National Pet Appreciation Week - Here's Newd :)
June 4, 2014 at 6:12am
Spring
of 2009 (I had to correct my last post, I got Rose, New Years Eve
2008) Allie and I were at the dog park, and I saw a girl come in with 4
dogs. One was a good sized white dog, with gray and black leopard spots.
He had a limp. We called him pimp. The next week, we were at the park,
and the same girl came in, with the pimp dog. I looked at Allie, and
said, 'That is my dog.' She said, "Right, like you need three dogs". I
went over and talked to the girl, her name was Caroline. She was
fostering several dogs, and needed to find a home for him. She was a
woman after my own heart. We talked for a bit about this white dog. He
was a Catahoula/American Bulldog mix and deaf. This
American Bulldog
plus this
Catahoula
makes this
My heart Newd
She said his name was Chance, but she hated that name, because it was such a shelter name. I told her I was in love with him. I had to have him. I didn't hesitate, I didn't ask her about the process, I just had to have him. I asked about his limp. She told me there was talk of trying to get him surgery for his leg, possible amputation. He had an ununited anneal process - In laymans terms he had dysplasia of the elbow.
I didn't let that stop me. I took him to my vet to see what kind of shape he was in. She told me, yup he has to have surgery. He needs it soon, the sooner the better to keep the pain down, and any more damage to his elbow. Then she told me the cost of the surgery. The surgery was anywhere between $1600 - 1800. That was a blow. She told me of several options and told me about several vets. One, was not board certified to do the surgery, but he does these types of surgeries all the time. He was an hour away, and half the cost. Sold. I talked to Caroline, told her I had to have Chance and what did I have to do. She waived the adoption fee due to his condition and I signed the paper work. He was mine, and now his name is Newd Ogg - Newd for short. Now where am I gonna get $800. Inspiration comes in funny places. While walking the dogs one morning, I found .50, two quarters on the side of the road. (I still have those same two original quarters) It got me to thinking, if i could get 50 cents from 1600 people, I could get this surgery. how hard will it be.
Turns out, not at all. I made a blog post, started sharing it, started telling people and in a matter of 3 weeks, I had raised over 900 dollars. I had donations from around the world thanks to the internet. I would go into work, and I would find piles of change in cups on my desk, all annoymus. All to give this dog a new lease on life without pain. People are pretty awesome. Off we went to get the surgery, I was so nervous. The bill for the surgery was less than expected, so I left the remainder of the money with the vet to help pay for the next surgery/procedure for someone who may not have enuff money.
Out of surgery and headed home
I know you are not suppose to have favorites, but I can't help it. he is my heart. Maybe it was how we met, mebbe it was his condition, or how he reminded me of something/someone. We bonded quickly, and immediatly started working on communicating with him. Being deaf is a challenge. I have taught him hand signals, and found stomping on the floor was the best way to get his attention, but stomp the correct way. Too soft, he wouldn't feel it, too hard, he jumped and ran. I am a heavy walker, been told I walk with a purpose. I had to learn to tone down my stepping because he would run from me, scared and get in his crate. Then it dawned on me, I was yelling at him as I walked thru the house :)
He could challenge Grumpy cat :)
He knows sit, stay, all gone, and come.
Nappin with Bast
He had to be supervised at all times in the yard. He could jump the fence. As long as he could see me, he stayed in the yard. As soon has I was outta sight, he was over. How do you call a dog that is deaf out running thru the neighborhood? You don't. What you do is train your other dog to go get him, and that is what I did with Rose. The training started when it was time for the dogs to come in, I would call to Rose - Bring him around - and she did. She would circle wide, and get his attention and he would follow her to the house. The same worked when he got out. I would get Rose, and we would go looking for him. When I would see him, I would turn Rose loose, and tell her to bring him round. All she had to do was get him pointed toward me. When he would see me, he would run toward me. We put in a new fence :)
Newd and Rose
He has the softest ears every made and the floppiest face. I love to squish him up. Those icey eyes and that blank stare. Histerical! He has a "woo-woo" he does when he is happy to see you. He does a little dance in place, like marching in place when he gets excited. He has to be with me. No matter where I am. He follows me from room to room, around the yard, sits next to me on the couch, sleeps next to me in bed. He would love to go everywhere else with me, but because he is deaf, it is difficult to take him too many places. The vibration of the truck is kinda like yelling at him. He gets very nervous.
That face!
He is mine completely, and i am his. He is so sweet. I love when I come home and he is asleep. All the other dogs are barking and running around so happy I am home, and he is asleep. He sleeps alot, but that is a common behavior in deaf dogs. I gently touch him, and he wakes up so happy. His tail wagging and he blinks and he says "I have been waiting for you"
Puddle of Newd
What is on my head?!!?
