4/10/08:
Petey has blossomed these last few months in his
foster home. He's gained about fifteen pounds and
has filled out and looks very handsome. He's
getting along great with his foster brother and
sisters. He loves the daily hikes in the woods and
at age 6 1/2 acts like a much younger dog when he's
running around with the other two young boxers in
residence. He loves to run and play with a squeaky
tennis ball in his mouth. This is something
wonderful to behold after all that Petey's been
through.
Yesterday Petey was diagnosed
with Central Diabetes Insipidus. This is
a very rare disease that occurs when the body has
too little of the hormone vasmopressin which
regulates water in the body. The diagnosis is very
good news because Petey will finally have treatment
to end his terrible thirst and his need to urinate
frequently. He'll need to take the drug
desmopressin every day which can be costly but he's
already a much happier boy and thankfully is not
showing any side effects from it. Sadly many dogs
with this disease go undiagnosed and, because their
symptoms are misunderstood, they are put down or
brought to shelters.
Petey still has very bad
separation anxiety but we are working on this
because he hates his crate so much. We think by
resolving his water issues and reassuring him with
his daily routine, he may grow out of his anxiety.
Fortunately, one of us is home most of the time.
He does not like riding in the car and is
territorial towards other dogs who come to visit.
Also, Petey is extremely shy when people come to
the house but is very well behaved and we think has
had some obedience training in the past. He comes
when you call him and listens very well. He is the
sweetest most wonderful boy who deserves a very calm
and loving forever home.
1/25/08: Petey
in now in a very loving foster but at this time he
in not up for adoption but on "medical hold"
while he is having diagnostic tests in order to
figure out the reason behind his excessive thirst.
He drinks tremendous amounts of water and as a
result, his urine is extremely diluted.
Fortunately, his blood tests are normal and his
kidneys are functioning very well. His water
consumption is too extreme to be considered
behavioral or stress related, even for a dog with
separation anxiety who lost his beloved owner and so
we are pursuing medical tests to find out the
underlying reason. Today he had a urine culture and
an ultrasound of his bladder and kidneys. He's
such a good boy and was so well behaved at the vet's
office, every one there fell in love with him, we
will have updated information on Petey soon.
12/8/07: Before
previously coming into rescue Petey was a shelter
surrender, sadly he was given up by his first owner
because the other dogs in the home were picking on
him and he had separation anxiety. Petey still
has some separation anxiety but he has come along
way. He is a total sweet heart, he may be a
bit shy at first and run and hide when he sees new
people but once they have settled in and he knows
all is ok he warms up real well. The great
news is that he is not high strung, will not jump
all over you when you enter the home ( or have
guests enter the home) and he is not a beggar (like
some boxers we all know and love). Petey
listens when you call him and will sit, lay down and
stay.
Petey gets along with dogs and kids great.
He currently lives with another boxer and a couple
of cats and does fine with them. Before becoming ill
Petey’s mom worked from home so he was used to
having someone home all the time. He can be
crated for a few hours and he should be crated when
he is left alone, because the limited space makes
him feel safer.. but again it can only be for
shorter periods of time. We hope to find a
quiet home for him with people that are home more
often than not. He’s afraid of any loud
noises, thunder, fireworks, people yelling. He
prefers people who are soft spoken and move slowly.
Although Petey is more sensitive than other but we
are certain in the right home WITH A LOT OF LOVE he
will adjust fine, and will return the Love tenfold.
Currently Petey has the habit of waking at 2 am
to go out during the night. This is a schedule
that his mom put him on but maybe he can skip this
middle of the night potty break if we simply take
water away after 8pm or so, and just take him out by
11pm.
I you can provide Petey with tons of
Love, time, patience, and hopefully a fenced yard
(which is what he is used to and enjoys) please
contact me ASAP.
