Nanci
Alien Lover
First, a thread to bring people up to date: LINK
And the story of Ella, in Gainesville Today Magazine: LINK
So, unfortunately, in October, I noticed a slight swelling on Bella's scapula, the same side as her hind leg amputation. Virtually overnight it was nearly the size of half an orange. We went to the vet. The most likely cause was another bone tumor, but we didn't biopsy. I didn't think amputation would be the right choice, this time. The vet gave her some pain meds, and said I could expect another month or two left. So we went home, and I was pretty heartbroken, but we _had_ gotten a whole extra year by doing the leg amputation, and I felt blessed to have that.
Her condition worsened, and the leg was painful. She wouldn't go up and down steps, and she cried if I touched it, and she started peeing her crate. We were supposed to go up to Rich's for Christmas, but she seemed so pitiful. I had a back-up vet picked out up in Indiana, just in case. I called Bella's vet, who listened to her symptoms, and the vet said it wasn't time, and I would know when it was. When we got to Ohio, and Bella was reunited with her beloved Rich, she started feeling better. So much so that she was going up and down stairs by the end of the trip. Then, at home, she was playing and running at top speed again. I'm not sure what the future holds.
But I didn't think Ella would be happy, all alone. She loves Bella. I started just checking out adoptable dogs. I strongly believe in rescue dogs, but a little part of me wanted a registered pit bull, too. I found an older pup who was simply amazing. Gorgeous. I was reading posts on the Plenty of Pit Bulls rescue group and saw a post about dogs at a shelter that just needed a break to get out. Just needed a foster home. All they need is someone to give them a home until they can be adopted. Bella is so picky about who she likes, but doing a short-term medical foster, for a dog that was undergoing heartworm treatment for example, would work out well. I mentioned that to the group. I thought, doing short-term fosters, I could maybe scope out another perfect dog to adopt!
And then I saw Rose. I had known about her from several months ago. She was dumped at Rodman's Reservoir with her sister, because the owner was going into rehab (so just dump your dogs, right?) A woman picked her up, and kept her hidden from her landlord for three months. She eventually begged POPB rescue to take her. She'd been with her foster dad for three weeks when I saw her photo come up in the group. I HAD TO meet her. But two people had submitted applications already, and then, someone adopted her, and then, they decided they probably shouldn't get a second dog so soon after getting their first. And the other person didn't actually have room for another dog. So I asked if I could meet her. Yes, but ANOTHER person had arranged to come up to meet her Sunday. Well, I didn't want to steal her away from anyone...But then that person couldn't make it, and said not to hold her, so off to Petco I went! And met Rose, and fell in love with her. She is so sweet and calm- just an amazing dog. I put in an application on her, and it was approved, and she was mine!
Now the only obstacle was Bella. The foster dad probably thought I was being way too conservative when I asked for two off-site meetings with Rose and Bella. They got along great, though. So that was fine, and I took Ella on Friday to go for a walk, meet Rose, and bring her home. So Ella gets out of the truck, and I let her have a little friendlier sniff of Rose, since Ella loves everyone, and the first thing she does is snark at her!! But off we went on our walk, and they did fine, and I brought Rose home.
Here is a photo of Rose and Ella. I'll upload some more from my cell phone.
And the story of Ella, in Gainesville Today Magazine: LINK
So, unfortunately, in October, I noticed a slight swelling on Bella's scapula, the same side as her hind leg amputation. Virtually overnight it was nearly the size of half an orange. We went to the vet. The most likely cause was another bone tumor, but we didn't biopsy. I didn't think amputation would be the right choice, this time. The vet gave her some pain meds, and said I could expect another month or two left. So we went home, and I was pretty heartbroken, but we _had_ gotten a whole extra year by doing the leg amputation, and I felt blessed to have that.
Her condition worsened, and the leg was painful. She wouldn't go up and down steps, and she cried if I touched it, and she started peeing her crate. We were supposed to go up to Rich's for Christmas, but she seemed so pitiful. I had a back-up vet picked out up in Indiana, just in case. I called Bella's vet, who listened to her symptoms, and the vet said it wasn't time, and I would know when it was. When we got to Ohio, and Bella was reunited with her beloved Rich, she started feeling better. So much so that she was going up and down stairs by the end of the trip. Then, at home, she was playing and running at top speed again. I'm not sure what the future holds.
But I didn't think Ella would be happy, all alone. She loves Bella. I started just checking out adoptable dogs. I strongly believe in rescue dogs, but a little part of me wanted a registered pit bull, too. I found an older pup who was simply amazing. Gorgeous. I was reading posts on the Plenty of Pit Bulls rescue group and saw a post about dogs at a shelter that just needed a break to get out. Just needed a foster home. All they need is someone to give them a home until they can be adopted. Bella is so picky about who she likes, but doing a short-term medical foster, for a dog that was undergoing heartworm treatment for example, would work out well. I mentioned that to the group. I thought, doing short-term fosters, I could maybe scope out another perfect dog to adopt!
And then I saw Rose. I had known about her from several months ago. She was dumped at Rodman's Reservoir with her sister, because the owner was going into rehab (so just dump your dogs, right?) A woman picked her up, and kept her hidden from her landlord for three months. She eventually begged POPB rescue to take her. She'd been with her foster dad for three weeks when I saw her photo come up in the group. I HAD TO meet her. But two people had submitted applications already, and then, someone adopted her, and then, they decided they probably shouldn't get a second dog so soon after getting their first. And the other person didn't actually have room for another dog. So I asked if I could meet her. Yes, but ANOTHER person had arranged to come up to meet her Sunday. Well, I didn't want to steal her away from anyone...But then that person couldn't make it, and said not to hold her, so off to Petco I went! And met Rose, and fell in love with her. She is so sweet and calm- just an amazing dog. I put in an application on her, and it was approved, and she was mine!
Now the only obstacle was Bella. The foster dad probably thought I was being way too conservative when I asked for two off-site meetings with Rose and Bella. They got along great, though. So that was fine, and I took Ella on Friday to go for a walk, meet Rose, and bring her home. So Ella gets out of the truck, and I let her have a little friendlier sniff of Rose, since Ella loves everyone, and the first thing she does is snark at her!! But off we went on our walk, and they did fine, and I brought Rose home.
Here is a photo of Rose and Ella. I'll upload some more from my cell phone.
