September 19, 2012 - Mabel, the Rescued Cocker Update

Mabel is doing great, eating like a little piggy, sleeping well with the help of valerian because of back discomfort, and making it through most nights without a pee break. She is still meandering around the deck and house, and sitting on her pillow to observe all the activities around her at TBTB Dog Camp. She is a feisty girl, if a dog gets in her face to try and play around she quickly tells him to piss-off in doglish, baring her teeth and barking loudly. This only happens with the rambunctious ones.

Sweet Mabel

We had a visit with the vet yesterday for acupuncture and it was determined that Mabel does not have enough ‘meat’ on her spine to allow the needles to penetrate without hurting her. The vet recommended acupressure as an alternative. We are ordering a how-to book so we will be able to do the acupressure in the correct spots to help with her back pain. She has a crooked spine in her lumbar region, and probably arthritis – something that comes with age and a lifestyle that was probably less than desirable. She also has a fatty tumor in her right armpit that seems to be growing. If it continues to get bigger we will need to have it removed because of the possible walking hindrance it could cause her.

She is still on her heart meds that cost approximately $75 dollars month. They are new to the market and a generic brand won’t be available for a couple years. Mabel was coughing and wheezing every night before we started her on them, and that has totally gone away and her lungs are clear. They are definitely working. She is also on incontinence pills and glucosamine. Donations are greatly appreciated to help defray the costs of her meds for Cindy and I.

She visited Lisa Ann’s Grooming last week for a “Brazilian.” When she peed some of it was getting on her fur and making an every day bath necessary to eliminate the bad odor. She’s a beautiful little lady and smelling bad is just not part of the equation. With her new bikini clip the problem has been solved. The rest of her coat is growing out nicely to keep her warm this winter. The vet was impressed with how beautiful, thick and lush her fur coat looks.

As far as an adoption goes, I really haven’t tried much to find her a home. She is a special needs girl and Cindy and I both are aware that finding her a place to live out her life other than with us, is unlikely. And we are okay with that. I will be gone for six months this winter and Mabel will live exclusively with Betty Boo, Suzi Q, and foster mom Cindy, unless of course the perfect human falls out of the sky. She’s doing really well and seems happy and content. Upsetting her routine at this age is not a good thing either. She is a dear; a quiet little spirit unless a rowdy dog gets in her face and then look out.

So that’s the news on Ms. Mabel for now. She’s sending hugs and licks to all her fans.

Woof! Woof!