Finally the vet appeared, and told it didn’t look
good. She had vomited blood, which was a sign that her
internal organs were affected, he thought she had been
poisoned. We told him that she had been licking up the
blood, and that made sense to him. After a while we
were allowed to see her. She was covered in towels with
a hot-water bottle. Suddenly she began to fit…Oh
No! Sh*t!!! She’s not going to die now! They
quickly gave her an injection and she calmed down. Once
anaesthetic wore off she stood up. Yessss!!!
She’s going to make it!! But Tuana brought us
back to earth: she had all to often seen dogs die the
following day, in spite of them doing well. The vets
are not as expert as those here in Holland. But we had
to go. With mixed feelings we left her behind. I
couldn’t stop thinking about that poor dog and if
she would make or not.
The following morning I asked if we could phone: Tuana said no news is good news, and said to wait. A while Tuana’s friend (the one who had brought the donor dog) called to say the dog was still alive. It was such a relief to know she had survived the night. Meanwhile I had begun to wonder if this dog could be re-homed through AAI. In any case she couldn’t go back to the shelter. I had christened her Spottie, not very original, but hastily thought up in the car on a motorway in Istanbul. We had to go home, Spottie couldn’t go with us after such a difficult operation.
Back in Holland we heard form Tuana that it was going well with Spottie. I meanwhile had made contact with AI with the request that they re-home her. A couple of days later we heard form Tuana that Spottie was now at her home, to further recuperate, but that she was very thin. I decided to foster Spottie. That sounded good, but once a dog is living with me it usually stays with me. But no this time I would just foster her.
Two weeks later Spottie arrived. I had never seen her so lively! She was also totally devoted to Tuana. And oh! She was so thin! Unbelievable. Her ribs poked out, and she still had enormous teats. At Schiphol she walked happily on the lead, and once home she met the other dogs, and after a growl or two and lots of sniffing it was all OK.
Spottie settled in quickly, but feeding time was different. I have never seen a dog empty it’s bowl so fast. She was starving….she would then set about the other dogs bowls. They stood by, bewildered, perhaps thinking it’s ok she just has to get used to things. That cute face could also growl dangerously at you if you went near her food, or even if you trod on her blanket! We let it go for the first couple of weeks, but then taught her that she really would get food and that we were allowed to take it form her. But she remains a “spirited” girl. Her condition was poor, but with some training she is now a dog that can happily jog with you for an hour. She loves being in the woods. I regularly hear three splashes…That’s three dogs that just have to chase the ducks. Eventually they come out of the water, exhausted, and without ducks. Digging for mice is another favourite. They make all sorts of howling sounds and all I see is a bum stuck in the air with a wagging, spotted tail. What a different dog now to the one in the shelter! She is a really happy dog who is delighted to go everywhere with me.
Oh yes…her adoption…you’ve guessed of course…Spottie had won a place in my heart. After discussing it with my husband, who really found two dogs enough, Spottie stayed with us.
Karin
The following morning I asked if we could phone: Tuana said no news is good news, and said to wait. A while Tuana’s friend (the one who had brought the donor dog) called to say the dog was still alive. It was such a relief to know she had survived the night. Meanwhile I had begun to wonder if this dog could be re-homed through AAI. In any case she couldn’t go back to the shelter. I had christened her Spottie, not very original, but hastily thought up in the car on a motorway in Istanbul. We had to go home, Spottie couldn’t go with us after such a difficult operation.
Back in Holland we heard form Tuana that it was going well with Spottie. I meanwhile had made contact with AI with the request that they re-home her. A couple of days later we heard form Tuana that Spottie was now at her home, to further recuperate, but that she was very thin. I decided to foster Spottie. That sounded good, but once a dog is living with me it usually stays with me. But no this time I would just foster her.
Two weeks later Spottie arrived. I had never seen her so lively! She was also totally devoted to Tuana. And oh! She was so thin! Unbelievable. Her ribs poked out, and she still had enormous teats. At Schiphol she walked happily on the lead, and once home she met the other dogs, and after a growl or two and lots of sniffing it was all OK.
Spottie settled in quickly, but feeding time was different. I have never seen a dog empty it’s bowl so fast. She was starving….she would then set about the other dogs bowls. They stood by, bewildered, perhaps thinking it’s ok she just has to get used to things. That cute face could also growl dangerously at you if you went near her food, or even if you trod on her blanket! We let it go for the first couple of weeks, but then taught her that she really would get food and that we were allowed to take it form her. But she remains a “spirited” girl. Her condition was poor, but with some training she is now a dog that can happily jog with you for an hour. She loves being in the woods. I regularly hear three splashes…That’s three dogs that just have to chase the ducks. Eventually they come out of the water, exhausted, and without ducks. Digging for mice is another favourite. They make all sorts of howling sounds and all I see is a bum stuck in the air with a wagging, spotted tail. What a different dog now to the one in the shelter! She is a really happy dog who is delighted to go everywhere with me.
Oh yes…her adoption…you’ve guessed of course…Spottie had won a place in my heart. After discussing it with my husband, who really found two dogs enough, Spottie stayed with us.
Karin