Tinsel's Journey

Yeah, two horses, 5 cats, 3 dogs and 2 goldfish. I often think I could do poop sculptures. The worst was when I decided to do 2 breedings at once. The Belgian had 8 pups and the westie had 3, just a few days apart. There was 6 other adult dogs as well. Now all 3 kids were at home which helped a tiny bit. It is an experience that I never repeated. Between washing floors, cleaning bedding and running around socializing pups I felt I aged 10 years. I was also still working in clinic so there was the accompanying nasty things to do there as well. Just don't ask me to change a dirty diaper - not good with human stuff anymore.
 
Tinsel went to his first small dog drop in to meet other dogs and people tonight. It didn't take long for him to realize that some of those people had treats. At first he was nervous but after about 5 minutes he settled in. He will be starting Level 1 obedience at this school. Hope it is as good as it's reputation! Not sure how I am going to work in his meds and the no eating rule. Wish us luck.
 
Tagg said:
Tinsel went to his first small dog drop in to meet other dogs and people tonight. It didn't take long for him to realize that some of those people had treats. At first he was nervous but after about 5 minutes he settled in. He will be starting Level 1 obedience at this school. Hope it is as good as it's reputation! Not sure how I am going to work in his meds and the no eating rule. Wish us luck.
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ohmygoodness
you go Tinsel, new people mean treats!!
 
Tinsel had developed a weepy eye over the past few days so he went to the new vet today. While there I also asked him to look at his right ear. Since he has been here he has acted like he had an infection. Although the ear was looked at repeatedly and I had even asked for it to be examined while he was under the anesthetic when he had when his rear dew claws removed, I kept getting told that there was nothing wrong. Well, today the new vet looked deeper into the ear and in disgust told me that Tinsel has a long standing infection of the inner ear and there are ulcers present. Any wonder this little guy hated having that ear handled and snapped during the examination????? He also has a deformed tear duct and so the stain did not come out of the nostril at all. I've wondered about his hearing for the last while so now a lot is explained. To say I was angry doesn't even start to describe how I felt when I found out about the infection. I have to get the meds into an ear that Tinsel doesn't even like touched and I have to get the meds deep into the ear. I also have to put drops into his eye. I only wish I could tell him how much better this struggle will make him feel but for now he is terrified of the whole process as it causes him a lot of pain and we have to restrain him. BTW, he never had his ear look off like most dogs but he always did the head shake that I associate with ear issues and would scratch at it on and off. There is no smell either. Tin is certainly not the poster child for why you would want to take on a rescue. We call him our "million dollar baby". He's worth every cent and more but I hope we can have a veterinary "dry spell" after this. I hope the fur babies here are reading this while I type :lol:
 
Poor Tinsel, but great that you advocated for him to have that ear checked again. I pray for you to have a vet dry spell as well.
I am on a vet spending spell, our yearlies, senior blood panels and one dental down, the next one ready to go for my kitties. I am not complaining and their blood work gave them perfect health and no issues at all, so I am thankful and does my heart good to know they should be with me a good long time.
Can you sneak in the ear drops during nap time?
 
Actually he wasn't bad this morning for his treatments to his eye and ear. Dave held his muzzle gently and I administered the drops and ointment. We used Phoebe's grooming table which is smaller and I took some peanut buttered toast in as treats. He shook his head repeatedly and whimpered after the ointment went in and them ran over to his big sister Rhiannon, the Terv, and tried to wipe his ear on her butt. Rhi stood there and let him - what an awesome girl - and then finally Tin went and laid down.
I need to go to the old clinic and speak to the vet I used to use. She had been on maternity leave when Tin came which is why I was with the other vet. I want to let Shauna know that she had no part in why I have left the clinic and that the letter that is going to the owner of the practice has nothing to do with her. Now, instead of travelling 6 minutes down the road for vet appointments I am travelling 40 minutes in the opposite direction but I can only handle so many screw ups. GRRRR is right!
 
The new school was not at all what I wanted for Tinsel so I talked to Mirkka about it. She suggested I bring him to her Shy Dog class as often as I can. It's almost 2 hours to her other hall. I wondered how on earth I was going to be able to do this when I got an email from her today. She's decided to run a class at the hall we were going to on Saturdays. It took us about 1 second to enroll him. He's doing well, his ear issue is cleaned up, his tear duct is partially opened and his attitude continues to improve. We took him on a bush walk last weekend and he acted like a normal dog. His nose was working overtime - that's a first on a walk. Usually he just stops once or twice but this time he made sure he smelled everything.
He has started to "bark" while he spins when I get his food ready. Since barking can be a bad habit I interupt him with an UH UH and as soon as he stops he gets praised. Before I give him his food he must sit quietly for 10 seconds. He still sounds like a sick seal pup when he barks. Never the less, I won't encourage by giving him his food until he settles. Mean me eh??? Can you believe it is almost a year that he has been here?
 
Happy to hear Tinsel's ear has cleared up and he was out and about using his nose on your Bush walk. I am so happy you continue to update us on his progress and was just thinking the other day that it was almost a year now. How far this boy has come with you. Have a Happy Thanksgiving you both are so blessed to have eachother.
 
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