A week later - The Dog is gone

Meghan has grown adult allergies to dogs - so Winne must go. :-(

We also found a lot wrong with the dog after Meghan took him to the vet - I was really pissed off. Below you will see my e-mail to them.
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Susan,

Things don't look good for us keeping Winne. The biggest problem is that Meghan has developed adult allergies to dogs, which is really unfortunate because she grew up with dogs and was looking forward to having Winne become part of the family.

On another note - she took Winne to her vet this morning that her family has been taking their dogs and cats to for over 20 years, as we had to give him a follow up after taking him to Pet Smart on Sunday due to him having a weird limp. Pet Smart gave him an anti-inflammatory for a paw and an elbow that had some swelling. This morning they find that it is infected, and has been for some time. Here is a list of the other things they found: Lyme disease (they called up Gaithersburg Hospital and found that he tested positive twice!), allergies (that constant licking wasn't self grooming), some hip dysplacia (sp?) and they believe that he is well over 4 years of age as he has some gum retraction. We were told that the allergies have been around for a while as evident by the "lick spots" - whatever that means. I am having the vet fax over their notes from the visit and if needed can forward them on to someone at VGSR for verification.

In the last 3 days we have spent over $400 on vet and prescriptions for the dog (~$700 in 7 days!) (not to mention Meghan going to her doctor to get confirmation that she is allergic) - which in most cases would be absolutely no problem - but the fact that NONE of this information was shared before the adoption has gotten me quite upset. I'm not looking for restitution on the monetary end of this (except for the $200 adoption fee), as the dog needs it, but I am severely disappointed that, again, VGSR has failed in being a proficient liaison for these dogs that need rescuing. I'm not blaming you (Susan), as I feel you were very upfront with everything as we talked last week, but even if Meghan did not have these allergies (you should see her poor eyes and hear her cough) I would not adopt from this company again. I'd also never recommend the company to anyone - who deserves to be blasted with the kind of news that my wife and I just received?

I would like to find a time to bring him back. It would have to be an early morning delivery during this next week.

Now, about Winne. Winne is a gentle dog with a great temperament. In a week he has already learned not to walk in front of Meghan or I, doesn't go bolting out the door when we open it (except for the car when we get back from rides), will not eat his food until given permission and I have him walking with no leash next to me in the parking garages. He doesn't bark UNLESS left alone - and then his anxiety kicks in for about 10 minutes. Whoever adopts him should know this. Though we have been working with him on this and it has been reduced dramatically to just a minute or two. He loves people, at least he loves watching them. He isn't a licker or a jumper and the only time that he gets "excitable" is when the cat goes jogging past him. If someone has cats, the cat has to be dog savvy (not afraid) because the first couple of days are a test between the two. He has not once eaten the food (human) off of our table or coffee table - and I have tested him on it. If you let him have slack on the leash he will pull but not nearly as dramatic as most dogs - oh, he has not once been aggressive towards .... well anything. I think he would make a wonderful family dog where he gets a lot of love in the form of petting, brushing (he loves being brushed), and people who will continue to train him. He does get sidetracked easily (dog form of ADD?) and I'm not sure he has always had the name Winne as he doesn't respond to it. He doesn't just "sit" on command - though I have been working on the "sit" "down/lay" and "shake" commands, which he will do with some enticement from his food. I have grown very fond of him and am truly upset by the outcome of this but my wife's face and throat are more important than the dog. :-)

Unfortunately for me I don't have a receipt for the crate that we bought ~$100 so I can't return it so I'd like to bring it with me and drop it off with Winne. Someone out there may not be able to afford a crate or it can be used in a foster home - whatever.

If you have any further questions please feel free to contact me.

We got the dog

Well we adopted Winne - and have yet to come up with a better name for him - he is a very mellow dog, so it must be the lab mix in him as I have never seen a German Shepherd so laid back.

Though he doesn't try to eat the cat he gets excited over it and has this weird, scared maybe as the cat has swatted his face a couple of times, whine whenever he gets next to it.

I found a video of the type of dog that I'd like him to become, which is completely opposite of what he is now (Roof)

After only a couple of days he is already letting Meghan and I be the "pack-leader". At first he would go crazy and haul butt out of the door in front of us, which should never happen, but now (after only what; 2-3 days) when we are walking through the halls or the garages I let him off of the leash and he walks next to me for the most part. It is much nicer being around a dog that doesn't freak out and run all over the place.

When there is a lot going on he is still in sensory overload but he never growls, barks, or anything like that towards people or other dogs. The only barking he has is when we leave - some serious separation anxiety, so we had to get a bark collar for him. He seems pretty smart, so hopefully he won't have to use that for very long. I'll put up some pictures when I get the chance.

friends

This is how friends should be

Philly Marathon

Meghan ran the Philly marathon this weekend. It is so cool to see her out there running. I'm a very proud husband, her accomplishments are far and wide. Though she didn't qualify for the Olympic Trials she did run well and accomplished a couple other goals, which is a motivating factor for the next time she runs one. Overall women, she came in 8th, and 3rd in her age group. Not too shabby for a girl that hasn't run a marathon in 2 1/2 years.

Race day was pretty cold - though I guess the runners enjoy this temperature better. She had someone with her most of the time, helping her pace, which is always good. While she was running the 2nd half (miles 13-26) I wasn't able to see her so I hung out with her family. It's awesome that they come to her races, one of the few times that they all are together. The only grandchild, Mr. Colin, was there and it's amazing how big he is getting. He is a lot of fun to watch play around.

We are back in town and Meghan is slowly recovering and will start training, on some scale again shortly. We aren't really sure on when the next race will be but I'm going to be on her about her eating and workout habits more - WATCH OUT!! :-)

Here are a few pic's of the day:

Cigar smokers Unite! :-)

There are few personal confessions more likely to alienate many Americans than to admit to smoking. Singles ads are filled with people who will never even go on a first date with someone who smokes. I strongly suspect that more women would date a millionaire who earned his money disreputably than a millionaire who smoked.

Drinkers are far more highly regarded than smokers, as are playboys, gamblers, lawyers, politicians and almost anyone else except child molesters.


So I have no doubt that some readers who until now have held me in esteem will lose respect for me when they learn that not only do I smoke cigars and a pipe, but I love doing so, have no interest in stopping and have been happy to pass this pleasure on to my older son. In fact, we regularly have some of our best talks while we enjoy our cigars.

.................. Read the rest HERE

Another business trip

Had to go out to Montana this last week. I miss being out in that part of the country. it's beautiful. I was gone from Tuesday to Friday. I'm thankful that Meghan is training at a high level right now, so she is asleep pretty much as soon as she gets home. I can't stand leaving her alone - though I think that we both get a little recharge while we are away from each other. Not ever being able to be out of each other site in the Condo definitely wears on you.

Anyway .... the trip itself was good but, as always, I'm glad to be home. I am just now catching up with my e-mails at work and things are slowly returning to their normal daily grind.


On another note - I'm trying to get Meghan to let me adopt a dog. A German Shepherd to be exact. here is the one that I've picked out - he's a good looking guy that is, from what I've been told, a mellow guy. I hope we get him, I'm very excited about the thought of having a dog at home.