CA - Looking for My Very Own ‘Annabelle Lee”

Share your experiences of rescuing a Chow Chow from this site.

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kingalls
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Post by kingalls »

How funny about your DH! But it's great to hear he is warming up to Poe...sorry Angelo was needing to establish his role in the pack but they will work it out. It's such a wonderful story to watch unveil. Just wanna give Poe a big hug and let him know he has people to love him now and not having to fight for his life anymore.
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Post by Aslan »

Jen, I am so happy that DH is coming around. I am sure your DH is a big softy, he will fall maddy in love with Poe in no time. :inlove:
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Post by chowfrnd88 »

Oh Jennifer, I'm tearing up reading you put the word foster in quotes. :D :D

I'm so glad that your hubby is having such lovely conversations with Poe. :D
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Post by zingara_princepessa »

Thanx, everyone! I really appreciate the encouragement!

I've made a vet appt. for us on Tuesday with an ortho vet. I think someone with more experience than me needs to look at his leg, just so I know whether or not he's in pain, and how to deal with it.

Cross your fingers that it's nothing...
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Post by sweetpea »

I read this for the first time tonight, this is such a sad story but thank God Poe has been taken in by someone like you! I'm going to look forward to reading all about his progress.
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Post by Victory »

I'm so glad that Poe is getting the help he needs, you are doing such a great thing. As he healthier he'll gain confidence and perk up a bit.

And DH sounds like he's coming around.
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Post by Layla »

Yay for your DH. Mine was all 'huff puff' about Java to start with. Now, he's telling his family & wanting to hold his leash for walks, saying Java should have his own food bowl etc etc. Just because Java rested his head on Pete's leg when we were brushing him after his bath. Big big softy really :wink:
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Post by sit_by_the_beach »

Poe's had such a tragic life. I don't get tired reading about him. I hope his coat will grow back to cover the wounds and I hope his little soul will mend too.

I had a problem with cat Eddie and my first chow. When Eddie was being bad I either sprayed him with water or shake a pop can filled with coins. My chow never fought back. It was the cat who was territorial. He also chased any unwanted critters out of my backyard, one was an elderly overweight retriever.

Use water, popcan to deter your cat from attacking Poe. The cat will probably ignore the chow as time goes by. Eddie loved raw meat and I'd give him a teaspoon of minced beef to butter him up, that worked for a few days.
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Post by Chows5 »

Jen,

I apologize for not knowing Poe's history. A limp in the front leg can be a few things. It sometimes signals that the dog has Lyme disease as it first shows up as a limp in one of the front legs. If Poe's been injured, maybe it didn't heal properly and/or arthritis is setting into the leg. It could also mean that Poe suffers from Elbow Dysplasia. Chows have a pretty high incidence of Elbow Dysplasia.. This is why some of us x-ray not only hips, but elbows as well.
I don't know if any of this helps, but it's a jumping off place.

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Post by zingara_princepessa »

Carolyn -

Thank you so much for the info. I have to admit, while I love the breed, I am not nearly as versed as most on this site on the physical issues from which they may suffer. I appreciate any and all advice!

The elbow dysplasia makes sense, of course. To make sure, we're going to an ortho vet on Tuesday, because I want to know if he's in pain or if it will continue to deteriorate, etc.

I'll report back here as to what the doc says, and thanx again for your input. :D

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Post by Chows5 »

I'll be watching for what your Vet finds.

Keeping fingers crossed for a good outcome.

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Poe Update??

Post by Roxana »

Jenn,
Not to be pushy or anything, but could we get an update on Poe? Haven't heard anything for a few days and I'm afraid I'm becoming obsessed with the little guy! :lol: So pretty, pretty please with a cherry on top? :wink:
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Post by Zhuyos mom »

I'm bumping this up so when Jenn gets on line it hasn't shifted too far off the first page. I know Poe had a vet appt. today. So, BUMP!
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Post by zingara_princepessa »

Thanx, Lou, and thanx to you as well, Rox, for asking.

Yes, we did go to the vet today. He was such a good boy in the car! He was great in the waiting area with the other dogs, although he remains scared of them. We had to wait a very long time (our appt was at 3:30p & we didn't see the dr. until 4:30p!)and he waited, wedged between my legs the whole time. The doctor put a thermometer in his tush, and he didn't even flinch. He got up on the scale with a little bit of coaxing and really was such a good boy throughout. I am very proud of him.

The diagnosis, is something else. His poor little front legs are severely deformed with something called Valgus Deformity, or Angular limb deformity. There's a link below with a pretty good article about this affliction. Of course, it's something that might have been fixed if he was a little younger (the best guess is he's about 10 or 11 months old now.)

Now I have to take him to Dr. #2 who specializes in dog ortho surgery, and see if it is worth it to have it corrected. Dr. #1, (today's doc) doesn't think so, but said I should check it out with Dr. #2. Dr. #1 said that he will eventually be so arthritic that he will be unable to walk.
I asked if he is in pain, and she said yes, and that he would never be the type of dog to take hiking or jogging. I said I wasn't the kind of PERSON to take hiking or jogging!

Dr. #1 also says he has a little skin condition, but it's no big deal and she gave me an antibiotic for it.

Poor little guy! He's so tuckered out, he's next to me snoring his little heart out.

So there ya have it for now!

http://www.petplace.com/dogs/angular-li ... page1.aspx
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Post by Layla »

Poor Poe, I hope that it's better news at the specialists. To be honest, i can live without jogging, so can Millie. how can she admire herself going that fast!
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Poe and Political Suicide

Post by zingara_princepessa »

He has decided he doesn't like DH. This is VERY bad.

He jumped up and started growling at DH day before yesterday. Then yesterday he did it again. Today DH went for a walk with us, and he took Poe's leash for a little bit. At one point, I was out of sight of them, and Poe turned on DH and started growling and baring his teeth. It was NOT good.

If DH gets up to leave the room, Poe growls. When DH returns to the room, Poe growls. I scold him gently, saying "enough." He stops but it's clear that he's uneasy.

DH has done nothing to provoke this, not that I can see. Unless the dog is protecting me, I can't understand it. Either way, it can NOT go on.

Anyone?
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Post by Jeff&Peks »

Pekoe growled at me for the first two weeks we had her, I couldn't even walk in the kitchen, she blocked the entrance and kept me out. All I did was say the hell with you dog and ignored her. I did do all the walking and feeding. She came around and yes Poe probably is protecting you. Make sure your husband dosn't yell at him or force himself on him in anyway just do what he does and don't push it, Poe will come around. Let them have time together with out you being around like on walks.
Last edited by Jeff&Peks on Tue Apr 17, 2007 9:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by Layla »

Can DH be the one to feed him? From his hand if possible along the NILIF principles? That's my best idea, good luck
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Post by Victory »

You know I think Dr. Robert Taylor from Emergency Vets, has done the surgery for this a couple of times. You might want to see if you can find those episodes on Animal Planet and get the videos of them. It may not be possible for him to ever be a jogger, but he could live a long pain free life.
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Post by Victory »

Yep, what Jeff and Layla said, make DH the primary care giver for a bit. No food, treats or praise comes from anyone but DH.

Since there is no history on him, Poe could be very much protecting you, he could have protected his first mistress from a male who was mean to him.

He could just be trying his role as the Alpha, (challenging the other alpha male) at his age 10-11 months often the males start to become a problem, acting out, becoming more challenging. A few days of good food, a bath and some care and now he's decided to challenge your husband for leadership.
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Post by Dogdad »

I agree, it is worth a try.

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Post by Dogdad »

poor Poe, I hope something can be done.

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Post by Roxana »

Thanks for the update Jenn,
Awww poor Poe, I too hope the 2nd specialist has better news for you. He sounds like such a trouper though, I wish I could just reach out and hug him! [:D]
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Post by Roxana »

Uh-oh, that doesn't sound good at all. Hopefully what the others suggested will work. Maybe he was abused by a male in the past?
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Post by sit_by_the_beach »

I agree with all previous posters. Been there. Luna hated my son, all men. One of my friends, totally inexperienced when it comes to any pet. Luna and I were walking along a road, my friend happened to be driving by, he opened the back door, I motioned Luna to get in, she balked, hates men. My friend in a loud voice said 'Luna get in' Luna was so perplexed she jumped in the back seat and shut up, no growl, nothing. He then wanted to take my 'new' dog for a walk. I let him, Luna growled, he just continued, I couldn't believe my eyes, she walked, heeled beside him like a well mannered, trained GS.

Ignorance is bliss at times. Chows are psychic. A chow picks up on a person's psyche. Let your husband do some of the caretaking of Poe, stay out, do your knitting or gardening, whaterver, ignore Poe for a few hours. Be kind to the dog, but be firm. If Poe does well with your husband, let your husband reward Poe for good behaviour. If Poe growls at him, let hour husband deal with it, ignore Poe.

About once or twice a year for the first 4 years, Luna would start dance around me, teeth showing, growling, this is at the end of a two hour walk. I'd tie her to a tree and walk away. Surprised look in the chow's face. I returned, asked 'are you finished with your tandrum?' I kept her on a very short leash close to my body, walked home, not saying a word. Once home, no reward, by midnight, she'd nudge me with her nose, like sorry mom.

An abused dog, needs constant reassurance that they are wanted. They do need be reminded that they are not 'numero uno' that there are other members in the family.

I had trained Luna so well, she volunteered at a nursing home, visiting the elderly. She was very perceptive, moved around wheelchairs, didn't knock over any frail, elderly patient. But watch out at home, she did her zoomies and better not get too close then.

Sorry for the long post. I get very passionate when it comes to abused dogs. They need different care than the spoiled little puppies. Mikki here, she's a spoiled little so and so. She's cute, sweet, but I miss the challenge of a alpha chow.

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