Alan and I both wanted to take in elderly dogs, that weren't adoptable into our home. This is something we actually individually talked about before we started dating or even got married.
We recently bought a house, so we decided what better time than to take on our first dog! Which happens to be Doris Day.
We didn't name her. This is actually her name, from her microchip, when she was scanned at Auburn Valley Humane Society.
Doris's story is that she was found as a stray. She made her way to a super sweet lady, Heather, and they found her on their porch. She then posted saying found dog which then of course made its way to me from the help of social media. I contacted heather and said, please pass my info on to AVHS in case she was dumped as I suspected she was.
Needless to say, I got a call from AVHS saying they were given my contact information to help Doris. It turns out they called her owners, who were listed on the microchip, and they said, oh we rehomed her. Yeah right, to the side of the road. I mean seriously? How hard is it to surrender your dog to a shelter? It's not. It's because it's typically not free to do, but dumping them on the side of the road is. So clearly that's the next best option, right? WRONG. Who does that! All I know is I believe in karma. So I hope that karma finds them and gives them what they deserve.
The problem is, this happens so regularly that it is disgusting. This is why dogs are in such bad shape when we get them half the time because people don't care. Dogs aren't trash. Any way I digress. I could talk about this topic all day. So Doris was rehomed to a loving family, the side of the road, taken to the humane society where she got her first initial exam and care.
She is 13. Horrible arthritis in her hips and elbows. Had two ear infections. Skinny. And we found out has hypothyroidism. AVHS is a great place. So the vet there and I talked and arranged for a time to meet Doris and take her home!
We get her home, which was quite interesting because we had another sweet dog with us too to drop off at a friends house who is fostering her! So Doris was stuck in the back in the bottom of a crate, with an orthopedic bed underneath her, and surrounded by dog food and treats! I think most any dog would have gone nuts with treats around her, she simply sat there. And slept. What a sweet girl!
We get her into the house and settled in to her knew living space! She isn't quite sure what to think. We are guessing she was an outdoor dog. I believe this for many reasons. Her horrible arthritis. Probably from laying on the cold ground all the time. Also her elbows are calloused. From the same thing. So she isn't sure why she should be laying on a bed. So we find her getting up. And getting off the bed and laying on the hard floor. A little coaxing gets her on the bed and she will stay and then get comfortable! It's amazing to me how dogs don't understand they can lay on dog beds. I realize this isn't something that is given to dogs on a regular basis. It's weird. Spend $25 at Costco and they have amazing beds. Anyway.
We get her settled in, but it was a rough night. I was up a lot with her and her getting used to her surroundings. I slept on the floor with her and Sid joined us to make sure we were all okay! But we made it through the night! She seems to be settling in after 24 hours! But this will be a learning experience for us!
We have her on pain medications and will be starting hypothyroidism medications shortly. We are letting her get settled in before we start the hypothyroidism medications!
If you feel like donating towards her medical care, www.secondchancedogs.net and click donate!