Podo 10-214

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Mark July 28 on your calendars. That's the day Podo arrived at his new foster home and started his new Golden life after some hard years especially in recent months. Podo lived with an older couple who were very reclusive and probably hoarders to boot. Podo lived in the house and the back yard but never went on walks, never played with other dogs or met other people. And never saw a vet! Two months ago, his owners went into a nursing home to stay. For two months, Podo lived in the house alone. Thankfully a wonderful neighbor went over once or twice a day to feed and walk him. She has a toddler and a dog of her own so she was not able to take him in herself. Finally Ragom was able to take him in and now we start giving Podo the love and attention (and medical care) he really needs.
 
He saw the vet yesterday and here's what we know. He is heartworm negative thankfully but that is about the end of the good news.
 
The vet estimates he is 11-12 years old. He weighs 121 lbs. The ACL ligaments in both front legs were probably broken years ago and never treated. Now it is too late to fix. He has arthritis and his legs tremble when he walks. His ears are fairly clean but his eyes are clearly not at their best. And of course he was never neutered or given any shots. When he arrived, his toe nails were about 2-3 inches long.
 
So now we start the great make over. His nails were cut and all vaccinations given.  He is now on Metacam for inflammation and Tramadol for pain.  He is on a quality, low calorie dog food and needs to lose at least 25 lbs. He got a good bath with several more needed!
 
What we have seen so far is a gentle giant with a big blocky head that reminds me of Fabio. He is house broken, good with other dogs if they don't try to hard to engage him in play. If they do, he just tries to walk away. And he is good with little kids having been around the Good Samaritan's toddler. As we learn more we’ll be sure to keep you posted.

At a Glance #10-214

Golden Retriever Born: July 1999
Male 150 lbs

Status: Deceased

Profile

Mark July 28 on your calendars. That's the day Podo arrived at his new foster home and started his new Golden life after some hard years especially in recent months. Podo lived with an older couple who were very reclusive and probably hoarders to boot. Podo lived in the house and the back yard but never went on walks, never played with other dogs or met other people. And never saw a vet! Two months ago, his owners went into a nursing home to stay. For two months, Podo lived in the house alone. Thankfully a wonderful neighbor went over once or twice a day to feed and walk him. She has a toddler and a dog of her own so she was not able to take him in herself. Finally Ragom was able to take him in and now we start giving Podo the love and attention (and medical care) he really needs.
 
He saw the vet yesterday and here's what we know. He is heartworm negative thankfully but that is about the end of the good news.
 
The vet estimates he is 11-12 years old. He weighs 121 lbs. The ACL ligaments in both front legs were probably broken years ago and never treated. Now it is too late to fix. He has arthritis and his legs tremble when he walks. His ears are fairly clean but his eyes are clearly not at their best. And of course he was never neutered or given any shots. When he arrived, his toe nails were about 2-3 inches long.
 
So now we start the great make over. His nails were cut and all vaccinations given.  He is now on Metacam for inflammation and Tramadol for pain.  He is on a quality, low calorie dog food and needs to lose at least 25 lbs. He got a good bath with several more needed!
 
What we have seen so far is a gentle giant with a big blocky head that reminds me of Fabio. He is house broken, good with other dogs if they don't try to hard to engage him in play. If they do, he just tries to walk away. And he is good with little kids having been around the Good Samaritan's toddler. As we learn more we’ll be sure to keep you posted.

Updates

Saturday, July 31, 2010

 

It is with great sadness I report that we made the decision to put Podo down last night. This poor dog had lived his life in pain due to no treatment for two ACL ruptures as well as severe arthritis in his back legs. There was also evidence of a back leg injury which never received treatment. His walking was almost as painful to watch as it must have been for him to do. We had two options. Give him heavy duty pain meds, and watch him sleep all day or let him continue with severe pain the rest of his life. In Ragom, we often use the words gentle giant. Well Podo truly was a gentle giant who, despite a lifetime of discomfort, loved people. He was a gentle soul who deserved much better than he got.

I believe two things. First there is a Devine Being. And second, after giving us these wonderful dogs, this Being will watch over them after they have left us here on Earth. Podo, we love you and know you are in a better place.