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SCROLL DOWN TO BOTTOM FOR POST-SURGICAL PHOTOS!!! Before  
urine scalds 
of course the odor cannot be conveyed 
After 
SPICE is in her FOREVER HOME! Her foster home flunked Foster 101 :) CONGRATULATIONS TO SPICE AND HER FAMILY! Spice is a 1 yo, petite female who appears to have a leg break that was never set. Her foster home reports that she is sweet, and she stole a loaf of bread! We are hoping that something can be done about her front, left leg. Of course, she is convinced that she deserves ALL the household attention. Spice's urine scalds on her rear legs are beginning to heal. She's a bit of a mooch and is learning to take treats nicely. She is getting better in teh tub due to bathing every two days for the bacterial skin infection. Spice will receive necessary veterinary treatment, and be spayed, before being made available for adoption. An Update from Spice's Foster Home: Spice is doing great! She's much more obedient, now that she knows that it pleases us, and goes "kennel" on command and gets down from the table (she's still a counter and table-surfer) when told "no." She's an incredibly enthusiastic little girl with a huge personality. She loves to play with our other dogs, to explore the yard and to be petted--a LOT. She's very alert to squirrels and loves running.
It turns out that she (and so her littermates) are about 2 yrs old. We know this from the X-rays of her growth plates. She was spayed on Friday and had extensive dental work done then also. She had a malformed tooth that had set up a situation for a great deal of gum infection--all taken care of. The operating vets kept exclaiming at how sweet and affectionate she was even immediately after surgery. When she has recovered from this surgery, her leg will be operated on. The plan is to strengthen the lower bone with a metal plate and to attempt to straighten the leg as much as is possible. Since she's so active outside, we're thrilled that something can be done to help her mobility on a long-term basis.
Spice's recovery period for leg surgery will be about 10-12 weeks. I'd like to keep her for that period, but if the absolutely right person came along and was willing, I might consider letting her go part-way through this period, as long as they could bring her to the surgeon here for follow-up and didn't mind dealing with a dog who could only have limited exercise. Given Spice's exuberance, limiting her activity will be a problem, though, and I'm happy to keep her until she is well.
Pix will follow soon. Her coat looks great, she's filled out nicely, and her skin is beautiful (Claire 3/25/2007)
If you are interested in adopting Spice, please got to www.afghanhound.net and fill out an adoption Rescue Application. POST SURGICAL PHOTOS! 
Spice is still recovering nicely. She has her second post-surgical checkup tomorrow and another in 2 more weeks, when they will x-ray her leg.
She's finally allowed to take longer walks on lead (and after weeks of being limited to a 5-minute potty walk, she's thrilled). She's starting to put weight on her leg and it clearly looks straighter than before, even with the cast and bandages on. Since she's not supposed to jump off and on furniture yet, she's discovered that it's really fun to climb onto my lap when I eat or read at the table. She can see out of the window (like a true Afghan should), lick my face, get patted, and look pathetically like she's starving and must be fed this instant--all at the same time. We're keeping her entertained in the kitchen with large bones (domestic beef only) and the toys that you have all sent. She strongly refers to be with people or other dogs. I can have 1 dog at a time out with her in the kitchen now, and she likes to flop next to him on a dog bed, and munch happily on a toy or the other dog's head. Spice has a terrific pack sense--she instinctively waits for me to go out of doors first, for example. She also has a terrific prey sense and would have been an amazing courser. One problem I have walking her is that she wants to chase EVERYTHING. She stops pulling on the leash as soon as you let her know that you're serious though and she walks nicely with other dogs next to her. She's also very protective of us--she waits to be told that my daughter's friends are OK before she stops her really fierce barking. As soon as you act like everything is fine, she's warm and friendly to new people. My 18-year-old daughter's friends think she's almost a toy--they HAVE to take her out, pet her, and give her treats every time they come over.
If I had to describe her most outstanding traits, it would be her drive and her heart. Spice is a survivor and it shows in the way she watches and adapts. She wants to fit in and does what she sees the other dogs do to please us. She's a passionately affectionate dog (my face has never been so clean) but NOT a pushover. Her Afghan Hound spirit is all there, despite her small body.
This is a dog who loves every minute of her life. You can see her pleasure in the way her body moves. All of you who have helped pay for her recovery should feel wonderful about helping such a deserving little girl. Foster-mom, Claire 5/23/2007
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update: 12/23/2007 1:48pm |  
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