Sunny’s Diary

Sunny

Sunny came into our care in early November following a car accident on a motorway in Ayrshire. Lennie, one of our wonderful Foster Carers has been caring for him since his release from the vets after surgery for his injuries.

Sunny has been through a lot and has a long journey in front of him to return to good health. SRS will be funding this care and we will be running a number of initiatives over the coming months so look out for them here and on our forum: http://srscotland.18.forumer.com/

This is Sunny’s story written by Lennie.

1 November 2010 – I received notification from a lady that her daughter had spotted a Springer Spaniel heading onto the motorway in front of her. She managed to slow her car to about 30mph but couldn’t avoid hitting it. They took the dog to their local vet. This information was posted on our website. The dog had no collar nor was he micro chipped.

2 November 2010 – I received a request for SRS to take the dog as the vet did not have the facilities to care for him. He was being kept in a cage and only being let out for the toilet.

3 November 2010 – I went to collect the dog. What a poor scared, bewildered and sore boy he was. We don’t know if he was lost, or simply abandoned but to date no-one has claimed him.

The vet had him muzzled and stated that he urinated when getting lifted in and out of his cage. He had him muzzled to administer eye drops and to dress a wound on his front left leg which required 5 stitches, and which also suffered damage to the radial nerves. He has no movement in this leg.

The poor boy urinated as he was getting lifted into the car. This must have been humiliating for him too (and he was a bit niffy as he had been doing this since being rescued and had been lying in it).

Sunny's first night

I brought him home and removed his muzzle. He tried to mouth me, but not in an aggressive way, when I tried to put his eye drops in. I decided it was best to leave him and give him a chance to rest and get to know me and his surroundings.

The next few days I just worked with him, gently coaching and talking to him. Fortunately Daisy just took this in her stride and accepted him without any fuss.

Sunny with bandage removed

6 November 2010 – The dog let me remove his bandage, which required the use of scissors, without any attempt to mouth me. He was becoming quite affectionate now.

7 November 2010 – Decided to call the dog Sunny.

9 November 2010 – Sunny’s first visit to my vet. He bounded out the house and bounced excitedly and happily into the back of the car. Not bad going considering! He got his stitches removed but as he had been worrying at his wound it was a bit inflamed so a course of antibiotics was required. He also got micro chipped at the same time. He was as good as gold the whole time, bless him. By now Sunny is feeling a bit more secure and a very sweet nature is beginning to appear.

11 November 2010 – Forgot to say that Sunny’s wound had to be dressed again on the 9th, so off to the vet today again to remove the bandage and to check the wound. It’s looking a bit better but it still requires to be dressed again.

Sunny relaxing with Daisy

13 November 2010 – Sunny has another visit to the vet, and yet another bandage. This lovely boy is just so loving and trusting towards everyone by now. One of my 4 year old grand-daughters came to stay overnight. Sunny was so good with her.

14 November 2010 – My other 4 year old grand-daughter and her 2 year old sister arrived. Sunny was great with all the children (and the adults too!)

16 November 2010 – Sunny’s bandage is removed. He just lies down and lets the vet do what she likes to him. She is smitten with him and thinks there is something special about him. The vet suggested a further visit in two weeks’ time and if all was well with the wound, he could then be vaccinated. Sunny gets his leg put in a sling when going outdoors to prevent the wound trailing and to prevent ulceration from the friction.

18 November 2010 – One of my 4 year old grand-daughters came to stay for 6 days. Sunny was great with her throughout.

18 – 28 November 2010 – Sunny’s personality is emerging. As previously stated, he is very loving but needs a little training on this as he is becoming like a young puppy and wants to mouth your hand, your foot, your leg, your slippers – get the picture? He is doing some naughty puppy things like chewing the odd thing that he shouldn’t and is vying for attention, pushing Daisy out the way to get it.

Bought a load more toys but whichever toy Daisy has, he wants! He plays just like a puppy too, bless him.

Sunny waits for the chinchilla to emerge

Oh, and wouldn’t he like to have my chinchillas! I can’t believe how fast he can push Daisy out the way when I open the back door then he runs out to try and chase the birds!!

Although he still does not have the use of his front left leg, Sunny is a very strong dog. He will require lead training, as does Daisy. Unfortunately life has just been getting in the road recently, but things are slowing down and I should have some time to devote to this.

Managed to remove all the matts from his ears. He was such a gem.

Sunny playing in garden

1 December 2010 – Sunny went for his first hydrotherapy session. It will take at least 10 weekly sessions before there will be any indication whether or not it is helping. Have been shown some physiotherapy to do with Sunny

2 – 3 December 2010 – Nothing eventful, just enjoying watching a happy boy playing with toys and coming to me for lots of loving. Our walks are fun if it wasn’t for the fact my arm feels as if it’s coming out of its socket!!

Sunny running in the grass

Sunny loves tussocky grass and snuffles right into it as if he’s looking for mice. The woodland is fun too with lots of fallen trees and branches to investigate.

If he hadn’t been on lead, I’m sure he would have disappeared down a hole today!

December 4 to early January, 2011 – Sunny and Daisy are comfortable in each other’s company, often sharing a bed together.

Sunny and Daisy

Sunny in the grass

It has been quite challenging finding ways of safeguarding his leg while outdoors. I’ve tried all sorts of combinations, but I think I might have it sussed now. However, only using 3 legs does not hold Sunny back. We’ve found a safe woodland area which is totally enclosed so Sunny can have a good run. He is so fast it is unbelievable. He runs and runs, yelping with excitement as there are so many birds and squirrels in the woods. Thankfully he makes somuch noise they have gone before he can reach them.

Digging for mice

He’s down rabbit holes, snuffles tussocky grass for mice and stretches his full length up trees for squirrels. He knows his name now and after the initial euphoria, his recall is pretty good. It’s just so wonderful to see how he copes with this.

Poor Sunny has also been having problems with his tail. He wags it so hard he batters it off wall, kitchen units, the floor, and anything else that gets in the way. He is constantly splitting it and making it bleed. I am constantly dressing it to try and protect it. (constantly wiping down units, walls etc – and just had my hall redecorated!!).

In the pool

 

 

Due to the inclement weather conditions, Sunny has only had another 3 sessions of hydrotherapy. It’s a bit steamy in there so I’m afraid the photo isn’t all that clear. It’s still too early to tell if this is going to be successful.

I am concerned about his weight so will take him for a weigh in this week and am adding an extra feed in at mid-day to try and build him up a bit. I’m hoping it’s just because he must be using so  much more energy working with three legs, and being so energetic.

Sunny & Daisy

I’ve also been trying to do some basic training with both dogs. As stated, Sunny’s recall is not bad as he will come right back to me when asked. Both are sitting and lying down to hand signals and I’ve started on lead training. Daisy is doing better with that at the moment. Sunny is just so excited he wants off to chase something!

On the look-out

Sunny is always vying for loving. When I’m drying Daisy, Sunny somehow manages to be in the towel at the same time! And when grooming Daisy, Sunny is constantly nudging me for attention. He’s such a puppy boy. He’s so adorable. How anyone could abandon or lose this gorgeous boy is beyond me.
Here are some more photos of a happy boy.

In the woods

Digging in the snow