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Tootsie

Hello, my name is Tootsie - yes there is a reason - I have big feet. I am a chocolate, English lab, about 3 years old. I weigh 72 pounds. Now, sit down, I have a horrible story to tell you.

Seems that the shelter found me on the side of the road with heat exhaustion. They took me in, and cooled me down. I was so afraid that all I did was shake. I was afraid of everything - I don’t trust people very much right now. BUT I am sure that LRR will change that. LRR didn’t want to take me home at first since I was so afraid that I wouldn’t hold up my head or even move. But the nice people at the shelter convinced them that I could be a really great dog if given the chance.

Well, I have a really bad coat, lots of dead hair, I’m very dirty and have some skin lesions. I also have large splayed paws with very soft pads. That indicates that I lived in a cage (probably with a chicken wire bottom). My pads are sensitive and walking on rocks and things make them a bit sore - but they will get better as I get used to walking more.

Also, I am blind in my right eye. It could be an old injury or maybe a birth defect. The eye still tears so it doesn’t have to be removed, and it doesn’t bother me. AND since I have a wonderful English face with those sort of saggy eyes, you’ll never even notice my eye.

Since I came from puppy mill country, LRR and the shelter speculate I was from a puppy mill. That would account for many things: my big feet, my fear of people, my fear of eating when people can watch me, the fact that everything is new to me. Also, I have a bark that is typical of puppy mill dogs. When the dogs are pups, the mills sometimes cut their vocal cords so they can’t be heard - all those pups can make a lot of noise. Anyway, it makes for a strange bark. It takes many years for the cords to heal, then as we age, our bark gets a little better.

The important thing for me is that I am now with LRR and in good hands. They will get me spayed and work with me so I can become a great dog. I am already coming out of my shell. LRR says I will have a “puppyhood” one day soon since I probably never had one as a pup - gosh, it might be fun.

UPDATE - July 26, 2002

Well, first, I have learned so many things! I love toys - I like to take them all in my crate and just be with them, I haven’t had toys before and they are so much fun. Also, I am getting lots of attention - and I love that too. I also love my pool. Getting in the water is so much fun - I splash and put my face in the water, and I just love being cool and wet. Oh, my foster mom says that I had the lab instinct to find the trash can. I love it, trash cans have such cool stuff so I take one thing at a time and take it to my crate. I sniff it, and taste it, then just keep it till my foster mom takes it away. So, you can see, I am coming along nicely!

I went to the vet to be spayed and they couldn’t spay me. Seems that I have some scar tissue in my throat from when my vocal cords were cut, there is also some infection and swelling - so I am on medication for that. I will be spayed in a few weeks when my throat is better. A specialist looked at my x-rays and tests and says that I have “acquired laryngeal paralysis”. Basically it means that since my vocal cords were cut, my the part of the my throat that is supposed to open and close doesn’t do it properly. But I have no clinical signs of the problem so the vet says I can have a long and happy life as long as my new family keeps me lean and takes good care of me.

My coat is looking nice. It is shiny and my little sores are healing and I am feeling good. I wag my tail so hard that it wags my body. I just feel better than I ever thought I could. You know I am blind in my right eye - well it seems that it is a birth defect. So, I have adjusted very well and am doing fine. As for hugging, I am starting to like it, but I am still not sure why you people do it, but it is soothing and makes me feel safe. So do you hug and stroke your dogs for them or for you?

I am still not ready for adoption, so don’t apply for me yet, just watch for more updates. And please tell people not to do horrible things to dogs, we can be such wonderful, loving companions if given the chance!

UPDATE - August 13, 2002

Well, I moved to my second foster home a few days ago. It was scary leaving my first foster mom, but she explained that it was all for my well being. LRR tries to expose us foster dogs to as many new and different experiences as possible so we will be well adjusted when we find our forever home. I tried to understand but it sure was scary getting into that car and leaving her and all the doggy friends I made at her house.

My 2nd foster family, a big man with white legs (more about those later) and a tall woman have a dog they adopted from LRR two years ago. They brought her along when they picked me up so I wouldn’t be so scared. Car rides are new to me, so I panted quite a bit. That is what I do when I get scared, I start breathing quickly, but with my sore throat it quickly turns into heavy panting. But I finally lay down and we were at my new foster home almost before I knew it.

Wow, so many new smells, it was almost overwhelming. They showed me where my crate was and I went in for just a bit so I could calm down. After while they asked if I wanted to get out and meet the rest of the family. Along with the dog they have a houseful of cats. Personally, I don’t see the need for those snobby things but I guess my 2nd foster mom likes them. She explained to me in a soft voice that they were fosters like me, waiting for their forever homes and that she hoped we would all get along together. We kind of all sat around and looked at each other. There was a big orange one that I thought might be another dog it was so big, so I tried to sniff it. It swatted me on the nose so I knew it was a rude cat. The little black cat tried to go in my crate so I chased it to make sure it knew that was my spot. But all in all, the cats are rather boring so I am ignoring them. I think I have already made 2nd foster mom proud of me!

That evening they took me for a walk. I have to wear a harness so there is less stress on my neck. Having that big man put it on was a bit scary. I don’t think I have been a walk before. My 2nd foster mom said I was good on the leash, not much pulling, but I just didn.t know which way to go. I kept bumping into that big man’s legs. My 2nd foster mom said it was because they were so white it was the only thing a half blind dog could see in the night. She made a funny sound as she said it; I think humans call it laughing. I bumped into him some more just to make her laugh.

Well, it has been a few days now and I am settling right in with this new place. My 2nd foster mom continues to tell me how wonderful and beautiful I am (I think she might be the smartest person ever!) Those daily walks are turning into fun. My foster mom says I am much better on the leash. We meet people on the bike path and she asks them to pet me. I like that. Now when I see people outside I wag my tail. Twice my doggy friend that lives here has shown me the deep part of a creek where I can actually swim. She doesn’t like water so I think it was very nice of her to show me the spots. We have even visited the doggy park. I LOVE the doggy park. There are so many dogs and I like dogs. I don’t really play with them, I just like to sniff noses and wag my tail so hard my whole body wiggles. My foster mom tosses balls for me but I don’t know what to do with them. My doggy friend ignores them also so maybe that is what I am supposed to do. Afterwards we go back to the house and I get into my very own doggy pool that my 1st foster mom sent along with me. I love that pool and the feel of water on me. It makes me happy to think about how lucky I am that LRR rescued me.

I have learned what grapes are - I think they just might be the best thing ever - I even salivated! My 2nd foster mom was so excited she had to share the good news with my 1st foster mom. They said it was probably the first time I had experienced the anticipation of something good. They give good treats here, particularly for something called “Tootsie, come”.

My 2nd foster mom is learning about something called “housebreaking”. She and the big man have lots of discussions about it so it must be important. I learned at the puppy mill to just go when I had to so I don’t really know the importance of this thing they call “housebreaking”. I get praised every time I go potty outside but I don’t really know why yet. I don’t go potty in my crate, which is good according to my foster moms. My 2nd foster mom says I am a smart girl and will learn quickly. Wish me luck, because I like my foster family and want to make them proud of me.

Today was another milestone. I went upstairs! I was too scared before, even when my 2nd foster mom called and told me it was okay. My 2nd foster mom gave me lots of hugs and kisses when I got to the top. Hey, did I mention I am learning how to give kisses? I have a feeling I might be really good at it in a few days. Why don’t you check back soon to see how I am doing?

UPDATE - September 5, 2002

I moved to my newest foster home three weeks ago. I am turning into a very happy, well adjusted labby. I have not had any accidents in their home, I do all my business outside. I love their two year old little boy and their labby. Their little boy loves to pet me and hug me and I just melt. I love to go for walks and say hi to everyone I see. I love to run and play outside and retrieve things all the time but I love to just lay at your feet when I am inside. I love to go up and down stairs all the time now.

I am going through the puppyhood I never had right now and will chew yummy wood things if I am allowed, which my new foster family says I am NOT. I listen well and I am learning quickly. I already know sit and am learning down. My foster mom says I am wonderful and gives me hugs and kisses all the time. Did I tell you I love to give kisses now too? She tells me I need a special family because I am a very special dog who deserves the best.