Sunday, January 17, 2010

What Do Ya Mean, Rain?

Pilot heard the weather forecast this morning, and we put the poor lad to work! He helped clean out all of the livestock pens, remake their beds, put up a tarp on Piggie's house, and move the goats around. Bob, unfortunately, hates to get his feet wet, so he makes the girls stand outside while he's inside during any type of rain - now he's in a pen next to our horse, and the girls can stay dry.

Although he worked hard, Pilot was rewarded well - a jar of baby food is a tasty treat!

Sunday, January 03, 2010

Shiloh Rings In The New Year!

The newest member of the Golden Hearts family finally came home today! This is Shiloh, an Aussie, who came to us from the Pet Rescue Center. She was pulled from a shelter in San Bernardino, and the rescue thought she was a 4 year old. Well, once they picked her up, it became apparent that she hadn't seen 4 years of age in a really long time!

She suffers from severe arthritis, she was treated for pneumonia, and had to have a huge grooming makeover. She was matted to the bone everywhere, and her toenails were grown around in to her footpads, making her painful walk even worse. The rescue took care of her major issues, but where do you find a home for a 14 year old (yes, she's all of 14) arthritic and malnourished dog? Here, of course!

She's quite the lovebug. She loves to eat. She enjoys the other dogs. She finds cats fascinating. She is arthritic, but the Metacam she's on really seems to help. She does have difficulty seeing. She seems to have some eye problems and will need to see our opthamologist. She has some sores that are healing too. She's hard of hearing, but not totally deaf. And her spirit is healing the longer she's here ~ her personality is really starting to come out! She'll get the once over from all our docs over the next couple of weeks to make sure she's on the right track.

Welcome home, Shiloh!

Introducing Roxanne!

Roxy joined us between Thanksgiving and Christmas. She was turned in to the San Diego county Carlsbad shelter by her owners who stated they were moving and wanted to turn her in to be "killed" (direct quote from the intake staff). Yikes!! The staff offered to do the intake and try to put her up for adoption and the owners agreed.

Roxy didn't do well at the shelter. She didn't eat well, and caught the inevitable respiratory infection. We were contacted about taking her, but we had just agreed to help another senior they had that was in need. Things have a way of working out, because the kitty we were to take found a home thanks to the shelter volunteers.

Those same volunteer angels contacted us about Roxy, and this time we could say "yes!" The catch was we had less than 1/2 a day to pick her up before she would be euthanized, so with some rearranging of the work schedule, I picked her up that afternoon. I was also able to meet the dedicated staff and volunteers who are trying very hard for the animals!

Once here, Roxy was very withdrawn. She wouldn't eat, and was hand-fed and given subcutaneous fluids and antibiotics. She didn't like dogs, didn't like cats, and pretty much just tolerated me :) . The respiratory bug was gone for the most part, she just had runny eyes.

Then, something miraculously happened on Day 12. Roxy started eating on her own! And she came out for attention, purring like crazy! I think she finally figured out this was for good. She's very affectionate now, worked through her dog and cat issues, and is now living in the Kitty Cabana. She's starting the New Year off right!

Friday, January 01, 2010

Happy New Year!

From Holly & all of the gang, Happy New Year to one and all!



Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Sweet Skyler Left Us Today...

And the kitty room is much quieter this evening. Skyler's inoperable tumor on his tail continued to grow and we have been grateful for every day we've had with him. He's been active and eating well, even this morning. But, the tumor broke open and began draining, and became very painful for him.

He had a canned food feast for breakfast, and then I smooched and loved on him and said goodbye as Dr. Booman euthanized him. He was a wonderful old man and we will really miss him...

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Where's Hot Rod?

Well Piggie's not the only one who goes into hiding when the weather turns chilly. It took a whole lot more searching to find Hot Rod, who was in one of the "cat-gloo" beds in the Cabana yard. Calling "kitty, kitty" didn't work...
but bringing out the food bowl did!


Our Newest Kitty Room...

Is coming along! This is a 6'x8' room with a small yard that is just outside our back door. It will house 3-4 kitties very comfortably and will have a ceiling fan to keep cool in the summer, and plenty of outlets for heated cat beds in the winter. The boulders in the picture will be included in the yard, so there will be plenty of sunning opportunities too!

Where's Piggie?

As we prepared for the cold and wet weather, we trucked in lots of grass hay to use as bedding for the goats and for Miss Piggie. She snuggled in almost immediately! She buries herself so deeply that a couple of times I had to look twice to find her. And yes, she was served breakfast in bed on a couple of frosty mornings. She looked soooo comfy, why not??

He's Getting Bigger!

Petey's growing every day and here he is after his weight training workout! Not really, he and Timmy, his new roommate, are currently living in our weight room. There aren't too many "safe" places 2lb. kitties can spend the day. I'm hoping they grow soon, because they are small enough to squeeze through all of our chain link fences!
This is Timmy, our newest little guy. He's absolutely gorgeous, but he's a Manx with all of the associated troubles. We spent about the first week he was here just trying to get his bowels functioning and getting him to eat again. He's been improving ever since, and loves hanging out with Petey!


Thursday, October 15, 2009

Miss Phoenix...

had a swollen eye. She went to see our regular veterinarian Dr. Booman on Tuesday for an exam (and bloodwork too). She didn't have a corneal abrasion, but instead is suffering from a flare of her chronic herpes. We think that the weather change caused just enough stress to bring it on.

She's on an antibiotic eye ointment, atropine eye drops, and antiviral eye ointment ~ quite a bit of stuff to put in her eyes several times a day! She's living in the house right now, for easier access to medicate her, which has made her quite happy ~ more treats!

Friday, October 02, 2009

Rest In Peace, Sweet Boy...

We will miss you...
We euthanized Syd last night because of acute abdominal pain that didn't respond to medication; most likely he had a tumor growing on the inside, especially since he had so many on the outside. It's much quieter in the pasture today, and Osa, his pasture mate, sure misses him too....

Saturday, September 19, 2009

How Cute Is This??

Meet our newest addition! He goes by the name "Lucky Peter" but I'm pretty sure we'll be shortening that before long. Dedicated local rescuers found him and another kitty near a dumpster in Chula Vista. The other kitty is healthy and in search of a forever home. Both were covered in fleas and filth; they were lucky to be so young and survive outside in our extreme summer temperatures.

This little guy ~ he's here because he's far from normal. He has trouble with his hind legs, with abnormal nerve supply on one side. His physical with our veterinarian Dr. Booman yielded some surprising "extras". He also has intestinal motility issues (he backs up in the poop department) and he also has an abdominal hernia. He has coccidia, a treatable intestinal parasite too. He's pretty darn young, about 5 weeks old, and weighs less than 1 pound right now ~ even tinier than Scooter was when he came to live with us!

Right now, he's on medication to improve his gi function (get the poop out!), plus medication to treat his parasites. He's also been started on a low residue diet, like Scooter, to help keep the stool volume smaller. He's a real love sponge who wants nothing more than to be carried around in a pocket or hidden in your shirt so he can nap. He's a cutie who will give Scooter a run for his money as he gets older!

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Nothing Like A Good Nap...

to refresh you! Ms. Maggie curled up on the new quilt in her room today and napped the entire afternoon away. Her keen sense of time, however, had her wide awake in time for dinner!

Wednesday, September 02, 2009

Um, What Do You Mean Manicure?

Pax, our beautiful Ring-neck Dove, had an appointment with a pair of nail clippers this afternoon. He is permanently handicapped after having a broken leg heal in the wrong direction. It points out to the side as you can see in the picture. He's never learned to perch, and lives on a carpeted surface so he doesn't get pressure sores. The down side is he also doesn't wear down his nails like a normal scavenging, perching bird.

Bird nail trims are even more delicate than those of a dog or cat. They can bleed profusely if trimmed too close (no pressure!), or even die from the stress of handling. I'm happy to report that with Steve holding him, he was the perfect gentleman, the nail trim went well, and Pax didn't get too stressed out. He's happily eating this evening!

Dog Bed?

Cameron has decided that everything "dog" is also "cat" or at least "cat friendly". From dog beds to water bowls to dog food bowls, this little girl has no trouble in putting her little 6lb body right in the middle of whatever the dogs want to use. The more dogs that want to use it, the better!

Our critters have been faring fairly well in our 100 degree plus temperatures. All kitties are eating canned food in order to keep them eating, Piggie is getting hosed down twice a day plus a huge mud hole to lay in, and well the dogs have to be coerced to go outside to pee! And, thankfully, we have no fires burning in our part of the world. Here's hoping for a fire-free fall!

Saturday, August 01, 2009

Well, If You Must...

You can take my picture! I realized that Skyler never had "after" pictures taken once his ears had healed. He's quite the handsome guy! Today, we moved him in with the other house kitties, much to his disappointment. He's enjoyed being an "only cat" but really needs more exercise. He's already discovered the outdoor patio, so we hope he'll find the accomodations acceptable!

Here's His New Cast!

Pilot is sporting his new, shorter walking cast. He now gets the use of his foot! He's walking very well now, and has worked up to 25 minute walks twice a day. More exercise for the both of us! He also has a sleeker waistline to show off ~ weighing in at 73lbs. We're very happy with him at this weight, so he now gets a little more food at mealtime ~ something he's very happy about!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Pilot's Home!

A happy and exhausted Pilot is home tonight! He progressed well in his rehab, and is now walking 20 minutes a day. It's up to us to continue his walks morning and evening, increasing the time every few days. When he's walking a comfortable 30 minutes twice a day, his cast size will decrease. It'll keep getting smaller as he gains more strength in his knee. Tonight, he's sleeping in every bed in the house when he's not glued to my side.

Welcome home Pilot!

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Animal Updates

It's been a while since I've posted, because the critters have been keeping us busy. Here's what we've been up to:

~ Pilot had knee surgery on July 3rd. He had a torn cruciate ligament in the knee of his previously fractured leg. Although he's been healing, his progress has been slow. He has severe degenerative joint disease in that knee which has slowed things even further. He left this morning for a week of "boot camp" with his rehab therapist Rainy. Please cross your fingers that he heals and walks quickly so he's home soon!

~ The "lil old lady" trio has moved into the main cat room in the house. This was in an effort to help them stay cooler since it has a fan in it. Construction has been slow on "Poo Corner", the new cat enclosure for Scooter, Tara, & Uno.

~ Roger Rabbit passed away suddenly a week ago today. By all appearances, he was acting normally that morning, but lay down for a nap and didn't wake up. We all miss his carrot-begging antics!

~Marci passed away Thursday. She was also completely normal, carrying on all of her normal cat activities. We're happy she had 4 years with us, given the birth defect she was living with. Phoenix especially misses her!

~ Liberty has finished her laser therapy treatments for her jaw and is now able to eat dry food and biscuits again. She is so comfortable that she can even chew on a Nylabone!

~ The animals are surviving the July heat with few complaints, just lots of water and extra canned food in the evening!

Saturday, July 04, 2009

The Website is done!


The newly designed website is up and running!
Please be patient while all of the animal stories get entered, but once again we can be reached by e-mail. Let us know what you think!