Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Progress. It's what I do.

Today my mom was talking to Grandma and she was telling her about how far I've come in the last year and a half and it really got me thinking. I have come quite a long way! I remember that scary shelter place and how bad I use to feel and I look around me now and I figure things have turned out pretty well.


The first day in my new home I was really scared.

I wouldn't come out of my crate at first and it took my
mom some time to get me to come out and look around.

When anyone came up to me I would roll over and pee.
(I didn't know I was doing it or I wouldn't have done
something so undignified).

The people at the shelter told my mom and dad that I came all the way from a shelter in Alabama because my owner had died, but no one wanted me there.






I was super skinny and had lots of health problems.

I had a bacterial infection in both eyes, my tummy and my teeth. My ears had bald spots and areas that were crusty with blood.

(Click on the picture and you can see my eye is all red)

Even my paws had problems. I had never been out for a walk so they were super soft and took a little bit to get properly rough and manly.

On top of that I had a seizure a week after my first day home.

Basically, I was what you would call a fixer-upper. Luckily my mom and dad are smart and they saw I had a lot of hidden potential. They always say they're just lucky to have found me at the shelter the first day I got there because there isn't a lot of demand for a seven year old dachshund who has seizures. I tell them it's just because people are not always so bright. And, I also remind them that the proper term is seven years young!

I also had a lot of fear aggression and would bark at anyone who wasn't my mom, or dad. I was afraid of other dogs and always had to be glued to my family in case something bad happened to me.

Well, after A LOT of vet visits, organic dog food, training and a bunch of lovin' I am a whole new dog. That's right folks, I am quite the prize now. Eat your heart out Alabama!

Here is a list I have compiled to showcase just how far I've come in the last year and a half:

1. I am now the proud owner of some pearly whites (minus one that I had to loose, but I didn't like that particular tooth anyway).

2. I am now a svelte and healthy 15 pounds. Though that might change as soon as I figure out a way to get into the treat jar.

3. Everyone is always admiring my coat and saying how smooth and shiny I am. All my ear hair even grew back and they are now velvety soft if I do say so myself.

4. I take minimum two walks a day and love to smell new things and try out every patch of grass that I can. I don't even bark at strangers anymore because I'm too busy cataloging what I see.

5. My last seizure was 5 months ago (knock on wood)! And, the ones before that were also far apart. The doctors don't even have me on medicine because I'm doing so well.

6. And the biggest change; the one everyone thought would never happen; the big kahuna of changes: I have a brother and a sister now! You heard me right folks. I now get along with two other dogs. I'm still working on dogs I don't know that run up to my face, but I had to leave some progress for next year.

Yes, I am a rising star in the sky of life. And things can only get better. I now enjoy the simple things in life like a warm bed and blanket, some nice organic kibble and some snuggle action. I could do without having to walk on wet grass in the morning to go to the bathroom but my mom says you can't have everything.

In conclusion I would like to leave you with a little collage I made to show you how I'm doing these days

3 comments:

  1. Hi Flash,

    I was just bragging about you the other day! I told my neighbor that has a fear based aggressive dog that there is hope and you just have to work at it...dogs are worth the extra time and care anyway. I am so happy to hear you are doing better and continue to improve...hope you have it in you to deal with your new niece, Maria, she's a hand full!

    Aunt Nati

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  2. You have really grown into a super duper sexy looking dog. Don't tell the other but you are my favorite.

    Love
    Dad

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  3. Thanks God dogs live in the present and your present is really good.
    All your pack is good for you and you are good for your pack.
    Love

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