Has your dog abandoned you?

by Iris Miller
(Bristol,CT)

The Way We Were

The Way We Were

My dog Tuffy and I have been inseparable for all of his three years of age. Recently I had two serious injuries, eye surgery and a broken arm, and was unable to regularly and properly groom my dog.


Tuffy was getting wet from rain and snow exposure that increased the matting to his hair. It became so serious, even with this freezing weather, it was pertinent to resolve this issue before his health was seriously affected. I finally resorted to scheduling a mobile groomer I found on the internet to come to the house and groom him in her truck. She came in the house and was friendly to my dog, he seemed okay with her. She warned me there was no other choice (except to cancel the grooming) than to shave him to the skin and put a sweater on him. I begged her to just leave some hair and she reiterated, not possible.

I was very distraught about it, but let her lead him out to the grooming van to shave him down. When Tuffy was returned to me an hour and a half later, he seemed okay, naked, chilly, but still okay with the groomer, enough so that he barked at her when she was leaving, not wanting her to go. From that moment on, over a week ago, my dog was going in circles, poking at his rear end and crying. He stopped eating, drinking, and would not sleep with me.

I gave him half a Benedryl to relax him and ease any itching from the haircut. I called the vet, he told me to put baby Orajel on his rash (I thought he might have a razor burn). Tuffy gave me the cold shoulder, not making eye contact, and ignoring me, curled up on the couch in the living room. If I came near him he would startle, bolt away, and tremble if I came near him. After three days I had to force feed him by hand and walked around holding him until he stopped trembling.It was only a temporary solution and I am beside myself,I am worried about him, he has lost so much weight he is skin and bones. He still refuses me, does not want to play, does not beg for treats or food. I have been dumped by my sweetheart and just cannot bear it.

I have been sitting on the couch ignoring him so he will go back to the spot he chose there without fearing me. I cannot afford another bill at this time, so a Vet, dog psychic, or any other type of psychological expense is out of the question.

Anyone ever experience anything like this? I can't stop crying, I want my dog back the way he was.

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Feb 24, 2011
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Tuffy
by: Sherry

I'm so glad Tuffy is feeling better! He is living up to his name! I hope you are feeling better too!

Take care Iris & Tuffy!
Love, Sherry & Cindy

Feb 22, 2011
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thank you Coton family
by: Iris Miller

Tuffy is getting real feisty and demanding, isn't that great news?
love to all,
Tuffy and Mom Iris

Feb 22, 2011
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Yay!!
by: Gale

So glad to hear your little guy is doing better. These little dogs can be such heart breakers!

Feb 21, 2011
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Hallelujah!!! he is back!
by: Iris Miller

After his traumatic grooming nightmare over two weeks ago when Tuffy separated from me, curled up in a ball on the couch, and did not eat or drink for a week, and trembled any time I came near him, Tuffy finally started taking food from my hand. I kept his little puppy fleece jacket on him for security, and he came back to my bed on Valentine's night, cuddled under my blanket and kissed me, then went to his pile of blankets at the foot of the bed. He has been coming back to bed every night. Tuffy is still not 100% back to his normal self. He is still having the butt tail chasing issue, something is bothering him. The Vet told me to put baby Oragel on it to numb the area which helped a bit, but I noticed he is calmer with the jacket on overall, and that he gets jumpy and tries to grab hat his butt and the base of his tail when he is "naked". Maybe he is feeling his tail tickle him? His appetite is much improved. Two days ago we had a short surprise visit from Tuffy's little friends Timmy and Petey, two toy poodles who live a block away. That made him so happy!
Today I took his coat off. Tuffy decided he will play with me again and brought me the yarn ball, and threw his kong at me, and arm wrestled me, and he also hugged his toy hedgehog (his "girlfirend") so we are finally making progress thank Heaven! I am so glad he came back to life and is trusting and playful again.


Feb 14, 2011
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dear ones, thank you
by: Iris Miller

Dear Gale and Sherry and all the Coton community,
Thank you from my heart to yours. It is so touching to know Tuffy and I have such a wonderful loving Coton family. I appreciate the advice and concern, and as for an offer of financial assistance, thank you Sherry, it is a very generous offer and hope I don't have to take you up on it. For the past three days I have been hand feeding Tuffy cooked chicken, plenty of his favorites; freeze dried liver and his lamb roll, bits of canned tuna and salmon and some of my eggs at breakfast, all this sounds like a lot, but probably adds up to 1/2 a cup of food per day.At least he is accepting that now. He tries to eat from his bowl but when he bends over to eat it seems like he gets a sudden stab in the butt and immediately backs away and sits. I wish I knew what was going on in his mind. He seems a little better today, he actually came into my room and jumped on the bed to wake me up, no snuggles yet, he then ran out and sat in front of the patio door waiting to go out. When the physical therapist came for my treatment this morning Tuffy jumped on the bed and watched over me, then ran out again and started racing around in circles pointing at his butt. I put some more orajel on it. He is still curling up on the couch but I feel more confident that he is recovering and I am trying very hard to be cheerful, maybe it will make him feel happy again.
I wish these tons of piled up snow would melt so it could be safe for me to take him walking again. Please continue to send prayers for faster healing for both of us. Our best wishes go out to all of you, our Coton Valentines Sweeties.
love,
Iris and Tuffy
Iris

Feb 13, 2011
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Tuffy and Iris
by: Gale

Iris, as you know, I've recently had a similar situation with Luc. His allergies were very severe and my crazy mischievous little boy turned into a zombie. He lied under the desk for about a week and barely noticed me. The spark was gone from his eyes and he didn't even meet me at the door when I came home like he's done every single day for 5 years.

BUT... as soon as the new treatment kicked in and he started feeling better, I got my crazy lovable boy back.

There's no doubt in my mind that Tuffy is NOT abandoning you; he's just not feeling well. He has been through an awful lot lately. First, he sees you under the weather and his routine is thrown out the window. And now he's not feeling good himself and is probably in pain. It's not abandonment; it's biology.

I'm sure as soon as the two of you are feeling healthy again you will see Tuffy act just like he used to. Give him time to heal.

I know you're having severe weather issues as well and can't get out much, but have you tried giving him some of his favorite people food to spark his appetite? Chicken breast, turkey, or even peanut butter?

As Sherry said, we've come to think of you and Tuffy like family and if there's anything we can do to help PLEASE let us know.

Try not to worry - you'll recover much faster that way :)

Feb 13, 2011
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Tuffy
by: Sherry

Iris, I am in tears reading your post. Poor Tuffy and poor you! I know what razor burn can do to a dog and if little Tuffy has a bad burn, it will take time to heal. What I don't understand is why he shuns you and why he doesn't eat. Maybe Gale has a better idea on what to do for Tuffy. Personally, I would be glad to donate some money so you can take him to the vet. I feel that I know you after reading all your posts and I just know this is tearing you up. Tuffy is such a handsome well behaved Coton. He needs to eat and needs to know who loves him and can take care of him best. Please let me know if I can help. Gale, you are welcome to give Iris my email address if she desires.
Love from Cinderella & Sherry

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