He's sitting just outside their fence. Says it's a chain link fence with razor stuff along the top. I'm betting that's to keep thieves out.

He's got her and they're on they're way home! He's crying, says she's extremely underweight. He took some boiled chix with him and gave her a small amount and she's looking for more but we don't want her on a fully tummy not knowing how she'll ride in the car and being so underweight we have to do this slowly. She came right up to him and nuzzled in

Now they are saying they have no info on her, she was left in a dump bin outside the building. That's scary - I hope she's good with other dogs like they said.

Her tummy is hanging way down and is hard, don't now what that's from. Over-breeding? Tumor? Her nails are way overly-long.

She's smaller than Riley he believes, even after we get some weight on her he thinks she'll be smaller than him.

She's completely blind but to Joe says it looks like cataracts.

We're putting off any meeting with the other two dogs right. I'll crate them and close the door. She can stay up with me and I will have her crate ready for her for when I have to switch dogs.

Going to call the vet to make an appt.

Basicly, as blind people are over-sensitive to strong scents, I can just imagine how overwhelming any strong scents would be for a blind dog. That's why I'm gently suggesting avoiding using any strong scents at all. It would be like shouting in her ear, all the time. And she has so much to accustom to in a new home. Bring her softly to places you want her to be aware of-- sharp objects, corners, and the like. Show her what she needs to be aware of in your home.

At one center I go to, blind toddlers tear madly around corners, screeching in delight, following their rapidfire whacking mini white canes. My way of saying: Blind doesn't mean low-energy, gentle, or easy! She may be mellow by nature, or she may be a spitfire. If she's a bouncy girl, maybe you could walk her by herself, or with Riley or Nissa at some point if they get along. Maybe with a coupler? You'll know what to try when the time comes, I bet.

I'm thrilled you will be taking her to the vet for visual exam. This is great! You may be able to help her eyesight. Or, to find out if she's actually got some good residual vision, which she may even keep, maybe!

Deb, you are being so thoughtful. I am so hoping this works out perfectly! She is one beautiful girl! I hope that she melds perfectly, seamlessly, and that your home is filled with harmony with her blended right in.

Yay! I'm pleased that he has her. The vet will give her a good exam, and you'll have more info. The very best of luck to you all!

I hope this tummy thing is just something like worms and not something serious. I don't want her anywhere near my dogs until the vet has seen her and that is at 10:15 tomorrow morn

Can someone please tell me, do female dogs who've had puppies ever lose that "nursing look" I see them with? You know where everything hangs down and is loose and wiggly?

Ok, I did NOT put any scents out - none. The Bounce that I bought would be very strong. I'm listening, Patti! I like how you put the "like shouting in her hear" explanation - that makes perfect sense to me. Thank you for opening my eyes.

Deb,

I'm glad that you decided not to use Bounce. There are some toxicities associated with dryer sheets, maybe because some people use them to wipe their dogs. Anyway, Annabell Lee can probably get along with them.

I imagine your house will smell like the Garden of Eden to her.

MJ

PS
Joe really has a tender heart.

Glad she is on her way home. I think she will thrive with some good care.

Hope the eyes are just cataracts and fixable to some degree.

I don't know about the female nursing thing, but I would think that they do, from looking at ome of the other dogs that have had pups.

So glad she snuggled right in. I agree with MJ, joe has a very tender heart.

So glad she is going HOME

Deb, you are wonderful! And your hubby, too. Just sayin'!
May the tummy thing just be worms. No chance she's preggers, right? With the nipply thaang goin' on, too? I hope she settles in and is the perfect match for Riley and Nissa! May this be the start of something beautiful for your family and your new darling!

Excellent about not adding artificial scents. She'll quickly learn the layout of the house. Main walkways smell like feet, chairs smell like... well, you know. Kitchen and laundry room, bathroom, and bedrooms all have distinctive odors for her. Paws crossed her cataracts, if that's the issue, can be addressed. Sending you all the best luck possible for a great outcome at the vets!

I'm so happy for this beautiful girl! Deb, your husband is a very special guy - but you already know that... When I read that he was crying over her - well, that just got to me... Hoping that everything goes smoothly and that there are no major health issues. Lots of new things to deal with, but I have every confidence that you will work your way through them! Can't wait to see pics and hear updates!!

deb, sorry i only "saw" her on a facebook thread, i could have been a bit clearer about that, lol...and when i see you asking about a "hanging tummy", my mind goes somewhere it shouldn't...like...is it even possible she could be preggers?

patti, "chairs smell like, well you know"...you are BAD. in a very good and funny way!

wishing you great success with blending her into your pack. it'll take a good while before you can be totally comfortable that they'll all get along.

He keeps calling me and trying to prepare me for how bad she is. Get this - he got a urine and poop sample on the road, LOL! Her vet appt is 10:15 tomorrow morn. They should hit Chicago around midnight and home here around 3am.

He says every time he starts to think that he's driving 1800mi round trip only to wind up with a dog that we're only going to have to put down due to medical issues, she amazes him with something that tells him her will to survive is ENORMOUS!

No sign of fleas or ticks thank goodness. Her nails are very long and the more he's with her the more he believes she was a puppy mill Mama. Callouses on elbows and chest and no muscle mass in her legs. I see hydrotherapy in our future.

She's been a dream in the car he says.

I've got chicken boiled and rice cooking now.

Gotta go to work. Soon as I can I will take pics and post.

You guys have been GREAT! Thanks so much for your support and everything else!

He is doing a great job. I bet she is going to be a star once she gets settled.

Mary Jane posted a link to a shut down protocol that ome use for rescuues: http://germanshepherdhome.net/forum/ubbt...oday#Post282874 There are other good posts in that thread, but later Jean posts some good advice. Maybe there are some ideas in there just to help you with the tranition.

Can't wait for pics of this very special girl. I have good vibes that with good care she will thrive.

They got home about 3:30 this morn. OMG this girl is in really bad shape! Remember Courage in CA about 2-3 years ago or so? Well, she's a real close 2nd to his condition. She can walk but she's very wobbly and can only walk for no more than 5min and she lays down. I've never seen a dog this skinny up close and personal, only pics and pics make me wanna cry so you can imagine having my own dog in that condition! I'm betting she needs a good 20lbs on her if not more.

She's obviously recently had puppies, that's what's hanging down and it's not hard really but there is a lump in her chest area, we think it's a callous but we'll leave that up to the vet. Her nails are horrendously long which I'm sure is contributing to her walking problems. Gonna have the vet do some clipping.

She absolutely REEKS! Nasty! But her face is absolutely BEAUTIFUL! She's not a plush coat like Joe thought, at least I don't think so. There isn't a grey hair on her muzzle and she's got a very young dainty face, we honestly don't think she's over about 5yo.

Going the extra mile – 1800 of them! You guys rock. I hope, hope, hope it will be ok. I've driven many just pulled dogs with the car windows open to ease the bad smell. Driving 1800 miles with that gag inducing smell to save the dog, your man is a gem.

HW is my first thought with a neglected dixie dog. Fingers crossed it's at a treatable stage, ifff she has it, and almost all of them do. I am so glad she'll be seen by a vet right away. Awesome work. You prepared so well and thoughtfully, big cudos to you, what a lucky dog she is.

PS Bounce is also highly allergenic. Can trigger asthma in humans and cats and itchies in dogs. So glad Patti gave you advice on limited vision and blindness. What a great group of people.

Glad she got home okay ... hope her trip to the vet goes well for everyone concerned!!!

Can't even start to say how much I admire you and your DH for giving this girl a home!!!

thinking of you and sending good energy. your description of her and her "dainty" face is just heartbreaking. when i saw her picture it wasn't apparent that she was as thin as you describe...but that FACE, that face i simply could not get out of my head.

I too want to express my admiration for what you and your husband are doing. May the vet visit go well, and not find anything too seriously wrong with her. Can't wait to see the pictures when you are able to post them.