MICROCHIPS--HAVE YOU CHECKED LATELY?

THIS IS IMPORTANT.   

FOR THOSE WHO ADOPTED FROM US, PLEASE CHECK YOUR DOG'S MICROCHIP.  IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, EMAIL US AT POTOMACPEKES@GMAIL.COM.    JEANNE'S NAME WAS THE CONTACT ON SOME OF THESE CHIPS AND YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOUR NAME IS ON THE CHIP CONTACT LIST.  JEANNE'S NUMBER AND CONTACT (IF IT WAS OTHER THAN OUR CLUB EMAIL) WILL NO LONGER WORK.   WE HAVE TRANSFERRED SOME OF THE CHIPS OR ADDED YOUR NAME.  BUT PLEASE CHECK.   WE HAVE SO MANY AND ARE TRYING TO UPDATE, BUT WE CANNOT DO IT ALL.  TAKE YOUR DOG TO YOUR VET, HAVE THE CHIP SCANNED AND GET THE NUMBER AND COMPANY.   MAKE SURE YOUR INFORMATION IS LISTED.   THANK YOU!!

 Bing (formerly Chauncey) was microchipped when he came into rescue.   We do that on each dog we get.  If they already have a microchip, we make sure it's changed to our name.   We want to have current information on all our dogs contact info.

 My Max has a microchip (of course he does!) and we check his chip every year to make sure it is still there.  Microchips have been know to migrate under the skin-- and some have even come out.  It's rare, but it can happen. 

 Tara has a chip-- she was adopted, so her new owners information is on the contact info along with ours.   It's good to have several names listed.   

 Percy was adopted from us by Ida.  His mom is on the ball making sure all her dogs are cared for extremely well.   You know she makes sure his microchip information is current.

Rosie is content and happy and knows she is safe.  Her chances of getting lost are slim-- but it can happen.  That's why we keep names tags and phone numbers on our dogs.  Please check on your dogs' microchip.  Make it a priority. 

MAGNOLIA-- BIG SISTER

Magnolia belongs to Fiona and Bill.  She was one of my foster girls (years ago) and is so sweet.

She has been an only dog since late 2016 when her sister, Amelia, passed away.

And now this little bundle of joy is there!

Scout Bit is discovering toys and is trying to become Magnolia's best friend.

At first, Magnolia just ignored her.  But, how long can you ignore this cute face?

Magnolia will get used to her sister and wonder how she ever got along without her.  I'm sure of it!   Just give her time, sweet Magnolia.  💜

BINKS SAYS HAPPY SUNDAY!

 Precious Binks is one of our fosters who has a lot of medical issues-- arthritis and heart issues.

But, he is SO sweet!!   His foster mom bought him a new orthopedic bed.  I think he loves it!   Binks says HAPPY SUNDAY!

GRASS AWNS AND BEEBEE

 The Sisters, Nala and BeeBee, have been battling for life since they came into rescue in January.   They quickly showed me that they had a serious seizure disorder-- both of them!

 They were so sweet, but the seizures were tough to watch.   After months, we seem to have a handle on them as long as their meds are given on time.  Then, they were diagnosed with IMHA and ITP.   The ITP (low platelets counts) seems to have gotten better.  We are still fighting the IMHA.  BeeBee is having a tougher time, so her system has less resistance.

 This week, though, I took BeeBee in to the vet.  We saw that she had a sore on her foot.   I thought, "oh no, another IMHA side effect."  With a low immune system, the Sisters are prone to many health issues.

 It turned out that the sore was not just on the top of her foot between her toes, but it was also on the bottom.  The vet thought she had grass awn that had gone through her foot, probably from the bottom to the top.  (We can't be sure since it was no longer in her foot.)

 Grass awns can be very dangerous to an animal.  They could breathe it in through their nose and then there's a real issue.   They can burrow into the skin and have to be surgically removed.   These pictures of grass awns show they have a spikey part that can attach to the skin, and embed themselves. 

 The Sisters do not leave my yard, so I don't know where this could have come from.  It could have blown into my yard.  (They can't risk being around areas where other dogs have been.  Of course, we do have vet visits, but I try to protect them from being too close to other dogs.)

 The injury to her foot created a "cave like" hole.  I mean DEEP.   It hurt to look at it.

 The bottom of her foot had an even bigger hole-- I could see right into it, it was not just a surface injury.

 So, we soak it twice a day.  In Epsom salts.  Epsom salts can detoxify.  They can relieve pain.  It can reduce swelling.   It can help draw out infection.  I mix the Epsom salt with warm water and put it in a sandwich bag. 

 I held sweet BeeBee (who lets me do anything to her) on my lap and put her foot in the baggie.  I rub the liquid around her foot, rub it into her foot, massage her foot.   I do this for about ten minutes twice a day.   She has such a limited immune system, such a limited ability to heal, that I'm doing all I can to help her.   After her foot soaks in the solution, I wipe it with a towel and then let it dry.  After that, I put on a topical atibiotic.   

So far, she is doing well.   She seems to know I am helping her.   We want to give her every chance at being a healthy girl.   We just love this pair of sweet Sisters.  (Thank you to everyone who helps with their care-- you are part of their team!!)

ANDY ADOPTED

Andy in his wagon.   The only other Peke I know who had a wagon was my Starlight.   

 Andy came into rescue with his mom, Minnie, and his granddad, Koko.  Of the family, he was the most traumatized.   He needed special care.  

 Jamie and Kim were up to the task.  They had adopted Harrison from us and he was a needy one, too.   Jamie and Kim have so much patience, and Jamie wanted to help another one who needed a "Peke whisperer" on his team.   They offered to foster Andy.

 Kim wrote this: "Well, that only took two weeks. Jamie called it this morning: Andy is our dog now. While there were some potential adopters for Andy, Jamie felt that his special needs meant he should stay with us permanently. He’s completely deaf, and probably blind in one eye. He exhibited pretty significant separation anxiety when we got him, but has settled in nicely and is sleeping through the night. Andy took the news of his official adoption in a very chill way - by sleeping through it on this rainy Saturday. My husband is a Peke whisperer and I admire his patience and compassion for these special dogs."

 Andy now has a lifetime of safety, caring, love and security.   

His new dad calls him Mr. Rooney-- after Andy Rooney.   He said it did his heart good to help Andy and give him a good home.  It does my heart good, too!!   Harrison has been great with his new brother.   Harrison did let Andy know who was in charge, and Andy didn't care.  He isn't a take-charge kind of Peke.   I'm SO happy for Andy/Mr. Rooney.   He deserves this so much.   Thank you Kim and Jamie!  And Harrison!  💙

⭐

TINKERBELLE AND DUMFRIES

Dumfries and Tinkerbelle lived in a home where the owner had passed away.  They were not cared for in a long time.

We were asked to help them and we did.  Fia stepped up and went to get them.   

Tinkerbelle was a little nervous-- but Dumfries was all happiness and joy.   They smelled a bit like car oil, so we assumed they were kept in the garage.

They met Fia's dogs-- and they all did great.  We had been told that Tinkerbelle didn't like big dogs, but she didn't mind them at all.   Big Chance is so good with Fia's visitors!   He really watches over them.

Dumfries needed to be neutered, but Tinkerbelle needed serious mouth help.  Her mouth/teeth/gums were a mess and she was in pain.   She had a lot of work done and will be on soft food for several weeks.   She will feel better than she has in a long time.

Dumfries and Tinkerbelle are small, about 12 pounds.  Dumfries is two and Tinkerbelle is 7.   Dumfries has almost no tail-- he was either born that way or lost it somehow.  But, it still wags so cute!!

We had immediate interest in both of them!   In fact, they've already been adopted into wonderful homes.  Tinkerbelle's new name is Tali Shih-- means something with white dog. :-)  (Both applicants had been pre-approved.  We had a lot of people asking about them, but the approved applicants were given first choice.  If you think you want to adopt, doing the application ahead of time will mean you have a better chance.   Potomac Valley Pekingese Club - Online Application adopt)

We are so glad we could help these two beautiful Pekes!! 

BUDDY BEAU

Buddy Beau was turned into the shelter by his owners who could no longer care for him. 

They kept him in the office because he was just so sweet! 

They helped us transport him.  I love this shelter!! 

He was happy to be on his way.

We took him right to the vet.  He was wonderful!   We do tick panels on our fosters and he was Ehrlichia positive, so he is on meds for a month. (Doxycycline)

He met the dogs in his foster home and was happy to be there. 

He is being neutered today and then is being adopted.   He will be with Maggie the Pug, and Triple, who was adopted from us. 

"Are we getting a new brother?  Really?"

"We are so excited!!"  Just look at that smile.

Buddy Beau will be renamed Crosby and I know he will love it there.  He's a beautiful, happy boy!

WELCOME PEKEY

 We received a request to take in a Peke who had been given to an older woman who just could not keep up with him.     His name is Pekey-- not very original, but actually, it's a cute name. 😃

 His owner was doing her best, but we know how energetic a young Peke can be.  (Look at his tail wagging-- he's a sweet boy.)

 He was eating cat food (bad bad bad for a dog) and we were glad to be able to help. 

 Are you sticking your tongue out at us?  We really do love you! 

 Pekey is about 6-7 years old and will be neutered this week.   Then, he will be ready for adoption. 

I think he's looking for his new home!  We can find one for him!!