Turbo has gone "home"

Turbo has a new home...he finally got adopted after 6 months of love and foster care...Turbo got adopted by an awesome family...Denise, Asiah, and Scooter.  He has a great sister too...Patch.  I get regular updates that he is doing great, has gained more weight, gets to play outside with his dad for up to 6 hours a day, goes on road trips, hikes, and swims, and gets all the toys he wants.

His dad has this to say about him, "Thanks so much for Turbo.  I love him very much and he is my best friend."  "It's like I have my own son...I love having him around.  He's a big goofball and we adore him."

I have this to say, " Thanks Scooter and family for loving Turbo.  I honestly didn't feel like he'd ever find a family that would love and accept him for who he is.  I took him and kept him alive, as the shelter was going to put him to sleep and didn't think he could or would rebound.  But you, Scooter and family, gave Turbo a life.  He's a good dog who needed the right family.  I'm thankful he came into my life and I could do my part."

Turbo in his new home: HAPPY...as usual!

An interview with Greta: Up close and personal

Have you ever wondered if there was more to life, other than being really, really, ridiculously good looking?--Zoolander

Too soon, not coordinated

Greta wanted some help taking pictures the other day, so she could show her friends on Facebook how much she looked like her mom.  We set the camera up, and since I am the one with thumbs, I pushed the button on her command.  I hope you can appreciate how much time and effort she put into this.  I decided that we should all get to know the deeper side of miss Greta Garbo Price.

Jess: Greta, how would you describe yourself?

Greta: Well, for starters, I'm not just a dog.  I'm inGretable...get it? I'm think I'm pretty funny.  So do other people too, I make my family laugh all the time.  Sometimes, I don't know why I make them laugh, but they laugh a lot and then I laugh.  I really, just like to laugh, have fun, and be active.  I'm a big goofball.

Sitting on Riley-Super Greta

Jess:  Would you say you have super power?  I see that Turbo thinks he a budding super hero.
Greta:  Well...I do have the ability to make someone smile from real far away with how fast I wag my tail and how it wiggles my whole body.  I also have the ability to sit on all other dogs. Those are two pretty awesome traits.  Oh...and I can curl up SUPER small into a ball.  Yep.  I would say I'm super is some ways.


Jess: If you could describe your PERFECT day, how would it go?

Cuddling with my mom...one of my favorite things

Greta: My mom and dad and the rest of my pack would be there, a hike in the hills, treats of course, a ball to chase, a bone to chew, lots of dirt to roll around in, NO bath after the dirt rolling, lap time in between my parents where they pet me and tickle me and talk about how much they love me, and then another bone at bedtime or something really delicious.  That would be so fun.


Jess: Wow...that sounds like a great day. Do you have many days like that?

Greta: Um, ya.  My mom gives me treats every day and we get to hike and chase the ball a lot too...except the only thing that is different, is the bath.  I always have to take a bath after a muddy hike.  I don't like it.  They make me crAzY.


Jess: I see.  Let's talk about what it was like before you had a family.  Do you remember coming to live with your family? How was life at the shelter?

The Pack

Greta: Honestly, I don't remember it too much.  I feel like I've always been part of the family.  Sometimes when my parents go away and we have to stay at the playing with other dogs place, I feel a little anxious like they won't come back (that's why I always eat my bed when I stay there).  But, they always come back for me.  I just don't have a bed when they come back.  But I'm just happy they always come for me and love me.


Jess:  How about the incident in April?  Can we talk about what happened with Fawn?
Greta: It all happened so fast.  I was off pooping in the office and sewing room (according to the plan) and Gracie went to poop in the big room (when we broke out of our kennel, we had a plan and that was the plan)...and she found what we later learned was Fawn.  At the time though, we thought it was one of those special toys my mom brings us when we're good.  So we went for it...and it squeaked, like the toy so we were whooping it up, having a blast...and then it bit back at Grace...and we remembered about Grandma's dog, Fawn.  Grace and I licked her and licked her til all the blood was gone, but it was too late.  The whole thing took about 2-3 minutes, but it was devastating.  And we felt awful. For days.  We even sent Fawn some bows to put in her hair for when it grows back.  I hear she's feeling better...but it was all a terrible accident.

Fawn: The Incident

Jess: Wow.  That's quite a traumatizing incident.  Do you feel like you've recovered from it?
Greta: Yes...I believe we have, but I don't think we'll be traveling to see Grandma anytime soon though.  I guess everyone was REAL disappointed.  And at the park today, when I went over to see this other dog that looked like Fawn, my parents made me come back.  Some about a prey drive.  I don't know what they mean...but I have to come when they call me.  I can't not.


Jess:  How about your underbite Greta? How has it affected your life?
Greta:  Well, for one thing, I can't eat real fast so I don't have a problem with my weight, I probably wouldn't anyway because I run a lot.  Second, I have a real hard time picking the ball up first, even though I'm the first one to it every time.  I sometimes feel frustrated, but the good part is, there is always another ball that my dad throws.  So that's good.  And I'm not bitter.  On the flip side (I heard that phrase the other day and I've been DYING to say it),  I'm the only one that really knows what food tastes like.  The other dogs eat so fast and take it for granted.  Not me.  I get to savor and enjoy it.


Jess:   What's your favorite thing about family life?

Let's both stick our tongues out, k?

Greta:  I love that we do a lot of the same things everyday.  It's real fun.  I love when my mom takes some yummy pepperoni and makes me do all kinds of things and then gives it to me.  I love that when it's time to go outside or go anywhere, my mom yells: "C'Mon Kids!"  We all run to her.  It's so fun.  I love when the little boy Kaenon comes to our house and wants to run and play with us.  We chase bubbles in the backyard and go to the park a lot.  Families are great...I hope that all dogs get a family forever.  OH! And I love photo shoots.  That was fun too.


Jess: What do you think about having a foster brother?  How has Turbo affected family life?
Greta:  He did eat the beds...which was bad because then our beds weren't as comfortable, but it was kinda good too because I got to eat some of the bed.  It was hard at first.  I felt like I had to protect my house from him, but after we played fetch together, I realized it was a lot of fun to have a little brother.  He's super goofy and always trying to play tug.  Sometimes things feel a little more hectic, but he's just part of the family and we do a lot of stuff together.


Jess: Ok Greta.  Last question.  What about these photos? Some people say there is no resemblence because you are a dog...what do you say? 
Greta: These are my modeling pictures with my mom.  We watched Zoolander and I wanted to pose Blue Steel with her.  She always tells me I'm good looking...and I think we look alike, so everyone...here are the pics of me and my mom. I think we look alike because we love each other so much.  You be the judge.  

Our favorite, "Really Really Ridiculously good looking!"

Turbo vs. Jess: A case of empathy gone too far?

“I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.”

Mother Teresa

I'm notorious for taking things too far, for giving a little more than is necessary, maybe even too much at times.  I've been known to take things to the extreme--whether it be a cleanse, a new workout, a super short haircut, or spring-cleaning...I tend to go all in when I do something.  I've also mentioned in previous Turbo posts, that I cannot imagine how it would feel to have so much discomfort with so little relief.  That it kills me to see him so uncomfortable day after day without the ability to take any of it away...and this is the story of ME taking one more thing (my empathy) too far.

Yes folks, I'm going there.  I'm actually going to compare my case of shingles (which I suffered from for a little more than a week) to Turbo's total, systemic Demodex that he's had for over half his little life.  My case was so mild that my mom diagnosed me over text.. (I actually thought Turbo had given me ringworm or mange).  I did see a doc that confirmed that is was...in fact...shingles.  How did I get shingles?  Stress.  Am I doing too much? Nah.  Taking too much on? Probably not.  Over empathizing with my little foster dog? Um, maybe? Whatever MY cause, I was NOT neglected and it was NOT allowed to spread all over my body.  

Shingles--Text picture to mom

How does it compare?  Demodex vs. Shingles?  I can't really know, can I?  Is it even fair  or valid to compare?  I have no idea what it feels like to have a complete system infection, followed by secondary yeast infections all over my skin.  I have not lost all of my hair.  I'm not limited to super short bursts of time out in the sun because I burn so easily.  I am not constantly itching and bleeding from scratching, without any relief from my meds.  I'm not seriously, socially delayed because I spent the learning months of early childhood neglected and unfed.   But yes, I was uncomfortable.

So, to be fair and honest, it's not even a close comparison.  For one, my case was relatively mild and Turbo's is one of the worst cases I've ever seen.  And two, he has handled his situation very gracefully. And I?  Well, I handled it less than gracefully. 

Let's review:

Giant horse pills,  human mouth

I had shingles in and all around the outside of my right ear, along my back and neck (as pictured above), and along one dermatome on my stomach.  The only excruciating set were the ones in my ear.  I couldn't sleep on my right side, answer the phone, wash my hair, put a shirt over my head, or wear my super cute earrings without nauseating, burning, tingling, shooting pain.  And, they made me dizzy and fall down.  Which caused other areas of pain.  I didn't want to be touched or get out bed (which I did), I was grumpy about going to work (which I endured), I had no energy to play or be active (but I found a way to do so for short bursts of time), and I complained about the meds. I've been dosing myself with Benadryl to get rid of the itch from the pain medicine, taking the pain medicine for the nerve pain (which isn't really helping too much...but I'm in a pretty good mood for a few hours at time), taking anti-nausea meds for the anti-pain meds, and lastly, anti-virals for the virus...and I have to wonder...is it really helping?  If it is, I'd hate see how I awful I would’ve felt if I didn't do anything and just let the whole thing run its course.  The thing is though, I complained WITHOUT the meds too.  There was no making me happy...and well, overall...I have not been a good sport or example.  My optimism was half empty.

As for Turbo, well...he didn't complain when he was at his worst, he wagged his tail at the mention of his name.  He endured (and continues to endure) the daily scrub downs in the shower or tub without a struggle or fight...he even feels up to playing tuggy with the towel at the end of every bath, he still wants to chase a ball or Frisbee...and has enough energy to outrun (or out wrestle) his sisters for the ball, he has always had plenty of energy to eat and drink all 3 meals of the day every day, he lives to play wrestle and tug with his sisters (and he would play all day and night if he could),  he has enough strength to fight the leash (and the gentle leader) on his walk, he can't wait for his nightly routine of lap time and pets, and he has taken his daily meds with a wagging tail every single day for the past 56 days.  He is the best sport.  He has been a great example that where joy is full, pain is minimized. 

I laugh at the comparison...but I also, again, am thankful for little Turbo.  For all his little nuances and our daily struggles.  This little pitty's love is full...and so is mine.

Turbo's Huge Reaction

Every action has an equal and opposite reaction...or does it?

Poor Turbo, his eyes and face are swollen upon waking

Saturday, April 2--Day 9

"Honey...come here. You have to look at this.  Something happened to Turbo."  I shoot out of bed at the unheard of hour of 5:00 a.m. and walk in circles for a few mintues.  I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be doing, but I know I'm supposed to look at something.  Shoes.  I need shoes. I grab my robe and slip on a pair of Kevin's shoes, and I floppily follow obediently.  "Is he eating? Bleeding? Dead?"  I just had no idea what to expect.  "He's fine.  But his face...it's really, um...SWOLLEN.  He must've eaten something." Ok...but is he ok?  I'm soooo nervous.  I brace myself for the worst...and walk into the garage where he is happily scarfing down all of his food. "Hi Turbo!" I say as happily as I can at 5 am.  He runs right over, wagging his little tail and chatting my head off.  "He's fine," I grumble.  I fetch an extra benadryl, pop it in some string cheese, feed it to the eager little boy, and head back to bed.

But I don't sleep easily...I'm unsure of what he ate...did he get stung by something? Is he allergic to his meds? Is this the toxicity that I had to be on the lookout for?  Should I continue with his regimen? Should I stay home from work?  I quickly learn that you can give dogs 1mg/1 pound of Benadryl every 8 hours.  We were in luck...he could have more than we'd been giving him.

I arise, have my coffee, and invite Turbey onto my lap.  I touch his face and his eyes, I check him from every angle.  He actually looks normal.  There is a distinct lack of extra skin is falling off his face like a Turkey (as we've lovingly been calling him).  I can't help but think that he is getting a little of what he deserves, he has in the last 9 days chewed: 2 dog beds, an entire bush, every "soft" dog toy we owned, 2 flip flops (not from the same set), a hose, a shower puff, and the bark right off the tree.  Something he ate OBVIOUSLY didn't sit well with his system.

The rest of the day is without much interest.  The dogs play, I clean, Turbo eats lots of benadryl and by the next day, his face is 90% back to shriveled and wrinkled and hanging off his little body.  But, as per usual, he is happy.  We have a long conversation about eating weird plants and bugs, and he hesitantly agrees to keep his mouth off the bushes and a few other things,  but in general he will make no promises.

And...they're off...chewing at the next convenient thing they can put their mouths on.

Turbo with Gracie--the sweling makes his size appear average 

Day 5-6: The presence of Turbo-Thankfulness

Day 5

Tuesday, March 29-Day 5

My brother’s wife gives birth to their son today.  I am so happy for them.  I thank Turbo for his presence if my life (and his example of a thankful, carefree attitude despite discomfort), otherwise I might be full of jealousy and resentment at our difficulties conceiving.  But instead, I am thrilled for them...so, I spend the day trying to figure out how I can go visit my brother and his young family and not stress Kevin out too much with the care of the dogs.

I book my flights and continue with normal routine of bathing, meds, meals, and more. 

Wednesday, March 30-Day 6

Day 6-with Daddy

Wake, feed dogs, work, lunch with Turbo, work, dinner, feed animals, bathe Turbo, meds, etc.  I feel like my skin should be silky, shiny after taking an oatmeal bath every day with Turbo…but it’s not.  It’s getting irritated.  Taking a bath is no longer the luxury it used to be.  I’ve started adding a little bit of orange oil to the bath, to cover the smell of musty Turbo and oatmeal.  Not a good combo…in fact, I don’t think I’ll be able to eat oatmeal for a long time.  

Day 3-4: There's nothing TYPICAL about Turbo

Sunday, March 27-Day 3, 31 pounds

Day 4--look, I'm doing great

Insert new typical routine here: lots of mealtimes, meds, laundry and other dog related activities. Alter new routine by making homemade shampoo out of oatmeal and baking soda.  Try using bathtub instead of shower.  Hopefully, soaking will help with the itching and odor.

It’s sunny and relatively warm today, so I’m going to take the dogs outside and see how Turbo does chasing the ball.  We all need an outlet…and I’m hoping Greta will start to warm up to Turbo.

Fetch goes great.  Better than expected.  Turbo has a blast running around the yard and chasing the ball.  He’s faster than I thought he would be, but crooked as can be.  He can’t run straight to save his life.  Maybe after his muscles develop, his little ship can be righted. 

We all had a great day; Greta started to finally warm up to Turbo and accep him into the pack.  Turbo is looking like and acting like a completely different dog than the dog that arrived at our house 3 days ago.  And he’s finally relaxing a little.  He slept on my lap for the entire evening.  I think the stress has worked itself out of his system.  Just in time for me to go to work tomorrow. 

Monday, March 28-Day 4

Insert new daily routine, and then alter routine by adding 8 hours of work to the mix.  Surprisingly, today was much less hectic than I expected…or at least I faked it till I believed it.  I had to at least fool Kevin; I didn’t want him thinking I’d bitten off more than I could chew.  

Turbo still got 3 meals  today, all of his meds, his oatmeal bath, his supplements, a walk, and everything else he needed.   I came home at lunch to feed him and let all the dogs out of their kennels to go potty and play. 

Day 4--look at those Turkey legs

We shop for something I can use in the bath to wash Turbo’s skin.  It’s hard to admit this, but I hate how his skin feels.  It’s slimy when wet…and I don’t like feeling his scabs and sores.  I want some type of gloves that won’t be too rough.  I settle for a shower puff, I can exfoliate gently with it and at the same time it won’t be too rough on the areas that are red and tender. 

I research his smell…I can’t seem to get him smelling clean for more than a few hours.  He smells musty and I know he’s uncomfortable.  He is constantly scratching and shaking.  Why can’t I bring him any relief?  I cannot imagine having a constant itch all over my body and nothing helping.  His suffering is hard to take.

Day 2: A new "typical" Turbo routine

Saturday, March 26-Day 2

Puppy spirit in the body of an old man

Begin “new typical routine” way too early and tired: Wake, feed 4 dogs, let all dogs play, give Turbo Benadryl again, do normal Saturday stuff, feed Turbo lunch, give Turbo more Benadryl, shower Turbo, dress Turbo in clean clothes, feed all dogs dinner, switch bedding out of Turbo’s crate, start load of towels, bedding, and Turbo shirts, get ready for bed, give Turbo Benadryl and other oral meds, go to bed…and get ready to wake and repeat.

Today, Kaenon and I make homemade dog (and cat) treats…I wish they were brownies, but they smell like dog food, so any ideas I had about licking the bowl are out the window.  In addition to his 3 square meals a day, he gets treats, and supplements, and snacks, and of course, treats.  This boy needs some meat on his bones.  I do some research and start supplementing his diet with sweet potato puree (Vitamin A is good for skin, healing, and fiber) and fish oil (which all my pitties get to help with their coats and dry skin).  I also give him children’s probiotics to counteract the negative effects of the two antibiotics he is taking.

Greta has been pouting about this little guy all day, but he hasn’t seemed to notice.  He’s cuddling with our 9 ½ year old male, Riley, and learning to play tuggie with Gracie.  Tuggie turns into “Growly tuggie” and Turbo has learned to play with other dogs.

I watch him chew his bone out of the corner of my eye, and I see what looks like an old man.  Wrinkled, bald, and red.  He’s a puppy in the body of an old man.  I feel sad for him…and thankful that he has a new beginning.  Despite the chaos and exhaustion, today was a success.

Day 1: Welcome home Turbo

Turbo--Waiting for Julie to introduce him to the pack

Friday, March 25-Day 1  (31 pounds)

I’m REALLY nervous.  I really have no idea what I got myself into.  I spend my nervous energy buying Turbo a soft bed, a new food bowl, and some toys.  Of course I go over budget but I justify it…he has never had anything good in his life.  I spend my therapy session avoiding the tough topics of my family, my dad, my trauma, my mom, our infertility, and I talk about Turbo instead.  It feels good to have something to look forward to, someone to take care of and love and nurture.  My emotional bank has been empty lately and I know I haven’t been giving enough of myself.

Cathleen will be here at 3:45 with Turbo to go over his meds (I guess there is a lot) and Julie will be here at 4:15 to help with intros.  I’m nervous.  I clean the house, wash the crates, organize the toys, and stare out the window.  What if the girls don’t accept him?  What if I can’t handle how bad he looks? What it I can’t love him because of how bad he looks? What if he is so bad off that he dies while at our house?  Maybe this was a mistake.

Too late, Cathleen is here with Turbo.  I rush out to greet her.  She opens the back of her SUV and asks me if I bought some Kleenex because he is in such bad shape.  I think, “It can’t be that bad.  It’s a dog.  I LOVE dogs.”  And then I see him.  It IS that bad.  I have to cover my mouth so I don’t puke.  I force myself NOT to look away…I don’t want him to feel as ugly and bad off as he is.  He looks way worse than the photos.   He has virtually no hair because the mange has completely eaten it away.  His skin is bright red and hot to touch.  His little feet are red and swollen and his skin bags around his ankles, neck, and waist.  He looks like an old lady whose pantyhose have fallen down around her ankles.  He is concave at the hips, and you can see his spinal column because he has no fat or hair.  His skin is red and covered in scabs. And yet, when I say his name, “Hi there Turbo!” he wags his tail and perks up his puppy ears.  He is happy; yet, sadly, he is very calm and subdued for such a young dog.  I run inside to grab my husband and send my 3-year-old stepson upstairs.   He is excited to meet what he is calling, “his” new puppy.  I’m quite sure he will be disappointed.

“It’s bad, babe.  I don’t know if I can do this.  It’s really, really bad,” I tell Kevin.  He grabs my hand and I know that I can do this.  We go outside, put him on a leash, and let him sniff the yard and go potty.  At this point, Cathleen tells me Turbo also has kennel cough and should be quarantined from the rest of the dogs for a few days.  My girls just had it a few months ago, so I’m not worried.  They have been treated and are vaccinated for it every 6 months.  He needs as much support and normalcy from the pack as possible.

Bathed and at home-Day 1

We take him inside and put him in his new crate with his super soft padded bed and warm, fuzzy blanket.  I put in a squeaky chew toy so he can play while we wait for Julie.  He just lies down quietly in the crate, ignores the toy, and trembles.  My heart hurts.  Cathleen goes over all the meds he is on and rushes out…I think she is afraid we will change our mind.

Julie arrives and gracefully puts me at ease.  Turbo, in his state of malnourishment and illness, has more energy than either of my girls.  But it’s the anxiety-ridden energy from a dog that has kennel stress and his fragility shows through it all.  It only takes Julie 15 minutes to introduce Turbo to the rest of the pack.  It will take Greta longer to warm up to Turbo than Gracie, who is the same age as Turbo and more of a puppy at heart.  But Turbo plays his role perfectly, by showing puppy submission to the older dogs and licking their faces. 

As Julie prepares to leave, she congratulates me on how well balanced my pack is (boy was she fooled) and warns me of how difficult the first few nights are for foster dogs (oh yes, I remember Greta)…the whining as they adjust to a new environment and the hyperactivity from kennel stress can make it hard for dogs to relax and foster parents to sleep.  Benadryl can make the first night go more smoothly, and it might help with his skin. 

Julie and I make small talk while Turbo curls up in his kennel and I can’t shake the smell of dirty feet.  Where it was coming from, I could only guess.  He needed a bath.  DESPERATELY.  After a quick call to Cathleen, I learn that he can have hypoallergenic shampoo or oatmeal.  Kevin runs to the store, I get the towels and shower ready for little Turbo and when Kev returns, I quickly guide the puppy into the shower and warm up the water. 

The smell is nauseating.  Overpowering.  The small, enclosed space mixed with steam and moisture makes his smell that much more pungent.  I can feel each and every one of his ribs and spinal processes.  His scabs fall off his skin into the drain and I can see through his paper-thin skin.  But I get through and wonder how I’m to do this every single day and why he doesn’t smell any better.

We put him in one of Kaenon’s old t-shirts, clip his nails, and give him dinner, treats, meds, and Benadryl.  I give him the stuffing free fox toy that the girls loved when they came to our house, and Turbo chews it a little, starts tossing it up and chasing it around…he has learned to play.  Kaenon loves his new dog.  He doesn't seem to notice that he is ugly and stinky.  The pureness of heart that kids show is refreshing...and reproving at the same time.  It was a good night for Turbo and we all head off to bed.

Every 2-3 hours we wake up.  Turbo cannot stop scratching and shaking.  His smell permeates the room; the bath didn’t help.  He has to pee.  He whines.  We try giving him more Benadryl.  I want to go back to sleep.  I’m exhausted and I don’t think any of us slept a wink.  Well, maybe Kaenon did.

The Decision to foster again: His name is Turbo...

Ground zero

Wednesday, March 23 2011

It started off like any other day…every other day.  Work, work, work…and on my break I spend time on BBBR’s Facebook page checking out the dogs that need homes, need fosters, need SAVING.  I have to guard my heart as I do this each and every day because it breaks my heart to see the animals suffering because of the stupidity and cruelty of humans.  And there, on their page, is the perfect example of cruelty: TURBO.  A 7-month-old pit bull that has the worse case of Demodetic Mange I have ever seen.  It’s like an awful train wreck…it is painful and sickening to see; yet, I can’t look away.  I scroll down and there is Andretti, a 2-month-old pit bull with demodex as well.  He isn’t in nearly the bad shape that Turbo is in…and he is way cuter.  And it starts, ‘Honey…looooook.”    I’ve been dying to get back in the foster game but haven’t had the time to dedicate to these animals with my full time job.  I also haven’t had the courage to ask for another foster in our house (seeing as we have become more of an adoption agency than a foster family).  Kevin says if it gets desperate we can foster Andretti (Kevin cannot resist the puppies…hence Greta and Gracie). 

I contact Cathleen and she informs me that Andretti already has a foster (figures) but Turbo really needs one.  She also says, ‘It’s a big responsibility though.’  Without checking and letting Kevin know too many details, I agree.  I fill out the forms (again) and agree to a home inspection (again) and tell Cathleen that I need Julie (Bad Behavior Good Dog Consultant) to help me with introductions to the girls.  Aaaand….we’re off!

Thursday, March 24

I’m nervous and excited.  I hope Turbo can come over tonight.  After looking at his photos for hours, I can’t wait to get him out of that shelter and into my arms.  He needs me.

Cathleen re-warns me that Turbo is very weak and cannot play rough.  Hmmm, she must know the reputation my girls have for playing rough.