Divinity was a sweet, quite, gentle little lady; a retired Therapy Dog.
December 1, 1999 to September 10, 2014
Blind dog rescued after being lost for 2-weeks in the cold
Eleven-year-old Madera, a Labrador retriever, had the odds against her when she wandered away from her Ester home in the midst of a cold snap earlier this month.
Madera is completely blind because of an autoimmune disease, and the temperature was 40 below, said her owner, Ed Davis. Usually when it’s really cold out, she wants to come inside immediately after relieving herself. But for some reason, Madera ventured farther away when his wife let her out on Feb. 6.
Davis expects he never would have found Madera if Constantine Khrulev hadn’t been out on the trails last week, riding a fat bike and accompanied by his own dog, which was wearing a bell.
The bell-wearing dog made the difference, Davis said. Madera, responding to the bell, let out a whine as the dog ran by. Khrulev went into the woods and found her under a tree, more than 100 yards from the trail and about half a mile from Davis’ house.
“She was not going to be found accidentally,” Davis said.
Khrulev took Madera to one of Davis’ neighbors. The dog had lost about 14 pounds but was otherwise in good health, Davis said. Her rescuer asked for the $100 reward money to go the the Fairbanks Animal Shelter Fund, a gesture that so impressed Davis that he decided to increase the donation to $250.
The recovery wasn’t the only Fairbanks rescue of a blind dog in recent years. In December 2012, a blind 8-year-old dog named Abby walked more than 10 miles from her Two River area home before she was recovered.
Rescued pup finds new life as therapy dog
This is a wonderful story about Willet, who is a member of Therapy Dogs International.
“The 10-year-old Cairn terrier was born into a puppy mill in Georgia in 2005. His life looked bleak, until the California-based Col. Potter Cairn Rescue Network (CPCRN) rescued Willet and 26 other dogs in 2008.”
“The rescuers named all of the nameless dogs after birds because there were so many of them. Willet was named after a shorebird.”
To read all about Willet, click the following link: Rescued pup finds new life as therapy dog
Note: Willet’s story begins on page 24.
The Secret Life of Dogs – A Documentary
We have an extraordinary relationship with dogs – closer than with any other animal on the planet. But what makes the bond between us so special?
Research into dogs is gaining momentum, and scientists are investigating them like never before. From the latest fossil evidence, to the sequencing of the canine genome, to cognitive experiments, dogs are fast turning into the new chimps as a window into understanding ourselves.
Where does this relationship come from? In Siberia, a unique breeding experiment reveals the astonishing secret of how dogs evolved from wolves. Swedish scientists demonstrate how the human/dog bond is controlled by a powerful hormone also responsible for bonding mothers to their babies.
Note: To watch this documentary, click on the following image
“Canine Vestibular Disease: A Common Senior Dog Malady”
This is a repost from our friends at the Grey Muzzle Organization by Dr. Julie Buzby, DVM.
“I was a newly minted veterinarian when I walked into the exam room and found Foxy, a 13-year-old Blue Heeler, scheduled as a euthanasia appointment. The poor dog couldn’t stand up because she kept falling to one side. She had a distinct tilt to her head, and her eyes were scrolling back and forth in their sockets like a typewriter doing sprints. The symptoms had come on suddenly and the heartsick owners had no explanation. Foxy had been fine the day before. The woman held her dog close, her eyes brimming with tears. Me? I could hardly contain my glee. I would remember that appointment for the rest of my life.”
“Gently, I extracted Foxy from her owner’s embrace so I could perform a physical exam. (It’s amazing how much information can be gleaned from a thorough exam.) The somber family gathered around, dreading my imminent verdict. They fully expected me to utter: “It’s time, there’s nothing more to be done.”
“Instead, after a careful neurologic exam, I proclaimed, “I have wonderful news for you! Odds are excellent that Foxy will recover from this with little to no long term effect and continue to live a normal life.”
“Symptoms of vestibular disease are similar to vertigo in people. After experiencing a bout of vertigo last year, I’ve developed new sympathy for these dogs. Towards the end of a busy, normal day, I began to feel so dizzy that I couldn’t safely stand up. Within minutes I was vomiting. I crawled to my bed, where just turning my head on the pillow made me sick.”
“In dogs, classic symptoms of vestibular disease include: loss of balance/ ataxia (the drunken sailor gait), abnormal posture, head tilt, and nystagmus—the medical term for the rapid, uncontrolled eye movement that is the hallmark of vestibular disease.”
To read the rest of this article, click the following link:
Divinity’s Travels
It is now five months since Divinity was euthanized. As I have every month on this date since that fateful day, I want to celebrate Divinity’s joy of life.
This months celebration is focused on Divinity’s travels. Divinity was a two-time international traveler, and within the United States, Divinity traveled to five states with her dad.
In addition to our camping trips, Divinity & I had many enjoyable road-trips together to South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Iowa.
Traveling was one of Divinity’s great joys in life. Whether it was a short trip to Dairy Queen for a hamburgers and a Pup-Cup, or a long trip to Canada, Divinity was always ready for an adventure. Divinity’s co-pilots seat added to her enjoyment. From her car seat, Divinity was able to relax, and view the countryside.
Note: These trips do not include Divinity’s initial journey from Southern Missouri to Minnesota in late 2008 after she was rescued by the Col Potter Cairn Rescue.
Camping Trips
Note: Please click the following links to read about some of Divinity’s camping trips.
Canada
Manitoba, Canada
* Spruce Woods Provincial Park
Ontario, Canada
* Thunder Bay
United States
North Dakota
* Turtle River State Park, Arvilla, North Dakota
Minnesota
* Glacial Lakes State Park, Starbuck, MN
* Moose Lake State Park, Moose Lake, MN
* Sibley State Park, New London, MN
Note: To view a larger version of a picture, click the image.
Divinity in her Co-Pilots Seat
Turtle River State Park, North Dakota
Spruce Woods Provincial Park – Manitoba, Canada
Divinity Posing under the Flag of Manitoba
Our Favorite Campgrounds – Glacial Lakes State Park, Minnesota
Sibley State Park, Minnesota
Wading in Lake Superior – Thunder Bay, Ontario Canada
Some of Divinity’s Travels
More of Divinity’s Travels
Note: The previous two maps show many, but not all of the long trips that Divinity took with her dad.
The Blind Dog Rescue Alliance
I’ve written about this rescue organization before when I posted a video by them on Claire, a 14-year old blind Chihuahua. However, they’ve created a really nice video that shows just how wonderful it can be to adopt a blind dog.
The Blind Dog Rescue Alliance is a non-profit rescue is dedicated to helping blind and visually impaired dogs all over the United States, Canada, and elsewhere!
Please go to http://www.blinddogrescue.org for more information on this amazing organization.
Nigeria joins the country list
Divinity & I want to welcome a visitor from the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Nigeria has become the 74th country who has had a citizen visit Divinity’s blog.
Click the following link to see the Divinity’s blog readership – Country List
