I was able to get in touch with Bella�s owners and they said they need to call their relatives in Auburn/Opelika to set up a time for me to come see Bella this weekend. I asked Heather and Kathleen, and Kathleen said that since there is no foster home available, I should just go evaluate the dog, take some pictures, and we�ll pick her up at another time; but Heather said to pick Bella up if I go see her tomorrow, because we might be able to transport her to Florida for foster care. But when I heard back from the owners, they said to meet this afternoon. Then Heather also said to wait until Saturday then. Also there is some confusion as who should sign the owner release form (the owners in Birmingham, or the current caregivers in Auburn/Opelika), because I really didn�t want to take the dog without the form signed first, just in case they change their minds later. Kathleen said the owners in Birmingham should sign, whereas Heather said the current caregivers should sign. I also got into touch with Millie regarding the situation, and it turned out that she saw the �For Sale� sign at a pet store in Birmingham. She didn�t think they would actually follow through regarding turning the dog into rescue, and I told her it�s not done until we get the dog and they sign the dog over to us, especially if we wait over the weekend and they change their minds or get an offer from someone to buy the dog. So Millie said she�s willing to pay for boarding for Bella if we can get her ASAP. So I called Heather (tried to call Kathleen but only got answer machine) to see what she thinks, and she said that sounds good and I should pick up the dog this afternoon. I also called the owners in Birmingham and they said that�s fine for me to take Bella this afternoon, and they said they will sign and fax the form to us, so I�ll have it before I pick up the dog.
Got to the husband�s sister�s house at 5:30 PM. They had four dogs in there, two standard poodles that the sister and her husband own, and a Mini Poodle who belongs to the father (father of Bella�s owner). The sister was not at home, just her husband (owner�s brother-in-law), owner's father, and the nephew (I think he's 6-7 years old). Bella is very typical puppy, licking everybody's face, etc. No aggression whatsoever. I don't know puppies enough to tell if she's a bench or field bred, but her fur lies flat, so I would say fieldie for now. The brother-in-law said three or four times, "I can't believe they are giving away the dog for free", and the father just said something like, "I guess that's that they want to do." The brother-in-law asked the father, why are they giving away the dog, and the father said, the dog pooped in the house twice, and they tried to housetrain her, but they got tired of keep opening the backdoor for her, and at first they didn't have fence, so they decided to give away the dog, they got fence now, but have already decided to give away the dog. The brother-in-law said, they spent $400 to buy the dog and another $100 on vet bills, and they were trying to sell the dog for $300. He asked me how much we are going to charge for the dog, and I told him, adoption fee is $250, but less if foster home is going to adopt her. And he asked me about the potential foster home in Florida, I just told them that the mom is a teacher and they have a nine-year-old little girl. Both of them said that sounds like a great home for Bella. I told them, Bella looks fine and the owners said we can take her if she looks alright, and the father said yes, they told them. He didn't even have a leash for Bella. I think they probably left everything in Birmingham. The father said he left Bella outside for the past week or so, because she started to smell ("that's why we have poodles"). I didn't think she smelled that bad, maybe need a puppy bath but that's about it. And Bella nibbled on my hand when I stopped petting her. She and the chocolate Mini Poodle nibbled each other too. Just some puppy stuff I think.
The father carried Bella to my car's backseat and said she's rides well in the car. They all said goodbye to Bella, etc. As I started driving, Bella climbed into the front passenger seat, but stayed there and didn't bother me while I was driving. While I was driving, I suddenly realized that the boarding kennel will not take her because she does not have her vaccine records, but it was still 20 minutes before 6 PM, so I just called and took her to my vet, which was about 5 minutes away. The vet techs just thought she's the most adorable thing and said she'll get lot of attention. I think she looks a little bit like Brenna, and if my vet thinks so too, I know she'll get a lot of attention from him too (Brenna is his all-time favorite, he said she looks just like Lacy, the Springer he adopted from Lee County Humane Society when he went through vet school). Millie and Heather said to board Bella wherever I think is the most cost-effective and convenient for me, so I guess the vet clinic I use is okay.
Kathleen the owner relinquishment coordinator emailed and asked if I could evaluate a four-month-old female Springer puppy who�s living with the in-laws Opelika. She said that the owners realized they couldn�t handle three children and a puppy at the same time and now is trying to sell her. Millie had contacted them and told them about rescue, and they in turn sent a brief description of their situation and of the puppy. The puppy�s name is Bella, and the wife said that they bought a lot of boutique-quality things for Bella that will come with her. When they sent in the owner form, it says that they have one toddler daughter in Birmingham, and the two other kids are actually their nephew and niece in Auburn, and Bella is good with all of them. She said that Bella is not hyper, but just being a puppy, but she just can�t handle it anymore (she�s a stay-at-home mom), having to watch Bella all the time, to make sure she doesn�t potty on the carpet or chew on things, like a second baby. They even tried to leave her outside, but she would cry and try to come inside. They said she�s already potty trained and crate trained. Also they said since they already spent money on buying her, vet bills, and dog supplies, they only had her for a month and were thinking that they would sell her to get back some of their �investment�, therefore, they really don�t think they should have to donate to Springer rescue when they turn her in. Anyways, Kathleen said the donation is required, we just want the dogs to be in good forever homes.
I picked up Peter this afternoon and took him to Mary�s. I will pick him up on Sunday morning. I called Dr. Colley and he said no more heartworm shots needed. He said just start Heartgard, and then retest in December, and of course keep his physical activities low for the next four weeks. I asked Dr. Colley and he said he gave one shot on Wednesday, and one shot on Thursday. He didn't say anything about another dose or another test in four weeks (I did tell the receptionist to tell him to do "split treatment"). Dr. Colley said Peter was fine during the thunderstorms, he had to make the kennel noise-proof when he built the building because there's a church next door. But he did give him one dose of Ace on Wednesday and that's it. Heather emailed back and said that Dr. Colley used the old protocol and it�s not the split treatment, but since Peter�s low positive, it�ll be okay. Picture is of Peter after I picked him up from the vet on Thursday after HW treatment. They gave him a bath and put a bandanna on him.
Keely�s parents called this morning and said that since they left Tampa early, they will be able to come to Auburn to pick her up from my apartment (instead of meeting in Montgomery). When Keely saw them, she was so happy. And they are so understanding about the ear situation, even reimbursed me for the vet bill. But I still feel bad about it. I will definitely watch them more closely from the beginning next time. I told them that the vet said the sutures need to be removed in two weeks. Ed and Barbara said that Keely and Milo are doing fine together. Occasionally they would drink out of each other�s water bowls, and Milo would swipe his paw over Keely�s back as she walks by, but overall they respect each other�s boundaries. Also, they said that Keely now has no problem during meal times. I told them that I was very surprised when I let Tara stand near the entrance of the kitchen while Keely was eating at the other end of the kitchen, and Keely did not growl (actually Keely did growl once on one day, Tuesday I think, anyways, I picked up her bowl and made her Sit-Down-Stay, and she immediately seemed to know she did something wrong; she didn�t growl again over food after that). I am very impressed. I didn�t allow Keely to go near Tara while Tara�s eating either, because I didn�t want Tara or Keely to start guarding Tara�s food. Ed and Barbara said that Keely is eating her food very fast now, just like Milo, and Sit-Down-Stay very well before they give her meals. And they said that when they (the humans) are eating, Keely also knows that she�s not supposed to be right next to the table and would sit in the family room. And occasionally when she comes near them while they are eating, they would just have to tell her once and she would go to the family room by herself. When Keely walked to the car with her parents, she didn�t looked back. I miss her a lot, but it�s nice to know that they�ve bonded and that she knows they are her family now.
Mary emailed and offered to temporary foster Peter for another week after I do if needed. She said she just doesn�t want him to go back to the kennel while he�s still recovering from heartworm treatment. And she said that, �he seems a lot perkier now that he's back -even a little rotten at times. : ) He's definitely trying to secure a space on the couch with Huck -kicking me off the couch!�
