Thursday, August 4, 2011

Diary of a Rescue Dog (Guest Post)

Nice to meet you!

Hi everyone! No, this isn't Des, but her daughter, Linda. My mom has been incredibly worried that she has been neglecting all of her wonderful readers and pleaded with me to do a guest post for her today. This begs the question - is it really a "guest" post when one's family member is the blogger, or is this rather a case of nepotism at play? I'll leave you to ponder that one a little later. I am sure that you're wondering where Des actually is, and why she has seemingly abandoned you. I'm here to reassure you that she has, in fact, been helping me with my new addition, Noodle. Ever my "angel to the rescue", my mom packed her suitcase and has come to stay with me for a few days, in order to help me to get Noodle settled.  


Is this going to take long? I might need to nap in that case...
 My mom, as I am sure you'll all know by now, has the biggest heart of any person on the planet. Although I work from home, my job is computer-based and I signed a new client this week - which means that I need to be spending long periods in front of the laptop. My mom has been nothing short of amazing - she spends every single second with Noodle, giving her tons of attention and training her. In only two short days, my mom has taught her to sit, to take treats gently, to do her business outside (and mostly on the grass) and to play fetch. She has bathed her, brushed her, cuddled her and played with her endlessly. In fact, as I type this, they are having a glorious game of tug on the floor alongside me. So, as a small favour to my mom (I have no idea how I could ever repay her for what she is doing so beautifully for me), I agreed to do this post and to introduce you all to Noodle. I write a weekly article for a website called FurKidz, which advertises all of the rescue animals in South African animal shelters. This is the article that I wrote for them today, which will become a weekly entry. I do hope that you enjoy it.


Right, I guess it will take a while. Don't mind me while I snooze then...

Diary of a Rescue Dog – Week 1

My puppy is now asleep, and I finally have a moment to sit down and pen the first entry of our diary. You see, Noodle is a rescue puppy, and has an amazing story to tell. Despite her difficult start in life, her brown eyes sparkle with the promise of her life to come. As she lies here next to me, warm and totally content, I cannot help but smile. I may have saved her life, but little does she know that she has made mine infinitely better for being in it.

Noodle, also known as Noo, was rescued on 12 July 2011, at the estimated age of 5 months, from the Du Noon township in Cape Town’s Northern Suburbs. Small, incredibly thin and extremely scared, Noo was spotted by a member of the African Tails rescue organisation and immediately scooped up. Lola, Noo’s rescue angel, said that she took one look at Noo’s eyes and knew that she was destined for great things in life. In the blink of an eye, Noo was removed from her township life and placed into a safe and loving foster home. A few hours later, whilst browsing on Facebook, Noo’s little picture caught my eye – and I knew that she was going to be my dog.

As I type, it has now been 72 hours since Noo moved in with me. Despite having spent two weeks in loving care, she was still very skinny and literally attacked her dish every mealtime, eating so fast that her little belly would swell up enormously. She also had very itchy skin, which she would endlessly bite and scratch at. Although semi-housetrained, she forgot all about that when she arrived. For 72 hours, my mother and I have spent every second giving this little girl the attention she deserves to make a new start in life. She gets fed four small meals a day, at the same times, and each meal is supplemented with a mixture of home-cooked chicken, fresh veggies and brown rice (which we call “Noo’s Nosh”). Using her food obsession to our advantage, we have already trained her to sit, to take food gently, and to do her business outside on the lawn – each time rewarding the good behaviour with “high value” treats such as ostrich liver biltong. We give her an “eggnog” mixture every afternoon, with milk, a whole egg and Efazol, a fabulous oil for skin and coat maintenance, which has already made a marked difference to her scratching and biting. Her coat, although wiry in nature, is also appearing much shinier.

When it comes to playtime, Noo is a little livewire. She absolutely loves playing with her ball, and we have already taught her to “fetch”, “bring” and “give” – it is truly amazing to watch. We keep playtimes short, and rather calm, as she is currently on antibiotics to clear up a bacterial infection. Due to her infection, she gets quite sniffy and snores loudly at night. Once the antibiotics come to an end (she has had 5 out of 10 daily doses), we’ll hopefully get the green light to inoculate her. After that, the world is our oyster…or, should we say, dog biscuit!

I cannot believe the changes we have seen in such a short period of time. It truly goes to show that, with the right amount of attention, love and care, any dog can prosper beautifully. This diary, which I will write on a weekly basis, will offer our hands-on hints, tips and advice for raising a rescue puppy. I also hope that it will provide some entertainment, as well as encourage anyone considering adopting to adopt a rescue puppy. Noo has truly changed my life. I hope you enjoy her story!

29 comments:

  1. Owwww what a sweetie Linda!!...give your mom a big big hug from me.......lots of love both from me....xxx...

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  2. This read is an awesome start to my day! Noodle is cute as pie and a very lucky pup! Hugs!

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  3. Nice to meet you Linda I am sure your Mom loves every minute helping her daughter. Noodle is beautiful. I would have took him in also. She will be nice and healthy very soon with your Mom and your attention. Thanks for sharing this wonderful story I look forward to the follow ups. Say Hi to your Mom for me. B

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  4. Wow, who would have known, two posts from Linda in one day and great pictures of Noo too. I am sure Des has had the best time loving on that beautiful new addition to your family. Have fun you three.

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  5. Looks like one very contented pup.

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  6. What a sweetie!
    We've had a rescue pup and there was never a more loyal or loving dog. It was as though she walked into our lives and dropped the baggage of hurt and neglect, knowing she was safe and loved. We still miss her.

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  7. How blessed both you and Noo and your mom are to have found one another. I look forward to updates on Noo's new life!

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  8. Hi Linda, a lovely post. Noodle is a lucky puppy to be so well looked after.
    All the best and say hi to Desiree from me, regards Susan.

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  9. What a lucky little pup Noodle is. After her rough start she must think she's in puppy heaven, with two of her very own angels taking care of her.

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  10. So sweet and what a wonderful testament to the power of love!

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  11. Noodle has the sweetest brown eyes and the cutest face! She is so lucky to have you and your mom to look after her, and FurKidz is lucky to have you writing for them. That's a great, touching diary entry.

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  12. What a cutie and how lucky you are to have such a great mom. Of course, I am in the Des fan club, anyway. I can't wait to watch the wonderful progress you and Noodle (loove the name) make.

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  13. Oh, what a feel good, wonderful post to read this morning! i admire anyone who has the time, talents and heart to rescue animals, and really enjoy reading about them. Thank you for sharing about Noodle. You and your mom are super stars!

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  14. I agree Linda, what a lovely heartwarming post this morning about little Noodle. She is such a lucky pup, and I am so glad that she is now surrounded by so much love and affection. Your mum is a real star, isn't she?! Please say hi to her from me and to keep up the good work that she is doing with Noo! Tell her not to worry about us for the time being. What you are both doing for that gorgeous little pup is so much more important at this moment in time. Warmest wishes from over here in England and the photos are so cute!

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  15. Hello Linda. What a pleasure to meet you and know how much you are like your mother.
    Never fear that we would feel abandoned by her. Des is not at all the abandoning type, as many of us have learned.
    Your new little girl is precious! Noo is so fortunate to have found a home with you.
    Enjoy every moment.
    Please give my love to Des..and yourself a hug for giving this little girl a warm caring home.
    Mona

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  16. Thanks Linda! Lovely post! Love to Des...

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  17. You sound exactly like your mom, spitting image. She needs some grandkids ( hint ), in place of some of these dogs. You two sound like the sweetest people around. Take care, Gina

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  18. I love the tale of Noodle Noo and I'm so glad your Mom is sharing in her intro to your household! You and your Mom are so very special!

    Have a great time with your Mom and Noodle!

    Hugs~

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  19. That's a very sweet puppy!

    Just a thought about her lavatorial habits - have you thought about having a defined place in your garden for her to poo in order to limit the chance of crap between your barefoot toes and to teach her that she shouldn't just do it wherever the urge takes her? A small sandpit can be a good resource as the mess can easily be picked up and disposed of and the sand regularly changed.

    Rattlebox

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  20. Hi, Linda. Say hello to your mom. Beautiful dog. Ostrich liver? Thinking I don't want to know.

    Sounds like you two have made great progress with this little Noodle. Good to hear.

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  21. You have a super Mum but you all have such a caring nature. Noodle is one lucky puppy and very cute too.

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  22. Hi, tell Noodle from me that he's pretty cute - for a dog ;-)
    Rebs ^O^ xx

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  23. Linda, Noodle has the sweetest face and the biggest dark eyes. I can see why you love her. Isn't your Mum wonderful to be such a help with her! I am sure Noodle will have a long and happy life in your home.

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  24. she is beautiful! congratulations on finding one another!

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  25. Well, my smile couldn't be any larger. This post makes me postively glow with joy for Noo and you.

    Hey Des! I know you read April's blog, but you absolutely have to check out her recent one:
    http://confessionsofaterriblemom.blogspot.com/2011/08/comcast-cable-mafia.html

    kt

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  26. What a great article! You are definitely Des daughter. I know how proud she is of you. She's a wonderful woman and I think the world of her. You my dear are following right in her footsteps which tells me she is also a wonderful mom.

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  27. OK...now i see...mother and daughter...so much alike...BIG hearts! what a nice way to start the day...Noodle is one lucky doggie!! thanks to linda for 'filling in'...and i'm sure with both of you showering Noodle with your love...he will be one happy & healthy pup!! hugs to you both...uh, you three! :)

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  28. Noodle... what a sweet name! We rescued a half grown pup several months ago after losing our dog Candy (she was 13)... Lucy has filled our lives with 'happy dog,' every day

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  29. Linda, I love you for what you did for Noodle! Noodle IS destined for great things indeed. With you to guide her along, she will have a good life, as all little doggies deserve.

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