5.09.2011

May 9, 2011

White Dog shook her head and said, "When they make The White Dog Army Movie, I want it to open with Tina Turner introducing Proud Mary when she says we don't do nothin' easy..."

WD was lamenting with me after speaking with Dr. Julia who told us that we should take Puff's womanly condition seriously because with her age and heart damage from the heartworms and continuing congestion a pregnancy could be life threatening. She also confirmed my suspicion that like Steve's vasectomy, YoYoMa's neutering would not render him impotent for a week to 10 days (residual sperm in tubes)! That means we have to take steps to separate Still Another White Dog, not just to avoid TOWD's and YAWD's harassment, but also to avoid a potential unwanted pregnancy! Yikes!

We discussed the possibility of sending SAWD to stay with a friend who has all girl dogs but Steve and Puff have a special bond that would make such a separation a punishment for both. A former puppy mill breeder who was kept kenneled most of life, SAWD has difficulties with being crated. YoYoMa was physically abused while in a crate by a man who rolled the crate around and over, kicking it in a drunken game of "soccer" with his friends.

This new vet information means that we will not only have to separate our girl who is just beginning to become social but will also have to deny her freedom of the dog door to go in and out. Last night, we crated her in our bedroom, in a different crate from the one she uses as her safe haven (which has no door so she doesn't feel imprisoned). We awakened to a mess. She had soiled the crate and herself and was timidly remorseful.

After brainstorming, our best solution seems to be to use a giant travel crate (Mastiff sized) and place it in the living room so that our girl is protected but can still be part of the family. Yes, the boys, YoYo in particular, will congregate at its door but she will be safe and still will hear and see all that goes on. We will leash walk her in the front yard to avoid a yard mob scene. At night, we are going to try to again crate her in the smaller kennel in our room rather than leave her alone in the other half of the house...if that doesn't work then we will try keeping her in the big box.

White Dog has positioned herself on the couch next to her incarcerated sister and Nuka lies nearby. Quinn has gently approach SAWD and touched noses through the gate in a gesture of solidarity. Even YoYoMa has calmed a bit and lies across the room in the doorway facing poor Puff (not with lust in his eyes but rather, seeming to understand that all of this is beyond both their control).

The White Dog Army, we don't do nothin' easy...but we do it with love.

13 comments:

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

Just keep telling yourselves, this too shall pass - too bad it has to take so long and has to be so hard on all. Paws crossed for all.

Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

The Daily Pip said...

It does sound stressful, but the OP Pack is right, this too shall pass!

Your pal, Pip

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Oh my!

NevFUR a dull moment in NM!

Seriously, all are in our thoughts!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Teddy Bear said...

It breaks our hearts to hear about what the bad man did to YoYo.:( We hope this time passes quickly.

Love,
Teddy Bear & Sierra

24 Paws of Love said...

It isn't easy, but of course everything done with love makes it better. So sorry to hear what happened to YoYoMa. Awful!! Hope she is doing better.

I can't add much to what you are doing, keeping them separated and as comfortable as possible. I used to separate them into different rooms and take turns with them being out with us and going outside. You may or may not have some fights between the boys as they might fight over her. Just for your FYI.

Good luck!

Brian's Home Blog said...

I know the love and patience of the WD Family will make it all work out just fine!

Jacqueline said...

We are very sad to hear about the horrible abuse your adorable babies suffered before finding safe refuge and unconditional love with you, but so thankful you all found each other...And, we're sorry to hear this inconvenience with nature had to occur before sweet YoYoMa had a chance to settle into family life with everyone, but we know things will improve for everyone as soon as you all cross this hurdle...You guys are such a great family and we're sure all your babies (especially precious Puff) realize you are helping them navigate a difficult situation with kindness and love...Wishing you all the very best, lovely friends=we adore you all so much...love and hugs...J, Calle, Halle, Sukki
PS...Sorry we are a little late, but we left Happy Mommy's Day wishes for you, sweet Sue...xoxo

Random Felines said...

If it was easy, anyone could do it! Hopefully the days will pass quickly and safely. We didn't realize the background of some of the army and we are so very glad they now have such a safe and loving home with you!!

Kari in Alaska said...

I know YoYo slept just fine in a crate when he was with us and was happy to greet us in the AM but we have a very different type of crate at home (a 20 dollar pop up from Target)

Kari
http://dogisgodinreverse.com

Mack said...

We agree with the OP pack!!

Sugars,
Mack

Amy & the house of cats said...

Oh we are so sorry about the dificulties going on - it sounds like a case of bad timing. If any army of dogs and people can get through it all though, we know you can. It stinks that there is no way to have them be more I don't know even - but we know that you will do as much as you can to make sure that Puff understands that you love her and want her to be as much a part of the family as she can be at the moment. As long as you show her you still love her I think it should all be ok - at least you won't have to worry about this next time because all the boys will have been taken care of for a while by then.

Angel Ginger Jasper said...

Its so sad that this has happened at this point when things were going so well, but the power of your love will make sure you aall come through the other end ok. I send some of my loudest purrs that all will go well and you can start to all enjoy life together.. Hugs GJ xx

Sagira said...

Oh no...poor girl. Monthly woman issues are NO fun at all.