Hobo Haven

While looking for a picture of a tri-coloured foxhound with a particular pattern to help id a dog, I stumbled across the listing for H. E. L. P.  They are an Illinois rescue group that had many foxhounds listed.  Over the weeks, I kept going back to the listing and even printed out the hounds pictures.  Brian had just adopted Butch, so it wasn't like we had room for another permanent family member.  In spite of that, I soon found myself calling the hounds' foster mother and telling her about the dogs here, about losing Buckarooo and asking her about her fosters.  Charley initially caught my eye, but then I saw Isabell's sweet face, and they all looked wonderful and sweet.     

We exchanged emails over the weeks, and soon John and Brian were making plans to extend their vacation drive; instead of heading back to New Hampshire when they finished in New York, they would continue on to Illinois and meet the dogs. John and Brian ended up picking two dogs, the same two that initially caught my eye.  The old man, Charley was 10, and Isabell was eight.

John and Brian arrived home to New Hampshire with the hounds on August 9, 2002.  They both came over to say "hi" when I called to them, although cautiously.  Isabell was very scared and shy when she arrived, and Charley saw it as his job to take care of her.  He nudged her with his nose to get her outside, and was right by her side if one of the other dogs was around...just in case.  Both dogs have made remarkable progress in the short time they have been here.  

Charley does his best to keep up with the other dogs, in spite of having arthritis (especially spondylosis) and hip dysplasia.  He gets along very well with everyone, and he comes running with a big smile on his face every time I call him, which is amazing since Charley has lost most of his hearing!  He looks at me frequently to check in, and as soon as I squat down and motion for him with my hand, his whole face lights up. He is such an easy old guy, not at all fussy about his food, where he sleeps or which dog wants to share a bed or crate with him, but he still likes to get out and get some exercise with the rest of the family.  We are very happy to be Charley's retirement home; he has given us so much in the short time he has been here.  One of Charley's favorite activities is going fishing with his Dad.  Charley worries if he sees John heading out with his fishing gear...after all, if he doesn't go along, who will chase all those fish away so they don't bother Dad?  Someone has to protect him!

In December of 2002, Charley started sleeping more and it took him longer and longer to get up.  There were times he couldn't get up at all, and he became incontinent.  By the end of the month, Charley was sleeping over 23 hours per day, and was almost impossible to wake.  We weren't sure he would be agreeable since he was hurting so much, but Charley didn't have a very good quality of life at this point so we had to give it a try ~ We took Charley to see Katherine Evans, D. V. M.  for acupuncture, followed by a visit to Alison Davis, D. V. M.  for chiropractic adjustment.  We found out Charley's spine was causing the incontinence and the loss of use of his back legs.  We saw a remarkable turn around, and Charley has had a wonderful year.  He recently started having occasional accidents again, but he is a happy boy.  He loves going to see his doctors at the Holistic Veterinary Center, and we love them for giving us more time with our Charley!

On December 21, 2004, Charley developed a cough.  We took him to the vet's office that day, and we were shocked by the diagnosis.  Charley had dilated cardiomyopathy.  How could our giant who was so full of love have a  problem with his heart?  We were told Charley probably had between six month to two years, but in spite of five prescriptions and numerous supplements,  his chest continued to fill with fluid, and the disease progressed very quickly.  I sat with him crying and holding him, and asked him to please let me know what he was ready to go, and he laughed with a twinkle in his eye, that clearly said 'NEVER!'  He was so full of life and spent every moment he could enjoying it to the fullest.    

On January 19, I called Dr. Messenger's office to let them know Charley's breathing was labored and I'd probably be bringing him in, but while I was on the phone with them, he stopped breathing.  I leaned over him to check his pulse, he coughed and gasped for air, he wasn't ready yet.  By that afternoon, he was running in the icy yard with that twinkle in his eye, daring  me to try to catch him!   

Charley had good days on Thursday and Friday.  At 4:00 a.m.,  he went down the deck stairs and out for one more sniff around the yard.  I  think that last jaunt was all he had left, because he was wobbling when he came in and something had changed.  He looked at me and told me it was time.  The spark was gone and for the first time, his funny bobbed tail with the cowlick was tucked.  He got on the bed with Isabell for the first time in months, and I believe he was saying 'good-bye' to her.  Charley left us on January 22, but every once in a while, something will happen that triggers a memory of Charley's smile, and swear I can hear  his humorous reply.

 OLD DOGS DO NOT DIE*

We have a secret you and I,
That no one else shall know,
For who but I can see you lie,
Each night, in fireglow?
And who but I can reach my hand
Before I go to bed,
And feel the living warmth of you
And touch your silken head?
And Only I walk woodland paths,
And see, ahead of me,
Your small form racing with the wind,
So young again, and free.
And only I can see you swim
In every brook I pass...
And, when I call, no one but I
Can see the bending grass...

*This beautiful poem was sent by someone shortly after Charley  left us.  If anyone recognizes it and knows the author, please let me  know.

Charley loves the water, especially when he picks up a scent.

Charley is still a very handsome hound!

All well-dressed hounds will be wearing plaid this season!

Charley has a beautiful, shiny coat ~ not an old man's coat at all!

Charley is almost impossible to wake up when he's sleeping, but he will eat a snack without opening his eyes or lifting his head!

Emma

Lucy

Joe

Harry

Wrecker

Butch

Isabell

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