullman, however, I hope he finishes radiation quickly so he can really go home.
Posted by: Shauna at WSU | October 06, 2009 at 10:30 PM
This post melts my heart!! What a great idea to have Gabe enjoy a more comfortable and homey stay while at the hospital. Ida, you rock!!!
Posted by: Nina | October 06, 2009 at 07:20 PM
God Bless that 4 year Vet Student. Gabe looks really, really good! Could he possibly have a new home with Ida. :) Good to see Gabe looking so well and with a new friend. Sweet, sweet boy!!
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | October 06, 2009 at 06:46 PM
That is so sweet that Gabe got to go "home" with the vet while having his radiation. I'm sure that made the separation from his home at the ranch much easier.
Hurry home, Gabe!!
Posted by: Janet in Cambridge | October 06, 2009 at 06:41 PM
Gabe's life has changed so much over the past few months. A new home at Rolling Dog Ranch, regaining his sense of smell, excellent medical care, learning to climb stairs by feel. He must feel like he hit a dog's version of the lottery.
Bless you Gabe (and RDR).
Posted by: Diane B. | October 06, 2009 at 06:16 PM
My crystal ball sees a possible adoption application in your future!
Posted by: Lynn (in Louisiana) | October 06, 2009 at 06:00 PM