Carina Update

Latest from Carina…

August 22nd

Hi guys!

So sorry for the delay in reporting, but we’ve had a rash of critical dogs and we lost two of them, which is devastating to us, we just can’t handle losing them. So we have been working around the clock with them.

Carina is doing GREAT!! As we expected she is going to be one that most likely have issues. Her condition was too critical and God knows how much internal/immune system problems her condition has caused, we may never know, just take it a day at a time. Her skin is looking great. There are places where her hair has not grown and may not. Specially on top of her head there are a lot of scars. Nonetheless she is a BEAUTY. We finally got a negative on the mange. We will re-check in 1 month and hope for a second negative.

We took her to the opthomologist and the neurologist. The eye Dr. said she is mostly blind on the left eye, some vision on the right. We are putting meds daily in the hopes that it will help or at the very least not have the blindness progress. Due to her tongue issue when she licks the tongue lands straight in the middle of her eye which is causing problems. The neurologist says that the paralysis on her left side is most likely trauma, a hit or a drop on her head. At the moment it is not bothering her, but it might affect her nerves in the future. The reason her tongue is sideways and not working properly is due to a deformity of the inside of her mouth, we thought it might be the paralysis, but it is not. So she will eat liquified food for life so there is no danger of chocking.

Just as we thought we got things under control, she got vaginitis and a Urinary Track infection. We treated and cleared it. A month later she got it a again. So she is being treated again. We are hoping this is not going to be an on-going thing, but it might as Pugs are very prone to UTI’S. We continue that two times a week bath sas she has very sensitive skin and we are trying to keep any infection at bay.

All in all she is happy, making up for lost time as a puppy and being one all day long. Gets into a lot of trouble, but can’t get mad at her, she is not only too cute, but making up for lost time, she gets away with a lot and she knows it 🙂

This picture shows you how well she is doing and how beutiful she is :-). Thank you all for caring for her so much and for all your support. We would appreciate your continued financial support, as this little girl is costing a bundle and with the others that we have in critical condition we are really hurting financially.

As I said before, her journey will be long and hope we can stay ahead of her problems and try to care of them as they show up.

Thank you again! you guys are the best!

Tina Seri – Pugs ‘N Pals

A Matter of Taste, or Consensual Sniffing

Many of you have written me from time to time with unusual or interesting questions. Today I’d like to address one I’ve received several times, concerning etiquette, “When dogs meet one another, what is proper etiquette? Is it correct for them to immediately sniff butts or should there be some tail wagging and eye contact before intimacy? It all seems kind of rude to me.”

First, I need to remind  my readers that what you may view as intimacy is nothing more than a handshake for us. Having said that, you must realize that from a dog’s perspective there is nothing remotely human about any of our behaviors or instincts, so that you should not make comparisons between the two.

Generally, dear reader, there is an initial quick visual observation made when meeting a new dog — and I do mean quick because we don’t form much of an opinion from a visual. We also are unaware of size differences, otherwise why would so many toy and miniature breeds select large dogs for their playmates? We note in an instance if a tail is wagging or frozen, if hair on the back is in a Mohawk or lying flat, and if there is a low growl or enthusiastic whining coming from the newcomer.

All of these attributes are noted within the space of five seconds, after which we, in one fluid motion, move to the rear and undercarriage of our potential friend. This is where we do our serious and in-depth assessment. Some canines completely dispense with the brief foreplay I just described in favor of the latter. Is that rude, uncouth behavior? No, I think not, given how quickly a potential friend can become a lethal enemy.  For pugs it can be very difficult due to our limited reach. We have to negotiate this with skill and speed should we need to escape danger suddenly. I have, on occasion, had to stand up on my hind legs in order to reap the full benefits of the telling scent from a large dog. Now, due to my physical limitations, I must appear open, friendly, interested, and non-threatening (all qualities I loathe in most dogs).

So, I hope this answers the question for you, dear readers. It is not rude to skip the preliminaries, but taking the time to smell the roses, so to speak, is one of life’s unique pleasures.

Respectfully yours,

Mason

Here Cecily approaches the desired object in a ladylike and unhurried manner.

As you can see, I am neither offended or anxious. It is part of a greeting.