All Tied Up

Poor sweet Monty is no longer allowed out of the house unless he's on a tether.  He bolted for a third time, while Jay was out with him.  Then he crossed the fence while on the lead... so.... no more freedom for now.  Its miserable for us because we have to be out with him, regardless of the weather. Its miserable for him because he can't really run.   Solution?  We're looking at different collars for him and possibly a gps device.  If we can't retrain him, we'll bite the bullet  and build a run.

On the other hand, he's still a lot of fun and getting more small spots!

Breakout

I am so happy to tell you that Monty has filled out. In fact, we're cutting back on his food since he's gained so much weight.  He runs, plays and is totally healthy.  That's the great news.  He has also decided that life is more interesting on the other side of the fence!.  Twice in the past month, he broke through the electric fence.  Both times at night!.. The first time it was a full moon and Jay and I split up and searched the neighborhood.  After walking around I headed back, to see if Monty had returned.. Jay had done the same thing!  Luckily because this wonderful family...with a car packed with people saw him on Hooker Farm, looking lost.  They stopped another car..before he got his.. put him in their car and found our house.  They would accept nothing and barely left their names.  Wonderful people.  The second time I wasn't home and Jay went searching.  I got home as soon as possible.  Jay had spotted him by the pond.  He'd come up to Jay, just out of reach and tear off again. (we really have to work on that!) I arrived.  Still not Monty. Finally he ran up to Jay and Jay caught him.  We brought him home... full of muddy dirt, burrs and twigs.  Needless to say, we gave him lots of hugs and got dirty too.  Then gave him a bath!  He now goes on only on the long lead at night.   

Monty's Back

After agonizing weeks of have a very lethargic dog, and fearing the worst, we have our dog back.  He took a nice long walk with me. He's running around the yard and is finally eating again!  He lost a lot of weight and looks way too skinny but he ate a full serving of canned food and a serving of kibble for dinner, and topped it off with a yoguhound!!  His coat is coming back in, his ears are perky.  And I thank God that his eyes are looking normal again.  We're still using the medication but he doesn't need the artificial tears anymore. 

Monty's Health

I haven't posted in awhile because I've been monitoring Monty so much and didn't have the heart to write.   We have not been able to get Monty's energy up or get him to eat.  The vet thinks he ate an animal that was poisoned.  He is suffering from dry eyes.  The meds are beginning to work and he's starting to produce tears but we still are putting in artificial tears.  He's not eating much.and is down to 28 pounds.  We brought him to the beach.... that actually seemed to help but he's slide back once we were home.  We're now worried about blockage because of all the ripe little things that are dropping off trees.  But that would be recent because the original xrays did not show blockage.  Its frustrating and tough to have this not even two year old pup, lie down and sleep almost all day.  We're doing what we can and hope whatever it is passes through his system.

Prayers for Monty

Monty's eye started getting better, then worse, then the other eye and he got more and more lethargic.  What 1.5 year old Brittany sees a rabbit and does NOTHING!! He's at the vets and spending the night.  They are observing him and hydrating him.  They think its chemical poisoning.  Ok, so weeds will now be welcome in my yard and I'll just deal with the poison ivy.  They have seen a spike in dogs with this problem, so I'm wondering if there wasn't some dusting going on that has effected a lot of dogs.  So now we pray.  I'll know more tomorrow.  I can't help but think that this poor dog has gone through so much.  (oh, and x-rays show bone in his system.  Swear its not from us. God only knows what that dog eats when he's in the yard!)

The Risk of Fun in the Yard

As you know, Monty loves being outside. He digs.  He eats little green apples.  He finds bunnies.  He brings in birds.  He runs. He plays. He eats grass.  He's given me poison ivy (thanks so much!).  He trails the fox, who thankfully stays on the other side of the invisible fence, up and down the side yard.  He goes through bushes and brambles to find exciting things to do. Well all of this is great - in spite of having to fill in holes.  Except for the past few days, Monty's right eye was weepy and he wasn't opening it fully.  So this morning I brought him to the vet.  Luckily no ulcers or scratches.  (He got the same yellow stain, I get when I go to the eye Dr.!)  But there is definitely an irritant.   So eye washes and ointment.  If its not "drastically better" by Monday, Monty will be back at the vets.  By end of day today, his first day.  He was holding his eye open better.  I'll know by tomorrow night if he goes back to the vet.  Here's hoping we don't have to go back.

Spots... More Spots

When we rescued Monty he was sooo white.  Yes, he had the traditional Brittany face, but very few dots of color on him.  In fact his back was almost all white.  Not anymore.  Very small dots of orange are showing up on his legs and backside.  Yes, I washed him... but the spots stayed in. He's the same old boy and doing great.  It's just interesting to see new spots come out at 15 months.