- Location
- Andorra and Spain
Did someone say "Dobby the House Elf"? 
How Conchita became Juniper - adventures in fostering
- Thread starter snowbunny
- Start date
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
Just back from our first little walk post-op with Conchita. Only a ten minute super-slow stroll, but she was so happy to be out! Sorry, no photos because it's getting dark, but tomorrow I'll get some, and some video!
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
A little video from this morning's amble. And starting on a sit cue
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
Her paw is so much better today. The soreness has gone down, it's toughening up. She took a staple out of her op site, though, so that's another thing to keep an eye on.
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
Last night, we hoiked her coat back to give her lots of tummy rubs. She was finding it so hard to keep her eyes open, and her tongue dropped out the side of her mouth. I only have grainy pictures, but it was so funny
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
Aw, so special. Willow doesn’t “do” cuddling.
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
We've just got back from the vet hospital in Barcelona, where we took Señorita Conchita to have her staples removed. She was an absolute superstar, so stoic throughout. They left three (out of 31) staples in because that part hasn't properly dried out yet, but I can just have my local vet remove those.
My family has been in touch with their vet on my request, to get a referral to Greyfriars rehab centre (the leading veterinary practice for rehabilitation and hydrotheraphy in the UK, and handily only about 20 minutes' drive from them). Pending a visit to the vet when we go over, I've got her booked in for an initial assessment with a physiotherapist. I feel it's really important to do what we can to ensure we keep her remaining limbs in tip-top condition. I was pleasantly surprised at how relatively inexpensive it is; I was expecting hundreds for a single consultation, but the 45-minute consult is £85 and the half-hour hydro sessions are as little as £38.50, which I think is very reasonable indeed! Anyway, whatever is necessary for this little girl.
When we got her home, she went a little bit nuts, obviously happy to have been brought back, and to be out of the car - four hours in one day is certainly more than she will have ever done, if she's even been in a car before we brought her home! She ran around like a lunatic, looking so carefree, it melted my heart. She's off her meds now, too, unless we think she's feeling sore, in which case we can give her some Tramadol, but I'm hoping we're past that now. She's fully back to her sweet little pushy self, nudging at my hand whenever I stop scratching her neck. I know I keep going on, but she really is a sweetheart
My family has been in touch with their vet on my request, to get a referral to Greyfriars rehab centre (the leading veterinary practice for rehabilitation and hydrotheraphy in the UK, and handily only about 20 minutes' drive from them). Pending a visit to the vet when we go over, I've got her booked in for an initial assessment with a physiotherapist. I feel it's really important to do what we can to ensure we keep her remaining limbs in tip-top condition. I was pleasantly surprised at how relatively inexpensive it is; I was expecting hundreds for a single consultation, but the 45-minute consult is £85 and the half-hour hydro sessions are as little as £38.50, which I think is very reasonable indeed! Anyway, whatever is necessary for this little girl.
When we got her home, she went a little bit nuts, obviously happy to have been brought back, and to be out of the car - four hours in one day is certainly more than she will have ever done, if she's even been in a car before we brought her home! She ran around like a lunatic, looking so carefree, it melted my heart. She's off her meds now, too, unless we think she's feeling sore, in which case we can give her some Tramadol, but I'm hoping we're past that now. She's fully back to her sweet little pushy self, nudging at my hand whenever I stop scratching her neck. I know I keep going on, but she really is a sweetheart
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
She’s doing phenomenally well. She’s SuperDog, taking challenging terrain without a second thought, jumping up walls when she could go round... she’s amazing! We’re off to the vet this morning to have the last of her staples out and I hope that means we can take the robe off her.
She’s coming on amazingly with J, too, coming to him when he calls, asking him to pet her etc. It’s endearing! Last night, she fell asleep like this...
Yes, we’re going to be sad when she leaves (I think J will take it harder than me!) but I’m excited for her future. In the UK she has access to the best physio to get her moving as well as possible and she’s going to have an amazing life
She’s coming on amazingly with J, too, coming to him when he calls, asking him to pet her etc. It’s endearing! Last night, she fell asleep like this...
Yes, we’re going to be sad when she leaves (I think J will take it harder than me!) but I’m excited for her future. In the UK she has access to the best physio to get her moving as well as possible and she’s going to have an amazing life
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
Conchita had her remaining staples removed this morning, so we celebrated with a little stroll down by the river. She was a little perturbed at first, but this could well be her first experience of a river. She relaxed and enjoyed herself after a few minutes, even with the Bombers (firefighters) launching a RIB from the jetty. Best of all, her coat could come off, so she’s naked at last!
She’s not had much experience of walking on a lead but did really well and is happiest hopping along next to me. Now the leg is gone, this harness is too big for her, so we need to look at our options there. She’s never going to be a puller though, so she’ll likely just end up with a regular collar.
My local vet was so happy to see her looking so well, she didn’t even charge for the consultation! Such a happy girl, thanks to so many of you! xxx
(rubbish phone photos, sorry!)
She’s not had much experience of walking on a lead but did really well and is happiest hopping along next to me. Now the leg is gone, this harness is too big for her, so we need to look at our options there. She’s never going to be a puller though, so she’ll likely just end up with a regular collar.
My local vet was so happy to see her looking so well, she didn’t even charge for the consultation! Such a happy girl, thanks to so many of you! xxx
(rubbish phone photos, sorry!)
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
I just booked my Eurotunnel and had a little jolt for the first time. My first little bit of not wanting to let her go
I'll arrive Tuesday early evening, stay Wednesday and Thursday, then go and stay with my sister Friday and Saturday, leave Sunday. She's obviously not going to be completely settled in that time, but I don't think she'll become "their" dog until a little while after I leave anyway, so even staying for a month wouldn't make things massively easier on her.
I'll arrive Tuesday early evening, stay Wednesday and Thursday, then go and stay with my sister Friday and Saturday, leave Sunday. She's obviously not going to be completely settled in that time, but I don't think she'll become "their" dog until a little while after I leave anyway, so even staying for a month wouldn't make things massively easier on her.
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
We’ve settled in to our hotel in Vierzon, and will complete our travels to the UK tomorrow. It’s been a long day (a long week, to be honest) and we’re now tucked up in bed.
I’ll write more once we’re settled in in England.
I’ll write more once we’re settled in in England.
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
So, Conchita had a busy evening, meeting her new extended family and her Cousin Bo (a cocker spaniel), and sussing out the most comfortable sleeping locations. She did brilliantly with everything. I was really tired after the drive, and with a persistent cold, which doesn’t help energy levels, so I headed to bed early, leaving her downstairs with my parents just to see how she did. She started barking after a while, so I came down and brought her up to my room. There’s no hint of worry about me reinforcing the barking; it was her way of showing she was anxious, and I’m not going to ignore that. Tonight, I’ll sleep with her downstairs (I was too shattered last night) and see if I can go up once she’s settled.
This morning, my sister dropped Bo off early, as she does when she is at work, and we’ve been chilling together since. Conchita is pretty ambivalent about all other dogs, and Bo is interested in her but happy to bimble around doing his own thing. They did have a little play, though! Conchita jumped off the sofa and started to play bow at him, and he was full of wag
So, all in all I’m feeling confident that everything is going to be ok.
This morning, my sister dropped Bo off early, as she does when she is at work, and we’ve been chilling together since. Conchita is pretty ambivalent about all other dogs, and Bo is interested in her but happy to bimble around doing his own thing. They did have a little play, though! Conchita jumped off the sofa and started to play bow at him, and he was full of wag
So, all in all I’m feeling confident that everything is going to be ok.
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
Sorry for the lack of updates, I’ve been a bit busy with the little lady. Today, we had our appointment at Greyfriars, the rehabilitation and physio facility. They couldn't have been more lovely. Everyone was really excited to meet Conchita having read her story, and she had loads of lovely cuddles. The physio was delightful and very pleased with her range of mobility. Not fazed at all by the wonkiness of her gait, or that she only appears to have one stride pattern - in fact, she was comforted by this, as she doesn't like to see tripods galloping around, putting undue pressure on their remaining joints. ChiChi was brilliant and laid on the mat for her assessment, wholeheartedly believing it was nothing more than extra cuddles. She didn't want to leave once it was all over, as she was nodding off on the mat! The physio found no signs of any stiffness or arthritis which she said was quite surprising given the amount of time she's been limping, but I suppose she's been so cooped up, she's not had the opportunity to do too much damage.
The upshot was, we've been given some massage to do on her scar every day and a simple bend and stretch of her remaining front leg, but that's more of a preventative and diagnostic tool to be the first indication if anything starts to stiffen up. She will go back for a reassessment in six months, but she didn't see the need for any ongoing therapy as she's in tip-top condition. Yay! She needs to shed a little bit more weight, which I already knew about, but overall, she's doing brilliantly. My little superstar.
Aside from that, she's really struggling with being separated from me. We'd worked through this a lot in Spain, but in this new environment she's finding it harder, which is unsurprising. She'll have had a lot of trigger stacking going on the past few days, too. If I go out of sight for more than a couple of minutes, she will bark and pace. This is distressing for everyone, especially since I know we're on a tight schedule as I leave on Sunday afternoon. This evening, I've popped out for a few minutes at a time just into the hallway and also outside (breaking up cardboard boxes and taking them out to the recycling bin!) and managed to have her not bark, but I know if I go out for any length of time it will start up again. The problem isn't really the barking, but what it represents in her emotional state. I know she will settle in time and I know that she will bond to my parents and learn to trust them, but it doesn't appear to be something that will happen while I'm still here, so I think they may have a few difficult weeks ahead. I feel so bad about leaving her, knowing she'll be distressed. I really want to take her home with me!
The upshot was, we've been given some massage to do on her scar every day and a simple bend and stretch of her remaining front leg, but that's more of a preventative and diagnostic tool to be the first indication if anything starts to stiffen up. She will go back for a reassessment in six months, but she didn't see the need for any ongoing therapy as she's in tip-top condition. Yay! She needs to shed a little bit more weight, which I already knew about, but overall, she's doing brilliantly. My little superstar.
Aside from that, she's really struggling with being separated from me. We'd worked through this a lot in Spain, but in this new environment she's finding it harder, which is unsurprising. She'll have had a lot of trigger stacking going on the past few days, too. If I go out of sight for more than a couple of minutes, she will bark and pace. This is distressing for everyone, especially since I know we're on a tight schedule as I leave on Sunday afternoon. This evening, I've popped out for a few minutes at a time just into the hallway and also outside (breaking up cardboard boxes and taking them out to the recycling bin!) and managed to have her not bark, but I know if I go out for any length of time it will start up again. The problem isn't really the barking, but what it represents in her emotional state. I know she will settle in time and I know that she will bond to my parents and learn to trust them, but it doesn't appear to be something that will happen while I'm still here, so I think they may have a few difficult weeks ahead. I feel so bad about leaving her, knowing she'll be distressed. I really want to take her home with me!
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
I had to go out for an hour yesterday after physio. I had mum take her into the house without me going in, so that I didn't leave her, as such. She barked the whole time I was gone. Sigh.
Mum has gone out this morning and I'm going to start popping out for a couple of minutes here and there to see if I can do the preliminaries on her being left alone. She's not foody enough to be distracted by kongs or anything like that.
Last night, I left her downstairs and she managed twenty minutes alone before she came upstairs to find me, so we're making some small progress, don't get me wrong. She will stay on "her" sofa in the living room while I go to make a cuppa in the kitchen, whereas at first she would follow me everywhere. So I have no doubt she will get there, she just has to find her independence and confidence in this environment.
Mum has gone out this morning and I'm going to start popping out for a couple of minutes here and there to see if I can do the preliminaries on her being left alone. She's not foody enough to be distracted by kongs or anything like that.
Last night, I left her downstairs and she managed twenty minutes alone before she came upstairs to find me, so we're making some small progress, don't get me wrong. She will stay on "her" sofa in the living room while I go to make a cuppa in the kitchen, whereas at first she would follow me everywhere. So I have no doubt she will get there, she just has to find her independence and confidence in this environment.
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
I wonder now if it would have been easier for her if I wasn't around. I asked a few behaviourist friends and they were all of the opinion that it would help her to settle in to her new home if I stayed a few days. I'm now in two minds as to whether it's the best thing. Of course, having me here has made the transition into the actual home easier, as she has her "spots" where she knows she can sleep, be safe and comfortable. But on the other hand she won't move on from me until I'm gone.
I've been popping out for a few minutes here and there all morning and she's certainly staying more settled than she was. My Mum desperately wants to do the best by her, but I think she feels a bit helpless as to what's the best way to help Conchita get through it and out the other side. I've been giving her tips, obviously, but it's not something that comes naturally to her to be able to read a dog's emotions and work out the best way forwards in the moment. I feel for her, because I know for myself how upsetting it is to have a dog that's stressed and you can't communicate with.
Ah, it'll be fine, I'm sure. If it's not, I'll come get her and take her to Spain where we'll live the rest of our lives in our little happy bubble
I've been popping out for a few minutes here and there all morning and she's certainly staying more settled than she was. My Mum desperately wants to do the best by her, but I think she feels a bit helpless as to what's the best way to help Conchita get through it and out the other side. I've been giving her tips, obviously, but it's not something that comes naturally to her to be able to read a dog's emotions and work out the best way forwards in the moment. I feel for her, because I know for myself how upsetting it is to have a dog that's stressed and you can't communicate with.
Ah, it'll be fine, I'm sure. If it's not, I'll come get her and take her to Spain where we'll live the rest of our lives in our little happy bubble
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
I’m at the Channel Tunnel waiting to board and my heart is aching. I popped her into my sister’s car so they could go on a walk while I left. Apparently, she got out of the car when they arrived but refused to go any farther for an hour, she just stared into the distance, not even taking frankfurter, which she loves. I feel like I’ve abandoned her to be scared and feeling alone. I just hope with all my heart that she comes around really quickly.
Feeling very sad right now
Feeling very sad right now
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
Sorry everyone, I've been playing catch-up since arriving back in Andorra and now this thing with Willow...
I have some photos and video to share from when I was there, I'll try to get them sorted tomorrow.
She seems to be getting a bit better. She's not been on a walk since I left but is settling better at night now, in the bedroom with Mum. She even settled downstairs for an hour this morning when my sister dropped Bo off early. My sister is off tomorrow so might go and see if she can help encourage a walk out of her. It's not something that overly bothers me, as she spent so many years without any walks, it's a "nice to have" rather than something she desperately needs. So, it seems progress is being made, which is wonderful. I hope she soon forgets about me and gains confidence with her new family
I have some photos and video to share from when I was there, I'll try to get them sorted tomorrow.
She seems to be getting a bit better. She's not been on a walk since I left but is settling better at night now, in the bedroom with Mum. She even settled downstairs for an hour this morning when my sister dropped Bo off early. My sister is off tomorrow so might go and see if she can help encourage a walk out of her. It's not something that overly bothers me, as she spent so many years without any walks, it's a "nice to have" rather than something she desperately needs. So, it seems progress is being made, which is wonderful. I hope she soon forgets about me and gains confidence with her new family
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
I know, I know, I've not done an update, still! I have a problem that my new computer isn't recognising my camera, so I need to spend some time sorting that out. But I have been going through some other pictures and getting them into Google albums. I found this sequence which made me laugh out loud, so thought I'd share
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
Right, some photos.... more to follow in the next couple of days, and some video
Saying goodbye - a few minutes later, we were in the car, heading for England.
New friend Bo - she loves him!
Is this my new home? Errr.... no!
She adores my sister:
What's this wet thing?
Wheeee!
One of the last cuddles with foster Mum Fi
Chasing Bo and Rachel into the sunset (ish).
Saying goodbye - a few minutes later, we were in the car, heading for England.
New friend Bo - she loves him!
Is this my new home? Errr.... no!
She adores my sister:
What's this wet thing?
Wheeee!
One of the last cuddles with foster Mum Fi
Chasing Bo and Rachel into the sunset (ish).
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
Thought I'd share this little video my sister took of her arriving at my parents' house. ChiChi loves her!
Excuse the barky Bo!
Excuse the barky Bo!