Cappy

Update: 11/22/09

Glamour Boy would like everyone to look at his Before & After photos. It took only a week for the matted, dirty, exhausted fellow lying discarded in the gutter to make a transformation into the clean, shiny, silky-coated old gent you see now. He has sparkling clean teeth, too, thanks to a dental cleaning at the vet’s… and he got his ultra-long nails trimmed at the same time, and a few lumps removed (you can see the staples in his muzzle and on his side). His blood work was surprisingly good for an old guy! Foster mom Margo says he’s doing well, continuing to recover from everything he’s just been through. Once his appetite gets up to speed, we’ll be starting him on Metacam to help with his arthritis. Go Cappy!

On the side of the road, near the parking lot of an office complex surrounded by highways, the elderly dog lay unmoving in the gutter. Tired, dirty, neglected, unwanted – clearly just dumped like trash and left to fate. But Friday the 13^th turned out to be a lucky day for one old dog…

Arriving early for work, a kindly lady spotted something strange and went to investigate. And once she realized that what she’d seen from her car window  was a Golden Retriever in desperate need – not just a bundle of wet rags – she didn’t hesitate. She enlisted the help of a friend,  gently hoisted the abandoned dog (too weak even to stand) into her car, and headed for the vet. Once the Golden was settled there for the weekend,  she sent out a photo & e-mail plea far and wide. Could anyone help?

Of course! Anyone who knows GRR knows we have a soft spot for seniors. So often these ancient “train wrecks” prove surprisingly resilient—with good food, good care, and lots of love in an all-amenities-included retirement home, they enjoy every minute. And the vet where the old dog was stashed said, “This one has some years left for sure. But you folks will have a project on your hands. It will take some work to get her healthier . We did an exam & provided  medication for arthritis & pain.  Blind in her right eye from a cataract.  Very overweight.  Hair loss near base of tail, probably from fleas or allergies. Nails are extremely long, curling under, and make it hard for her to walk… but she can now stand for short periods of time, and can stand to potty. She has very, very severe dental disease.  Cleaning her teeth & possibly removing some teeth would really help. Ears are OK – surprisingly clean, and earflaps are normal and soft, not thickened.  Hearing is minimal at best.  She has several lipomas (fatty lumps).  Perfectly nice dog.”

It took a full day of phone calls, but finally transport to Austin was arranged – and “Caprice” arrived in town on Saturday November 14^th to stay with Margo: “She’s doing great – more mobile than I expected & is enjoying wandering through the yard. Needs to lose 30 – 35#. All my dogs like her, especially McCarthy the Komondor… he thinks she’s mighty cute. Lots of mats & the worst teeth I’ve ever seen.  Happy & friendly. Very nice girl. I am pleasantly surprised.”

However, a much bigger surprise was in store the next day! Margo decided that Caprice really needed the full beauty treatment, and since the oldster was clearly enjoying being brushed so much, why not just head for the bathtub, too? “So I’ve been brushing Caprice for hours & hours; have had my hands all over her... McCarthy thinks she’s cute as can be & Thunder has been kissing her & everyone likes her lots.  She is so fat at 98#, but she is looking prettier & prettier, the more I groom her.  And I decide I’ve taken enough baskets full of fur out of her, and it’s time for her bath.  I’m tired, and my back is sore from bathing the other dogs, but I’m gutting it out & doing the final dog bath.  I’m standing almost upside down, scrubbing Caprice as fast as I can, before she lies down.  My eyes are looking upward toward her tummy (I really am bent double,  scrubbing as fast as I can).  Suddenly I see what appears to be a tumor.  I’m thinking, Oh no, she has cancer. I’m having that sick feeling, expecting that Caprice is not going to live much longer.  And then I get one more eyeful, before  she collapses.  It’s a penis!!!!!!   It’s a not much of one, but sure enough, that’s what it is.  Behind  all her fur & tucked in her fat abdomen, it’s a penis! It’s taken 45 minutes for me to stop laughing.  Caprice’s new name is Cappy.”

Well! Girl or boy, fat or trim, old or young – what does it matter? All Goldens welcome in GRR!  In the coming days we’ll get Cappy a more thorough  vet check, including heartworm test, and come up with an action plan for dealing with his terrible teeth and overgrown nails. Stay tuned!

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