Jazz's Diary
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Hello, my name is Jazz and I am nearly 8 years old and if you are already wondering - yes I REALLY AM A BLACK LABRADOR.
My mum and dad made the call to The Trust late one evening last week and the wheels were set in motion. The volunteers telephoned each other and made the necessary arrangements for my collection, transportation and onward transfer to my foster home. So on Thursday 18th December 2008, Uncle Chris from The Labrador Rescue Trust duly arrived and put me into his car. We travelled for what seemed ages and then pulled into a service station on the motorway and there I met my new foster Mum and Dad. Uncle Chris said he had all the car windows open to get some fresh air on the long journey (but I think he was being polite! as I know I smell a bit). After much chatting and tail wagging I set off again on another longish trip – we also went via Auntie Sheila’s to collect my veterinary notes which had been sent in the post and then we went down to the sea and had a short walk to stretch my legs and I was then able to meet my travelling companion and new LRT friend Zac. Zac had come on the long journey to collect me and escort me to my new home. We also went via the dog food shop as Mum said she had to get me some different dog food. We finally arrived at my foster home and there I met all my other new LRT friends and after even more tail wagging and excitement and after my Mum and Dad had a cup of tea we all went out into the garden to take some photos.
Mum started to wash all my belongings in a non-biological detergent and she also washed out my big plastic bed with a white vinegar and water solution (she says this is best). I was then gently lifted into a big bath in the utility room and Mum gave me a good wash with Malaseb, an antibacterial and antifungal shampoo. Trouble is I have to be lathered up and have to spend 10 minutes in the bath before I can be rinsed off. But I must say it was lovely. The water was warm and Mum has a spa attachment nozzle and it feels wonderful. Mum got quite wet but she didn’t mind and then she got the most enormous fluffy 100% cotton towel and dried me off. She patted dry all my sore bits and made a huge fuss. She then got this big tub of white stuff (Sudocrem, an antiseptic healing cream) and covered me until I was almost white all over. I can’t tell you how amazing it felt, but I did feel a little violated - when I say she creamed me all over she really didn’t leave any part untouched. But I was able to flex my legs and move more easily and just couldn’t resist curling up in the lounge to sleep. It was truly an exhausting day.
In the evening Mum read my veterinary notes thoroughly as I have been tested previously to see what allergies I have and I have quite a lot, including severe allergy to house dust mites and I am also intolerant of store mites (which are sometimes found in dried foodstuffs), moulds, peanuts, chicken, yeast, milk, cedar, sycamore, timothy grasses…. Mum says I need to only eat the new dog food that she has bought which is Burns Fish and Brown Rice as she said that my previous ‘hypo-allergenic’ fish based diet contained yeast – which was very bad!! She also said that quite a few dogs these days seem to have an intolerance to poultry and meat based products and that you really do have to read the contents thoroughly. Mum is also giving me a 1000 mg evening primrose oil capsule and a 1000 mg omega 3 fish oil capsule with my evening meals daily.
I thought I’d settled down for the night but Mum came armed with cotton wool and a bottle of Epiotic ear cleaner. She did her best but she said it was a big job and that I might need more to help my badly inflammed and thickened ears.
Friday, 19th December - I’ve been creamed all over again – mum says it’s just got to be done.
Saturday, 20th December - I can’t believe it’s my bath time again – mum says I have to be bathed a lot and then creamed to keep all my dried up skin supple and flexible.
Monday, 22nd December - Auntie Sheila came over to see me – and she brought loads of stuff with her – spot on flea treatment and worming tablets and ear cleaner.
Tuesday 23rd December - Mum, Dad and I went to see Uncle Paul at the surgery in the afternoon. After much talk and fuss, Uncle Paul started me off on my inoculation course (I haven’t had any annual vaccinations for quite a while) and Mum said I must be started off again. We came away with a bag of goodies – some Canaural ear drops as my ears hurt so much; a load of yellow pills called Oxytetracycline (antibiotics) which I need to try and help my skin heal and to stop further infection. Also prescriptions for yet more bottles of Malaseb (I wonder how much this new Mum is going to use?) and also some Advocate (a new spot-on flea control and worming treatment which will help kill ear mites, mange mites including both sarcoptic mange and demodectic mange – which I gather is what is making me so awful). Uncle Paul also said my ‘elephant’ skin – at this point I was wondering whether I was in the right place – but apparently when skin becomes so badly thickened and inflammed the correct term is ‘elephant’ skin - anyway this skin probably won’t get any hair regrowth but with correct management and treatment my skin will improve and become more smooth and supple. Uncle Paul also said that all my hair loss on my legs, bottom, head, ears and neck will hopefully regrow over time – Mum and Dad are keeping their fingers crossed – as they said, until I am much better I won’t be able to go to my new home.
Mum also made arrangements for me to go back on Monday 29th December to be castrated and to have my ears cleaned out thoroughly and for a good external examination. I don’t mind, Uncle Paul was ever so nice. He also said that Mum could cook me some plain boiled rice to add to my new diet as I only weigh 29.5 Kilos – and I should be much more.
Good news on arriving home - Auntie Sheila emailed to say that the very nice people at Burns dog food have offered to provide all my dog food whilst I am getting better – so I would like to send them a huge wet kiss for Christmas (I’m sure Mum will write!). They’re also going to send me some extra special dog food treats and a blanket.
Christmas Eve - Mum is cooking my Christmas dinner treat – boiled rice – yum! And I’m starting on all my pills and potions – Malaseb baths every other day, Sudocrem every day, Canaural ear drops twice a day, antibiotics three times a day, Advocate flea treatment every month...
Hurray – my donated food from Burns has arrived, even though Auntie Sheila only contacted them yesterday. Also included with my lovely new blanket is a 15 Kg bag of fish and brown rice and also a couple of bags of 100% fish ocean bite treats and several bags of 100% fish dog treats – even more sloppy kisses to Rowan from Burns who has arranged to send them so quickly.
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE – I couldn’t have wished for a better Christmas present than to come into Labrador Rescue.
I will keep you updated on my progress... do come back and see how I'm getting on.
Hello everyone and HAPPY NEW YEAR
I've had a wonderful Christmas and the New Year is also off to a great start. Mum has made a few changes to her routine as she soon discovered that I like nothing more than a good rummage in the kitchen bin – so that has disappeared. I also helped myself to a defrosting harvest grain loaf and ½ a pack of butter from the kitchen worktop (you really can tell the difference between marg and butter you know). Unfortunately there is absolutely nothing to be had anywhere now – I can’t believe how mean Mum is! Well, what’s Christmas for if not a little ‘over-indulgence’.
Monday 29th December - Mum, Dad and I went down to Uncle Paul’s early morning (to have my ears cleaned and to be castrated) – I was a little miffed as I couldn’t have any breakfast. Mum gave me a kiss and told me to be good and that she would see me later? In the afternoon Mum and Dad came and collected me. I was really pleased to see them and to be going home. I was really sleepy but I absolutely refused to shut my eyes. Mum told me to lie down but I remained standing and kept falling asleep, toppling over and generally bumbling about. My ears felt so different that I couldn’t settle that night, so Mum slept downstairs with me as I kept waking up and trying to rub my head, but Mum said he would be alright when I was used to the different sensation.
Im not having my baths at the moment, whilst my healing continues, but Mum is still doing my feet and legs and creaming them every other day. I think there’s some new hair coming already. My ears feel amazing and they don’t hurt any more at all.
Saturday 3rd January - we rush down to see Uncle Hugo at the surgery as I have developed a haematoma and we just need to see whether anything needs to be done. It is decided to leave things alone and keep our toes crossed that the swelling subsides (I didn’t like the sound of the other options that was discussed!, I can tell you).
Sunday 4th January - Mum and Dad decide we need a really nice walk on the moors to try and stop worrying about the swelling – and it works, after a good run around with my Lab friends I feel much better.
Thursday 8th January - Mum is running around the garden with me this afternoon with a little bucket (she says she’s trying to get a sample – well good luck to her!). We’re all off to see Uncle Paul again at the surgery to get my second inoculation done and to have a check up. I’ve put on over 1 Kg (I now weigh 30.6 Kilos) which everyone is pleased about (although mention was made of the little incident with the bread and butter). Uncle Paul is really pleased with my progress. My operation site is looking better than he could have imagined, the swelling has gone down, my skin is feeling really smooth and I’ve got good hair regrowth coming around my face and on my ears and a little bit on my legs. My belly area is coming along quite well and the rest of the hair on my body is now silky, shiny and quite sweet smelling. I’m going to finish my course of antibiotics and not have any more. Uncle Paul was concerned with my sample though as it is very dark and he tested it and said it is off the scale for alkalinity. The darkness is caused by blood in the urine and Uncle Paul says that I must have more vitamin C in my diet and drink more and Mum has come away with several testing sticks (apparently she has to run around with the little bucket every 7-10 days and to see whether it is any better). Uncle Paul also does homeopathy and has also recommended that I try graphites tablets (1 a day for about 2-3 months), which is very good for the skin.
My food now tastes even better and I now have 150 g of Burns Fish and Brown Rice with about ¼ litre of cranberry juice (to increase my vitamin C level) and an equal amount of water with 5-6 tablespoons of freshly boiled rice (to get some weight on) and a small pinch of salt (Uncle Paul said this would help me to drink more) for both my morning and evening meals.
Friday 9th January - I'm back in the bath again which I don’t really mind. Mum says she is going to do a full body wash just once a week but continue doing my feet, legs and belly every other day - mind you now that the wet weather has set in I am getting a little muddy almost every day.
Monday 12th January - Auntie Sheila popped over to see me and to have a cup of tea, but I sneaked back to bed as I was still quite tired from my lovely long walk the day before.
Attached are lots of new pics – hope you like them. I’m in the bath (which is where you’ll find me a lot!). I love nothing better than snuggling up to my Dad in the evening (but if there’s room in front of the fire – I love toasting). I’ve also attached me with my Burns goodies on Christmas Eve, me looking all shiny after my bath and in the garden with some of my Lab friends Hazel and Brandy.
Mum's also sending some photos of another LRT dog who had hair loss – Jessie – she was one of the dogs that Mum fostered in 2008 before I came long. Jessie had significant hair loss on her belly and legs and came into rescue on 18th November 2007. It did take several months before she was well enough to be rehomed and the photograph of a 'well covered' Jessie was taken in March 2008 just prior to her rehoming. Mum gradually weaned Jessie off the steroids that the owners and her previous vet had used (which stopped her scratching but did not help the hair loss) and immediately changed her diet to Burns Fish and Rice. This remarkable result was achieved only by a change of diet – so it is likely that Jessie also had a dietary intolerance (although she did not have specific allergy testing). Jessie has gone to a wonderful new home and is extremely happy now. I'm hoping Mum can achieve miracles with me too.
Will write again soon.
Monday 16th February
Hello again - and apologies for not writing sooner, but Mum and Uncle Nick have been busy trying to get the new merchandise section of the website up and running. Also Mum is trying to get ready for the first show this weekend at Westonbirt and we’ve been packaging and pricing up all the new lovely Labrador goodies we’re going to sell this season.
Thank you to everyone who keeps asking after me – Mum’s often greeted by passing horse riders who ask ‘how’s Jazz’ and from supporters she meets when microchipping or friends when shopping. It’s lovely to know that I’ve got such a following from my diary.
I'm doing fantastic!! I love being able to do doggy things and to run with my friends and play ball games. I can’t wait for the warmer weather when I can be outside most of the day.
I hope everyone had a lovely Valentine’s Day – I certainly did and I know how much I'm loved.
My good friends at Burns have very kindly sent me some more fish food and some new fish skin pouch food – which is really yummy.
I know everyone is talking about ‘green shoots of recovery’ – well I can say we have ‘real black shoots of recovery' – I’ve got hair sprouting all over and some of it is joining up!! There’s certainly no air brushing on my photos; although Mum says I’m going through a difficult phase at the moment, with all this hair coming through it is getting really difficult not to nibble and scratch. But as Uncle Ray says ‘Mum shows no mercy’. I swear she can hear a pin drop a mile away as she’s always on the case if she hears a nibble or scratch and she either pokes me, prods me, shouts my name or waves her finger in the air and threatens me with my ‘hat’. She cries ‘you’ll have to wear your hat if you carry on like that young man’. (My ‘hat’ is what is professionally known as a ‘buster collar’). I wear my ‘hat’ at night-time now as Mum says she needs her beauty sleep and not to have to worry about a manic nibbling session – mind you it’s hard to tell whether the snoring coming from the bedroom is louder than the 6 of us dogs snoring away on the landing in our beds. Mind you we’re all dog tired here with so much going on.
I don't mind wearing 'the hat', as it does stop my head from falling over the side of my bed.
Mum still continues to chase me with her little white bucket to test my urine – it is now a good yellow colour but not quite perfect – so I still have cranberry juice in my food. I must say it is darn difficult to eat though as Mum puts quite a lot of water and cranberry juice in my big bowl and my rice sinks to the bottom and my dried food floats on the top with the result that I get a pink scum all over my face when I’ve finished – it’s a bit like bobbing for apples. But I don’t have to worry about the mess as some of my friends love licking my face clean or Mum comes armed with a large white tissue to clean me up. Best of all though is if I can nip into the lounge and get it all off by wiping it on the sofa – that seems to do the best job.
Hope you all enjoyed the snowy weather. It was a bit nippy and I didn’t really like it when it was snowing but we didn’t get much snow here in the end and certainly not enough to make a snowman – but us dogs had a good time running around and sliding about. It was gone pretty quickly though.
Mum now comes armed with a blue bucket with a new treatment – she’s using hibiscrub on my feet as they do still tend to weep and crack sometimes. She uses 1 part hibiscrub to 10 parts water and just bathes my feet in between my baths and creaming sessions. It’s not very tasty to lick off either so Mum just lets it settle and doesn’t towel me off. But it all still seems to be helping.
Here’s some now photos and there’s also a picture of me with my friend Harry on the bench – it’s getting difficult to tell which is me, isn’t it? Also some photos of me with my pals Brandy, Zac and Hazel in the snow. Hazel also likes to use me as a pillow sometimes on the sofa.
Also Mum’s taken some photos of my new look feet and legs – I’m getting clumps of good hair coming but it’s better on my front legs at the front and on my back legs at the back – goodness knows why but if that’s what the new hair wants to do then who am I am to say otherwise.
Will write again soon. I know we’re starting our collections again so I may see some of you when I’m out and about helping out.
Tuesday 3rd March - I think I should be called ‘Brian’ – as Mum keeps saying ‘always look on the bright side of life’ – I’m sure she’s going to start singing soon! (God forbid, I don’t think my eardrums can stand it).
Life’s a bit up and down at the moment. Mum and Dad took me down to see Uncle Paul at the surgery today. Mum has been checking my urine regularly and was worried by a few of the readings and also she felt I was more nibbly than I have been. (Mum can usually spot when things aren’t quite right and said my ears weren’t as good as they had been and that is one of the tell-tale signs of when a flare up begins). But overall Uncle Paul was very pleased with progress. Mum took some fresh urine but it turns out that my PH level is now 6 and quite normal. My weight is now about right at 32.2 Kg and so I don’t have to be fed extra rice or the cranberry juice. Pity as it was very tasty. Uncle Paul did however say another burst of antibiotics (Oxytetracycline) might do the trick and calm things down. (Mum calls them my sweeties and has no bother getting them down my throat, although I know they’re coming as she always says ‘OPEN WIDE, how about a sweetie!). Also I need to stop taking my current homeopathic medicine and switch to a short course of psorinum at 30c strength and hopefully my nibbliness will subside and we can get back on track again. Uncle Paul wants me to get more hair regrowth so that I won’t be quite so prone to getting infections in my poor skin and will re-assess if I don’t continue improving.
Thursday 12th March - Auntie Sheila has just popped over to collect more stock for the forthcoming show this weekend, although she couldn’t stop as she’s very busy at the moment with lots of new arrivals in rescue (and another poor soul who is in a sorry state of repair, Rufus. More TLC and Malaseb baths required I suspect, I’ve included a photo of him today as well).
I’m feeling much better than I have been. My feet aren’t as good as they were but my tummy (especially around my special parts) is exceptional with lots of lovely new black hair. Mum has been trying to see if I will drink more now that I’m not getting extra cranberry juice and water in my meals but I’m not – so I’m back to bobbing for my floating food. Mum says it is important that I drink more fluids and if I won’t do it voluntarily then she has to carry on giving me quite a bit of water with my food. So I don’t get pink scrum on my face any more – just watery goo with a little food.
Hope you like the new photos – I’ve been allowed some tasty hide chews. Please excuse ‘the private parts’ – I don’t flash them about too much – but isn’t it good?
Have tasted a little duck recently – trouble is Mum and Dad weren’t very impressed and Dad raced over and told me to drop it which I did and he web footed it pretty sharp. I was spitting feathers for ages (they don’t half stick in your teeth). No harm done though, just a few ruffled feathers, but my, don’t ducks scream when you’ve caught them! I don’t know what all the fuss was about really, the geese hiss at me a lot now and I steer well clear of them, but I still like to scatter the ducks, although the fun has gone now and I can’t see the point of catching any of them – anyway Mum says I’m allergic to poultry!!
Take care all of my fellow Labs everywhere (+ your owners too). Will write soon.
Wednesday 27th May - Apologies from Mum and Dad in not doing an update recently - so much has been happening - Mum promises to do a written report very soon - but hope you like my video - LIFE IS GREAT - and doesn't Mum grow a good crop of buttercups on her field! Some of my friends also feature running about with me - Brandy is yellow, Hazel is the chocolate and Zac is the chocolate who always brings up the rear (he had elbow dysplasia as a puppy and runs quite slowly and awkwardly, but he gets there in the end).