Photo from MaoMau

The founder of Love A Pitbull stopped by and went for a walk with us.  He is an excellent photographer, and took this picture when we were out enjoying the evening.  I love it - thanks Mao.

Quick Medical Update - Status 10-7-12

Here is the quick update on where Charlie and Lucy stand health-wise:

First of all - most people ask if they are spayed, and are surprised when I say "not yet".  Usually you are not allowed to adopt an animal from the shelter unless it is spayed/neutered, which is why they do that surgery at the shelter if necessary.  But Charlie and Lucy were in such poor health when I adopted them, that the shelter doctor deferred spaying until they reach full health again (making me responsible, and I have to send them proof once it's done).  So I definitely plan to spay them, and will pay for it.  

Lucy (mom)

• Last skin scrape was clear of  (non-contagious) Demodex.  Hooray!  She is still taking Ivermectin because the rule is that a dog needs two "clean" scrapes in order to be considered cured.  
• Otherwise, healthy and happy.  

Charlie (daughter)

• Last skin scrape showed (non-contagious) Demodex still hanging around, so we will just keep plugging away at it.  She will probably be on Ivermectin for a few more months.   Her skin is looking SO MUCH better, and with all the hair regrowth, Dr. Quinn and I are happy with her progress.  
• She is currently taking Simplicef for a secondary skin infection that arose when she was being boarded.  That regimen will conclude in a little over a week.  
• Charlie has an eye condition called Entropion.  This is simply where the eyelids fold inwards, which causes the eyelashes to scratch against and irritate the eyeball.   I keep her eyes lubricated, but would like to get her surgery to correct this so it's no longer an issue.  I am currently looking into the possibility of doing her spaying and eye surgery at the same time, so that she only has to be anesthetized once.  I also plan to pay for this.  
• Otherwise, healthy and goofy as ever.  

In case you are interested, their current vet is 

Dr. Hilary Quinn

Bay Animal Hospital

Lucy and Charlie love Angus

Surprisingly there is more than one Great Dane in the neighborhood.   Charlie and Lucy are very social on our walks, and want to meet EVERYONE (I think their feelings are hurt when other dogs aren't interested in meeting them).   One day this Great Dane named Angus (yes, Angus, best name of all time) came bounding out of his garage and ran right toward The Girls.  Their tails started to wag and they greeted Angus with a combination of caution (he is an absolutely gigantic dog), and enthusiasm.  They were a hilarious threesome.

Since then, Charlie, Lucy, and Angus play whenever they encounter each other on walks.  I am very proud of the fact that The Girls are nice to people (especially kids) and other dogs - I know that Pits have a reputation for being aggressive, and I think they make the example that the breed is actually quite gentle as long as people do not train them to be aggressive.

Anyhow, here they are loving on sweet Angus.

The Girls' TV Debut!

There was a segment on KTLA5 publicizing an animal behavior event called Keep the L.O.V.E. Alive Tour, and they wanted to also demonstrate some products that aid in good behavior.  So the producer suggested they use demonstration dogs that are up for adoption.

MaoMau LaBeet from Love A Pit Bull Rescue and Jennifer Rosen from Bullies & Buddies Rescue suggested Lucy and Charlie!  So they had an early pickup and were on the morning news on Channel 5.  At first the producer was not happy about having Pitbull mixes, but within just a few minutes Lucy and Charlie had the entire KTLA staff wrapped around their finger.

Charlie was her usual eager self, and Lucy managed to sleep through her big break.

Click Here for the clip of their "performance":

The Girls Go To Camp

I am am going out of town until August 21st, and since The Girls don't have a home yet, I had to board them.      This was tough for me.

I had long conversation with Mao Mau from LoveAPitBull.com, a wonderful rescue, and he suggested I go to Camp Best Friends, which is next to his work.  Mao said he would check on them regularly, walk them, and give them some extra love while I am away.  I am eternally grateful to Mao.

So today I took them into Kathy's loving care at Camp Best Friends.  I am like a nervous mother.  Even though I am only Lucy and Charlie's foster mom, I worry about them like they were part of the family.  (I hope to remain at least an Aunt once they are adopted :) )  Kathy assured me a thousand times that they will be in great hands.  She will continue their demodex treatment (meds and weekly shampoos) during their stay at Camp.

While I am travelling, if you are interested in adopting or fostering Lucy and/or Charlie, please contact:

Mao Mau
Love A Pit Bull
424.212.9361
maomau@loveapitbull.com

A HUGE thank you to both Mao and to Kathy.

Impromptu Playdate

Down the street from our house there is a small grassy area that is a common pit-stop for dogwalking.  It is also a social gathering place, where passers-by tend to stop and chat while their dogs flop around with each other.  Many owners bring their dogs here off-leash.  I had previously kept The Girls from interacting (initially because Charlie had Giardia, but after that, because I wasn't sure how well they "play" with other dogs).  The other day there was a really nice woman whose dogs were off-leash, and she invited The Girls to play.  I said I wasn't sure, and she said "well let's try it!".  So I kept them on leash and her dogs calmly allowed Lucy and Charlie to do their due-diligence-sniffing.  Then they had a great time flopping together.  I didn't get her name, but I was very grateful to this woman for giving me the opportunity to see how they do in a crowd.

Last night was similar, in that we went to the pee-pee spot and there was another canine congregation, large ones and small ones.  The Girls walked right up and started the sniff-and-be-sniffed routine, very anxious to get to the playing part of the dance.  I was so happy to see that they were enjoying themselves and so well socialized, that I gave my phone to a woman to snap some shots for you.  There was just no aggression to be seen with these two, and I feel like a proud mom.

Thank you, neighbors, for making Lucy and Charlie feel welcome.

 

Random Funniness

You. Me. Beach. Sunset.  Be there.

Lucy and Charlie are experts at making due with limited resources.  

Wow, now that's what I call colon blow.  Good food must've been, um, a shock to the system.

Lucy apparently told Charlie she was uncomfortable sleeping at night in her harness.  Because when I woke up, I found that Lucy had been 'liberated'.   Now they sleep naked.  

I don't know why they like to sit on the TOP of the lounge chair.  It always looks like a situation that is going to end badly.