Voicelessness and Emotional Survival > Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board
Relationship/s
Hopalong:
So. Absolutely tiny 6-lb little newdog discovers Pooch's very comfy chenille on the foot of my bed and decides that's a good spot. Rather than going Cujo, justifiably, Pooch just gives me a little side-eye and decamps for one of her other beds. Hilarious! Peaceful!
The poor little newdog is absolutely HUNGRY. I can see and feel every rib and her spine is one long line of no-muscle. So very sad. (I'm guessing she should wind up at about 10 lbs.) But she's really sweet and has warmed up in her trusting amazingly over the last 4 hours. I've got to re-feed her very small amounts 4x/day.
I was most anxious about Pooch who has been positively hostessy with the mostessy, compared to what I was worrying about. I'm amazed. I reared a prima donna and she's become a saint!
I'm just feeling good inside. Think I needed an additional being to love and here she is. So far so good.
hugs
Hops
lighter:
Amazing, Hops!! So glad pooch is on board and helping rather than mucking up the works.
I hope she doesn't regret her choices!
I love the idea of this new little spirit extending trust and receiving your tender care. It's heartbreaking how devoted dogs want to be.
I'm going to dance about your happy story, Hops! YES.
Lighter
Hopalong:
My beloved Pooch is behaving like Florence Nightingpooch. I'm awed at her grace. She occasionally approaches for some personal bellyrubbing and reassuring (I explained she is the Queen of my universe and always will be, and Newgirl can be a princess if it all works out.)
Seriously, Pooch has surprised me (because she's dog-aggressive on leash). I think she's been lonely for a dog friend. When I talk to her (we have very detailed one-way conversations) about Newgirl, I swear she grasps a lot of it. I use a lot of simple terms and have said delightedly:
This is Pooch's puppy! Pooch has a puppy! Pooch has a new friend! (The latter is what I tell her every time a stranger comes to visit.) She's been a little confused but also wags her tail as those magic words. She just watches Newgirl and is peaceful.
Pooch at one time (before I adopted her) had puppies, they don't know how many litters. I felt that she carried sadness about them (it was recent as her teats were enlarged) and talked to her about that our first afternoon on the couch together. This may sound weird but I do believe in emotional communications with animals: I gently pinched her teats and said in absolute gentleness: I'm so sorry you lost your puppies. Pooch heaved a great sigh, and then relaxed. It was a powerful moment.
So, dunno exactly what will happen with these two, but they're coexisting very peacefully and Pooch seems quite careful around Newgirl's fragility. I've been emailing the foster team a few updates as Newgirl might have a respiratory problem, but it might be transient. I'll take her in for a checkup on Monday if she's not better. Otherwise, she's wagging her tail, follows me around.
She's so small and fragile (esp. with ribs sticking out) that I feel I'm living with a baby bird. She's just delicate. But very very sweet and I'm glad I fetched her.
Thanks for listening to all this!
hugs
Hops
lighter:
Oh how terribly satisfying and gratifying your foster experience has been, Hops! I think dogs are psychic, personally. It sure seems pooch understands.
Keep updating. What a lovely connection you've made.
Lighter
Hopalong:
I'm certain she has bordatella and am a little frustrated they didn't tell me to bring her in yesterday (their clinic provides free care for the first few weeks). They wanted me to capture the coughing seizures (a few each morning) on video and I'm just too AM-foggy and fumbly with the dang new phone to get it on in time.
But I HAVE read multiple descriptions of a bordatella cough online, and it fits. I've emailed them again and wait for instructions. She is SO frail that getting pneumonia could kill her.
She was vaccinated mid-March but got it anyway. I had Pooch get the jab the day before brining newgirl home, but so far she seems fine.
Might move this stuff to a thread about Animals but gotta go do other stuff.
:(
Hops
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