The Rolling Dog Ranch Chauffeur Service was on the road again this morning, headed to Missoula to pick up blind Penny at Missoula Veterinary Specialty Clinic. I took the photo of our internal medicine specialist, Dr. Dave Bostwick, doing a 'check-out check-up' on Miss Penny before we left the hospital. She seems a little suspicious in this photo, and I thought about titling this blog post, "What exactly are you doing back there?"
Penny had come down with full-blown pneumonia, but has recovered quickly. She will need to stay on a course of antibiotics for a while, but she is a much different girl than she was just two days ago.
When I got back to the ranch and opened the back door of the truck, Penny almost fell out. She had fallen asleep right against the door, so when I opened it, her full weight -- about 90 pounds -- was pressing on it. I got my hands on her just in time. She was still sound asleep, and happy to stay that way, too!
We had adopted Penny out last year to a wonderful family in Missoula, but after only one day with them, Penny began acting sick. She didn't want to eat, she drank constantly, she paced and was restless, and seemed totally out of sorts. Her new family called and told us they were worried something was very wrong with her. So we had them take Penny to Dave, and I asked Dave to give her a thorough medical exam, ultrasound her organs, run blood panels, and do any other diagnostics he thought were in order.
Two days and a few hundred dollars later, Dave called with the results. Penny was fine. A very healthy dog. There was nothing wrong with her at all.
Except ... as it turned out ... she was sick ... homesick!
When Penny still didn't improve, Penny's adopters finally brought her out to the ranch to return her. They told us that when they turned off the highway and onto the county gravel road that leads to the ranch, Penny suddenly sat up in the back seat of their car. Then she started smiling and wagging her tail. They said that as soon as Penny realized where she was -- headed back to the ranch -- she sprang to life. She stood up in the seat the rest of the way, her tail just flipping back and forth with excitement. When Alayne went out to greet them, Penny bounded over, pressed her body against Alayne's leg and didn't let up. She was so happy to be home.
Penny went right back to being her old self again.
And of course, we felt guilty about having put her through this!
Having Penny back home is a great gift; I'm glad she's well!
She most certainly missed home too; this girl is sticking by your side for good!
Posted by: Boundforglory | March 24, 2008 at 09:33 AM
The family who adopted Penny wanted what was best for her....taking her back to the ranch was the wise move on their part. Penny is now at home at the ranch. Glad she is feeling better!
Posted by: Nina | March 23, 2008 at 09:21 PM
So glad to hear Penny is on the mend. Happy Easter to you, Alayne and all the animals at RDR!
Posted by: Kristen D. | March 23, 2008 at 10:59 AM
So glad you're back home & feeling so much better, Penny! You're so pretty & I don't blame you for loving the RDR. I also am not surprised that another family adopted you, as you are such a sweetie. Now please make a great recovery & keep us all smiling.
Big hugs,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit
Posted by: ginger & Tobias (the greythound) | March 21, 2008 at 05:09 PM
I'm so happy to hear that Penny is recovering! I was just thinking about her and wondering how she's been since her adoption didn't work out. I'm glad that the family that adopted her cared enough for her feelings to return her when she was unhappy. Penny is one of my favorite RDR dogs! Give her a get well hug from me!
Happy Easter! Hopefully spring is heading your way!
Posted by: Karen | March 21, 2008 at 04:05 PM
I am happy that Penny's new family loved her enough to understand her need to return to the ranch. I bless them and hope they were able to give another animal their love. We often will never know the the trauma these animal have endured so leaving the love and security of RDR must be very fearful even if they are going to another loving family.
Posted by: Brenda, Texarkana, TX | March 21, 2008 at 03:40 PM
Penny knew when she had found heaven on earth and she wanted to be back in her heaven. Thank goodness the family who adopted her were wise and wonderful and observant. Penny is where she wants and needs to be for her. Happy Easter to all the ranch inhabitants human and non-human!
Posted by: Mircat | March 21, 2008 at 02:15 PM
Penny knows she's in the best family and the best place of all. Ongoing congratulations on making her home such a wonderful one. Happy Easter to you and all your babies.
Posted by: Angela | March 21, 2008 at 10:05 AM
No guilt. You found Penny a wonderful home and the people were very concerned about her. You just didn't realize how bonded she was to her RDR home and companions, including the "servants." I'm glad she's recovering well from the pneumonia.
Posted by: Janet in Cambridge | March 21, 2008 at 09:25 AM
What wonderful news! Penny is happy to be home, I know. Bless the family who adopted her, but she knows where she wants to be! Looks like she'll be staying, eh?
Posted by: Debbie | March 21, 2008 at 07:32 AM
I'm so glad to hear that Penny is well on her way to a full recovery and back home from the hospital!
When you adopted her out, she must have thought: "Why did they move me to another home, when I already had a great one?".:-)
A very Happy Easter to you all.
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | March 21, 2008 at 04:13 AM
The phrase "wrapped around her little paw" comes to mind! lol
Posted by: Andrew, NZ | March 21, 2008 at 12:28 AM
Welcome home Penny...welcome home!
Posted by: Shirley & James, Portland, OR | March 20, 2008 at 11:58 PM
Well , of course she wanted to be HOME(at the ranch )who would not want to be there!!!! Penny knows where she belongs. That is just wonderful. An other example of a four footed "person" saying what they want and need ------if only humans would take time and listen.
Welcome home , Penny Glad you have recovered from your bout with pneumonia Stay well.
Posted by: Taylors on Olympic Peninsula in WA state | March 20, 2008 at 09:19 PM
The same thing happened to me, which is why I have four dogs now. Like Penny, Babs knew and didn't like what was going on at all. She was a horrible mope for the wonderful family who loved her already. Of course in my heart it was very flattering. They are rascals when they want or don't want something.
Posted by: Lisa James | March 20, 2008 at 09:14 PM
Welcome home Penny - glad to hear you're on the mend. Though, have to say - Steve & Alayne - I'm empathetic. Have also made some trips to the vets only to find out my critters were perfectly healthy. (Always glad to know they were healthy - just wish I could have known that *before* we went to the vet...)
Posted by: Karen | March 20, 2008 at 08:15 PM