GIZZY-- HEALTHY BOY

 I had to post this picture of Gizzy again-- he adores his dad.  His adores his mom, too, but I do not have a picture of her. :-)

 I told you I would share what Gizzy's mom and dad did to help him overcome his health issues that were a result of severe allergies.   I have taken tips from them to help my own two allergy dogs.

 Gizzy used to get baths more often, but he is stable now and so once a week, he has a spa day.   Each day, though, they check his skin to see if he has any break outs -- any new bumps on him.  Any "crusty bumps" are cleaned well when they are seen and a grooming brush is used to remove any crusty bits ready to come off.  Then, the area is cleaned with a Clorhexadrine pad.  The pads are also used for cleaning his face folds, feet, and ear flaps when they appear red and he seems to be licking them or itching them. (I have posted pictures of each product they use at the end of this blog.  You can check with your vet before using any of them, to see if this is a good choice for your pet.  I am not vets and I always work with my vet on any treatment I am doing.)

 Tim wrote this about Gizzy's food:
"For food we have him on a strict diet of green beans, carrots, and baked sweet potato alternately mixed with Science Diet D/D (both crunchy and canned) and Primal Freeze Dried Nuggets - Venison formula (aka venison biscuit, they are shaped like little biscuits that crumble easily).  We do a mix of one of each for each meal.  So one day will be Green Beans and crunchy kibble and another day will be canned food and carrots and another will be sweet potato and venison biscuit.  We feed once a day in the evenings.  We've tried twice a day feedings but they don't eat in the mornings and we have to make sure they are fed separately because Doolin gets different food that isn't okay for Gizzy but Gizzy would love to get some. When Doolin is done we quickly take his plate up or Gizzy will casually float over and before you know it, he's licked the finish off the plate.

For treats we give 4 different kinds:  Zukes clean berry Zbones, Zukes apple Zbones, Zukes venison Zfilets, and Virbac C.E.T VeggieDent sticks."  

(I have begun my two allergy dogs on Derm Defense, like the Science Diet, D/D, and it has helped a lot.  I also use Allergy treats that are made by Science Diet that go with the food they eat.  I use a similar shampoo to Gizzy's and also an Oatmeal/Aloe shampoo to help soothe the skin.  I have learned so much from Tim sharing with me over the past year.)

At the end of the day, Gizzy snuggles in his mom or dad's lap.   He is a loved, contented boy.

{Gizzy is so well cared for and even his vet has made notes on his care so she can share it with other clients.   Having an allergy dog may not be the easiest thing-- we want to give them treats that may not be good for them.  Diligence is worth it though, because your pet will improve so much!!  Thank you for sharing, Gizzy!!}

{Gizzy's dad gets all bath and cleaning supplies through Amazon and the treats and food are a mix of Amazon and Chewy.Com.  Your own vet may carry a lot of these.  My vet does, which makes it easy to just pick them up. :-) }

ROCKY AND FURBY

 Rocky and Furby are son and father.   Baby Girl came in with them, but we had to put them all in separate foster homes.    I kept Furby with me because we thought he was in the worse shape and I just wanted to take care of him.   (It turned out that Baby Girl had significant health issues also.)

 Furby has improved so much, and I talked to Rocky's foster mom to see if Furby could come there to be with his son.   They loved each other so much and would roll around and play when I first got them into rescue.  Rocky is a lot bigger than his dad, but they weighed almost the same when they came into rescue.   With activity, and a special food for allergies (and no junk food), Furby has lost almost four pounds!   He is at a good weight now and it really helps his back legs.   He could barely move when he came into rescue, and now he's all over the place!

 We met in Richmond yesterday to let them see each other, and to let Furby go home with Rocky.  

 Those two have been together for over 8 years-- and they acted like neither one was there!  We were stunned.   They hardly looked at each other!

I think they will remember each other in a short time.  And I hope they will play together.  If Furby is not happy, I will bring him back here.  But, the idea of having father/son together again was a happy one-- I hope it turns out and we can find them a home together!

GIZZY-- LOOK AT HIM NOW!

 Gizzy came into rescue with a lot of allergy issues.   His foster mom and dad were FABULOUS!!  

 We have great foster homes in our rescue, but this one saw the challenge this little boy was facing and hit it head on.

 Gizzy saw a specialist, got on special food and had a lot of special baths.

 That was good, but they wanted more.

 He is the sweetest boy, he loves his tennis balls.  

 His foster mom and dad kept working to help him to be super healthy.  

 He was adopted by them last Christmas-- the only gift his dad wanted.   Doolin wanted it, too!

 I will be sharing more of his healing journey on Monday.  Routine, shampoos, food... If you have an allergy dog, you won't want to miss this one.   Tim, Gizzy's dad, shared it all with me and it has helped me!  (My Kai Kai and Chumley are both allergy dogs.)

Can you tell they love each other?? :-)

SWEET MATTIE

 Mattie came into rescue on Wednesday-- she has a long story, and she's been through a lot.  But, she is safe now.

 Here she was when I got her.  Greasy, matted, dirty-- but sweet.

 She was immediately seen by my vet and the groomer there graciously took her right away to clean her up.

 Bows on-- they lasted almost 24 hours!

 She was so content on my daughter's lap.

 She came to my house and met my gang.  She was totally fine with them all.

 She met Max.

 And Benjamin knew she was there.  Oh, she smelled so sweet.

 Chumley came to welcome her.

 Then, Mattie noticed we have kid things.   She jumped on my chair.

 Yes, I will share with you!

 Then, it was off to check out the car.  

 She fit right in.

 Furby went to greet her.

 Floyd had to be introduced to her, too.

 She did not mind a bit.

 Speaking of "bit"-- Sugar Bit came to meet her.

 Then, Sugar Bit checked out the dog crate Mattie came with.

 She was very comfy in the playpen for the night-- on one of the special blankets that Jackie made.

 The next morning, out we went.

 Mattie thought the border grass was fabulous!

 A good place to roll around.

 Fun!!

 This little one is 13 pounds, about 7-8 years old.  She is housetrained, sweet, loving, and playful.  She is quiet, too.  I have not heard her bark yet, but I know it will come.  

Welcome to rescue, sweet girl!

WELCOME TO RESCUE, MATTIE

 I will write a longer blog tomorrow-- long rescue day yesterday, but so worth it.  

 Mattie is a very sweet  and met my group with no issues at all.

See tomorrow's blog for more pictures!