OK, OK, OK...I'm beginning to get evils looks on the freeways these days for not updating on Tannera in so long. Must be alot of RAGOM website readers on the road at the same time I am. Well, here goes...
Tannera is doing well with her heartworm treatment. She received her last shot to kill any microfilarae (larvae) in her blood on May 10th. She's much more active now...we've started taking walks around our circle. She was pretty out of shape when we got her, and six weeks of lounging hasn't helped the situation any. I take my two other dogs on their long walk, and then Tannera and I have some special personal time going around the circle a couple times. It's about 1/3 mile, and we do it twice. She's so happy to be out and about and seeing new things and meeting new people. She holds her tail straight out and prances just like a show dog. Westminster eat your heart out. Tannera has a few issues with walking on the leash. The Gentle Leader helps with the pulling, but she loves to cut right in front of me. I've plowed into her a couple times, and she's almost wiped me out several times. We are working on it. It's amazing how different she is now that she's feeling better.
On May 5th, Tanner had to have surgery on the sore on her rear leg. It wasn't healing properly...the way it looked the skin was growing, but it never attached to itself to cover the wound. So she had surgery to stitch it shut. It's healing wonderfully now. She no longer has the bandage on her leg. On May 10th, the vet advised we keep it uncovered and put the e-collar on her...Tannera got to be a conehead!! She wasn't pleased, but quickly learned to pick her head up when going up the stairs, so the cone wouldn't catch and wipe her out. Foster dad has been home this week on vacation (some guys have all the luck), so she's been easy to monitor, and hasn't had to wear the cone very much. She doesn't seem to worry about the stitches. If she does try and lick, a simple "no" does the trick. She always looks a little guilty, but we make up right away.
Tannera is blowing her coat right now. Think of the worst shedding you've seen, and then multiply that by 10 and you'll understand. Everything in the house is covered in hair (or so it seems)...but then again, I guess I expected that with three Goldens in the house. Tannera's coat is especially thick, however, and it's coming out in clumps. I'm a little concerned because she's getting quite thin in several spots, so we'll consult with the vet on Friday when she gets her stitches out. Probably nothing, just her getting rid of four years of old, dead undercoat.
Tannera is happy and mostly healthy. She knows what treats and bones are, and loves them both. She's tired of going to the vet and really wants to start living a normal dog's life. She spotted the ducks swimming in our neighbors back yard (yes, swimming in the yard) and really seemed interested, but I don't think she would be a very good hunter. I know she loves water and mud, however. She still wants to eat cats. We are working to stop her newly developed habit of begging. She's doing pretty good, but sometimes can't help it. I think Ritz crackers and fruit snacks are her weaknesses. Since those are my son's favorite snacks, she manages to get a few of each now and then. He's pretty protective of his stuff these days, so she has to work pretty hard for them. She has learned to harrass my two dogs pretty well. My female is very insulted by this, but my male loves it. Tannera thinks it's great fun to instigate some trouble, and then put on her innocent "who, me?" face. We've figured out her MO, however, so she gets in trouble just like the others now. We are an equal opportunity doggie household.
OK, website readers, I'm out of time, so I need to go. Thanks for all of your support!!