Birthday: February 14th 1996 Likes: The Sunshine spot on the bed Pet-Peeves: Un-Neutered Fosters that climb on his back Favorite Toy: Wiffle Ball, and Badmitten Birdie Favorite Food: Chicken Cordon blu Favorite Walk: San Juan Baptista Mission Gardens Best Tricks: Bucking like a bronco Arrival Story: Welbie was originally an older foster dog that I had for a month and then placed with a family where he suddenly became VERY ILL. He got what Vets call "Old Dogs Disease" ..."Vestibular"... It's like a mini stroke,...and can partially paralyze the dog it afflicts, on one or the other side of his body.
The lady that adopted him was an older lady, and Welbie was an older boy,..so we figured this would be a great match but unfortunately I didn't consider the fact that she wouldn't be able to carry him out to go potty, An older dog (His age) is more likely to become ill probably would need someone that's a bit younger than his adopter was to assist him in all the things he'd need help with. And I didn't even think of this, it was at the beginning of my fostering career,..lol...Live and learn,...anyway he'd always seemed so healthy!
It's no secret that our family had grown very attached to Welbie, and visa versa. But not really anymore-so than most of our foster dogs,..But,..Welbie was and is a VERY VERY "Different" kind of dog. He pretends to be independent, but is secretly very much "The Mama's Boy...."
Now Welbie's new Mom had told me that for 2 weeks Welbie was becoming listless and eventually just stopped walking nor could he sit up. She said he was having seizures and that he was very depressed and sad,..Not eating, Not drinking,..and she could barely get him to move. I had been very worried about him from the beginning but now this had become pretty distressing. When you are thinking about the possibility of losing a dog, I dunno, I felt very responsible for him and it brought me even closer to him.
After 3 weeks had passed, he was seemingly getting worse and not better, I called May, and said, "You know, Maybe it's better that we find Welbie a home where he can be cared for properly and with someone who can lift him and get him to the treatments and physical therapy he's probably going to need!" That's where she kinda dropped a bomb saying that she thought it would be a good idea that Welbie come and spend his last bits of life with us, here in the woods where he had previously been so very happy, healthy, and thriving... I tentatively agreed, But inside my intensions were strictly limited to nursing him back to health, if possible and then finding him another home,...
So I drove over to pick him up,.. walked up the hellascious staircase, while I waited to see if May was around, I kinda spied on him thru the top open Dutch door, I didn't want to knock and disturb Welbies sleep, meanwhile, I was kind of evaluating the entire scenario, watching him lay there on the couch, so pitiful, he looked TERRIBLE, He'd become even grayer over that month :(
..... Then suddenly, he'd realized I was standing there, and it was like,..Someone had abruptly turned on all the electricity in the room. Like the Wizard of Oz, Life instantly became "Colorized." It felt as if someone had ignited a wall size fireplace. There was instant "Warmth" and I don't think I've ever seen a dog MOVE so fast in my entire life. He literally leapt up out of his seat, and was into a standing position a-top the couch.
-It was just then that he bolted over the huge marble coffee table, ran across the livingroom, Up and over the bottom half of the Dutch doors,.. my heart did flips when he FLEW down the extremely steep 3 flights of stairs,.. and past the house thru the driveway,.. Up and thru the rolled down window in my truck, where he seated himself in the back-seat, and patiently waited for me to come down the stairs.
STUNNED, I turned and said to May, (who by the way, looked about as dumbfounded as I must have),..."Uhm....I thought you said he was DYING!???"..... And honestly, I couldn't doubt her,..I'd seen him for myself laying there- looking so afflicted and commiserative, and that's when she exclaimed " BUT, HE WAS, I don't understand??!!!"
eh-hem....Well, Welbie has been with us for almost 2 years now. SO much for the Sad Pathetic-DYING DOG on his last leg! HA! It was after I had left Welbie with a neighbor overnight, that we actually decided to make him a forever family member, While my Husband and I gone away on a VERY RARE overnight, I got 3 phone calls in those short 20 hours from that dog-sitting neighbor regarding Welbie's "Sudden Turn-For-the-Worst," Oh,..and his horribly depressing disposition. She said that he wouldn't eat his dinner and was just laying there unwilling to move. Ya, it became petty apparent to us, that Welbie had chosen his new home, and wasn't going ANYWHERE!!!
Welbie has turned out to be the most interesting boy, A dog that under any other circumstances, we'd probably never have sought to choose, really, but LORD, we are so glad that we did now, he is very unique, very different, Never met another dog quite like him, Although he walks crooked because of his paralysis,.. and his head is always cocked to the side,.. as his equal Librium will forever be off kilter, we actually hardly notice it anymore until someone asks us what his story is.
We love Welbie for all that he is, and isn't. We are convinced Welbie will outlive us all, and are eternally happy to have him as a member of our pack!!! Bio: Wasn't that ENOUGH??? Forums Motto: A nice guy on weekends! But Mondays-Grrr I've Been On Dogster Since:
A Friend whose dog has the same disease as our beloved Welb. tells their story.....
One day our 15 year old dog became disoriented, unbalanced and appeared to be confused. He was leaning toward one side, shaking his head, going around in circles, etc. We thought he may have had a stroke and took him to the emergency animal clinic. Instead of stroke it turned out he was suffering from Canine Vestibular Disease—also known as “old dog vestibular syndrome.”
Vestibular means a problem with the connections between inner/middle ear and brain causing ataxia. Dogs with ataxia stand with their limbs braced, they walk with difficulty and have a “drunk” type of motion because they have lost their sense of balance. When the vestibular nerve, which travels from the inner ear to the brain, malfunctions. It disrupts the animal’s sense of balance and orientation.
It is important to find out where the vestibular abnormality is located. The disturbance can be peripheral, meaning it is located outside the brain, or central, located inside the brain. The distinction between the two is subtle and is best diagnosed by a veterinary neurologist. The peripheral disturbance is the most common and least serious.
It has been suggested that there is a correlation between old dog vestibular syndrome and hypothyroidism so blood work should be done to rule out this problem.
The ears should be thoroughly examined because the same symptoms can result from a severe ear mite infection. Also certain types of antibiotics such as streptomycin and gentomicin can cause vestibular syndrome.
This syndrome is not a life threatening condition, nor should it even be called old dog vestibular syndrome because young dogs have also contracted it. However, in most cases old dogs are seen by veterinarians with this condition more often.
Time is a major factor in old dog vestibular syndrome. Recovery time depends on the afflicted dog. Eventually the animal teaches itself to compensate and overcome old dog vestibular. Rest and quiet are required during this recovery time, and it’s important to keep the dog in a well lighted room. If possible, avoid carrying the dog, or, if this is unavoidable, lift the dog slowly and smoothly and hold the pads of it’s feet while airborne. Lifting and moving it through the air disrupts the dog’s sense of orientation. Keeping the dog’s feet firmly on the ground with it’s eyes on the horizon helps regain it’s balance. This condition is sometimes misdiagnosed and dogs who could have recovered have been euthanized because the condition appears so severe. It is important to note that there are no warning signs, which may lead to the conclusion that it is a stroke. Fortunately most dogs will be spared this affliction. However, if your dog does contract this disease, it is comforting to know that it is not fatal and recovery is merely a matter of patience and tender loving care. Please note that a serious inner/middle ear infection—which can occur without the customary smelly ear—has the same severe and frightening symptoms. An infection can usually be cured with antibiotics and the dogs have a complete recovery. Drugs that might be used to treat old dog vestibular syndrome include Cholodin Tabs and Winstrol V. As always, check with your vet.
*** We have kept Welbie happy and healthy for 3 years after being diagnosed with this debilitating disease. Unfortunately after consulting with a canine Neurologist, we determined that Welbies illness is "Central" not Peripheral, hence, it continues, and is not caused by any infection, or infestation. With Welbie having been a Rescue dog, we've no idea what answers his past care and prescribed medications might hold, we suspect that his was caused by an antibiotic called, Gentomicin.
We have found, Hydra Therapy, loads of exercise, beach runs, a healthy raw diet, and fresh mountain air invaluable for Welbie and his continuing stability.
He has had 7 seizures since his diagnosis, Probably brought on by severe dizziness and disorientation,...we continue to keep him, medication free, (Symptom free) His balance problems and paralysis were helped significantly by the water, and physical therapy. Being patient is the key to a long healthy life. Dunno what we'd do without our Welbie!
I ACCEPT My FIRST ROSETTE,
And with that,..I'd like to say a few words....
This was so unexpected, I, uh, I didn't even have a speech prepared. Uh, but I would like to say is this: Rosette status is not something you can just achieve all on your own. Many, many people contributed to my first Rosette. Uh, I'd like to thank my Siblings for not looking as cute on the Dogster site as me, the Boxer Patchez AND Her owner for taking a chance, on an unknown kid,
and, uh, last but not least, the wonderful staff at Paint Shop Pro for spending sickeningly long hours online explaining to my Mom how to get the grafix in her pictures look legible, without which I might never have received this Rosette.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
I can't believe it, It's amazing what a little tiny blue ribbon gif. can do,..
But it changed my whole day. MAYBE EVEN MY LIFE,...Well I won't go THAT far..... but I sure gotta goosing!
You see,..My dorkling "bother;" (brother) Hannibal, got his very first Rosette yesterday- and dern him,.. I swear, everyone is always like,.. "look at him,.. isn't he a Handsome Boy? He's so unique and adorable..."
Oh GOD, if I hear the word "ADORABLE".... ONE MORE TIME,..I think I'll (Well, this is a "Family Site,..) Suficed to say,..It's getting a bit OLD!!!
So, he get's his, cutsie tootsie lil Rosette, BEFORE ME, Uugh...I can't stand it, and ya,..SO WHAT,..I sulked a bit,.. who can blame me? I've been reveling in that guys shadow for a year. AND LET ME TELL YOU,..The guy weighs 110 pounds,..That's a MIGHTY BIG SHADOW people.
So I manoodled around the yard a bit, put some fright into a squirrel or 12,..ate a fly,...scratched my butt on a board that was sticking out just right,..and melted into my own sullen solitude.
But then, I heard it.
It came to me at first, like an echoing kind of cackle,...But then I realized, oh, no, that's no weird cackle,.. that's just Mom reading her morning e mails. Then I thought I heard- MY name. Yup, I was right,..I did hear MY NAME,...
"HEY, SEXY- GORGEOUS- HUNK OF A, MANLY STUD,..Come here and get your Steak and Shrimp" Well, okay,..so, I maybe off a little on the breakfast description,.. but the rest is true I tell ya.. all true,..uh huh,.. yup!
So I came meandering into the Great Room,.. where my Mommy was sitting there salivating on herself,..and jumping up and down on the couch like Tom Cruise!
"YOU GOTTA ROSETTE" She Wailed,..."You did, You did, Look right here,..." and she pointed to the monitor screen,... And Yuppers,..there it was, as plain as the dew claws on my feet,..MY VERY FIRST ROSETTE.
I couldn't shake the feeling, and still can't quite describe it efficiently, It was if someone recognized me for all that I am, ME FOR ME, And I didn't have to- Catch any popcorn in midair,..do my noodle dance,... Accidentally walk into a sliding glass door, OR stay out of the garbage and of the counter for over 5 minutes. I was recognized JUST BY MY PICTURE ALONE. (Oh and my Mom's description of me,.. which I feel is pretty inaccurate,..Did you read the "Intelligence" Portion?) Sheesh,...
Anyschmooze,...I am on top of the world,.. And all because "PATCHEZ" The sweetest Boxer Girl, http://www.dogster.com/?211405
Gave, ME, WELBIE, My VERY FIRST ROSETTE.
The Dog Show: Who's Your Mama?
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