Sprinkles is now learning to live in a house. He asked to go outside for potty for the first time today: he's such a good boy. But he's a master escape artist. He has figured out how to fit through my fence, how to go under the ex-pen (weighted down) and sometimes can open clips. He's now bouncing the crate up and down to try to cause enough vibrating to move the latches and open the door. A smart boy isn't always a good thing.
He is loose in the house about 4 hours at a time. Unfortunately, he can't stay all the time as he tries to go after Max. I caught him trying to go over the partition to get at him this morning. So I have to give Max a break throughout the day before I bring Sprinkles back in again. Hoping that'll change with neutering!, but not holding my breath.
He has settled down a lot, and uses much less energy than originally. He can't keep up with fellow-foster Tina (fka Dash), who literally runs circles around him. So far, no flooring surface has bothered them. However, both were ill in the car on the trip to the vet. (Feb 1, 2007)
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Sprinkles is now neutered!
He is very inquisitive and has no hesitation to place feet on the table enabling him to see out the window. He is quite adept at counter cruising and scared himself when he saw his reflection in the dark glass of my entertainment center. Sprinkles needs a home with other dogs where he can learn not to be afraid of the world.
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Sprinkles is housebroken. He goes for frequent walks through the neighborhood. He's not not intimidated by bicycles, groups of children, school buses, garbage trucks or barking neighborhood dogs. Skateboards are a work in progress.
Within the home, he has conquered the vacuum, TV, groups of soft-spoken strangers when escape to a crate is available, mops, grooming, waiting for left-overs, lining up for treats when coming in from outside and waiting one's turn for said treat, and asks to go outside to potty.
All 4 dogs are now getting along, and we don't have to separate anyone, except at feeding time. Once Sprinkles and Tina knew their beds would remain theirs, not be compromised, and their toys would always be their toys (same with leashes...I swear, they never had ANYTHING of their own before), they stopped challenging any poor soul who walked by. (Feb 9, 2007)
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Just got back from the vet's. Sprinkles went in to have his sutures removed. Everything looked fine, and the sutures came out (didn't stay for the results of the ear swabs BECAUSE...as soon as he sat down, the incision on his lower back, between his hips, split wide open, down to the fascia.
The veterinarian said it is extremely rare, and usually is because of very severe protein deficiency (low protein leads to not enough collagen, needed for connective tissue, skin repair, holding bones together, etc. So the knitting held when there wasn't any strain, but just ripped open when he sat down.
This despite a full month of high quality, easy to digest food, plus eggs and cottage cheese, and the other supplements, too, but I'm just talking about the high protein (and no parasites).
I was able to hold it together in the vet's office, because it was clinical and I needed to handle his care, but I just lost it on the way home. I'm so flipping angry on his behalf.
Anyway, they had to keep him for repair of the site. It will probably need debriding, then either stapling or re-suturing (they will try sedation first). They will have to recheck all the other suture sites (4 more). Here's hoping they healed better than his back did. I feel like this poor guy can't get a break. Well, that's not true. The histopathology results were all benign. (Feb 20, 2007)
