Louella: Born 14.feb.2008
Just two weeks after Joshua died in April 2016, EGRR asked me to go
to Everett Animal Shelter to collect a 9-year-old golden retriever who they
had determined unadoptable due to her significant health problems.
Her name was "Bree".
The early days were hard, but we both did so need the other, and from
the beginning she was a very sweet and accepting dog. Many veterinary
visits followed; among other things she lost all her upper front teeth.
Her ear tumors were found to be benign, but the tissue of the right ear
canal so infected, that total ear canal ablation followed. She recovered
well from this, but had continuing resistant infections in her left ear
and allergies leading to very sore feet and skin. However, her weight
decreased from 89 lb to 59 lb and she was overall much healthier.
By August, she was thought to be almost ready for adoption, but
at the end of August she suffered a major seizure -- a very scary thing I
had not had with any of my own dogs. Then two more, much more minor, at
the end of September, and the end of October. So she remained in EGRR
foster care.
I was away, December 2016 to July 2017, so for 8 months she was cared
for by other EGRR members, but on my return to Seattle, she became mine,
and she became "Louella".
Accessing her microchip record, I found she was almost a whole year
younger than originally reported. We have had some good hikes; unlike with
Joshua and Benedict she can hike off leash and always stays close.
We have started taking obedience training more seriously: she is eager to
please, and very food oriented. She will have more dental care soon -- more
teeth need to go.