Anyone Got A Napkin I Can Borrow?

My alternate headline for this post was "Why Are You Staring At Me?" That's Travis, our dog with a fused jaw, eating his dinner a few days ago. We were taking photos for the fall print newsletter, which will have Travis on the cover. Though not this photo! 

For those who may not know the history, Travis had a rare inflammatory disease called masticatory myositis, which affects the jaw muscles. If caught early enough, the disease can be treated with medications and the progression slowed and sometimes reversed. In Travis' case, his original owner never treated him for it, and eventually left him one night tied up to a vet clinic door in Spokane, Washington. The clinic called animal control, who then called us.

In any event, Travis can get his tongue out just enough on the left side of his mouth to slurp a liquid food that we blend up for him. But, as I write in his story for the newsletter, between all the slurping and dripping and the occasional shake of the head, by the time he's done eating it looks like a food fight in a school cafeteria!

---

New Shelter Challenge Begins

The latest round of the Shelter Challenge is underway and runs until October 13. You can vote every day here. To search for us, type in our name, Rolling Dog Farm, and Lancaster, NH 03584.

They have redesigned the contest site and made other changes. Please note that I cannot help with technical or voting problems. I also do not have an "inside track" to anyone at the Shelter Challenge, and I don't know any more about the contest than anyone else does. So if you find yourself having issues, please consult their FAQ page here and their Rules page, which is a pop-up you can find linked on this page.

Thanks for your votes!

Comments

[Cassie Betz]

Has Travis' fur gotten darker over there in the North East?? I swear I remember him being MUCH blonder! Glad to see he is still happy & handsome as ever!

[Margaret]

Luv you TRAV!!! Bon appetit!
My crush from afar continues. From Your not-so-secret Admirer.

[Anne in FL]

LOVE seeing old friends!!! Hi Travis, hope you enjoyed your dinner.

[Mae Rall]

I love him already and I have just met him!!! Mess what mess?
All I see is a very beautiful happy boy that is thouroughly enjoying his dinner! So lovely to have met you Travis!! xoxoxoxo

[Kathleen Rivard]

Oh my gosh! Travis looks like a baby that has been caught in the midst of an enjoyable meal. The only thing missing is his bib! It's so funny and cute and...

[Karla]

Glad to see Travis again! I guess he doesn't have to eat in his kennel huh?

[Barb Ribinski]

So nice to see a photo of Travis. I don't recall any posts about him for a while. He seems content with his liquid dinner. And he's not as thin as I would have expected. No matter what their challenge, animals are happy and content when they are in a place where they are loved. And he certainly seems happy. Enjoy your dinner, Travis.

[Barbara Arenal]

Oh TRAVIS!!! I've been waiting to see a picture or blurb about this boy I love so much. It's been a LONG time since our get togethers at the Montana ranch, but I have our pics together to remind me of this special boy! I'm SOOOO happy to see him. Please give him a hug for me & Joe. Travis stole my heart then, and he still owns a big piece of it! ♥♥♥

[Shirley * James/Portland, OR]

We were just talking about Travis and SO HAPPY to see him on your blog! What a wonderful, wonderful boy! I still love the picture you had of Travis on your note cards back in Montana!! Thanks for letting us see his look of contentment after a yummy meal! We love you Travis!!

[Phyllis Snow]

Travis is such a good-looking dog, even if he is a messy eater. Thanks for sharing a few words about him. Thanks for giving him the love he deserves. Please give him an extra pat and a few ear-ruffles for me. Our dogs say to tell him "Woof". They would like to play.
We have a delightful WAG Park in Whitefish where, several times each month, I take our dogs to interact with other dogs. It helps keep their socialization skills honed.

[Mary Ann]

Travis!!! I always knew you would bite me if you could, but I loved you anyway. I hope you have forgiven me by now for trying to make "summer clothes" for you when you still had the feeding tube. I would have tried to adopt you if I didn't already have a herd of dogs and cats.

Love and hugs and kisses from Missoula,
Mary Ann

[Heidi, Emmett the Beagle and Moxie the Kitty]

So good to see Travis again - what a wonderful life you have given him!

[Diane Borden, Chehalis, WA]

I often wondered how you kept Travis fed. I was hoping it wasn't the routine of a feeding tube. No fun for him or you. Well, at least he gets to taste his food, and get loving nutrition. He's a lucky dog to have Rolling dog Ranch be his home!!

[Tammy and Jay Mitts]

Thanks for putting something about Travis on your blog. I was wondering if you still had him. We met him when we visited you in MT. He is such a nice boy. Who cares about a mess.
Tammy

[Tonya Allen]

I've seen some messy eaters, but he definitely wins the prize! I'm sure he's learned to love the sound of the blender.

[Linda]

I don't think I remember seeing Travis before. Sweet boy! And he's from Spokane, my home town. What a lucky boy to have found his way to you, albeit a circuitous route! I think he knows it too.

[Lynne Parker]

Travis has always been one of my favorites. He has such beautiful eyes!

[Lori J]

I think the caption should be: "But I'm really cute!"

[Nina]

What a precious face! He is sooo lucky to be living with you all on the farm.

[Lynn (in Louisiana)]

Travis!!!! So good to see one of my favorites. I think he has the most gorgeous eyes. Thank you so much for taking such good care of him and supporting him and his rather "messy" disability.

[Valerie]

Well a good *Good Morning* to you, dear Travis...nice to meet you! You look as though you have been enjoying your meal!! That is very considerate of you to eat your food on a towel, so as not to make a mess! xoxox

[Diane McCornack]

Messy or not that is one handsome boy!!!