|
 |
 |
 |
|
Happy Tail: Blue A Loving 14-year-old Black Lab  I went onto Animal Friends' website looking for an senior dog to adopt and found one using the Home to Home adoption site.
I found "Blue" (I think I may have renamed him, but since he's deaf it really doesn't matter to him!).
He's a 14 year-old black (and white now) lab with a huge tumor growing out from the side of his nose, tumors on his frail, thin arthritic body and a long skin tag hanging from his underbelly.
By the time he was adopted, Blue (whose name was "Midnight," I found out later) could not get up without assistance and was unable to walk without help. This was from laying in a cage for 6 weeks after his owner died.
Blue and his owner were found living in a van in the North Hills, having been rejected by family and having lost everything they owned, except the van, due to medical bills. The van was home for nearly 8 months until North Hills Community Outreach found the owner and Blue and got them into housing together because the owner refused to leave Blue. But sadly, not long after moving into housing, the owner died and NHCO had to place Blue in a shelter because they promised the owner they wouldn't euthanize him. It was never felt Blue would be adoptable given his...well...less than desireable looks and age. He wasn't treated very well, obviously given his depression when he was adopted.
Blue went to a home for about 80 hours before that home couldn't handle all the special care he needed. Because I was second on the list for him, I received the call. I went the next day to pick him up. I had already determined that Blue would live out the rest of his days (which seemed to be few) on a fluffy bed and well loved.
I took him for a vet appt two days after getting him and had some holistic therapies (laser therapy for pain and "raindrop" therapy for detoxing and comort). We took x-rays and did blood work. After seeing that he was actually in pretty good shape for being a little over 100 years old in people years, I scheduled him for surgery to remove the oozing tumor from his nose and skin tag from his underbelly. He's scheduled for more holistic treatments to keep him recovering like he has been.
He now skips around my yard, goes up and down the steps to follow me around the house. Blue has found an oversized leather chair to relax on in the family room during the day and has his 6" thick mattress with blankies to sleep on at night. He's completely house trained and waits patiently every morning to go out then scampers into the kitchen for breakfast.
He smiles at me and jokes around. He makes me laugh! He loves trips in the car and even hops out by himself.
Blue has come a long way! He's brought me so much joy since I had to put my own dog down a month ago.
Blue may be deaf but I use doggie body language, claps and stomping to communicate with him. If he wants something from me (like yet another treat!) he just comes up and bumps me then makes me follow him into the kitchen where his treat jar is.
THANK YOU ANIMAL FRIENDS!
I highly recommend senior adoptions! They already have a handle on things and just want a warm comfy bed and a zillion treats. They'll make you laugh and they'll make your heart pour out affection you thought you'd lost in this cynical world of ours.
Blue may be coming to the end of his life, but he's rejuvenated mine!
|
|
 |
Pet Adoption & Resource Center | 562 Camp Horne Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237 | 412.847.7000 Come visit us! Monday - Friday 11am - 7pm | Saturday & Sunday 10 am - 5pm |
