ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY THIS MONTH WITH EBBY
I was asked recently how Ebby was working out. For those who may not know her story, Ebby was brought to me at The Wagging Tail along with her very elderly and infirm house mate. Both human parents were hospitalized. Linda and I kept the two in the grooming shop for a few days during which they were both groomed. Linda took the old guy home with her, but he had to be euthanized two days later as he had very serious medical problems. Ebby came home with me though it was inconvenient timing as Bob had just had a hip replacement. I soon learned that Ebby was a fear biter. She bit Bob and opened his finger and he had to go on antibiotics because of his surgery. I was going to just foster her, but I learned that her “Dad” passed away and that the wife was not fond of “his” dog and perhaps was abusive. Whatever, it was now me or the guillotine because the shelter was not interested in a dog that would bite. She was put on prosaic for a while and then I moved to CBD oil. The saving grace for Ebby was that our Maltese, Zoey, liked her. And they play very well with each other.
Ebby is much happier and relaxed now and adores me and likes Bob. For many months she kept to herself even though we encouraged her company. Now she is everywhere I am. Or hangs by Bob if I am not home. I can do a little rough play with her (she is very gentle with my hand in her mouth) and she will get on Bob’s lap and give him kisses. We are still wary of what might instigate a growl from her. I was just dancing with her in the kitchen to Ed Sheehan’s Bad Habits, holding up her front legs. Each time I let her down she came for more. However, two mornings ago when I invited her to come up on the bed with Zoey and me, I bent to kiss the top of her head and she growled. “Really?” I said, “You just growled at your mom?” We have instructed the grandchildren next door to not come in our yard without our permission in case she is out. She would not attack, she would be friendly, but not if they went to grab at her. She is still afraid of the sound a shipping tape gun makes when you pull the tape and crunching papers. Overall, she has much more confidence.
With the use of the air spray product “STOP THAT” I can get a harness on her. I close the neck Velcro part and slide that over her head. Then a little noisy spray and she’ll put her front feet up on my thighs and I quickly Velcro under her stomach. Yet I am still anxious. I never could get a coat on her last winter (she got absolutely vicious) but I WILL this season. When the cooler weather starts, and now that my new knees feel stronger, we will go for a walk every day and she will have a harness on. Once she gets comfortable with the harness, it will be easier to transition to a Velcro closure coat. I am always rubbing her belly which she now loves, standing or rolling over, although I am on tenterhooks. I am hoping she’ll be more accepting when I attach a Velcro coat band under her. I still cannot get the dried mucus from her eyes, and I have not been brave enough to brush her. I never had a dog, or cat, that I could not handle with authority and ease. I do love her and tell her many times a day.
Last week’s article was about a 70-million-year-old mammal, the fascinating possum. I hope you got to read it, if not it is on our face book page. All week I mentioned possums. Last night the dogs went crazy barking when I let them out. They high tailed it up to our upper deck and cornered, you guessed it, a possum! (I had my suspicions after all the dry cat food was gone the night before.) Could it be the one from last year? After I got the dogs to come in, I found the possum crouched under the porch sofa. I put out some strawberries which it loved and then later sighted it on the cat climber eating the cat food again! I am going to bring home a bag of adult Wholesome brand cat food from the store which sells for around twenty dollars for 15 pounds. I cannot have this possum gobbling my more expensive food.
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