1. < Mental Health

~ Pet Purchase Mistake? ~

Posted by Barb @amberpep, Apr 3, 2018

Up until a year ago, I had a puppy mill Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. I had to put her down last year .... she was 11. Well, that took forever to get passed, but this weekend I bought a border collie (3 months), the cutest little face. I thought I was getting her from a family who had special quarters for their breeding program ..... was I ever wrong. When I turned in the driveway I should have backed right out ..... behind the house it was a hoarder's paradise ....giant mess doesn't even cover it......everything from old tires, big metal rims all over, refrigerators, washing machines ..... you get the picture. I won't go into the whole thing, but I did wind up getting a little black and white female ..... BIG mistake. I told him I was taking her to my Vet. in the AM and did he have papers to show that I bought her from him .... no he didn't. Stupid me. I got her home, fed her and took her out, and sat in my rocking chair holding her, scratching her belly, and just loving on her.....so cute. Well, as I was doing this I noticed a "necklace" of ticks all the way around her neck, attached. And fleas galore! The ticks were all over her body also. I called my Vet. in the AM and they got me right in. The Vet. tech. said they must have taken 100 ticks off of her, and the fleas were just hopping all over the place. Both the Vets there examined her, she'd had no shots yet, and they said that while she seemed to be OK then, there very likely would be things crop up within the year. They called him for some questioning, which he answered vaguely .... they were very angry with him and I was angry with myself for being so stupid. They gave her the shots she needed, a pill for the fleas and ticks, and dipped her quickly in some watery solution for the jumping fleas. I didn't know what to do .... I was so upset. I didn't want to take her back to that guy because I'd be putting her right back in the same situation, I thought of the SPCA because down here they really check potential buyers out thoroughly. Then the Vet said, "wait, I have an idea." And off she scurried, dog in her arms, all the while I was sniveling ..... it's just been too much this week. She said that one of their Techs. had been looking for another border collie (they have 2) as their family has a farm and the dogs just love to run, chase vermon, etc ..... they need lots of exercise. She came out holding the dog, and here it was a early 20 year old Mennonite girl whose family raise beef and corn. I knew her well from going there for so long. OMG, I couldn't believe it. I signed off and gave her the dog. I knew she'd have a good home and have lots of room to run.

What is it with this place? Everything I try to do down here falls flat on its face, ever since I left MD and moved to VA. Oh how I want to go home, but I can't ... my condo has been sold, I can't afford to rent anything up there, and my 2 girls would be devastated if I moved .... they love having me here. I wish I had never left MD ...... I'd been there 30 years and it's still "home" to me.
abby

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Parus | @parus | Apr 4, 2018

@amberpep So sorry you are struggling so...as to wishes-if wishes were horses beggars would ride. I regret leaving TN, but stuff happens. Your girls are happy to have you here for some reason.
The tale of your Border Collie puppy surely was horrific!! They do need lots of room and are not suited well to confinement. How anyone can allow animals to be abused in the way you described is out and out cruelty. You rescued one. We know about abuse.

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Lisa Lucier | @lisalucier | Apr 4, 2018

@amberpep -- so sorry to hear about this dog story. Heartbreaking for the dog and for you. But, it does sound like it had a happy ending for the border collie -- you rehomed him to a much better place. That is something to feel good about, for sure.

On another note, are you getting to spend some good time with your daughters lately?

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Barb | @amberpep | Apr 7, 2018

I spent the whole day today with one of my girls and we had a wonderful time ..... they are so kind and sweet to me .... it's almost hard to believe. As for the pup, I called Animal Control and told them what was going on, and they already had at least one officer investigating this guy .... he said now he has several because this jerk will be shut down.
abby

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Barb | @amberpep | Apr 7, 2018

I'm continuing to pray for God to send the right pup for me. I'm divorced, 73 years old, and live in a low income apartment. Needless to say, I'm very lonesome. I have 2 cats, but ..... they're not the same. My girls are wonderful, but they have lives too and I'm not going to ask for more. So, onward we go on our hunt for "the" dog.
abby

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Barb | @amberpep | Apr 30, 2018

My 3 adult kids all went together and got me a Cocatier, which is a cross between a Cavalier and a Cocker Spaniel. They are trying to breed out the inevitable heart problems Cavaliers are born with. This one (Ginger) is from 2 Cocatiers, so her chances are very good. I couldn't believe they did this for me .... she is adorable .... all white, an auburn blenheim head and a few auburn spots on her back. She's 3 months. She's already perked up my "sit around" life! I've gotten out and walked with her several times a day, and she's wonderful company.
And ..... as usual, I've done something dumb ..... I walked into the bathroom last night, slipped on something on the floor and went flying. I landed on my bum and once again my left foot came crashing to the floor ..... I knew I'd broken that small outside bone on the left foot (which I did 2x when I lived in MD after my knee revision). One thing was different was my toes were somewhat numb and the area across the foot from the ball of the foot was really hurting. So, I'm all wrapped up, self-style, and if that area is still that sore tomorrow I guess I'll have to go to the Emergi-care place across the road .... they have x-ray equipment. Good grief! I'm thankful for good health, but stuff like this seems like it will never end. It's always something!
abby (thanks for listening to my pity party)

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3 replies
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | May 1, 2018
In reply to @amberpep "My 3 adult kids all went together and got me a Cocatier, which is a cross..." + (show)
@amberpep

My 3 adult kids all went together and got me a Cocatier, which is a cross between a Cavalier and a Cocker Spaniel. They are trying to breed out the inevitable heart problems Cavaliers are born with. This one (Ginger) is from 2 Cocatiers, so her chances are very good. I couldn't believe they did this for me .... she is adorable .... all white, an auburn blenheim head and a few auburn spots on her back. She's 3 months. She's already perked up my "sit around" life! I've gotten out and walked with her several times a day, and she's wonderful company.
And ..... as usual, I've done something dumb ..... I walked into the bathroom last night, slipped on something on the floor and went flying. I landed on my bum and once again my left foot came crashing to the floor ..... I knew I'd broken that small outside bone on the left foot (which I did 2x when I lived in MD after my knee revision). One thing was different was my toes were somewhat numb and the area across the foot from the ball of the foot was really hurting. So, I'm all wrapped up, self-style, and if that area is still that sore tomorrow I guess I'll have to go to the Emergi-care place across the road .... they have x-ray equipment. Good grief! I'm thankful for good health, but stuff like this seems like it will never end. It's always something!
abby (thanks for listening to my pity party)

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@amberpep

Congratulations on your new little pup - Ginger sounds adorable and I'm sure you will enjoy the company. That was so thoughtful of your kids to do that for you (an early Mother's Day gift?).

I am sorry to hear of your slip and fall - after you go to the Emergi-care place will you let me know how you are doing?

I look forward to hearing from you later.

Teresa

REPLY
Lisa Lucier | @lisalucier | May 1, 2018
In reply to @amberpep "My 3 adult kids all went together and got me a Cocatier, which is a cross..." + (show)
@amberpep

My 3 adult kids all went together and got me a Cocatier, which is a cross between a Cavalier and a Cocker Spaniel. They are trying to breed out the inevitable heart problems Cavaliers are born with. This one (Ginger) is from 2 Cocatiers, so her chances are very good. I couldn't believe they did this for me .... she is adorable .... all white, an auburn blenheim head and a few auburn spots on her back. She's 3 months. She's already perked up my "sit around" life! I've gotten out and walked with her several times a day, and she's wonderful company.
And ..... as usual, I've done something dumb ..... I walked into the bathroom last night, slipped on something on the floor and went flying. I landed on my bum and once again my left foot came crashing to the floor ..... I knew I'd broken that small outside bone on the left foot (which I did 2x when I lived in MD after my knee revision). One thing was different was my toes were somewhat numb and the area across the foot from the ball of the foot was really hurting. So, I'm all wrapped up, self-style, and if that area is still that sore tomorrow I guess I'll have to go to the Emergi-care place across the road .... they have x-ray equipment. Good grief! I'm thankful for good health, but stuff like this seems like it will never end. It's always something!
abby (thanks for listening to my pity party)

Jump to this post

So happy for you, Abby @amberpep, that you now have a sweet puppy. Sounds like a really neat mix. Will you post a picture? I'm sure she is super cute. So neat your kids got her for you -- how wonderful. Glad you will have a little companion.

Really sorry to hear about the fall. Like Teresa @hopeful33250, I'd love to hear an update after you see the doctor.

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Barb | @amberpep | May 1, 2018

Thank you so much, all of you. Yes, little Ginger has really helped with that empty spot in my heart and home. I did go to the Emergency Care this AM and they x-rayed, and there are several torn ligaments in my left foot. They wrapped it, told me to use my walker, keep my weight off of it as much as possible, and if it was not better in 5-10 days to see my Internist as there could be hairline fractures that the x-ray didn't pick up. So, hobble I do ..... I'm getting pretty good at this. Maybe I should tie balloons on my walker!
abby

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1 reply
Parus | @parus | May 1, 2018
In reply to @amberpep "Thank you so much, all of you. Yes, little Ginger has really helped with that empty..." + (show)
@amberpep

Thank you so much, all of you. Yes, little Ginger has really helped with that empty spot in my heart and home. I did go to the Emergency Care this AM and they x-rayed, and there are several torn ligaments in my left foot. They wrapped it, told me to use my walker, keep my weight off of it as much as possible, and if it was not better in 5-10 days to see my Internist as there could be hairline fractures that the x-ray didn't pick up. So, hobble I do ..... I'm getting pretty good at this. Maybe I should tie balloons on my walker!
abby

Jump to this post

@amberpep Be sure to use several and then maybe you could fly above the clouds. Congrats on your new arrival. Be sure to tie some balloons on her so she can fly with you!!

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