Monica 2

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Update 11/17/2024: “Just shy of her 2-year anniversary with MAESSR, Monica humanely sprang to Rainbow Bridge.” 

Miracle Dog Monica unfortunately met an obstacle she was unable to overcome. When her foster mom noticed a mass on her neck in early July, the biopsy confirmed thyroid cancer. X-rays also confirmed an increase in the number of lung and abdominal nodules. Given her age and increased medical issues, Monica was lovingly provided palliative care in her foster home where she continued to happily trot around the yard with her tail high, sniff to her delight, and jog marathons around the kitchen island as her meals were prepared. 

Monica’s way-too-early-time-to-rise barks also continued until her foster mom recently noticed they had become slightly raspy and her breathing a bit more labored. While Monica’s appetite never decreased, it was ‘that look’ she gave her foster mom that signaled The Bridge was calling. 

Just shy of her 2-year anniversary with MAESSR, Monica humanely sprang to Rainbow Bridge. Though greatly missed by her foster mom and resident siblings, she is running whole and pain free and devouring more food than her belly can hold. Spring on, Sweet Sunshine.

Update 06/23/2024: “She doesn’t tolerate the summer heat very well so her outdoor adventures during the day are limited.”  

Miss Monica is now known as the Miracle Dog.  No matter what health obstacles come her way, she somehow manages to bounce back to her ever joyful and where-is-my-food lovable self.

Monica aced her recent vet check-up, which very thankfully didn’t show any growth in size or number of her abdominal or chest tumors.  Her eyesight has dimmed a bit more, and she’s now on arthritic medication for her stiffening joints.  She pants more heavily, yet her vet assured her foster mom that her breathing continues to be normal.  She doesn’t tolerate the summer heat very well so her outdoor adventures during the day are limited.  However, as the evening temps cool she’s back out to her usual trotting and sniffing all around the yard.

Soon after Monica’s last MAESSR update, she began having seizures.  Though somewhat similar to vestibular-type seizures, the bodily motions – especially her eye movements – are quite different.  Her vet advised that it’s possible she’s developing growth(s) in her brain.  However, due to her age and other medical issues MAESSR will forgo any invasive testing to determine the potential causes of the seizures.  Very thankfully, she doesn’t get them often.  Her foster mom usually sees the telltale signs of an oncoming event, gets her to a safe place, holds her tightly, and comforts her until she fully recovers.  Then, true to being Miss Monica, she’ll slowly rise, head to the kitchen pantry with her beautiful tail wagging and yelp, “Got any food??!”  She is a true treasure.

Update 12/14/2023: “Until she lets them know otherwise, Sweet Monica will continue to be a very cherished and overly pampered member of her foster family.”

Sweet Monica continues to spread sunshine in all that she is and does. Despite recent medical setbacks, her happy-go-lucky lovable spirit continues to shine brightly, and her tail remains in constant wag-mode.

A developing cataract in her left eye is causing additional vision loss; yet, as with all else, she is adapting beautifully. Although one of her mammary tumors has increased in size, both tumors remain stable. A radiograph during her fall vet check-up revealed that some of her existing lung nodules had increased in size and showed the presence of new nodules. Thankfully, no further growth in size or number of nodules was seen during her very recent checkup. Monica’s cough recently became more persistent, often waking her at night. She’s now on prednisone, which has greatly helped. The cough’s cause remains uncertain; her vet now thinks it is related to either her HW+ or pulmonary nodules. Given Monica’s age and other medical issues, MAESSR will forgo any invasive testing to determine whether the nodules are malignant or benign. Of course, her foster family will continue regular monitoring of her various health issues and provide all the love and care she needs to remain comfortable.

Monica’s foster family feels amazingly blessed with her in their lives. Her comical – and often surprising – antics provide so many laughs and keep her foster mom envisioning just what a scamp she must have been in her younger years. She is mostly very laid back . . . except for her rise-and-shine internal alarm clock (weekends included) and near mealtimes. The former used to coincide with sunrise, when she would stand by her foster mom’s bed and bark that it’s time to get moving! Recently, in the dark and brrrr cold of the season, she now pops up like toast to “sing” at 5:15 a.m. (even her resident siblings think she’s nuts.) For shame if one thinks of climbing back under the warm covers after a.m. dog duty . . . she will stand by the bed staring like a cat and then “sing” again and again and again. She’s awake, she’s hungry, she wants breakfast!! And horrors if dinner ever slips past 5:30 pm. Our dogs have us so well trained, eh?

Until she lets them know otherwise, Sweet Monica will continue to be a very cherished and overly pampered member of her foster family.

Update 05/02/2023: “Monica is the epitome of pure joy – easy peasy, always happy, funny antics that’ll make any human smile and an absolute love bug.” 

Sweet Monica Sunshine has adjusted so well in her foster home that she no longer wants or needs her crate.  Almost immediately after her post-surgical confinement, she took quite keenly to a particular dog bed in her foster mom’s room, and now spends all her sleeping and relaxing time on it.  In fact, when her bed goes for a washing, she refuses the offer of another bed and instead sleeps on the rug until the return of her cleaned one.  This bed indeed seems quite magical – it’s baffling how so many toys appear on it, along with those missing towels, shoes, and other miscellany she loves to collect…not in a destructive manner, simply amassing her treasures for comfort.  Her resident siblings have learned this bed is the first place to look come playtime.

Although Monica’s intermittent dry hacking cough continues to be part of her, her heart/lungs/breathing remain in great shape.  With the recent drenching rains, her foster mom has noticed a very definite decrease in coughing; the culprit may be dry weather, which will be discussed at her next vet visit.

Now that Monica’s skin has vastly improved, she’s graduated to monthly medicated baths.  Her hair continues to grow in beautifully, though there are a few small spots on her back where it will remain thin.  Even her beautiful full-length, non-stop wagging tail is becoming bushier with feathering. This is truly one of her most gorgeous features – she’s quite the beauty as she trots around the yard with head and tail held high. 

Monica continues to love her walks; however, because the heat does affect her, they’ll shorten in duration as the warmer temps arrive.  It’ll soon be doggie pool time!!!

Monica is the epitome of pure joy – easy peasy, always happy, funny antics that’ll make any human smile and an absolute love bug.  What more could anyone wish for in a true companion?

Update 03/22/2023: “Her foster mom describes Monica as a ‘life-is-one-huge-bowlful-of-happiness sweetheart.’ ”

Although Monica endured a very complicated surgery and follow-up care, her foster mom continues to be amazed at her nonstop-tail wagging-you-can-do-anything-to-me-and-I’ll-still-love-you personality. She is the absolute sweetest and happiest pup!!  With three weeks of post-op crate confinement, she became quite vocal in her desire to spring outta prison. And spring she has! 

Monica relishes being outdoors, usually with her nose to the ground. Due to her poor vision, she’s devised a specific route each time she’s in her fenced-in yard — she heads directly to the fence and, keeping the fence on her right side, trots next to it all the way around until she gets her bearings. Then she’s off to explore. She much prefers sniffing all the awesome scents vs. joining some of her resident siblings in their raucous play, yet she often checks-in with her foster mom between her explorations.

With improved health and warmer weather, Monica is loving her daily walks. In a very short time she has greatly improved her leash-walking skills and no longer zig-zags from side to side. Her foster mom uses a Freedom harness for all her dogs, which Monica has greatly benefited from as well. Half-mile walks on a quiet lane are the norm for now; distances will gradually increase depending on her energy level. Given her limited hearing, loud noises startle Monica so walking in busier areas will be a very gradual process.

This uber-happy lass is excellent at entertaining herself, often sneaking a toy into her crate or trotting around the house with a few of the resident pack in tow. She loves tug-of-war, usually with one or two resident sibs joining in. However, once it gets too crazy she’ll gladly let them win.

While Monica enjoys her resident siblings, she’s clearly much more a fan of human companionship. She slowly continues to improve with her “I want some love” skills although really, one look at her adorable face and who could possibly deny her the opportunity???  She loves belly and back rubs yet one of her favorite love-on-me joys is when she and her foster mom rub heads and faces with each other – it’s like she goes into a trance!

For her safety, Monica continues to be crated at night as well as while riding in the car. She loves her solo downtime after play and walks when she happily retreats to either her crate or dog bed for a snooze.

This sweetheart would be the ideal companion for someone who works from home or is retired. Due to Monica’s age, experience living with a vision and hearing impaired dog is a must, as is a fenced-in yard (no e-fence) and single story home. Because Monica is very animated when playing and especially around food (when her tap dancing talent shines through), a home with young children or others who may be unsteady on their feet would not be suitable.

  Her foster mom describes Monica as a “life-is-one-huge-bowlful-of-happiness sweetheart.” Are you ready to share your couch…and pawfully, bed…with this snuggly Little Miss Sunshine?

Original: “This super sweet lass instead firmly believes – and is proof – that a pawsitive attitude and wagging tail are the ideal Rx for any storm life may blow in.”

Please know that Miss Monica would admonish anyone for thinking “poor senior dog” when learning of her age and health issues.  This super sweet lass instead firmly believes — and is proof — that a pawsitive attitude and wagging tail are the ideal Rx for any storm life may blow in. 

A Brittany Spaniel breeder in New Jersey was downsizing his operations and contacted Brittany Rescue for help.  Upon arrival, the rescue volunteer learned that the breeder also had an ESS (Monica) that he was looking to rehome.   According to the breeder, Monica’s owner had passed away after owning her for several years and the owner’s family returned Monica to the kennel/breeder, which is where she’s been living the past three years.  Very thankfully, the rescue contacted MAESSR.  The breeder provided varying ages for Monica, from 8 – 11 years but her current vet thinks she’s approximately 12 years old. The breeder also added that Monica did not love puppies in her face.  Well, ha ha ha!!  The resident 8-month-old puppy in Monica’s new foster home didn’t know this — nor would it phase him – and they’re now great tug-of-war buddies.

It wasn’t until she arrived at her foster home that Monica’s vision and hearing impairment were discovered.  Regardless, she quickly learned her way around the house, to include the food and treat pantry!  Monica shares her foster home with seven resident MAESSR dogs ranging in age from 8 months (also visually and hearing impaired) to 13 years old.  Monica does not signal when she needs to go out so there were the initial oopsies with housetraining.  However, as with her resident pals, she’s kept on a regular “outside!” schedule so accidents are now very rarely an issue.

Though not originally a fan of her twice weekly medicated baths, Monica now loves them — especially with the pawsome massages that she receives.  Her skin and coat have greatly improved, with hair re-growing in many of her bald spots.  Her ears are super soft with an adorable 1960-ish flip on each end.  Oddly, they’re the only part of her body not affected by her bacterial skin infection.  They’re also clean and clear inside.  Monica is fine being touched all over, especially when hugs are included, and she’s a champ at the vets.  She completed treatment for being Lyme+ and for a UTI.  Testing positive for heartworm disease, she recently started the slow-kill protocol.  The “slow-kill” method involves giving the infected dog monthly Heartgard tabs over the course of a year.  (Doxyclycline therapy is sometimes done as part of the treatment as well.)  At the end of the year, the dog is re-tested for heartworms.  MAESSR will supply the medication to the dog’s adoptive family and will pay for the follow-up vet visit and heartworm test. Although most dogs are heartworm-free after one year, MAESSR will pay for another year of treatment if the dog is still heartworm positive.

Monica’s dry hacking cough, possibly due to her severe dental disease, comes and goes.  Some days she does not cough at all; other days, it is more constant yet it never phases her.  As long as Monica’s health continues on its current healing track, she’s scheduled mid-February for her spay surgery, removal of mammary lumps, and dental surgery.

Monica’s impaired vision appears to be age related, though without the usual cataracts or cloudiness.  Each eye has a beautiful twinkle that matches her impish personality.  It seems she can see shadows and is okay in brighter indoor light and outside during daylight hours.  Dim lighting and outside darkness can cause her confusion, even panic; her foster mom always accompanies her while outside in the evenings.  It often seems that she’s not used to her visual decline. 

Her foster home is one-level with stairs leading from the deck to backyard.  Monica quickly learned to walk up the stairs yet remains fearful of going down.  So, she’s carried.   She has tried the Help-em-Up harness but is not yet a fan; this is a work in progress.    Monica’s hearing responds well if she’s nearby; she responds to higher pitched/louder voices when she’s in another room; and handclaps and louder voices are effective when outside.  When asleep, she responds well to a loud happy voice vs. gentle nudging, which gives her too much of a startled surprise.

Monica’s #1 love in life is food!!  Rather than jumping or barking when meals are being prepared, she tap dances  — back and forth and side-to-side with tail continually wagging!  It’s quite hysterical and very endearing.  Given her high food motivation, she is fed/given treats in a room separate from her resident siblings.  She’s not aggressively mean around food, but is very me! me! me! pushy.  Her foster mom is working with her on this, a problem that seems partially due to her poor vision. 

Unlike her raucous resident siblings, Monica is a very quiet dog – no barking, whining, yipping — nothing.  Her foster mom was seriously starting to think she had no voice . . . until very recently a bark was heard after breakfast – a bark not from the nearby clan but Monica’s “dining” room.  It occurred again the next morning, then three barks the next day, and is now an everyday occurrence.  Oddly, it’s only immediately after breakfast, never any other meal/treat time.  On occasion, she’s also sung those wonderful sighs of contentment while snuggling into her crate.  She’s found her voice! 

For her safety she is crated at night in her foster mom’s bedroom, even though she’d love to join the resident pack on her foster mom’s bed.  She loves her comfy crate and will always retreat to it for downtime instead of choosing the numerous other dog beds.  She is crated in the car without issues and sleeps for the ride.  Monica loves roaming and sniffing all around her large fenced-in yard.  Though only walked occasionally, she pulls very little.  Her nose is always to the ground taking in all the awesome country scents.  Due to her poor vision, she often walks side-to-side vs. straight ahead, something that will be worked on as her health and the weather improves. 

Since entering her foster home, Monica has been a happy-go-lucky, nonstop tail-wagging pup.  However, as with her unveiled vocals, it’s taken time for her true personality to spring forth.  And what a mischievous, devious, and laughable personality it is!  First, it was her stealthy move pulling a sock out of the washer while it was being loaded.  Next came a towel, then on to anything falling from the dryer while it was being unloaded.  She moved on to area rugs, nabbing hand towels from hooks, and stealing her foster mom’s slippers.  Unless caught in the act, her treasures end up in her crate where she’ll easily allow her foster mom to retrieve them.  Oftentimes, the resident puppy catches up to her, both hanging on to the treasure and proudly either trotting it around the house or playing tug-of-war with it.  Most recently, she deftly nabbed a large bed pillow, hot-pawed it across the house and into her crate, where she masterfully placed it at one end of her bed.  She’ll soon have a decked-out pad that’d make Snoopy jealous!  Hmmm,  the pancake spatula is still missing . . . .

Stay tuned as Monica tap dances her way on to improved health and through more shenanigans.