Oh joy. Some nutless a**hole dropped off two barely-weaned puppies in the field out back of our house. There's nothing back there that they could even conceivably eat, although WAY across the field is an irrigation pond that they could have maybe drank out of, assuming they found it before they died of dehydration and didn't fall in trying.

Guess what? I've now got those two dogs I've been wanting for a while(but wanted later, when I could actually feasibly fit them into my life!). Joy.

Actually, they're pretty cute. Shepard mix, most likely, although the vet can tell hubby more when he takes them in tommorrow for their first shots and pills ($100 altogether!). Tentatively named Boss Hog (female - bigger and pushier by a long shot) and Roscoe (timid, unless Bossy is there doing whatever it is first), although these things usually change.

You have no idea what a harrowing week I've had. Since the issues involved are family, I can't share them, but suffice it to say that I've been through a serious betrayal, am finishing up my year at Habitat for Humanity the 21st of July, and am suddenly facing 180 from where I thought I would be facing, life-wise, just a week ago. Now this. Will somebody with more influence than I please tell the Big Guy that it's someone else's turn for a while.

On a PS - anyone seen Hoot lately? Did I miss something? I haven't seen one of his posts in a while. Maybe I just missed them, but I don't think so.

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), July 16, 2001

Answers

$100 for puppy shots????!!!!???? If you have a vet supply shop near you (animal feed store will do),you can probably pick up the first shots these babies will need for around $4 each (total $8), already in sterile syringes, ready for you to use. Jeffers vet supply, or Lambriar Vet supply, available on-line, carries the same stuff (5-way puppy shot), and can ship to you overnight for less than your vet trip. Just a heads up!

-- Anita Evangelista (evangel@atlascomm.net), July 16, 2001.

Soni, you can find Hoot posting on the freedom forum,puppy shots are $3.00 or $4.00 at most farm and feed stores. Spike

-- spike (spike@hotmail.com), July 16, 2001.

Hi Soni, Sorry to hear your going through a rough trial right now. So..okay! Away dark cloud!!! When things come piled one on top of the other I try to think of it this way... After everything that can happen happens, we will be all over our bad times and will have smooth sailing while everyone else is having thiers. Then it is time to encourge them that they will make it through also. Family matters are the worst because you take a big shot to the heart with those! Just do the best you can to resolve things. You can't do any more than you can do and sometimes it just isn't enough for some people. Just hang on and if you just ride it out things get better. Best of luck with the new puppies. My family will remember yours in prayer tonight that things improve. Best of luck!

-- Karen (db0421@yahoo.com), July 16, 2001.

Thanks for the advice and help guys. Figured I needed to take them to the vet the first few times - just knowing where they likely came from makes me want to make double sure that they're healthy and developing normally (they are!). Having not had a dog since I was a kid, I have forgotten much, and need a little professional coaching. Case in point - they're both girls, and I couldn't tell! Once I get the hang of what shots they need and such, I will definately look up the suggestions you all posted.

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), July 17, 2001.

You've got the right idea, going to a vet for the first health exams. Bring in a fresh fecal sample, as I'm sure they have worms. The DVM will do a full physical exam, perhaps they have ingunal or umbilical hernias, take their temp, ascult heart and lungs (is there a murmur present?) Given that these guys certainly have had no health care, and I'm sure their mom didn't either, it will be money well spent. (and $100 for 2 pups isn't really outrageous, depending on where you live) Good Luck, but don't be sending any of the bad my way, I've had enough!

-- Dianne (yankeeterrier@hotmail.com), July 18, 2001.