jackson's mom

SPANIEL -- 100% GRADE A SPANIEL! And I don't think he looks a thing like a border collie.....handsome old guy, isn't he?

All the Best for this Holiday Season

I'm just glad it's over and Jack is back to his normal self. I had no idea what to expect but I was told at the humane society that he was a working dog. Like I said, it doesn't matter as long as he is happy and healthy. I don't have any sheep nor do I plan to get them in the future. Four dogs is enough!

I must say they look alot alike!

Jack is still sulking a bit. He might have had a bad experience before we got him and this brought back bad memories. I have no idea what to do with sheep so I was no help at all. Even the woman who owned the sheep didn't know too much -- she just told him to 'get the sheep'. I think he was confused, a bit frightened and feeling out of sorts. Friday was the exact opposite because he came to work with me! I love having him in my office and he loves being there! Everyone comes to visit and he's the center of attention. He is one of the most social dogs I have ever met and really shows his personality with everyone he meets. I believe his talent in life is to be friendly and make people happy. Everybody has their special talent.......

Yesterday a friend of a friend asked if we would like to run Jackson with some sheep. When I adopted him, I was told that he was a working dog. He's never shown signs of herding, but he's a great guy and we love him all the same. Jackson showed very little interest in the sheep and ran a bit but didn't show any herding instinct at all. My husband (with camera) showed alot more herding instinct as he tried to show Jackson what he was supposed to be doing. At one point Jack was head-butted by a big old guy and knocked down. After that he just wanted out of the pasture and back in the car. He seemed very stressed by the whole experience. He was panting heavily and his ears were pinned way back. When he got in the car, he did a growl-snap at my husband for petting him. I really think he felt like he disappointed us. At home he was very sulky and came out of his dog cave only to eat dinner. At first we thought he might have been injured by the head-butt, however in checking him out, he seemed fine. He acted almost like he was humiliated by the experience. Maybe I'm reading too much into this, but I don't think we will subject Jack to sheep again very soon. We love him just the way he is........

I just got the word on little Ruby -- the tech and doc got together and went through the MRI. They decided that the 'something' that they found was actually just a 'nothing'. No the vet is going to put her on antibiotics and prednisone for a month to see if he can clear up the infection. They think that maybe if the infection is less inflamed they might be able to see something with the scope. Steve and his wife are very upset. Ruby is still blowing gooeys out of her nose but she is still a happy little girl. Last evening Steve said he fell asleep in his chair only to awaken to Ruby sitting in his lap staring at him - "Do you still love me?" And the answer is a big YES! I will keep you updated. Thanks to all again.

Some news on Ruby's condition. Her vet had a long discussion with the MRI tech and met to go over each and every view of the MRI. They might actually have found something!!! The vet is going to make the trip to the tech's office and go over the details this week. With any luck, Ruby could be operated on and finally cleared of this THING! I am very excited and give two paws up for the vet that wouldn't give up on his little patient! Thanks to all of you for your suggestions. p.s. it broke my heart to read about Manda and Chance - bless both of them!

What would be the best way to approach this. Obviously Steve has done everything the vet has suggested (scope, MRI, antibiotics, steriods) and the condition is still present. What would you suggest?

I don't think I will tell Steve that. He is very attached to little 'Ruby'. If any other info is available, please let me know. Thanks for all of your expertise. S.

Did Mandakay ever come back with an answer? She sort of ended it with the same stuff going on. It sounds alot like Steve's dog especially with the sneezing and flinging of green discharge (yuck!)

Will this thing eventually make it's way out of the body? From what I read, it seems to bore into the soft tissue and keep on going until it makes it's way out. Is that so?

Could it be possible that the foxtail is in the lung? The vet might not have looked there? Also, I read that an infected tooth root could cause this problem. What do you think?

I was just looking in google and came up with this phrase - does anyone know what this means? Caudal mediastinal abscess due to a grass awn Is that a foxtail (or awn) caught in the sinus?

I know that we have foxtails in our area, however, wouldn't that get picked up by either the scope or the MRI? Are they too tiny to see with a scope?