Adventures in Fostering: Counting My Blessings...

Yes, I've moved...and yes we've started fostering again...and I'll post on those pups sometime soon, I hope. But this is something that can't wait.

A couple days ago, my friend and fellow Doghousing admin, Lisa, re-posted a blog (warning, strong language) about the author's dogs being "jerks", and how she would never want it any other way. That blog really struck a cord with me given the events of this week. My dogs can definitely be "jerks" and sometimes I question my sanity putting up with them. But after what happened over the weekend, I'm just fine with them being super "jerks" the rest of their lives.

I guess should start from the beginning. On Sunday morning, just before Boscoe's meet and greet, Tucker had some sort of neurological episode. We were all outside, and the three dogs were playing. Tucker ran up on the deck and froze. Wouldn't move. I led him inside, and he was still off. Eventually he went behind the couch (where he never goes), in front of the front door and laid down. He wouldn't move. Wouldn't lift his head when I called his name. His breathing was shallow and quick. I tried to pick him up and he was completely limp.

So. Freaking. Scary

I was in full on panic mode. My first thought was bloat, but that didn't really seem to make sense. I called my friend Alicia to come over and help me get him to the vet. I opened the front door and he finally got up. It seemed like it was forever, but likely was only a couple of minutes. He was still out of it, but seemed to be doing better.

She took us to Banfield across the street, and we saw a very nice vet, Dr. Long. She gave him an exam, tested his vitals, etc. and couldn't find anything immediately wrong. I described what happened, and she thought he likely had some sort of seizure. It wasn't a major, Grand Mal seizure, but likely a partial or frontal seizure, which presents itself similar to a human fainting. Since he had never had an episode like this before, she suggested taking him home, keeping him stress free, and watching him. Boscoe went home that afternoon, so I was hopeful things would be back to normal.

My parents and brother came over for dinner that afternoon and said he seemed normal, just really tired. I thought we were in the clear...

That night, after everyone left, things got weird. And scary. He was agitated and unhappy. He seemed like he couldn't get comfortable. He looked at me like he had no idea who I was. He wouldn't let Ollie anywhere near him or anything he had. When it was time for bed, he was growling and wouldn't let me near him. Didn't want to be touched. Ollie was hiding in the corner, scared. Insert SUPER panic mode. I had a total melt down. I was sure this was the beginning of the end. Note: I know I pushed him..he's always been a cranky dog when he's tired or not feeling well, and I was being a helicopter mom. Oops.

I finally just left him alone, cried myself to sleep, and said many many prayers. At some point, he got up in bed with Ollie and me. I woke up feeling a little better, but he was still not himself that morning. I put a call in to the vet. As the morning went on, he seemed to be doing better, so I went to work. I got home to two wiggle butts excited to see me. We went outside, Tucker played with his ball, did his business, etc. He was still a little weak (had trouble holding his leg up when he was "marking" his territory), but overall seemed to be making progress. The vet called back that night, and was surprised we were still having issues, but since he was getting better to continue watching him. Apparently most dogs come out of things fairly quickly, but the effects can last up to a week. If things didn't get better or got worse, we needed to go see her immediately. Monday night, he slept by me all night. I was finally feeling like we were on our way to being better.

Tuesday morning came and we all wanted to be lazy, but we got up and got around. Typical morning. I went to work confident things were finally almost normal again. And I was right!

Tuesday evening, I had my boy back!!

Throw that ball, Mama!!

Words cannot express how happy I was to finally see the light in his eyes again. He'd been walking around like a zombie for almost two days. After lots of playtime, he finally curled up next to me an fell asleep on my chest. Best. Feeling. Ever.

Finally...

Those that know me well, know this boy is my world. He's the love of my life in dog form. Tucker changed my life. He gave me a purpose. He's been by my side through the demise of an awful relationship... he was there when we had to move back in with my parents...he was there through the absolute worst heartbreak of my life, which eventually led to me finding the love of my life. He was there through the ~~awful~~ house hunting process, and then became the "man of the house" when we finally moved. He's my everything. His little brother worships the ground he walks on. I just wanted him to be back to himself. To be nuzzling me every 30 seconds with his spiky ball. To jump on the ball the minute I make a move to pick it up. I wanted to be smothered in sloppy kisses, and to have 85 pounds of dog laying on me. I couldn't be more excited to have that damn spiky ball getting mud all over my white jacket.

This morning (Wednesday), and things seem to finally be back to normal, and I couldn't be happier. I still plan to take a break from fostering for a while. TJ moves on Friday, and we need to keep things as stress free as possible.

As I mentioned above, we moved in August to a super cute house in Waldo. Here are a few pics of my boys enjoying their new digs. I promise I'll write soon on our first two fosters...

XOXO,
Ashley