Hatch 09-196

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Sponsored by: Julie Lenhardt

     

Hatch arrived this past weekend after a long haul from Alabama!  I just want to thank all the wonderful VOLUNTEERS - all 14 of them! - who helped get him out of the shelter and into RAGOM's welcome arms.  It never ceases to amaze me how many people give so much for these wonderful dogs. 

Hatch is estimated to be 10-years-old but was a stray so there is really no way to know his real age.  We'll just call him a distinguished gentleman.  He weighs 71 pounds, which is the absolute perfect weight for him.  Hatch is already neutered and up-to-date on all his vaccinations.  At the vet's office, they said that he is pretty healthy aside from the cuts and bruises (see below) and he has some arthritis in his front paws (did you know that dogs carry 80% of their weight on their front legs?).  He is on medications for a cut on his snout and because he's had a cough since coming and luckily coughed up a nice bit of pflegm for the doc!

Hatch's last night at the shelter in AL brought some severe thunderstorms and that was when they found out that Hatch has some pretty extreme storm anxiety.  They found him with his mouth all cut up and it appears he broke off a couple of his teeth. His snout is all swollen too, so he had quite a time.  Another RAGOM volunteer is going to let me use her thunderstorm CD so we can hopefully either decondition him or find out ways to manage his fear in a safe environment.  Due to his reaction to the thunderstoms in AL, he will not be able to be adopted until we are able to see how he reacts and how we can help him unless you have had experience dealing with stress and anxieties in dogs before.  I want to make sure his last home is furever and can help him work through this.

Hatch is going to have surgery this week to remove the two canine teeth that he broke off during the storms.  these must be causing him so much pain because the roots are exposed!  OUCH!  We are watering down his food so he doesn't have to hurt himself trying to eat.

Hatch has had quite the radical hair cut, my guess is he was full of matts so they just shaved it all off :-)  He is a light blonde color and it looks like there might be some other colors but we'll have to wait for his hair to grow back to really know.  We don't know what Hatch is mixed with but whatever it is makes him very unique looking!  I'll try and take a bunch of pics.

He met the resident dogs with absolutely no issues.  They did their meet and greet, they all went potty and excitement over new dog is over.  He is interested in the resident cat but he mostly just whines because the cat doesn't pay much attention to him.  When Hatch arrived, he slept for 10 hours straight!  He was one tired puppy.  He has been fairly tired since then too, but he may just be trying to help his body heal.  He was pretty perky meeting everyone at the vets office so I think he may have more spry in him than I've seen so far.

Since he was a stray, we don't know if he's housetrained or not, so stay tuned to find out how that goes.  However he has been here for over 24 hours and there have been no accidents so that is a bonus! 

 

 

At a Glance #09-196

Mixed Breed Born: May 1999
Male 100 lbs

Status: Deceased

Profile

Sponsored by: Julie Lenhardt

     

Hatch arrived this past weekend after a long haul from Alabama!  I just want to thank all the wonderful VOLUNTEERS - all 14 of them! - who helped get him out of the shelter and into RAGOM's welcome arms.  It never ceases to amaze me how many people give so much for these wonderful dogs. 

Hatch is estimated to be 10-years-old but was a stray so there is really no way to know his real age.  We'll just call him a distinguished gentleman.  He weighs 71 pounds, which is the absolute perfect weight for him.  Hatch is already neutered and up-to-date on all his vaccinations.  At the vet's office, they said that he is pretty healthy aside from the cuts and bruises (see below) and he has some arthritis in his front paws (did you know that dogs carry 80% of their weight on their front legs?).  He is on medications for a cut on his snout and because he's had a cough since coming and luckily coughed up a nice bit of pflegm for the doc!

Hatch's last night at the shelter in AL brought some severe thunderstorms and that was when they found out that Hatch has some pretty extreme storm anxiety.  They found him with his mouth all cut up and it appears he broke off a couple of his teeth. His snout is all swollen too, so he had quite a time.  Another RAGOM volunteer is going to let me use her thunderstorm CD so we can hopefully either decondition him or find out ways to manage his fear in a safe environment.  Due to his reaction to the thunderstoms in AL, he will not be able to be adopted until we are able to see how he reacts and how we can help him unless you have had experience dealing with stress and anxieties in dogs before.  I want to make sure his last home is furever and can help him work through this.

Hatch is going to have surgery this week to remove the two canine teeth that he broke off during the storms.  these must be causing him so much pain because the roots are exposed!  OUCH!  We are watering down his food so he doesn't have to hurt himself trying to eat.

Hatch has had quite the radical hair cut, my guess is he was full of matts so they just shaved it all off :-)  He is a light blonde color and it looks like there might be some other colors but we'll have to wait for his hair to grow back to really know.  We don't know what Hatch is mixed with but whatever it is makes him very unique looking!  I'll try and take a bunch of pics.

He met the resident dogs with absolutely no issues.  They did their meet and greet, they all went potty and excitement over new dog is over.  He is interested in the resident cat but he mostly just whines because the cat doesn't pay much attention to him.  When Hatch arrived, he slept for 10 hours straight!  He was one tired puppy.  He has been fairly tired since then too, but he may just be trying to help his body heal.  He was pretty perky meeting everyone at the vets office so I think he may have more spry in him than I've seen so far.

Since he was a stray, we don't know if he's housetrained or not, so stay tuned to find out how that goes.  However he has been here for over 24 hours and there have been no accidents so that is a bonus! 

 

 

Updates

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

 

It's with the heaviest of hearts that I write my final Hatch update. Hatch has been slowly declining over the last couple months but would always keep eating, meeting me at the door and have life in his eyes. Yesterday he stopped eating and had difficulties walking. Today he was so incredibly weak that I knew it was time, and I believe he did too.

I won't lie and say that Hatch was an easy foster because he was a pain in the butt! My missing trim, hole in my wall and broken refrigerator door tell the story but through all that I loved this guy with my everything. I never adopted him but he knew he was home and who his mom was.

I am so blessed to have fostered him, my first senior, and to have had these last 4 months off so I could stay at home and give him the most love possible. We did a lot of cuddling during those times Smile

A big thank you to his sponsor! Without sponsors, RAGOM wouldn't be able to help all the dogs we do.

Hatch had lots of love in the room with him today! His favorite worker at Inver Grove Heights vet, Erin, was there to hold one paw. His auntie Rachel to stroke his back and one of his favorite vets, Dr. Quast to help make it a very painless and loving procedure. At the end he turned his head and put his nose in my hand. A last goodbye.

 

Monday, February 8, 2010

Guess what?  Hatch has a new BFF,  his grandpa!  When we were over there last week Hatch followed him around and helped him cook, make a fire and even helped keep his spot warm on the carpet and then cuddling up with ole grandpa on the floor to enjoy the fire!  I don't know if grandpa knows how special he is to have been loved by the ole Mr. Hatchers Smile emoticon

Everyone wants to know how Hatch is doing and all I can say is "he's Hatch".  He has his good days and his bad days.  Lately he has problems going down the stairs again so I've been making sure I'm there to help him not careen uncontrollably down them.  Today he is having trouble walking, it's like he doesn't know how to coordinate his front and back ends. 

Through it all, however, he has been the lovable gentleman we all know him to be.  He's much more cuddly than he's ever been and is constantly seeking out cuddles from his ma.  Him and Millie are best of buds and give each other kisses all day.  It's quite the sight.

I've been told I need to send in some pictures so I took a few of him.  Unfortunately much of his time is now spent laying down so those were the pictures I was able to capture...

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

 Merry Christmas to the Golden seniors                       From a Secret Admirer

 Judith Cummings                 Lori, Kerry, and the Mutts

Snowie 07-672         Shayna M.

Gilda 09-361 & Zoe (Duci 09-222) in memory of our buddy Sophie (Cowgirl 08-401)

 In Memory of our beloved Chippy 08-246

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Hatch and Millie (09-291) will be attending the event at TCOTC this weekend, so come on out and say HI to them! They will be there from 9-11.  I have included a picture of them from last weekend's event (thanks Auntie Mari) to show you what you're missing if you don't make an appearance :-)

Monday, October 26, 2009

As promised, here are some pictures of Mr. Hatch with a lovely young man he met on a homevisit.  Hatch was so wonderful with him!  Little H loved the cuddly-ness of Hatch and Hatch loved little H back!

Hatch will be joining his buddy Millie at Chuck and Don's on Saturday.  Come and give him a cuddle!

Saturday, October 17, 2009

I realize it has been a long time since Hatch has had an update and for that I apologize, but life just keeps on keeping on and Hatch continues being a phenomenal dog and foster!
 
Turns out Hatch LOVES the snow!  He has been running around and just enjoying the colder weather and especially when there was snow fall!  He was like a whole new dog and it was so nice to see him enjoying life like that.
 
Today he had a special treat and got to run on a friends 15 acres.  There were 5 dogs in total and while he didn't do some of the romping around that the others did, he sure loved taking that hike!  He literally walked for 2 hours and appeared to love every minute of it!  Of course he is now all crashed out and tired, but it was so good to see him out there running (yes, running) around.  I have included some pics of today's adventure.
 
Hatch went on a homevisit last week where they had young children and he was AMAZING!  They took a bunch of pictures and when I get them I will ensure they get posted but their 1-year-old son was hanging on Hatch, pulled his gums, laid on him and overall loved Hatch to death and Hatch loved it so much there that he didn't want to come home with me! 
 
Aside from the initial issues with his storm anxiety, Hatch has been the perfect house guest and loved by all who meet him.  If you would like to meet him, please contact your placement advisor. 

Saturday, September 19, 2009

THANK YOU to everyone who came to the picnic today and especially a big thank you to everyone who took time to say hi to Hatch.  He went on the walk, for a quick swim and he was excited/stressed at being there with so many other dogs that needless to say he was quite a pooped out puppy when we got home!
 
I realized this week that going for a walk for Hatch is like a kid in a candy store with endless choices.  He whines, paces between the door and me and does the "golden bump" on my hand to get me to hurry up, which in reality slows me down but we won't tell him that.  In fact, as soon as my alarm goes off in the morning he starts whining in anticipation.  It's so much fun!  He takes off out the door at a trot with his ears up and you can just tell this is fun for him! 
 
We also tried something new with him, catching popcorn.  This was always how we taught our dogs growing up to catch food in the air and let me tell you, Hatch needed no instructions - he is a pro!  He can catch popcorn like the best of them and the anticipation in his eyes is just priceless.
 
Hatch is such a phenomenal dog and is just a little love bug!  He loves cuddling and getting kisses.  He is just waiting for the uber-special family to give him the loving home he has always deserved.
 
Enjoy the picture of him from the picnic today!

Monday, August 3, 2009

I finally got a picture of the whole pack (cat not included, that would have been beyond miraculous) and thought I'd share!  Foster Grandma came over this weekend and we worked on getting them all in a line, sort of.  It kind of worked :-)

Sunday, July 26, 2009

As many of you in the Twin City area know, there were several big storms that rolled through this past week.  For a dog with storm anxiety such as Hatch, it is very traumatic.  Hatch does really good during storms if you are there with him, he doesn't do so well if you're not unless you are able to medicate him first.  On Tuesday, FM left before the storms started and Hatch ended up trying to escape and tore some trim off the doors.  He ended up working himself up so much that his anxiety continued for a couple hours after FM returned home.  On Friday, however, the storms were anticipated, Hatch was medicated (along with the AC turned on and the radio turned up) and he did much better. 
 
Hatch was also diagnosed with hypothyroid this past week and was started on meds.  This should help his poor coat quality and maybe help some of his joint pain.  When one of the resident dogs was diagnosed several years ago, he was a whole new dog after the meds got to their therapeutic dose.  Hatch was also started on an anti-anxiety medication to help with some of the anxieties he has been experiencing.  From my own experience, these meds are quite affordable, quite cheap in fact.
 
Hatch decided that he wants to be along for ALL the walks now and has been walking the full 45 minute walk in the morning with us!  Noone was more surprised than FM when he didn't want to turn around and just kept going!  We haven't gone every day yet as I don't want him to do too much too soon but thus far he has proven to be a great long distance walker! 
 
I know that anxieties are scary for potential adopters but FM is working hard with Hatch and his vets to get his anxieties under control, or at least more managable.
 
If you'd like to give Hatch a chance at having a GReat life, please contact your placement advisor.

   
   

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Today was the cumulation of bad luck for my Mr. Hatchers.  I came home to the after effects of a dog fight and Hatch got the worst of it.  He has a couple puncture wounds and is spending the night at the vets for observation and to keep him comfortable.  The reason for the fight?  Resource guarding... FM did the wrong thing and introduced something that is considered high value to the pack (rawhide) and didn't supervise.  A good lesson for everyone who has more than 1 dog.  I learned the hard way and hope that there is someone who is reading this that can learn from that and not have to make a dash to the vet because believe me, it's a horrible experience.
 
Last night there was an amazing lightening show with the occasional thunder rumble.  This has been the 3rd storm we've had since Hatch arrived so I have a very good idea of how his anxiety is now.  He paces, drools and goes to his safe spot (the bedroom).  If I'm home, he wants to sit as close as possible to me and at night he likes to crawl under the covers with me :-)  It's quite endearing.
 
Earlier last week, we went back to the vet because he had stopped eating again and where he had had a tooth pulled didn't look like it had been healing.  Along with that, he had a couple sores on his side that needed to be checked out.  They put him on medication for his mouth and the sores, which they think were just a skin infection.  Hatch wasn't too worried about this as he now has 3 weeks of peanut butter goodness!  He was fairly emasculated, however, because they shaved around the spots so he looked a little silly :-)
 
We've been going for a 30 minute walk every afternoon.  He is so excited to be able to come out with us!  Towards the end he starts getting a little tired but he loves every minute of it and he doesn't appear to have any pain when we return.  He is just so happy to be able to come along and be a part of the pack.
 
So, while Hatch has had a rough go of it things can only get better from here!  Please keep Hatch in your thoughts and wish him a speedy and happy recovery.

 
(Hatch and resident dog Moxie)

Sunday, May 24, 2009

I must say that Hatch is, by far, the easiest foster ever!  He is unassuming and wants nothing more than love and attention!  He sleeps at my feet, and nudges my hand when he wants extra petting.  He gives the best hugs by putting his muzzle on your shoulder!!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
Speaking of his muzzle, the cut is looking so much better and is probably 1/2 the size it was before.  The vet cleaned it up again when he had his teeth pulled.  His mouth doesn't seem to be bothering him at all at this point and he isn't drooling any longer.

Yesterday he decided that he was an independent youngen and when I opened the door to come in he bolted!  However, at his age bolting isn't quite what it used to be so I just followed him a little trying to get him to come back on his own.  Well this spry young man did a quick step and then realized he wasn't quite so spry and stopped, letting me put his leash on.  Silly boy.                                                                          

We went for a walk together today, just the two of us and I dare say he's probably never been walked on a leash before.  He would pull or just stop all together trying to tell me he was in charge.  Needless to say that didn't last long and within 10 minutes he was walking like a pro with his gentle leader.  Our walk was more of a meander than a power walk which made me think of some of the retired couples that I see walking around the lake by my house.

I keep forgeting to talk about his gorgeous eyes!  They are a yellow/green color which really match his fur color.  everyone who meets him comment on how beautiful and unique his eyes are!  I am sure that you want to see them yourself, right?!?

The perfect home for Hatch would be a nice retired family who likes to take their daily constitutional rather than the daily power walk.  Hatch loves being outside but wouldn't do well with a family wanting to walk for miles each day.  I don't think it matters what the household consists of as long as there is extra love to give!  If you don't need a fence, he will need to be tied out based on his little escapade yesterday. 

Hatch is really quite the perfect dog who would make any home complete.  If you would like to meet him, please contact your placement advisor!

Friday, May 22, 2009

AAARRROOOOOOOOO -OWWWW!!! 

That was a thank you howl with an "oww" on the end for Julie Lenhardt!  The cost for Hatch's vet visit with blood work and his dental extractions was HUGELY offset by the wonderful and giving Julie!  Because of people like you, Julie, we are able to help so many dogs, especially these poor senior dogs who have had a rough go of it!  Julie, Hatch and his FM thank you from the bottoms of our hearts!  Please contact RAGOM if you'd like Hatch to thank you personally!  He is a great giver of love!  He would love a cuddle from you!!!

Hatch had his surgery today.  In addition to the two canines they needed to extract, they also took out an incisior.  There were questions about a molar that may or may not be infected that would need to come out too, but after a dental x-ray it showed that it would be treatable by medications, thank goodness!

Hatch is one woozy boy tonight!  Due to the location of the extractions it is especially painful for poor Hatchers so he has been shot up with plenty-o-pain med.  Needless to say he will be getting extra lovin tonight!

Last night I helped him up into bed with FM, the 2 resident dogs and the resident kitty so he could cuddle with all of us instead of spending the night on the floor.  Needless to say he was quite happy and didn't quite know what to make of it, but I guess he made do Wink

I will make sure to keep everyone updated as he heals and looks for his furever family.  I can confidently say at this time that as long as his furever family doesn't crate/kennel him, he is fine with storms!  We've had one mild storm and we've listened to the storm CD everyday since Tuesday and he has had no reaction. 

Please let your placement advisor know if you'd be interested in talking about Mr. Hatchers.  We have had many visitors since he has come to MN and he would love to meet a furever family! 

Again, a VERY big THANK YOU to Julie for sponsoring Hatch.

 

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Hatch found his voice today!  A police car went by in the area and he started howling along with it!  It was so surprising because the only sound he's done thus far was a whine when he needed to go out or when he wanted attention.

Speaking of attention, he has really been searching out attention from FM!  He has started following me everywhere I go.  I suppose it doesn't help that I have treats throughout the house and he gets a little something something in each room. 

Hatch started using the dog beds last night for the first time.  He figured out that they are very soft and feel good on his sore front paws.  There are beds throughout the house so he has his pick in whatever room he's in.

As I was typing this, he climbed on the couch!  You could have blown me over with a feather.  Here I thought he was so well mannered and he just helped himself to my couch!  Of course I had to get pictures and he was likely just copying the resident dogs, since they spend half their life on the sofa's.

Hatch is really such a spectacular dog.  He is unassuming, quiet and just wants a life filled with love!  He doesn't ask for more than you want to give.  He needs a home to live the rest of his life in. 

I'm hoping for storms tonight so we can see how he does.  We listen to the storms CD everyday and he barely moves a muscle so I'm really eager to see how he does during an actual storm when he's not in a kennel.

He is a really special dog looking for a special home.  The ideal home would have minimal stairs, other dogs are fine but not necessary, cat tested and approved, he doesn't need a fence and as of late, a home where he can use the furniture at his leisure :-)

I'll keep everyone posted on the upcoming storms and how he does!  Keep checking back on this lovely boy