I drove to Pullman on Thursday afternoon and picked up blind Gabe at Washington State University's veterinary teaching hospital on Friday morning. When I was going through the discharge paperwork with the oncologist, Dr. Janean Fidel, and Gabe's case manager, Ida P., it occurred to me that since arriving at the ranch, Gabe has actually spent more time in vet hospitals than he has with us.
Nevertheless, he recognized me instantly when Ida brought him up to me in the teaching hospital lobby; I put my hand up to his nose so he could smell me, and immediately his little stump of a tail began wagging and he pressed his face into my lap. Well, as much as the cone on his head would allow!
He's wearing a cone because the radiation has caused some secondary
issues to develop, including irritation of the skin around his eyes and
his conjunctiva. We're treating him with eye drops and antibiotic
ointment.
Gabe must have begun to wonder what had happened to us, no doubt. He'd be with us for a week, or at most two, and then suddenly be in a vet clinic again for weeks on end. Then back with us for a bit, and off to a hospital once more. This was the longest stretch away — a full three weeks — and when he realized I was standing in front of him on Friday morning, he knew he was going home.
But this time, with all the lab tests, biopsies, surgeries and now radiation behind him, he's home to stay. Although I don't think he knows it yet! I took the photo this morning while he was snoozing in the living room. He's so happy to be back.
Thanks again to everyone whose generous gifts to the ranch allow us to provide this kind of medical care for a dog like Gabe. We couldn't do it without you. Thank you.
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If Gabe finally coming home was our good news for the week, Friday also brought us sad news. Just 30 minutes after I arrived back with Gabe, Alayne found our disabled cat Fibby dead in the cat house. He was lying on a bed and looked like he was in a deep slumber. He had one paw curled up around his face, his head tilted to one side on the fleece … just like he usually slept. But when Fibby didn't stir when she came in, Alayne went over to check on him — and he didn't move. He had died in his sleep. There was no sign of struggle, no discharge of body fluids, nor anything else to suggest he was in distress. Fibby simply looked like he went to sleep … and didn't wake up. Alayne said that on Friday morning, when she went in to feed the cats, he was lying next to our wobbler Mink at the base of the cat tree, his favorite spot in the cat house. Fibby had looked up at her with his beautiful green eyes and had seemed his normal, happy little self. Whatever it was, it was peaceful — and for that, we are grateful.
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In other medical news, our blind mare Rosie continues to do well recovering from her colic surgery. I should be able to bring her back to the ranch later this week.
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Still No. 1!
Please keep voting for us every
day in The Animal Rescue
Site/PetFinder's Shelter Challenge.
Thanks
to your votes, we came in third nationwide and won $3,000 for the
animals in the previous contest. Now we have a shot at No. 1 and the
$20,000 grand prize! Enter
"Rolling Dog Ranch" and our state postal code, MT for Montana,
and it will bring up our listing so you can cast your vote. Please ask
your family and friends to vote, too. Thank you!
Rolling Dog Farm Blog 
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