Sunday, March 15, 2020
Post 14 - conclusion
I stopped writing blog entries after Aurora was returned to PAWS and cleared for adoption. She was adopted on Feb 29. https://www.pawschicago.org/pet-available-for-adoption/showdog/aurora-1/
Saturday, February 8, 2020
Day 13 - Ear kisses
Friday, Feb 7, 2020 @ 6-8 am
I suspected yesterday that Aurora has been going outside with Molly but not doing anything. This morning, I brought her outside and stood there until she did her business. She peed right away, but then ran back to the door to return inside while Molly finished up. Because I didn't follow right away to let her in, she came back down the stairs and back into the yard to poop. I think that's exactly what happened yesterday. I may have to continue monitoring her morning venture outdoors.
Dogs inside for breakfast, Aurora in the crate for hers and today she went in and stayed there to wait for her bowl. Progress! The most notable thing to happen this morning was ear kisses. Molly each morning will get a hug from me and she licks my ear when my face is next to hers. It's just a weird thing that we do. She licks my ear and I tell her that I love her too. This morning I managed to get both dogs onto the couch at the same time, on either side of me. When I reached over to hug Molly and turned my face to let her lick my ear, Aurora put her front paws on my back in order to reach my other ear, which she licked. I laughed out loud when she started climbing on my back like a goat, and laughed more when she licked my ear. This only encouraged her and she kept trying to do it again. Better start today, always nice to start with a smile. I'm off to work, leaving Aurora free to roam.
I suspected yesterday that Aurora has been going outside with Molly but not doing anything. This morning, I brought her outside and stood there until she did her business. She peed right away, but then ran back to the door to return inside while Molly finished up. Because I didn't follow right away to let her in, she came back down the stairs and back into the yard to poop. I think that's exactly what happened yesterday. I may have to continue monitoring her morning venture outdoors.
Dogs inside for breakfast, Aurora in the crate for hers and today she went in and stayed there to wait for her bowl. Progress! The most notable thing to happen this morning was ear kisses. Molly each morning will get a hug from me and she licks my ear when my face is next to hers. It's just a weird thing that we do. She licks my ear and I tell her that I love her too. This morning I managed to get both dogs onto the couch at the same time, on either side of me. When I reached over to hug Molly and turned my face to let her lick my ear, Aurora put her front paws on my back in order to reach my other ear, which she licked. I laughed out loud when she started climbing on my back like a goat, and laughed more when she licked my ear. This only encouraged her and she kept trying to do it again. Better start today, always nice to start with a smile. I'm off to work, leaving Aurora free to roam.
Friday, February 7, 2020
Day 12, This stinks
Thursday, Feb 6, 2020 @ 6-8 am
For a few days in a row, we've allowed Aurora to spend the night roaming free in the house and there have been no incidents overnight, until last night. When I came down, I found that Aurora had pooped on the floor. It's unclear how long it had been there. While that was getting cleaned up, she peed on the rug. That's on us, for not letting her out first thing. But the poop thing...Sigh. We had made such progress and now I'm back at square one. This morning, she went into the crate when I left for work. Not pleased with this development.
@ 7-10 pm
After the excitement this morning, the evening was calm. She did go into her crate on command but came right back out and then wouldn't go in again. Continuing with teaching the command and associating the crate with mealtime and treats. Good news is no additional accidents. Couch snuggles until bedtime.
For a few days in a row, we've allowed Aurora to spend the night roaming free in the house and there have been no incidents overnight, until last night. When I came down, I found that Aurora had pooped on the floor. It's unclear how long it had been there. While that was getting cleaned up, she peed on the rug. That's on us, for not letting her out first thing. But the poop thing...Sigh. We had made such progress and now I'm back at square one. This morning, she went into the crate when I left for work. Not pleased with this development.
@ 7-10 pm
After the excitement this morning, the evening was calm. She did go into her crate on command but came right back out and then wouldn't go in again. Continuing with teaching the command and associating the crate with mealtime and treats. Good news is no additional accidents. Couch snuggles until bedtime.
Thursday, February 6, 2020
Day 11, Finding her voice
Wednesday, Feb 5, 2020 @ 6-8 am
Morning routine went fine. We have started with crate training, even though she doesn't spend the night in the crate. I put her food dish in the crate and give her the command to go in her crate. Except she's smart enough to know when I have food and when I don't. When I have food, she'll go in her crate. When I don't, she hesitates. Ha!
@ 7-9 pm
I was late getting home and we had dinner a bit later than normal. Feeding the dogs, going out and treats went fine and I settled down to watch a hockey game. Aurora is cuddled beside me, still not comfortable enough to lie down immediately but she gets there eventually. She falls asleep and it's a quiet night until my son returns from his game night. Aurora perks up at the sound of the door opening and barks! Not non-stop barking her head off but a single bark when he walked in. We've never heard her bark before. I know previous foster dogs took their time finding their voice but I took this as a sign that she's feeling better, or at least good enough to bark.
Morning routine went fine. We have started with crate training, even though she doesn't spend the night in the crate. I put her food dish in the crate and give her the command to go in her crate. Except she's smart enough to know when I have food and when I don't. When I have food, she'll go in her crate. When I don't, she hesitates. Ha!
@ 7-9 pm
I was late getting home and we had dinner a bit later than normal. Feeding the dogs, going out and treats went fine and I settled down to watch a hockey game. Aurora is cuddled beside me, still not comfortable enough to lie down immediately but she gets there eventually. She falls asleep and it's a quiet night until my son returns from his game night. Aurora perks up at the sound of the door opening and barks! Not non-stop barking her head off but a single bark when he walked in. We've never heard her bark before. I know previous foster dogs took their time finding their voice but I took this as a sign that she's feeling better, or at least good enough to bark.
Day 9, Same old dog
Monday, Feb 3, 2020 @ 6-8 am
Mornings are becoming pretty easy, and Aurora is comfortable just following Molly down the stairs. It's amusing to me that Molly is teaching Aurora how to dog. Dogs are fed and watered and I'm off to work.
@ 6-10 pm
We're in stasis now, with Aurora not really showing us anything new. She continues to cough and hack, and the medicine doesn't seem to be doing a whole lot for her. I have to trust that this will clear up and she will be a happy, healthy dog. I'll post again when she does something interesting.
Mornings are becoming pretty easy, and Aurora is comfortable just following Molly down the stairs. It's amusing to me that Molly is teaching Aurora how to dog. Dogs are fed and watered and I'm off to work.
@ 6-10 pm
We're in stasis now, with Aurora not really showing us anything new. She continues to cough and hack, and the medicine doesn't seem to be doing a whole lot for her. I have to trust that this will clear up and she will be a happy, healthy dog. I'll post again when she does something interesting.
Monday, February 3, 2020
Day 8, I won't pee on the grass.
Sunday, Feb 2, 2020
@ 6-10 am
More big things happening today. They went outside together again, and I'm thrilled that I don't need to stay with Aurora outside until she does her business. To come back inside, she launches herself at the door which is kind of hysterical but I'm worried she's going to hurt herself. They can be fed at the same time, but Molly won't eat while Aurora is in the room. I have to bring her bowl around the corner. Molly is growing more tolerant of Aurora, but only just. We load into the car to go to the sitter, who will watch them when I go out to watch the game. Aurora is in the basket in the front seat and Molly is in the back seat. She still tries to climb out of the basket, and doesn't understand the command to sit. I'll have to keep working on this.
@ 2-4 pm
I hang out for a while so the dogs can get acclimated to the new place. Molly, who is already familiar, gets up on the sofa. Aurora, not to be left out, gets on the sofa next to her. I'm on tenter hooks waiting for sparks but there are none. They nap together on the sofa and I breathe a sigh of relief.
@ 5 pm
Before leaving for the game, I prepare their food bowls and take them each for a walk. Aurora, who has peed on the sidewalk more than once, didn't even make it to the grass before squatting to pee. So far, she has peed on the sidewalk, in a parking lot, on my deck and in my friend's driveway - less than two feet from the grass.
@ 9pm
After the Big Game, I pick up the dogs for the drive home and they were so well behaved that I let them both ride in the back seat. Molly growled a couple of times but nothing escalated. We went inside and I decided not to put Aurora in the crate, letting her spend the night roaming free. Crossing fingers that this won't be a decision I regret.
@ 6-10 am
More big things happening today. They went outside together again, and I'm thrilled that I don't need to stay with Aurora outside until she does her business. To come back inside, she launches herself at the door which is kind of hysterical but I'm worried she's going to hurt herself. They can be fed at the same time, but Molly won't eat while Aurora is in the room. I have to bring her bowl around the corner. Molly is growing more tolerant of Aurora, but only just. We load into the car to go to the sitter, who will watch them when I go out to watch the game. Aurora is in the basket in the front seat and Molly is in the back seat. She still tries to climb out of the basket, and doesn't understand the command to sit. I'll have to keep working on this.
@ 2-4 pm
I hang out for a while so the dogs can get acclimated to the new place. Molly, who is already familiar, gets up on the sofa. Aurora, not to be left out, gets on the sofa next to her. I'm on tenter hooks waiting for sparks but there are none. They nap together on the sofa and I breathe a sigh of relief.
@ 5 pm
Before leaving for the game, I prepare their food bowls and take them each for a walk. Aurora, who has peed on the sidewalk more than once, didn't even make it to the grass before squatting to pee. So far, she has peed on the sidewalk, in a parking lot, on my deck and in my friend's driveway - less than two feet from the grass.
@ 9pm
After the Big Game, I pick up the dogs for the drive home and they were so well behaved that I let them both ride in the back seat. Molly growled a couple of times but nothing escalated. We went inside and I decided not to put Aurora in the crate, letting her spend the night roaming free. Crossing fingers that this won't be a decision I regret.
Day 7, car ride!
Saturday, Feb 1, 2020 @ 8-10 am
Late start this morning but went through the morning routine with zero complications and one remarkable change. The dogs went out together. I still keep them separated while feeding but Molly's willingness to go through the door knowing Aurora was coming with her is a huge milestone. They aren't cuddling together but this is still a big deal. I give Aurora another week or so before she will be interested in playing. Until then, I'm pleased with this development.
I took the dogs for a car ride this morning. putting Aurora in the front seat inside a laundry basket and Molly in the back seat. Besides Aurora trying to climb out of the basket and into my lap, the experiment was a success. I had to drive with one hand so I could pet her with other but overall I think it went well.
@ 10am-4pm
I ran some errands and left the dogs home for an hour or so. The house was still intact when I returned. It was a calm day of snuggles until I had to get ready to go out. I fed the dogs early and they went outside (together! I'm going to marvel at that for a while.) and before I left I led Aurora to her crate. This was not an easy task. She doesn't like the crate and generally won't go in willingly. I had to trick her to get in half way and then shove her the rest of the way while I closed the gate behind her.
I was home late and B reported that she had outside time before he returned her to the crate.
Saturday, February 1, 2020
Day 6, Cone free at last
Friday, Jan 31, 2020 @ 6-8 am
I'm happy to report that this was an uneventful morning. We're settling into a routine that makes this part of the day go smoothly. Aurora was out and fed - antibiotics in her kibble - then returned to her enclosure while I let out Molly and fed her - Molly doing her best to avoid direct interaction with Aurora. It went so smoothly that I actually was able to shower and dress and still make it out the door to get to work ON TIME for the first time this week. She does still whine when I step away but it doesn't last nearly as long and it doesn't result in coughing spasms. So, that's a thing.
Happy Friday.
@ 6-10pm
I arrived home to find Aurora was returned to her crate without the cone, so I left it off. We did the dog shuffle without much fuss and once they were both fed I decided to test the laundry basket. I placed her sleeping blanket in the basket and placed her in it, then lifted the basket from the floor to the couch. She stayed in the basket, mostly (I think) because she couldn't figure out how to get out of it. The next step is testing it in the car tomorrow morning.
It's unclear how long she was without the cone during the day but it's worth nothing that she was a different dog this evening. How much of that is being cone free and how much is familiarity is also unclear. The change is remarkable, though. She did growl at Molly a couple of times, but stopped immediately when I called her on it. The first time was resource guarding. I had given each of them a Blue Bone. I have only the large size bone, meant for my larger dog. Molly made short work of hers and Aurora was still working on it when Molly approached, to be warned off with a growl. I was concerned that it could escalate quickly but a brief "Stop it" was enough to send them both to their separate corners of the room.. The second time was in my lap. Aurora was lying across my legs on the love seat and Molly got up to shift positions on the couch, which elicited a growl from Aurora. I told her to knock it off and I got a look, but she did stop immediately. The rest of the evening was uneventful. Despite the improved relations between the two of them, with those two growls I decided to keep Aurora in the crate for the night.
I'm happy to report that this was an uneventful morning. We're settling into a routine that makes this part of the day go smoothly. Aurora was out and fed - antibiotics in her kibble - then returned to her enclosure while I let out Molly and fed her - Molly doing her best to avoid direct interaction with Aurora. It went so smoothly that I actually was able to shower and dress and still make it out the door to get to work ON TIME for the first time this week. She does still whine when I step away but it doesn't last nearly as long and it doesn't result in coughing spasms. So, that's a thing.
Happy Friday.
@ 6-10pm
I arrived home to find Aurora was returned to her crate without the cone, so I left it off. We did the dog shuffle without much fuss and once they were both fed I decided to test the laundry basket. I placed her sleeping blanket in the basket and placed her in it, then lifted the basket from the floor to the couch. She stayed in the basket, mostly (I think) because she couldn't figure out how to get out of it. The next step is testing it in the car tomorrow morning.
It's unclear how long she was without the cone during the day but it's worth nothing that she was a different dog this evening. How much of that is being cone free and how much is familiarity is also unclear. The change is remarkable, though. She did growl at Molly a couple of times, but stopped immediately when I called her on it. The first time was resource guarding. I had given each of them a Blue Bone. I have only the large size bone, meant for my larger dog. Molly made short work of hers and Aurora was still working on it when Molly approached, to be warned off with a growl. I was concerned that it could escalate quickly but a brief "Stop it" was enough to send them both to their separate corners of the room.. The second time was in my lap. Aurora was lying across my legs on the love seat and Molly got up to shift positions on the couch, which elicited a growl from Aurora. I told her to knock it off and I got a look, but she did stop immediately. The rest of the evening was uneventful. Despite the improved relations between the two of them, with those two growls I decided to keep Aurora in the crate for the night.
Friday, January 31, 2020
Day 5, She's what now?
Thursday, Jan 30 2020 @ 6-10 am
We took it easy this morning before heading to PAWS MC to investigate that cough. Turns out it's kennel cough and Aurora has been prescribed more antibiotics. Oh, and the blood on her bedding is because she's in heat. That's right; the old girl hasn't been fixed. So that explains the aggression and erratic behavior. Girl, you need chocolate. Hmmm. No chocolate for dogs. She needs lots of hugs. She received her first dose of antibiotics right away and took it plain. No need for disguising it with a pill pocket or a chunk of cheese. I put them in her mouth and she swallowed. What a good girl! MC said that in addition to honey, I can give her a spoonful of coconut oil to help soothe her throat. It was like ambrosia for her. I handed her off (at home) to B and I went to work.
Thursday, Jan 30 2020 @ 6-10pm
The kennel cough diagnosis put a damper on my plans to take Aurora for a ride to the pet store to pick out a ball and a chew toy. So, we stayed in and once the dog shuffle was done, I invited her onto the love seat with me to watch TV, removing her cone so I could scratch her neck. She was able to get herself onto the seat but she does this funny crawl to get up rather than just jumping. A friend came over and there was no bad reaction to yet another person. I think she's pretty people-friendly in general but I wasn't sure until now. We discussed plans for Sunday (Super Bowl) and how to transport Aurora and Molly in the same car, when Molly is still so fearful of her. This is improving ever so slowly, as Molly is willing to be in the same room with her as long as they aren't next to one another. For the car ride, I'm considering adopting the laundry basket idea that another PAWS foster posted on Facebook, and if that doesn't fly she can ride in the hatch while Molly sits in the back seat. Getting her into the crate is still a challenge every time, especially after putting the cone on her so she doesn't lick at her wounds while she's alone. I'm looking forward to when I can let her roam free and I won't need to worry about the two dogs interacting.
We took it easy this morning before heading to PAWS MC to investigate that cough. Turns out it's kennel cough and Aurora has been prescribed more antibiotics. Oh, and the blood on her bedding is because she's in heat. That's right; the old girl hasn't been fixed. So that explains the aggression and erratic behavior. Girl, you need chocolate. Hmmm. No chocolate for dogs. She needs lots of hugs. She received her first dose of antibiotics right away and took it plain. No need for disguising it with a pill pocket or a chunk of cheese. I put them in her mouth and she swallowed. What a good girl! MC said that in addition to honey, I can give her a spoonful of coconut oil to help soothe her throat. It was like ambrosia for her. I handed her off (at home) to B and I went to work.
Thursday, Jan 30 2020 @ 6-10pm
The kennel cough diagnosis put a damper on my plans to take Aurora for a ride to the pet store to pick out a ball and a chew toy. So, we stayed in and once the dog shuffle was done, I invited her onto the love seat with me to watch TV, removing her cone so I could scratch her neck. She was able to get herself onto the seat but she does this funny crawl to get up rather than just jumping. A friend came over and there was no bad reaction to yet another person. I think she's pretty people-friendly in general but I wasn't sure until now. We discussed plans for Sunday (Super Bowl) and how to transport Aurora and Molly in the same car, when Molly is still so fearful of her. This is improving ever so slowly, as Molly is willing to be in the same room with her as long as they aren't next to one another. For the car ride, I'm considering adopting the laundry basket idea that another PAWS foster posted on Facebook, and if that doesn't fly she can ride in the hatch while Molly sits in the back seat. Getting her into the crate is still a challenge every time, especially after putting the cone on her so she doesn't lick at her wounds while she's alone. I'm looking forward to when I can let her roam free and I won't need to worry about the two dogs interacting.
Thursday, January 30, 2020
Day 4, Oh Honey!
Wednesday, Jan 29 2020 @ 6-8am
The morning was pretty much the same as yesterday. I was greeted with wags and led Aurora outside, where she peed on the deck. Apparently she couldn't wait to get down the stairs. She followed me down the stairs and did her business and we went back inside for her morning feeding. She took her medicine without a fuss (tossed into her kibble) and I led her back to the enclosure to deal with Molly's morning routine which went off surprisingly well. I completed my own morning routine and prepared to leave for work. Aurora's histrionics start the moment I leave the room. I had an idea: Honey. Whenever I have a nasty cough, I take honey to soothe my throat. What if Aurora is bleeding because her nervous cough is irritating her throat? I poured a tablespoon of honey into her dish and she lapped it up. And the cough? It disappeared momentarily, only to be replaced with stronger whining because I had stopped petting her. But no cough. I call that progress. I will instruct B to give her a little honey later on to see if the cough abates. Off to work...
I relayed my concerns to the medical center regarding the blood and they want to see her tomorrow morning.
@ 6-9 pm
Honey was not the magical cure I had hoped for, and Aurora had another accident on the carpet as evidenced by the baking soda left behind by the cleaning attempt. This is not going to be an easy foster. I arrived home to a dark house, the kids having left en masse an hour before I returned. Aurora was in her crate and we went outside immediately after releasing her. Dinner was uneventful and I was hoping to settle into a quiet evening after both dogs were fed and taken outside. For the most part, it was quiet. After Molly settled into her place on the couch, I took Aurora from her enclosure and invited her to sit with me on the love seat. She got herself all the way up (I'd had to lift her before) and eventually laid down next to me. I drew my legs up around her and stroked her back until she dozed off. Everything was fine until I shifted my weight to keep my legs from falling asleep. Aurora startled awake, snarled loudly and snapped at me. If not for the cone, she would have made contact. This is so unsettling. It reminded me of Bilbo in The Fellowship of the Ring where he sees the ring but Frodo keeps it from him, and in an instant Bilbo is turned into a scary monster who then reverts back immediately when the moment passes. I hope this is a one time thing, but I'm losing confidence that anything will change after the cone is removed.
The morning was pretty much the same as yesterday. I was greeted with wags and led Aurora outside, where she peed on the deck. Apparently she couldn't wait to get down the stairs. She followed me down the stairs and did her business and we went back inside for her morning feeding. She took her medicine without a fuss (tossed into her kibble) and I led her back to the enclosure to deal with Molly's morning routine which went off surprisingly well. I completed my own morning routine and prepared to leave for work. Aurora's histrionics start the moment I leave the room. I had an idea: Honey. Whenever I have a nasty cough, I take honey to soothe my throat. What if Aurora is bleeding because her nervous cough is irritating her throat? I poured a tablespoon of honey into her dish and she lapped it up. And the cough? It disappeared momentarily, only to be replaced with stronger whining because I had stopped petting her. But no cough. I call that progress. I will instruct B to give her a little honey later on to see if the cough abates. Off to work...
I relayed my concerns to the medical center regarding the blood and they want to see her tomorrow morning.
@ 6-9 pm
Honey was not the magical cure I had hoped for, and Aurora had another accident on the carpet as evidenced by the baking soda left behind by the cleaning attempt. This is not going to be an easy foster. I arrived home to a dark house, the kids having left en masse an hour before I returned. Aurora was in her crate and we went outside immediately after releasing her. Dinner was uneventful and I was hoping to settle into a quiet evening after both dogs were fed and taken outside. For the most part, it was quiet. After Molly settled into her place on the couch, I took Aurora from her enclosure and invited her to sit with me on the love seat. She got herself all the way up (I'd had to lift her before) and eventually laid down next to me. I drew my legs up around her and stroked her back until she dozed off. Everything was fine until I shifted my weight to keep my legs from falling asleep. Aurora startled awake, snarled loudly and snapped at me. If not for the cone, she would have made contact. This is so unsettling. It reminded me of Bilbo in The Fellowship of the Ring where he sees the ring but Frodo keeps it from him, and in an instant Bilbo is turned into a scary monster who then reverts back immediately when the moment passes. I hope this is a one time thing, but I'm losing confidence that anything will change after the cone is removed.
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
Day 3, Happy Dog
Tuesday, Jan 28 2020 @ 6-8 am
I was greeted this morning with wags when I released Aurora from her crate. We went outside for her morning business and she made her first mostly-solid poop in two days. Back inside for food and medicine, which she handled like a champ. The cough still concerns me but it comes and goes. I will call the medical center later today.
It is clear that Molly is still traumatized by Aurora, despite being so calm yesterday. As I led Aurora back to her separate area, we went past Molly - without a glance, mind you - who then ran into the kitchen. My son fed her and let her out and I assumed that she would return to her place on the sofa when she came back inside. She fled to the basement again as soon as she received her dog treat. I may have saved one pup from the street at the expense of my own dog's comfort. I really hope she can get past this but it will take some time. I left Aurora with her ball, which she continued to play with even without a human to roll it to her. I want to buy all the balls for her. She is so sweet. She is secured by the leash and I am off to work.
I was greeted this morning with wags when I released Aurora from her crate. We went outside for her morning business and she made her first mostly-solid poop in two days. Back inside for food and medicine, which she handled like a champ. The cough still concerns me but it comes and goes. I will call the medical center later today.
It is clear that Molly is still traumatized by Aurora, despite being so calm yesterday. As I led Aurora back to her separate area, we went past Molly - without a glance, mind you - who then ran into the kitchen. My son fed her and let her out and I assumed that she would return to her place on the sofa when she came back inside. She fled to the basement again as soon as she received her dog treat. I may have saved one pup from the street at the expense of my own dog's comfort. I really hope she can get past this but it will take some time. I left Aurora with her ball, which she continued to play with even without a human to roll it to her. I want to buy all the balls for her. She is so sweet. She is secured by the leash and I am off to work.
I reported my concerns to the medical center and they don't seem to be worried so I will try not to be.
@6-9pm
B reports an uneventful day. She went outside but didn't poop. He spends his day at his makeshift desk which seems to keep her calm. She does occasionally cough but sleeps most of the time.
Aurora whined during dinner because she could see me but could not reach me. She is so desperate for affection it's heartbreaking. Molly maintains her distance but has started whining for attention, more so than usual. This is worse than jealous siblings.
After dinner Molly retreated to A's bedroom and I brought Aurora next to me on the couch. She stood for a while before she got the idea that it was OK to lie down. I continued to pet her, just stroking her back, and I noticed that she didn't cough once. When I stopped, the hacking cough started again. Resumed the petting and the cough stopped again. Maybe it's a coincidence, but I wonder if the cough is a nervous response. In any event, the soothing petting comforts her. I will do more of this.
Around 9:30, I led her back to her crate and closed her in for the night. That's when I noticed the blood. There are drops of blood everywhere in the enclosure. I'm not talking about murder scene vast quantities of blood, but it's on the floor, on the bedding, even on her cone collar. It looks like she is coughing up blood. This alarms me and I'm going to bed worried.
Tuesday, January 28, 2020
Day 2, No good deed goes unpunished
Monday, Jan 27, 2020 @ 6-8 am
It's wake up time and I release Aurora from her crate, taking her immediately outside where she pees in the grass and does her turn and poop routine. The poop is less liquid. Yay? She coughs disturbingly and sprays her cone collar with spittle. There is no vomit. She is hacking up what I can only assume is mucus. I remove her cone collar before taking her back inside for kibble and her antibiotics, which are fed to her hidden in cheese gladly taken from my hand. I ask her to sit but she doesn't appear to know this command. We are watching her carefully to make sure she isn't licking at her sores while I clean the cone. Molly, meanwhile, is still hiding upstairs. Working as a team, we usher Molly downstairs and to her bowl, carefully avoiding interaction with Aurora who growls as Molly passes. This is not a good sign. As the kids leave for school and work, Molly goes outside and I set to work rearranging the living room to allow for a more open area where Aurora can be isolated but not confined to her crate. Meanwhile, she has discovered a toy bear that is not a dog toy. I take it from her and replace it with a dog toy from the basket. Her reaction was delightful, and she's starting to behave like a normal happy dog. I leave the toy in the completed enclosure. Molly must be coaxed back inside and into the living room, where she assumes her position on the sofa. Aurora is safely separate from her and I leave for work.
@ 10:30 am
I receive an update from my son "B". Aurora escaped her enclosure. Apparently excited to see him, she jumped onto the boxes forming the wall and succeeded in pushing them far enough apart that she can escape between them. Molly is still fine on the couch. B returns her to her space and rebuilds the wall. I leave instructions with him to take her outside mid day, and then return her to the enclosure.
@ 6-9pm
I arrived home to discover the solution my son adopted for Aurora. His first solution for building a wall wasn't effective, as she could jump over anything that was low enough for him to step over. So instead, he looped her leash to the crate so she could move freely but not go farther than the leash would allow. He reported that she whined if she couldn't see him so he created a makeshift desk in the enclosure so she could sit on the floor next to him. That seemed to make her content.
Tonight was family game night so the whole crew was over. My daughter "E" greeted Aurora for the first time, who immediately peed on the floor. Not sure if it was the excitement or the smell (on E) of a new dog, but it was a small mess that wasn't repeated. She was sent outside while they cleaned up and that's where I greeted her tonight as I arrived home. I took her into the yard and she pooped, still soft but not so liquid. And lots of wags. She seems to be so much happier than yesterday. To be fair, yesterday was a lot of new things.
After dinner, we settled into our game, and then sat down to watch a TV episode. I sat on the floor with Aurora. To her delight, she had found a ball and was completely obsessed. I took pictures and video because she was so animated. She allowed me to put the cream on her sores and then went about playing with the ball. We played a limited form of fetch (she can't really go far) and she would chase the ball and bring it back to me. I can foresee this being her favorite toy.
Around 9 pm she went outside for the last time to pee before being crated for the night. I unhooked her leash and she followed me outside. There was no interaction with Molly on either the way in or the way out, so this is an improvement.
Medical notes - Aurora is coughing intermittently and sneezing. I don't know if I should be worried or not. It's time to re-read the fostering instructions. Also, I noticed tonight that the tip of her tail has no fur. I don't recall whether it was like that when I picked her up.
It's wake up time and I release Aurora from her crate, taking her immediately outside where she pees in the grass and does her turn and poop routine. The poop is less liquid. Yay? She coughs disturbingly and sprays her cone collar with spittle. There is no vomit. She is hacking up what I can only assume is mucus. I remove her cone collar before taking her back inside for kibble and her antibiotics, which are fed to her hidden in cheese gladly taken from my hand. I ask her to sit but she doesn't appear to know this command. We are watching her carefully to make sure she isn't licking at her sores while I clean the cone. Molly, meanwhile, is still hiding upstairs. Working as a team, we usher Molly downstairs and to her bowl, carefully avoiding interaction with Aurora who growls as Molly passes. This is not a good sign. As the kids leave for school and work, Molly goes outside and I set to work rearranging the living room to allow for a more open area where Aurora can be isolated but not confined to her crate. Meanwhile, she has discovered a toy bear that is not a dog toy. I take it from her and replace it with a dog toy from the basket. Her reaction was delightful, and she's starting to behave like a normal happy dog. I leave the toy in the completed enclosure. Molly must be coaxed back inside and into the living room, where she assumes her position on the sofa. Aurora is safely separate from her and I leave for work.
@ 10:30 am
I receive an update from my son "B". Aurora escaped her enclosure. Apparently excited to see him, she jumped onto the boxes forming the wall and succeeded in pushing them far enough apart that she can escape between them. Molly is still fine on the couch. B returns her to her space and rebuilds the wall. I leave instructions with him to take her outside mid day, and then return her to the enclosure.
@ 6-9pm
I arrived home to discover the solution my son adopted for Aurora. His first solution for building a wall wasn't effective, as she could jump over anything that was low enough for him to step over. So instead, he looped her leash to the crate so she could move freely but not go farther than the leash would allow. He reported that she whined if she couldn't see him so he created a makeshift desk in the enclosure so she could sit on the floor next to him. That seemed to make her content.
Tonight was family game night so the whole crew was over. My daughter "E" greeted Aurora for the first time, who immediately peed on the floor. Not sure if it was the excitement or the smell (on E) of a new dog, but it was a small mess that wasn't repeated. She was sent outside while they cleaned up and that's where I greeted her tonight as I arrived home. I took her into the yard and she pooped, still soft but not so liquid. And lots of wags. She seems to be so much happier than yesterday. To be fair, yesterday was a lot of new things.
After dinner, we settled into our game, and then sat down to watch a TV episode. I sat on the floor with Aurora. To her delight, she had found a ball and was completely obsessed. I took pictures and video because she was so animated. She allowed me to put the cream on her sores and then went about playing with the ball. We played a limited form of fetch (she can't really go far) and she would chase the ball and bring it back to me. I can foresee this being her favorite toy.
Around 9 pm she went outside for the last time to pee before being crated for the night. I unhooked her leash and she followed me outside. There was no interaction with Molly on either the way in or the way out, so this is an improvement.
Medical notes - Aurora is coughing intermittently and sneezing. I don't know if I should be worried or not. It's time to re-read the fostering instructions. Also, I noticed tonight that the tip of her tail has no fur. I don't recall whether it was like that when I picked her up.
Monday, January 27, 2020
Day 1, meeting Aurora
Sunday, Jan 26, 2020 @ 4pm
I arrived at PAWS medical center in Little Village to meet Aurora. She looks so sad and afraid. She has sores on her front legs and worn spots on her rear legs, with healed scars on her sweet face. There are deep brown eyes in what looks like a distinctive Staffie face but her body is smaller, the size and coloring of a Lemon Beagle. After a brief orientation with instructions on how to feed her and care for her sores, Aurora (with great encouragement) walked down the stairs with me and out to the street to my car. I cannot stress enough how frightened she seemed. Before we traveled more than 20 feet she squatted and peed on the concrete sidewalk. She followed me to my car but wouldn't jump in (and the cone around her head didn't help). She did allow me to pick her up and I placed her in the back seat for the ride home. The ride home was uneventful, but I decided to take side streets and drive home with the windows open so she could feel the fresh air.
Sunday, Jan 26, 2020 @ 4:30 pm
We arrived home and I lifted Aurora out of the car and let her down in the garage. She made her way to the door and into the yard only with a tug on her leash. I removed the leash and she walked into the grass and peed again, and then turned around a few times and squatted to poop, if you could call it that. It was pretty much liquid. That may be a particularly green patch of grass next summer. On we go into the house to meet the resident dog, Molly. They sniff each other and Aurora takes her time exploring the house. I show her the crate where she will sleep, and the water dish. My children, in turn, introduce themselves to her and everything seems fine... until she put her paws on my lap and I pulled her up onto the couch. Molly wasn't happy with this development and she whined a bit. I encouraged her to approach, thinking she could join us on the couch and I could have one dog on either side. As Molly came closer, she was nose to nose with Aurora and Aurora growled and snapped. Molly fled to the basement and I let her go. I went about my evening, preparing dinner and let the dogs stay separated for the time being.
Sunday, Jan 26, 2020 @ 6:30 pm
After dinner, I prepare the dogs' food bowls. I place Aurora's bowl in her crate but she's having difficulty eating because of the cone collar. She sniffs it but doesn't eat. Meanwhile, I am trying to get Molly to come upstairs so she can eat and go outside while I plan a controlled re-introduction. Aurora, of course, is still following me like a shadow and she is behind me when Molly reaches the top of the stairs. This was a disaster. She snapped at Molly's nose again and this time drew blood. Molly fled downstairs, now terrified, and I yelled "NO!" at Aurora and pulled her into her crate. Molly is absolutely inconsolable and is shaking in fear. She has retreated to her safe place where she goes to hide from thunder. Her nose is bleeding. I treat her injuries and bring her bowl downstairs, hoping she will at least eat in her safe place. I go back upstairs to deal with Aurora. I release her from the crate and attempt to soothe her, thinking that she is also afraid in this new place. She still hasn't eaten or attempted to drink from the water dish. I decide that this the best time to apply the medicated ointment to her sores. As I stood up to retrieve the ointment, that's when she peed on the carpet.
Sunday, Jan 26, 2020 @ 8 pm
Carpet is cleaned, and Aurora does eventually eat and drink. We take another trip outside where I praise her for doing her business outside. I'm attributing the carpet incident to fear. With one of the kids holding Aurora in the living room on her leash, I coax Molly outside through the side door. She does her business and I let her take her time but it's clear she doesn't want to go back inside. I do eventually manage to get her inside and she eats her kibble but resists our efforts to bring her into the living room. She escapes upstairs and hides in my daughter's bedroom, eventually climbing into her bed at night. By 9 pm, I was ready to call it a night. I put Aurora in her crate, but she didn't go willingly. In fact, she whined and pawed at the opening, attempting to open the crate door. When I turned off the house lights she calmed down and presumably went to sleep.
I arrived at PAWS medical center in Little Village to meet Aurora. She looks so sad and afraid. She has sores on her front legs and worn spots on her rear legs, with healed scars on her sweet face. There are deep brown eyes in what looks like a distinctive Staffie face but her body is smaller, the size and coloring of a Lemon Beagle. After a brief orientation with instructions on how to feed her and care for her sores, Aurora (with great encouragement) walked down the stairs with me and out to the street to my car. I cannot stress enough how frightened she seemed. Before we traveled more than 20 feet she squatted and peed on the concrete sidewalk. She followed me to my car but wouldn't jump in (and the cone around her head didn't help). She did allow me to pick her up and I placed her in the back seat for the ride home. The ride home was uneventful, but I decided to take side streets and drive home with the windows open so she could feel the fresh air.
Sunday, Jan 26, 2020 @ 4:30 pm
We arrived home and I lifted Aurora out of the car and let her down in the garage. She made her way to the door and into the yard only with a tug on her leash. I removed the leash and she walked into the grass and peed again, and then turned around a few times and squatted to poop, if you could call it that. It was pretty much liquid. That may be a particularly green patch of grass next summer. On we go into the house to meet the resident dog, Molly. They sniff each other and Aurora takes her time exploring the house. I show her the crate where she will sleep, and the water dish. My children, in turn, introduce themselves to her and everything seems fine... until she put her paws on my lap and I pulled her up onto the couch. Molly wasn't happy with this development and she whined a bit. I encouraged her to approach, thinking she could join us on the couch and I could have one dog on either side. As Molly came closer, she was nose to nose with Aurora and Aurora growled and snapped. Molly fled to the basement and I let her go. I went about my evening, preparing dinner and let the dogs stay separated for the time being.
Sunday, Jan 26, 2020 @ 6:30 pm
After dinner, I prepare the dogs' food bowls. I place Aurora's bowl in her crate but she's having difficulty eating because of the cone collar. She sniffs it but doesn't eat. Meanwhile, I am trying to get Molly to come upstairs so she can eat and go outside while I plan a controlled re-introduction. Aurora, of course, is still following me like a shadow and she is behind me when Molly reaches the top of the stairs. This was a disaster. She snapped at Molly's nose again and this time drew blood. Molly fled downstairs, now terrified, and I yelled "NO!" at Aurora and pulled her into her crate. Molly is absolutely inconsolable and is shaking in fear. She has retreated to her safe place where she goes to hide from thunder. Her nose is bleeding. I treat her injuries and bring her bowl downstairs, hoping she will at least eat in her safe place. I go back upstairs to deal with Aurora. I release her from the crate and attempt to soothe her, thinking that she is also afraid in this new place. She still hasn't eaten or attempted to drink from the water dish. I decide that this the best time to apply the medicated ointment to her sores. As I stood up to retrieve the ointment, that's when she peed on the carpet.
Sunday, Jan 26, 2020 @ 8 pm
Carpet is cleaned, and Aurora does eventually eat and drink. We take another trip outside where I praise her for doing her business outside. I'm attributing the carpet incident to fear. With one of the kids holding Aurora in the living room on her leash, I coax Molly outside through the side door. She does her business and I let her take her time but it's clear she doesn't want to go back inside. I do eventually manage to get her inside and she eats her kibble but resists our efforts to bring her into the living room. She escapes upstairs and hides in my daughter's bedroom, eventually climbing into her bed at night. By 9 pm, I was ready to call it a night. I put Aurora in her crate, but she didn't go willingly. In fact, she whined and pawed at the opening, attempting to open the crate door. When I turned off the house lights she calmed down and presumably went to sleep.
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