Lafitte's_Mom

Oh - he is full of it!

I really thought that the lifetime ban really would be a lifetime ban... but I guess he hasn't stopped. I have one of this guy's dogs and have tried to right all the wrong that man gave him at the beginning of his life. It makes me so angry because I love Lafitte so much! I hate his fear, his hip dysphasia and the fact that he buried half of his food underneath a heavy piece of furniture for the first six months that I had him... I didn't find out until our floors were being redone - it was like a slap in the face and a squeeze on my heart at the same time to see all the food he had hidden. He is now almost seven years old and has come such a long way from those first days in which we began to leave the past behind. I guess I just wanted to share my experience as of late and show a picture of my boy. Lafitte is wonderful and it makes me feel good that people are aware, doing something and righting the wrong (sick to see that man's face, though). This is Lafitte:

Previous posts about "Lafitte": http://www.bordercollie.org/boards/index.p...amp;#entry24952 http://www.bordercollie.org/boards/index.p...amp;#entry26258 I have had “Lafitte” for a little over 2 years now. It has been quite an adventure, always rewarding and challenging, which in turn, I believe, makes us better people. At 6 months I became aware that Lafitte had hip dysplasia. I threw a ball a little too high and he jumped up, quite high, only to land and cry for a full two or three minutes. I brought him to a specialist and had him x-rayed. The results were, unfortunately, what I thought they would be. I had other people look at the x-rays, as well, to make sure that the results were being conveyed to me in an accurate way. It was in both hips, but the left hip was significantly worse than the right. We went through two TPO’s, which is difficult for me to think about – not at all easy procedures. I wanted him to be OK, to be able to do all of the things that his instincts guided him to do, and I knew there was no guarantee this would be the result, but as he was I did not feel I had much of a choice. Luckily, at my home we had a pool and did rehab with him in the pool. He seemed to really be doing well and his successive x-rays looked good, there were no complications and gradually he healed and recovered completely. The vet said he would be fine and when I asked about agility she said he could do – we had practiced going through the tunnel and similar activities when he was a puppy - I was very hopeful and excited for him. Earlier this year there was a cracking sound that I heard when he walked, about six months after his last surgery was when I noticed the sound. I got it checked out and found that he had developed Arthritis – he had just turned 2. I lost it in the vet’s office, just began crying. This poor dog and what I had put him through and he wasn’t even better? Is he just more accustomed to the pain now? Is that why he doesn’t cry or limp except after long hikes? I put him on 50 mg of Rymadyl and he seems to be thriving with the medication. Now onto my question: he needs a job and I have no idea what to do because of his limitations. Lafitte has some initial restrictions regarding his potential jobs, for instance: 1. kids are out of the question – he sees a child and growls, which in itself is a problem that I am unaware of how to fix 2. He is initially not good with strangers. A convalescent home or similar activities would not work for him, it would be very traumatic for all involved, with the exception of those people he always seems to initially take to - usually very confident people with experience with dogs. So, we have done basic obedience and practice it on a daily basis. He is amazing with scent detection, in fact, I can hide my insulin kit in almost any place and he will find it. Yes, his prey drive is high, but his ability to find things, not just my insulin kit but keys, toys by name, etc. is uncanny and even surprises me every time we practice – he is gifted. I contacted a group that does search and rescue, but unfortunately, he is not able to participate because of his hips. I feel like I want to take him with me and learn something new with him, watch him thrive, enjoy life again instead of being bored with my lack of new things to do, but I am at a loss. Can someone please give me some suggestions? Does anyone know of a way that his amazing gift for scent can be utilized? Thank you, for those of you that made it through this post… I sincerely apologize for its length. Alison and Lafitte Lafitte is on the left and his buddy, "Abbey", is on the right

YAY! I am so happy I am able to logon. Awesome job - this board rocks!

I would love some ideas for this, too! My dog, Lafitte, just had a TPO (he has hip dysplasia and is still a young pup). He just came home on Thursday afternoon and is doing well, but has to be crated for 8 weeks. I am worried about what is going to happen when he isn't on the pain medication anymore :eek: Thanks y'all. Alison & Lafitte Lafitte's myspace

I know EXACTLY what you are talking about, only it was a little worse with Lafitte. First, when I picked him up and saw how sad he looked, I felt like a horrible person. Then, he got an infection and had to go back to the vet for three days with an IV and antibiotic injections - his eyes were affected and he wasn't even close to being himself. I just kept wishing I could take it back, but in the end, I know it is the best thing for him... don't worry, she'll be better and back to her old self in no time. I empathize completely!

Lafitte is really long and lean - at roughly six months he is 32 lbs. He looks SO skinny, though. My dad always teases me and asks me if I "starve" my dog

I'm so happy to hear about Tucker. What a wonderful story that helps to put everything in perspective.

I can't help it! Just had to join the party... she is REALLY FREAKING CUTE!

I was supposed to pick Lafitte up this morning from the vet, but got a call right before I was going to leave that he had pulled his stitches out during the night and was in the process of getting more anesthesia and being sewed up, again. I received a phone call around noon and said he was being VERY vocal and would probably feel more comfortable at home. He also said that he was happy that I was seeing the orthopedic surgeon - she is very good, and that he was confident that Lafitte had a positive future ahead. The orthopedic surgeon is part of a different and very reputable veterinary group here in New Orleans. I am definitely making the appointment for a second opinion and will send the x-rays out to one other person before making a concrete decision. As I said before, Lafitte pulled his stitches out last night and he still will not leave them alone. I had to put one of those collars around his head so that he can't reach them when I am not watching him closely (when I'm sleeping). Needless to say, he is a bit frustrated with the whole thing but is being a very good boy and being loving, as always. As far as his parents, it turns out he is older than Swa**ord said he was (by roughly two months, according the vet), so I don't even know whether to believe his parents are who he said they were. In addition, his trainer concurs with the vet as far as his age - he believes there is no question that he is not as young as I was made to believe. I am going to notify Mr. Swa**ord of the diagnosis after I see the orthopedic surgeon, but I don't think he will care and I am pretty confident that I will never know the truth regarding Lafitte's history without a DNA profile. As far as swimming is concerned, as I mentioned before, my family has a condo in FL, on the beach, which was an excellent way to give Lafitte a love of the water. We also have a pool in the backyard and two Springer Spaniels who cannot stay out of the water, so that sort of exercise will work out well. I am lucky to have a pool in the backyard; New Orleans is the LAST place where there would be a dog friendly pool or the $ to build one. We don't even have working streetlights (funny, but true and pretty sad)! Oh, and as for symptoms, I have been concerned for a while because every so often after the dog park or the beach, he looked to me like he was limping. He also jumped up in the air after a toy this past weekend and slipped and fell on the floor; as a result he cried and wouldn't jump for the toy again. Similar incidents have occurred in the past. I'll never forget the first time I corrected him for jumping up onto me - he slipped on the old wood floor and fell at my office. He cried like I was beating him or something, but I was just sitting there, shocked and helpless, not knowing what was wrong or how to help him :confused: . Anyway, sorry this is so long but I wanted to let you all know how it was going. I genuinely am touched by all of your replies and outpouring of love and caring. It truly has given me more strength during this difficult time for my sidekick and me. Fondly, Alison & Lafitte (yes, he reads and writes... don't all BC's?)

Thank you all for the words of encouragement. I absolutely fell in love with Lafitte the first day he was with me, and every day I love him more and more. I am really glad that we found the HD early and am hopeful that there will be an option for Lafitte that will make him comfortable and able to lead a "somewhat" active lifestyle. He loves to jump and run (imagine that - a BC that loves to jump and run) and has SO much energy. I know that whatever road we take will not be easy but I am hoping for the outcome to be a happy one. He is such a fantastic dog and quickly becoming my always trusty sidekick. We just got back from the beach for Thanksgiving (my parents have a condo there). He loved the ocean and the sand so much! We took a walk on the beach the first morning and he "played" with the waves. Then, with no pushing or prodding from me, he went into the water and started swimming (on a leash, of course - and yes, it was cold). We played soccer - yes, he plays soccer. I kick the ball forward and to the side and he stops it and pushes it back to me while running. He actually initiated this sort of play and I think he must have been a soccer player in a past life Again, thank you for the positive feedback and encouragement. For the first time today I am feeling much better. I have been upset all day and I'm sure my family would believe me more ridiculous than ever... but hey, he's my dog and not theirs, and I would be jealous if I were them, too! We'll be OK!

I brought Lafitte to the vet today to be neutered. As the vet and I had agreed at his first visit, because of his background (AKA, puppy mill :mad: ), we would x-ray for HD at six months while he was under anesthesia for his neutering. I talked to the vet an hour ago and he informed me that Lafitte has HD in both hips. He said there is an option of surgery, if I am interested, and recommended an orthopedic surgeon. I will go and see her next week to hear what she has to say. I am SO sad for Lafitte and don't know what the future holds for him - weather it will be surgery or controlled exercise, etc. My family was making fun of me this weekend because they thought I was being ridiculous for worrying so much about the HD, and I wish they had been right and there was not anything wrong with him. I am glad we found it while he is young and may be able to alleviate the problem with surgery, but am upset for him. He has been through so much already and I just want him to be able to relax and have some fun (which he does, but I don't want him to hurt). I know this is a bit long, but thank you for listening. Just had to tell you guys.

You know, Lafitte and I had our third training session today. The trainer, who is excellent and has a great deal of experience training dogs / people told me today that he was very pleased with what he was seeing and that he has high hopes for Lafitte. This guy is an ex-marine and is a real no-nonsense sort of guy - really made me feel good. Keep in mind, he is looking at Lafitte like a NORMAL dog because he is acting like a NORMAL dog, in fact, he is pretty exceptional, at that. We heeled perfectly - slowly, jogging, and stoping and starting repeatedly. We did this in a parking lot with cars pulling in and out and people walking around, but Lafitte did not let it bother him. It was AMAZING! :cool: I am just so proud of him and am so excited that he is becoming more and more comfortable with his new life. I am sure that we will always have our battles but I really don't think Swa*ford got the best of him and that makes me really happy. Thank you all, again, for all of your advice. I will keep you posted on Lafitte's accomplishments.

My pup has a Myspace page, too. Here is the link: Lafitte's Mypace

Emma looks HAPPY and like she knows she is loved. Congratulations on your new dog!