It's just my opinion, but I think that it takes a couple of months for a dog to start to settle in a new home. I know that if my Princess ever went missing, she would try to find me, which means for her, trying to escape. I really believe that dogs do think about their previous home and owners for a long time. It isn't until both the human and the dog start to feel that certain connect (bonding) with each other, that they have resolved that this is their new home and master. Chi's are emotional dogs in my book, and I think it is better for most previous owners to stay away until that bond has formed with the new owner. It took 8 months for that to happen with Princess and 3 months for Gigi. I can also tell you from previous rescued dogs that I had, it always seemed to range from 3 to 6 months on the average. Of course it is entirely different with puppies. So your ex has to give it a lot more time. You figure, Vida came from a home, then the shelter, then your home, then your ex's home. That's 4 homes in only a couple of months. It's a lot for dog to feel very secure and trust that this new owner is going to love her no matter what! The same thing will apply to Ori. Again, only my opinion, but from experience, when a dog shows complete mellowness in a new home, then his body is feeling the stress of the new environment, even though he is eating and seems to be okay I am a firm believer in giving the NutraCal for the first 10 days when you bring in a new dog. That would also apply to Vida at your ex's house. The reason is that, even though they are eating, they are burning up more vitamins and minerals from the stress then their regular food can give them in a 24 hour period. Real mellow is a sign of stress, just as real aggression is a sign of stress. That stress reduces their immune systems and it has to fight twice as hard to keep up with the stress.
I am so happy for you that Smidge is doing well with the meds, and like you said it is just getting her through this bout of pneumonia. You had no way of knowing that Vida was harboring KC so it wasn't your fault. You have done a lot for the dog world, so maybe because of Smidges health, it would best not to bring any more shelter dogs into your home, unless it has been three weeks since they had a KC shot, which gives any one time to see if the dog is harboring it even after a shot. I found it very interesting when I read up on it, that a dog can still shed the virus for up to 18 days after it has been treated for it. That would give me concern about bringing in another shelter dog unless I had a place to quarantine it, or it was the full three weeks after it was treated. I guess I was lucky through the years and never had to deal with it. It amazes me how people can give up their dog, so easily. None of Ori's history makes any sense. Why would anyone put so much into a dog and then let it go, to get another dog? Crazy people out there! I mean, it doesn't sound like he has a housebreaking issue, or an aggression issue, which is usually the two main reasons why people dump them. The other lady doesn't sound like she had to many smarts when it comes to training a dog either. So glad that he is with you! -------Original Message------- From: Beth Michl Date: 4/1/2011 4:44:42 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Chihuahuas] Smidgen Thank you Peggy... One of the medications she is on is a diuretic.. they said it would keep the fluid from building up.. Said she would pee allot too. I can tell my little Smidge is doing so much better.. She is one of those dogs, you can tell right away when she isn't her self, and today she is looking like my Smidge!! The Vet was awesome, she spent allot of time explaining things to me. Its not the closest vet, but I have used them for years. Not the cheapest either!! But these are my babies, and I will eat top roman first before I let my babies be sick ! I took in Vida in, cause I couldn't get her out of my head when I saw her. I knew she would die in there in the next few days.. I would do it again. But knowing I made Smidgen sick from bringing Vida home makes me feel terrible. I wish my bank account was as big as my heart!! My ex still has Vida, I haven't called in the last couple days.. He was still on the fence ? She is afraid at times and then fine other times.. With me she wasn't? He said he wanted to give a few more days I am praying now she does work out, cause I have the Pap now.. 5 dogs and I know I would be the crazy dog lady!! hehe.. Beth --- On Fri, 4/1/11, Peggy & The Girls <[email protected]> wrote: From: Peggy & The Girls <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [Chihuahuas] Smidgen To: [email protected] Date: Friday, April 1, 2011, 12:57 PM Sorry to hear about Smidgen. I hope the meds work. I was their once with my female maltese, years ago with a heart murmer that went undetected for too long from stupid Vets that didn't pick up on it until it was too late. Just thought you should know, if she ever starts to feel like she suddenly is heavier and feels gushy or bloated in her tummy...(I also thought she was having a seizure and it turned out to be a heart attack) then run her to the Emergency room! It means that the fluid has built up around her heart. That's how I found out that Gidget had congestion heart failure. They actually removed almost 3 pounds of water weight over night from her little body. I just had her to a Vet 3 days prior, complaining that something wasn t right with her and even mentioned the unexpected weight gain that seemed to be getting worse each day. That Vet said it was just age and they all gain and didn't believe me when I said she was on a maintained diet and I am not one for over feeding. Prior to that Vet, she had a full senior profile done 3 months before and I said the same thing to that Vet. Long story.. short... The Emergency Vet said that she had a very bad heart murmer and had to have had it for a long time to get that bad. Had she been on meds, it would have controlled it and she could have lived longer, sadly she had another heart attack a week later and didn't make it. She still burns a hole in my heart whenever I think of her. She was such a sweet mellow dog, like my Gigi is. Anyway, you are lucky that your Vet picked up on it and I hope that the meds will give her a long life. Many dogs can live a normal and long life on the right meds with a heart problem. Congratulations again! I like the name Ori better then Mason. I think we dog lovers need a second job just to take care of our babies, lol! You know Beth, it is amazing the way things fall into place. You figure... you were saving to get a Pappy, but then the unexpected happens and you find and save Vida's life and that cost you money to. And then you still want a Pappy and find one for free, and again that same money gets used for Smidgen vets care. Gods perfect plan for 3 dogs! You are Blessed, and so are they! More pics of the gang when you get a chance! -------Original Message------- From: Beth M Date: 4/1/2011 12:51:26 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [Chihuahuas] Smidgen Well I took the day off yesterday to take Chassis and Smidgen in for there teeth cleaning, & shots. Smidgen couldn't have either done. she has pneumonia and congestional heart failer. The kennel cough went to pneumonia. She has always had a heart mumur. So she is on some strong medication, and next to a vaporizer.. Chassis is all good and 5 teeth less!! & I am 500.00 poorer!! & Smidge still needs her shots and teeth done!!! Yikes. Oh and I have a newbie!! I got a Papillon. He is 3 years old, and he is the perfect dog!! I got him for free!! "its a good thing too, cause I thought I would have some extra money from taxes to buy one, but with Smidge sick, I used it on her. His name is Ori, and he is 3 years old. He is neuterd, micro chipped, house broke! He is so good.. He gets along with the girls. He is very mellow, and he sleeps at the foot of the bed.. I really lucked out with him!! So now I have my Pack. I am happy!!! Poor but happy.. Beth
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