Have I finally found my friends? (Palmer has crossed over the Bridge)

I'm sorry it didn't work out, I know you must be disappointed.
I had foot surgery 3 years ago and was on crutches for 7 weeks so I sympathize with you on that as well.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Palmer's Mom

Update-I have had to back out of the Schnoodle adoption. :(

-Susan

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Susan, I'm so sorry! Are there any other possibilities on the horizon?

Marianne

Marianne-thank you. Yes we are working on other possibilities....ones more locally. I have to go for a doc appt. I'll update you later today.
Thank you for your kind words.

-Susan

Awww Susan,

I hate that things are so tough on you right now. :( BUT there is no question in my mind that one of these days a baby is going to catch your eye and everything will fall into place so fast as to make your head spin. Good moms always find the babies they are meant to have. ;)

Please let us know what the doc says if you don't mind sharing. I hope the news is better than you expect!

Hugs,
Leslie and the girls - always

Hi Susan,

Sorry about the new pup, I hope you find one soon.

I know a person with several foot surgeries and they have all been tough to go through but very worthwhile in the end. Hoping they are for you as well.

Scott

Boy-my gang just doesn't let me down!!:D:D Thank all of you for your support. I hit a very, very low spot last night.:( My son is even a bit worried about his Mom. He told me once, as part of a very serious discussion we were having which involved personal trauma, that I was the strongest.......woman........ Then he thought and restarted his sentence. "You are the strongest person I know." Man, that was HUGE for me to hear. Well last night, I sunk even lower than I had been earlier in the day and we got a phone call from him. He talked with his Dad for a good long while and then he asked to speak with me. I started crying and said "I'm just having a really, really tough time right now." Then I said....."If I am the strongest person you know, we're ALL in trouble!!!":) He laughed, I laughed and he said "well at least you're joking now."

Having to tell the schnoodle people "no" just crushed me. This place is an 18 hour drive from here and we had mapped out this nice trip that we were going to take on the way down that that would involve about 6 days and visiting with friends we never get to see. The puppy place will ship the puppies, but I had read up on that on the internet and had come away with the feeling that I would never ship a puppy in a plane's cargo area.
(That's how this plan for a long drive down trip got started.)

The litter of puppies is due in 11 days and I had first pick. I noticed from their very extensive web page that some of the dogs had their tails "clipped"/docked. I started looking into that.....I didn't like the idea. I asked them about it and they told me it was done in the first 3-5 days of the puppie's life. I asked and they assured me they used a local block, which was what my vet had cautioned about when I asked her opinion on docking. It is a very controversial issue from what I read and she confirmed that. I asked-to get them to not dock a tail, the puppy had to be paid for in full, at birth.By 3-5 days, their little eyes aren't even open. How in the world could I inflict this barbarianism on such a sweet little, defenselessness thing? In addition, to have to select the one pup so early,I would have no idea as to true color or personality. The two dogs we have had each had "that something" in their eyes which drew me to them. I want to see that connection with a puppy before I make my 17-25 year commitment. (You think I"m expecting a bit much there, with the years expectation??!)

I contacted them , told them it broke my heart to have to tell them now was not going to work for me. I asked to have my deposit returned which they said they would do because the very first litter I signed up for came up with fewer pups than expected. Even if they keep the deposit they've earned it. I have asked them questions every day about the pups, the process, how they do this and that.

So I "lost" my new pup. We started checking around and found 3 possible sources for acquiring a pet. Those three sources would be rescue pets (puppies) and there is another place or two listed in the teeny tiny local ad magazine which offer some hope.

We went back to the foot doc today. This all came about because one year ago-almost to the day, I had foot surgery on both feet at the same time. I cannot wear heels due to pain they cause my feet and if my gorgeous 31 year hunk of a son gets married, I'd rather not be walking down the aisle in my Reeboks. At that point, there was the pain issue when trying to wear an elevated shoe and there were a couple of toes with bad arthritis, plus there was a small bunion. (You didn't know I was going to write a novel, did you?:rolleyes::o:eek:

In the ensuing year, I have not healed well. My big toe feels like it is broken. My arthritic toes, on both feet, started taking hard turns toward the outside of my feet. It was very disappointing. I've known this doc for years and years and he has performed several minor operations on my feet. I had to go back to VA in order for him to do this. I did consult a local foot surgeon but his recover sounded longer and his procedure less appealing. So-doc #1 never could get me comfortable with my feet. He could not find out what to fix and he finally suggested I get a second opinion. I went back to the doc here that I had consulted with and, long story short (too late) chose him to try to fix things. (My bunion had even come back!!) He would do only one foot at a time. He would straighten the crooked toes, leaving a pin in them that would stick out the end of my toe for 6-7 weeks. He put some kind of "rod" in my big toe to straighten that out. He sent me home and after a one week follow he told me to come back in 6 weeks.

In short order, my feet started to swell. Both of them. The skin on the top of my feet looked nasty. I went back. They did their thing and they suggested I see my Internist.....I might have blood clot(s.) Oh goodie!!:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

I was sent for a sonogram. The woman there had had a bad day/life. It was nearing the end of her day and she didn't like that they added me to the schedule. Now-when I had a sonogram when I was pregnant, they put this goo on this hand held piece and just rolled it over my tummy. Not only was it cool, it was not uncomfortable at all. THIS WITCH pressed so hard down onto my thighs, calves and groin, that I was almost in tears. I've since learned I should have asked for a different technician.

Anyway-blood clots were eliminated as a possible problem. They ran a series of blood tests which came back mostly in the range expected. The sent me back home to continue to be on my back with my foot elevated above the level of my heart. You can't do anything that way.....at least I can't. I don't have tv in my ceiling, so watching tv didn't work, as I was on my back. We went back today...the third visit with the backup doc, and we all feel the foot is looking much better. I another 4 weeks all that hardware should come out. I know the two pins will slide out, but I don't know what's going to happen with this shaft thingy.

I checked earlier this week in a local pet shop about how one obtained a puppy in this rural area. She gave us 3 different possibilities. After the doc today, we tried, unsuccessfully, to find the possibility she was most enthusiastic about. We'll try again soon. There are ads in our local little "ad book" which comes out weekly. That's how the neighbors found their springer spaniel (with papers)---the one I puppy sat for shortly after losing Palmer.

It came down to realizing I would not really be ready for such an extensive car trip in 8 weeks. I didn't like the docking. I didn't like having to make my pick based solely on color. That little voice in my head, after getting some advice form my son, was telling me that I was trying to force this to happen. I'd prefer to rescue a puppy, if I had the choice. It will work out the way it is supposed to. That has always been the way for me.

So-with the foot, with suffering deaths of 3 important people in the past 8 weeks, without Palmer, with Palmer's death (those are two distinct issues), I just got beaten down. On top of that, for some reason - yesterday I was having memory issues. I was asking my husband a question about my foot that was the exact same question I had asked him whle we were in the doc's office. He was looking at me weirdly. I'm having great trouble sleeping like a regular person. My doc thinks it is partly due to my low level of activity, by necessity. So when we couldn't find the shelter we were looking for, on top of all the rest, I just couldn't take any more.

Two of the funerals I was unable to attend due to the foot. I didn't like that. Fortunately for one of them, it was video recorded and I could watch that just as if I had been there. That was helpful but upsetting also. This was the 30 year old girl who died suddenly.

So there you are. That's what has been going on and that's where things stand. I'm very pleased with the way the foot is looking. I can't bend the toes yet, so I don't know if the low heel shoe issue is resolved. The bunion seems to be gone and seems to be staying away this time. And-if this does work out well, we will have to address the other foot as well. It is not in as bad shape, but it needs repair work also. But you can bet, that won't be happening until at least fall!

I'll update you on my quest for my new puppy. This is beginning to feel like fun now. That's how it should be.

My deepest thanks to all who are encouraging me here. It means so much.

-Susan

Susan you have been through so much - I know that little puppy is going to find you soon. Fingers crossed x x x

Love and many hugs,

Omigosh, Susan, you have had so much to deal with during these past few weeks. It is no wonder that you have been feeling down in the dumps. You would be abnormal if you DIDN'T feel blue right now! But I absolutely agree with your decision about the schnoodle adoption. Even though it is so disappointing, it will be ever so much better in the long run to take a time-out so as to make sure that you connect with "your" puppy when the time is right. And just from a logistical standpoint, might it be a bit of a blessing in disguise to allow yourself a bit more healing time before assuming the role of "puppy-wrangler" once again?

Since I've only had Labs, I don't know about smaller breeds -- it may be much easier to corral them when they're puppies. But clearly I had aged during our nine years with Barkis, because when we brought home baby Peg after Barkis died -- I couldn't believe how much time and energy it took to stay on top of her antics (and toilet training and chewing and nipping and racing around the house...:eek: :)). For the most part, it was a "good" busy, but it was definitely BUSY! So even though it's disappointing, maybe there can be some pluses in a brief delay.

But definitely keep us updated, OK? Both about your foot and also your journey to find your pup!

Marianne

Hi Susan,

First let me say how sorry I am that you have been having such a horrible time of things. You, my dear, have had a tremendous amount of emotional and physical turmoil to deal with and I want you to know that even the strongest thread that holds the family together is allowed to unravel sometimes so don't beat yourself up.

I work in rescue so I might be just a bit biased but I LOVE YOU for deciding to rescue a puppy. In my opinion, nobody should buy from a pet store nor a breeder who is churning out designer dogs. Also in my opinion, designer dogs are bred for one reason and one reason only and that's money. Millions of designer dogs die every year in shelters so I could just hug you for chosing to save a life.

I also love you for your position on tail docking. I share your opinion and admire you for standing up for what you believe. Tail and ear docking are unnecessary procedures that are done strictly for the sake of the human eye. It is bad enough that purebred breeders still do it but why in the world would anybody do that to a mixed breed dog like a Schnoodle. Most civilized countries have outlawed these procedures; however, as long as the AKC retains these as breed standards, the mutiliation will continue. Even the American Veterinary Medical Association and more than a few animal welfare organizations have been unable to get the AKC to budge on their position. :mad::(:mad:

I also share your disdain for shipping dogs in cargo hulls. That's such a horribly scarey ordeal for animals. Our rescue doesn't normally adopt to out of state homes but we have made a few exceptions in the last few years. The few dogs who were transported were flown in cabin with a volunteer. We've also been fortunate to have secured a few transports with private pilots and commercial airline attendants thru www.pilotsnpaws.org, who flew our rescues for free to their new homes. These people are incredible and volunteer their time and money to save rescues and get animals from point a to point b for medical treatment.

My brother in law just sent me an email about his new puppy. He thanked me for finding the little guy and said everybody loves him but he had forgotten what a pain in the butt a puppy can be. This is a mastiff mix puppy so he is going to be a bigger pain in the butt than usual. :D:D Yes, puppies can be a lot of work but they are so darn cute and who doesn't love puppy breath? One of the best things in life is watching your puppy go from a snuggly little furball whose cuteness melts your heart and makes you go aaaawwww; to a gangly goof ball, who trips over feet that look like they should belong to "Bigfoot"; to a teenager with a "tude" and a firm hold on your heart; to a mellow guy or gal who now owns your heart and has become your best friend and most loyal companion.....hopefully, for many, many years to come. Just think, you have so much to look forward to. Lucky you.

Glynda

Well, I was all set to tell you I saw a Golden Doodle not a Schnoodle without a docked tail and his tail was very pretty!!! I saw him on my way to work and thought of you right away but when I had a chance at work I saw your post and disappointment.:o

Even the strongest need to have some slack so you are perfectly entitled to any kind of melt down you want.

Remember the saying "good things come to those who wait"? Well, I have a funny feeling that your little buster is waiting for you right around the corner. Sometimes, when we least expect it, there they are:)

Hugs,
Addy