And Parker Makes Three

Many of you know that I am affiliated with the volunteer group Lost Dogs MN
http://lostdogsmn.com/

It is because of what I have learned from Lost Dogs that I was able to rescue the dog who is now called Parker.  

David came home from town (Parker AZ) one day and told me that he saw a dog on the side of the road.  He said that he called to him and walked towards him but the dog ran off.  I said of course it did David, the poor thing is probably in survival mode and that is certainly not how you get close to a dog in survival mode :)  Seriously, I bet you didn't know that if your dog goes missing, chances of he or she coming back to you when you call his name are not good...he/she will more than likely run away from you.  Read the info on the lost dogs Face Book page titled Tips and Tricks because you may need it some day.  

Anyway, I gathered up a blanket, some water and some stinky old shredded chicken that I found in the fridge,  and off we went to try and get the pup.  He was in the desert not far from the road and as the cars passed he looked up as if to see if his people were coming to get him.  Once we parked the Jeep David went one way and I the other, when he saw David off he ran only to sit right beside the Jeep.  I sprinkled some chicken on the ground and sat with my back to the pup talking softly.  He came closer but then walked away.  It took some time but I eventually was able to walk slowly up to him, held out some chicken and he took it and some water as well.  I gently put the blanket over him, picked him up-he sat on my lap all the way back to our place.

Here he is in the 'I got him' shot.  It was a pretty exciting time for me!

 Once we got him home he ate a little and drank a lot and totally passed out.  He was pretty matted, his ears, belly and feet were one matted mess...poor guy.  He had, at some time, been groomed and he certainly was not skinny.  We did find out that a week earlier a gal had tried to get him but was unable to.  He had been in the same spot for at-least a week and most surely longer.

We went to the groomer in town (Brenda's Critter Corral) to see if he was familiar to them and asked them if they could give us a deal on a grooming.  Nope they didn't give us a deal but did the job free!  They said he was full of ticks and that his ears were so heavy from the matted hair that the ends were bleeding.  It took them four hours to get  him cut and bathed refusing to take even a tip!

Here he is nice and clean and once again totally passed out but feeling better.

 We have checked with the vets, the shelter, the RV Parks and a few stores.  He has been advertised on the local radio station and we have looked through all of the lost doggie postings we can think to look to no avail.  It seems that for some reason or another he may have been dumped right where we found him.  Someone had at one time put some money into him because he had what is called Cherry Eye and it had been repaired-not a cheap fix we are told.  It baffles me, if only they could talk but maybe we wouldn't want to know...

David took him to the vet for a wellness check and because I was sure he had an ear infection.  His ears were so full of bacteria that the vet said he had had the infection for a while, he also has an eye infection.  After a rabies shot, antibiotics, medicated ointment for itchy skin, stuff to wash the ears out and a scheduled return visit to be checked for Lyme's the vet said that he was in reasonably good health given he had survived the desert.

Yep, once again passed out-this time on David's lap with Roscoe.

 Our two boys pretty much welcomed him into the family...well OK Peeko welcomed him, Roscoe ignored him for the first day but has since decided he might be OK to have around.

  
The first two days Parker (so named because of the town we found him near) slept beside the bed..but then he discovered that he was able to get up on it with the other two,

 now there are 5 of us in that king size bed.  And even though I am the one that 'rescued' him, David is his favorite, he follows at his heals no matter where he goes.  He is a good boy,  doesn't bark and has been taught the word no.  He knows what a leash means and is very well house trained.  He doesn't seem to know how to play with people or other dogs but he is well behaved and he is responding to his new name.

We are still looking for his real family but if they are not to be found, Parker makes three pups in our family.  Quit rolling your eyes, I know who you are and we just don't care...HA

I am now back in MN for a long weekend (and Christmas with the family) while David is in AZ taking care of the boys.