Here is Mr. Big, Rusty boy. He is coming along very well as you can see.  Rusty is a very sweet dog and is handling all the medicals he is going through quite well.  Isn’t he just about as handsome as they come?

(1)   Rusty came with a ear infection and yucky ears.  He is not crazy about getting his ear drops in (probably never ever had drops before of course) so we just go slow.  Once they are in and I rub them. It's a sense a relief from him.  I am sure they are still quite sensitive and sore.  I wipe them out good with a cotton ball with cleanser on them.  I think once this is done there is relief.

(2)   Rusty’s coat is not too bad (that is not shaved!), and his tail is quite thin. But it sure does not affect his wagging abilities!  He is a happy camper and loves to wag that skinny tail (which I assume also had an old injury) and swing that butt.  He does not mind being brushed, but at this point a little hard to tell due to everything else going on with t-shirt and bandages.  Once stitches out etc., we will give him a nice bath and good groom job.

(3)   Rusty came with a growth on the back of his foot (left front leg right above his ‘wrist”).  This was taken off (and are very much hoping all of it) and sewn shut.  A biopsy is being run.  He is great at leaving it alone.  This is a very difficult part, as we know, to keep dogs from licking.  Rusty seems to listen to “no don’t lick” and just goes about his business.  So that is huge.  These stitches, along with the ones in his chest, will be able to come out next week.  That will be great for both of us.  The site looks really good.  Of course there are some shaved spots on front legs from IV’s etc which need to grow back too.  But will heal up fine. More on the biopsy at a later time.

(4)   Rusty obviously came with a large wound to his chest; we are not positive what exactly happened and at this point does not matter.  He had a hole in this massive sized chest which got infected and surgery needed to be done right away.  He has a pretty good sized incision and a couple smaller ones where the drain tubes have been placed as you can see above.  From this surgery there was a lot of swelling inside, due to infection and so much weight of the dog.  Hence the beautiful T-shirt which he wears in order to keep him from ‘grabbing’ the tubes out (I think they just bother, they do not hurt) and from itching from being shaved and stitches drying up and healing, letting these tubes ‘ooze’ the infection out and keeping it as clean as we can. The ooze part is 150% better.  The swelling is really going down so all of the drugs this guy is on must be doing their job(s).  Again, stitches out next week and all the hair will grow back in.  Then we will be T-shirt free.  Rusty is handling the changing of the T-shirts and gauze (underneath to soak like a pad) pretty darn good.  Again, the site looks good.

(5)   Rusty is current on all his vaccinations, and needs a booster distemper in a couple weeks. He has also been microchipped, so all of that is done.  His nails have also been trimmed up. Again, doing great.

So, here is a totally beautiful 6 year old golden boy, who thank goodness is in rescue and is going to make a wonderful companion dog.  Rusty LOVES his butt being pet; and like goldens, any attention you will spare is greatly appreciated.  He will lay by you, and I think would really like to get up on a couch or chair or perhaps a bed (not allowed here).  However, he is listening to “off” and “no” quite well.  He will lay and watch you in the kitchen as I am positive there were many a ‘table scrap’ in his prior years.  I have tried fruit but unfortunately, nothing trips his appetite yet.  He does like green beans though.  He is currently getting fed 2X a day, 2 cups or so each time.  He is of course, on a light, senior food (good food-Nutri Source and Bill Jack mixed); he is learning to take treats very gently.  I think before when he was a little ‘mouthy’ was strictly due to hunger and did not want to risk losing some morsels.  Rusty is a wonderful boy to foster. 

I cannot wait until stitches are out and we can go for walks and burn off that fat and have new things to see and smell.  So I cannot offer any news much in that way at this time as far as how he walks.  We too, will limit car rides, which I DO KNOW he does really enjoy, due to current medicals now also. So all in all, considering everything this poor dog has been through in pain, emotional, confusion, weight, etc., he is awesome.  Just imagine this ‘tank’ about 25-30# lighter.  He is gorgeous. and.....a super personality to go with.  What a trooper dog.

He is babygated in a large master bathroom in the evenings with water and bed/blanket plus some cool tiles, and not a peep all night.  He sleeps about 7-8 hours; just right!  He is fine around our crew.  He enjoys other dogs (even the neighbor ones who bark all the time) and seems to ignore the cats.  Of course, he is housetrained perfectly.  He will go stand by door if he needs out.  He drinks a fair amount of water now due to all the meds he is on.  He really likes the fenced in back yard to scope out as well.

This is one great Ragom golden boy!