Fluke

My friend Donald picks up his new puppy next Monday. He is a twelve week old rescue dog from  www.phoenixasso.com/adoption.php3.

It appears they have the same problems finding homes for dogs in France as they have here. Mum is a Lab/Retriever and Dad a Belgium Shepard, he looks a delightful puppy and I am sure he will have a great life with Don.

Shula's best friend

Photo by Karoline Barrett

I am not sure exactly when this photograph was taken, it must have been a few weeks ago as we haven't seen Storm for awhile. I do know it was at a Sunday morning training session as I can see Shula's head.

Yesterday Ken and I went to lunch at some friends villa in Mijas Campo and took Shula with us. What a mistake that was, Shula did a wee on the rug in their lounge. I really don't know what possessed her, we were all out on the terrace and she went inside, obviously it was my fault for not keeping an eye on her but she has never done anything like that before. Our friend hosed the rug down and it seemed okay but I was so embarrassed, our friends however were not worried at all.

Ticks

Ken came back from the UK on Tuesday he had an hysterical greeting from Shula. I didn't realise how much she had missed him but she threw herself at him yelping and jumping up, the rest of the evening was spent glued to his side, nice to be loved.

Wednesday Ken found a tick on Shula, horrible thing, I don't know where she picked that up. I have a really good little tool for removing them so it wasn't a problem but I hate them and they can cause terrible diseases. I like to think there is a place for everything on this earth but can't think what purpose they serve, anyway that one is well and truly dead, swashed and flushed down the loo.

Thursday I went to the Calahonda market and met up with a few friends. I spoke to Liv a Norwegian lady I met a few months ago, she breeds Cotons and Bolognese these are varieties of Bichons. What a nice lady and so knowledgeable, if I wanted to buy this sort of dog she would be my choice of breeder her website is www.ginille.com  

The week has really flown by, it is nice to have Ken home, no more problems opening jars and he is by far the best cook ever.

Ruffus

Shula is fine today and seems to have forgotten her trauma on Sunday.

I was checking on facebook and found this entry from my friend Patricia.

Took Ruffus yesterday for his yearly "Polivalente" vaccine and on the way out the door he collapsed on the floor! Got up, back legs stiff and started throwing up.
Diagnosis: Anaphylactic shock. Took 3 Epinephrine shots to stabilized him.
Already home, about 2 hours after, he is in deep sleep, suddenly starts biting himself trying to scratch, running like a possessed dog and crying. Saw and eye red thought it was due claw scratched, nope! He's eyes were red and closed by severe inflammation! Plus breathing was getting bad... Emergency call to vet and 8 minutes that takes from home to vets office Ruffus face was deformed, looked like a monster.
Injected a sedative med then antihistamine one, waited about 40 min. when he was allowed to come home.
Totally relaxed, 30 kilos to carry up, batch of pills starting 6:00 AM
He is disorientated still swelled up, but finally sleeping after all morning of cuddles to try and stop his cry.
Never felt so powerless! Resting now, hope it means improvement.....

Poor Ruffus, and Tim and Patricia, I bet they were frantic. I am not a fan of too many vaccinations but everyone wants to protect their pets and you can only go on veterinary advice. I will have to check up on what shots Shula has.

Trip to the vet

Yesterday at dog training Shula pulled a dewclaw. I don't know quite how it happened but before the beginning  of the class all the dogs were running free. Shula was having a great time chasing about with all the other dogs but when I called her in she came back with her foot covered in blood. She had pulled one of her dewclaws and it was stuck out at right angles. I took her home and bathed it and poured Betadine on it, poor Shula it made her yelp.

Today I took her to the vet. They gave her a local anaesthetic and clipped the nail off. She then had an ante-inflammatory injection, also an antibiotic injection. The vet was very impressed with how good she was and gave her a treat. She was also weighed and was just under 16 kilos which is fine but she doesn't need to gain any more. We have had a very lazy day and she has had loads of fuss.