Eve 3

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Update 02/04/11:

Eve continues to do very well in foster care and, in the last couple weeks, she has made long strides of progress. She is actually learning that people are there to provide for her and that they are good for a belly rub! Although this girl is not necessarily a Velcro Springer, as time goes on her foster family is seeing the affectionate side of her. 

It has been a long road but Eve is making the trip to being a loving family pet. Soon, she’ll be looking for her very own forever home. It is essential that Eve’s new home has a fenced yard for her to run and absolutely no cats or small animals, as her prey drive is very high. Of course, new owners that will continue to show her the good life of being a family pet and give plenty of belly rubs are a must!

Update 12/01/10:

Eve’s metamorphosis continues. This very sweet girl is working hard on improving her leash manners. She has learned that if she ends her walk when her foster mom wants it to end, she receives a treat. She really likes treats! Being the bird dog that she is, Eve is extremely interested in the ducks and chickens that inhabit her foster family’s farm. Her foster mom has become more successful with controlling Eve’s high prey drive, but it’s a work in progress! Eve also would prefer to chase the outside cats but, when they don’t run (most are dog savvy), she just stands and looks very puzzled. Of course if they run, the chase is on!

The health concerns that came with Eve are becoming fewer. Her ear infection is much improved and almost cleared up. Her hip seems to have provided its own resolution. The vet feels that the muscle has created its own cushion to keep bone from rubbing bone, which caused her pain. She’s pain-free now, so the vet recommends no surgery unless she develops problems in the future. Since she is just finishing her heat cycle, Eve’s foster family will wait a month or so before having her spayed. There is no change to report regarding Eve’s heart murmur; it is hoped that once she has a healthy, well nourished body, it will improve. Her heart will be re-evaluated as part of her pre-op procedures before her spay. Since Eve’s finally weighing a healthy 57.5 pounds, her foster mom is decreasing her daily food ration to keep her at an ideal weight. She gives every indication that she’s feeling as great as she now looks!

Her foster family reports that Eve is friendly with everyone she meets. The staff at her vet’s office just loves her; she greets everyone with tail wagging and licks! She has exhibited absolutely no signs of aggression. 

Eve has had a long journey from malnourished stray and new mom to becoming a healthy, happy girl. With MAESSR’s loving care she continues on her road to her new home and forever family. Her foster family will continue to provide her with the love, nourishment, and guidance to have her ready for a special family early in the New Year. Eve has so much love to share. Could you be that family who shares it with her?

Update 10/18/10:

Eve is still adjusting to life as a cared-for dog instead of living on her own. She loves everyone, and loves attention but is still lacking in some basic training. Her foster family is working on teaching her to come and sit but currently her puppy Randee is dominating most of the training sessions. 

While she is good with other dogs, there is nothing Eve loves better than a cat or kitten that runs from her. Her foster mom’s arms are a few inches longer than they used to be from trying to keep her in check! 

On a recent trip to the vet, Eve got a mixed report. She is now at a healthy weight, over 50 pounds, and is looking very nice. She is getting along very well even with her hip luxation, so more evaluation will be done to determine if surgery is necessary. Unfortunately, Eve’s ears are still infected, so she has started on a different type of cleaner and medication. Hopefully that will help clear the infection up once and for all. The doctor also detected a heart murmur during this most recent exam. At her next appointment, Eve will be seeing another doctor who should be able to shed a little more light on her health conditions. 

Eve will likely be in foster care for a while longer, while her health issues are addressed and she continues learning the ropes of being someone’s pet. Fortunately, she has the support of MAESSR and her experienced foster family, who are ready to devote the time and care she needs.

Update 08/28/10:

The news on Eve continues to be heartening. She has weaned her little one, Randee, and she must be proud of him. He is growing very fast and is always a happy puppy. He loves to be with people and is becoming a true Velcro boy. What more could a mother hope for!

Eve herself is eating like a trooper. She loves her wet food and is thriving on it. Other than some hair loss, she is doing great and is looking much better. She is becoming quite a handful as her attention has shifted from Randee to all the other things around her on the farm. This girl was obviously on her own for a while and most likely hunted to survive. All the chickens and ducks are looking very tasty to her; she is intent on getting to them! She can hold a point for a very long time as long as her leash allows. Keeping all on the farm in peaceful coexistence is taking some work but that’s what her foster family loves to do.

Keep Eve and her family in your best thoughts as they continue to work on her remaining issues.

Update 08/11/10:

The past few weeks have been full of ups and downs for Eve and her foster family. Sadly, due to a lack of sufficient prenatal care and Eve’s overall poor health, only one of her puppies survived its first few days. The good news is that her roly-poly, liver and white boy is thriving.

Eve is proving to be a great mom. She is taking good care of her baby boy and is very protective of him when the resident cats and dogs are visiting. So that Eve can continue taking such excellent care of her puppy, her foster family is taking excellent care of her! She is dining on a mix of wet food and puppy food and is finally putting on some much needed weight. Eve is very willing to please and has been getting more active. As each day passes, she seems a little brighter and happier to be alive. Recently, her foster father caught her pointing at a cat – it was a perfect stance, but she couldn’t get the darn thing to fly! 

Look for more on this girl as continued good care allows more of her personality to begin shining through.

Update 07/31/10:

The stork has arrived! With watchfulness from her foster family, Eve whelped a litter of seven puppies. She is doing great which is truly a blessing. Aside from the last 2 weeks of her pregnancy, Eve had been without good prenatal care which better ensures healthy delivery. It was a bit saddening, then, but understandable that 3 of 7 pups survived. Possibly this makes those 3 all the more precious. 

There are 2 males and one female in this new family and they seem very healthy, even lively! Despite her frail condition, there is optimism that Eve will be able to provide for them as they grow. If she needs some extra help, her foster family will see that she has it. They are very good midwives!

Take a moment to think a good thought for Eve and the babies and their foster family. All deserve a peaceful rest after much work on Friday night!

Original:

Lucky Eve became a MAESSR dog last week. A West Virginia shelter contacted MAESSR about helping two strays, Brittany 6 and Eve 3, and had sent photos of both girls. Although Eve looked like a Springer from the photos, once she came to her MAESSR foster family, it was apparent that she is probably a Springer/setter mix. Once MAESSR accepts a dog, a MAESSR dog she is for life despite her breeding. 

Whatever her genetic background, one thing is totally clear: Eve is an absolute sweetie! Unfortunately, she is in HORRIBLE condition. When she visited the vet a couple of days after coming to her foster home, the vet rated her body condition as a 1 out of 10, with 10 being good. The good news is that she tested negative for heartworm, Lyme, ehrlichia, and antiplasmosis. 

Another piece of bad news is that Eve is about 45 days pregnant; whelping usually occurring at about 63 days. From the x-rays, the vet believes there are 6 puppies. Her life as a stray must have been hard for Eve who just weighs 41 pounds whereas the vet thought she should weigh at least 55 pounds. 

More bad news is that Eve has major hip luxation in her left hip. It is an old injury, but will require surgery after the puppies are born. In addition, this poor mamma-to-be has a massive yeast infection in both ears. 

Eve is extremely lucky to be a MAESSR dog. She and her puppies will be well cared for and she will be brought back to good health. Eve and her pups have MAESSR’s promise that wonderful forever homes will be found for the whole family. 

Watch for more on Eve as she begins to regain her health and as her pregnancy progresses!