Thursday, February 11, 2010 - Dawson

So if you read my blog yesterday, you met my Wriggles. And in telling the story of Wrigley, I mentioned that I had set out to get 2 dogs. Well, I can tell you that in thinking about dogs, the LAST thing I wanted was a lab. We had labs when I was a kid and, in my mind, they were too high-strung and mischevious and I was worried about training. After I picked out Wrigley, I went searching the website for the same rescue to get a second dog. "No labs!" I told myself. Well, there on the homepage for Wrightway Rescue was the Puppy of the Week...a yellow lab named Roleigh. I tried to force myself to look away but the eyes on this puppy...those big brown beautiful eyes...grabbed ahold of my heart and would not let go. The story of Roleigh talked about how large his feet were and how he was going to someday be a big boy and that was why they were having trouble finding him a home. I have always loved big dogs. So, I put my anti-lab mentality aside and applied for Roleigh's adoption. (Wrigley's name at the shelter, on a side note, was Callifornia.) Anyway, when the adoption was approved, I named my new lab puppy, Dawson after Andre Dawson who was the 1987 NL MVP for the Chicago Cubs and was recently elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.



I can honestly tell you that talking myself out of my anti-lab mentality was the best thing I have ever done. I am so in love with Dawson that I cannot imagine my life without him or with any other dog. As Forrest Gump would say, "We fit together like peas and carrots, me and Dawson." He reads my every mood and is always there to give me puppy kisses and snuggles or to make me laugh when I need it the most. He is the Alpha Male and doesn't like to share his food or toys with his siblings, but I can take his food right out of his mouth and he never so much as protests. There is a gentleness about Dawson like nothing I have ever seen. He is my friend and my protector and I know he would give his life for me, as I would for him.



In 2008, Dawson was diagnosed with OCD. No, that's not Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder although I suspect at times that he has a touch of ADHD. Anyway, it is Osteochondritis Dissecans which means that the cartilage in the tops of his femurs does not adhere properly to the bone and can break off. In Dawson's case, it happened in his right front leg and the broken cartilage slipped up under his shoulder blade and caused him great pain. In diagnosing Dawson, our veterinarian also discovered possible hip dysplasia in both hind hips as well as bone growth problems in the front legs. I was told of the possibilities and that we would get better xrays when he was under anesthesia for his surgery.



Surgery was performed in July of that year and Dawson came through with flying colors. In fact, our vet told me it would be a few weeks until Dawson used his leg. WRONG! Dawson walked (without limping) out of the clinic the next day and never looked back! AND, the follow-up xrays ruled out the hip dysplasia and growth problems. YAHOOOOO!! Dawson has never had a problem since.



So that is my Daws-man, my Big Daws, my Pupper-duppy, my Mr. Andre Dawson...my yellow fellow...one of the great loves of my life.

I may not be able to blog for a few days as things are getting very busy right now. But stay tuned to meet Harry, my rotweiller mix.

Have a blessed day and thanks for reading.