Back at the Jersey Animal Coalition

Trooper was glad to return to his friends at the Jersey Animal Coalition last night. At the Summit Dog and Cat Hospital, he came through the additional surgery well. I saw him yesterday and he seemed to be pain-free and in good spirits.

To ensure the leg heals, Trooper will have to wear the casts for four weeks this time. The vet casted both legs so Trooper wouldn't put too much weight on the still-fragile "good" leg.

Dave and I will see him again this weekend. We volunteer at Jersey Animal Coalition now -- Dave walks dogs and I work the front desk.

Dogs Sans Leashes

Relative freedom! That's the joy of the dog run. Angel and Zoe sniff the perimeter (once they found a rabbit hutch), play ball with Dave and occasionally chase other dogs.

Angel is "addressing the ball" in the photo below. Dave is standing nearby with the blue "chuck-it" ball throwing device. It allows humans to pick up icky tennis balls without touching them and toss them great distances. (Technology even improves the time-worn game of fetch.)

Above, Zoe is on a mission -- she may be heading over to interrupt Angel's play with another dog. Angel is hers, and Zoe's not big on sharing.

Trooper Setback -- Another Operation Today

After four weeks of recuperation, Trooper has to have more surgery. He developed a limp this weekend which worsened. Dave and Mikhail, the manager of the Summit Dog and Cat Hospital, brought Trooper in for x-rays. Turns out one of the plates broke! The surgery on that leg needs to be re-done.

Poor Trooper has to go through all the pain and discomfort of surgery and recuperation all over again! I am so sad for him. Hopefully, Trooper will have the strength to be a trouper again.

Awaiting a Happy Ending to the Story

What's been top of mind for the last five weeks: A dog, likely thrown out of a car on I-78 in Maplewood, NJ. My husband Dave got involved in rescuing the dog from the highway. Now dubbed Trooper, the dog is recovering from two broken front legs.

The Summit Dog and Cat Hospital has treated Trooper at cost. He needed complex surgery involving plates and pins to repair the fractures. Dave and I, along with the co-rescuer, agreed to split the $3000+ bill, but after two articles in local newspapers spurred generous donations, Dave and I are only paying $500. The community's unexpected generosity resulted in excess donations, which will go to Jersey Animal Coalition, where Trooper is convalescing.

Trooper needs a home, and will be ready for adoption shortly. Soft bandages have replaced his casts. Trooper is a male Chow mix, about 35 pounds and four to six years old. He is house-trained and is regaining his trust of people. He loves taking walks and being pet. If you would like to explore the possibility of bringing this miracle dog into your life, please call or email the Jersey Animal Coalition at 973.763.7322 or bowwowmeow.geo@yahoo.com

Tired Dogs Are Good Dogs and the Townhouse Blues

Dave and I live in a townhouse. That means no fenced yard for dog romping. But we can't skimp on exercising them.

I've learned that exercise is important for their health as well as their temperment. They love being outside. And when tired from physical activity, our dogs are less likely to get into trouble. (Zoe in particular is prone to mischief. She has gnawed her way through more shoes, throw pillows, computer bags and plants than I can count.)

So, we've cobbled together a plan to keep them in shape. It's a challenge: our area sports few large, fenced public areas that allow dogs. So we:

1. Take them to Echo Lake Dog Park in Mountainside, NJ, on Saturday and Sunday mornings. It's about 20 minutes from our home. This is usually Dave's job, and he enjoys it. He hangs out and yaps with a cadre of dog owners.)
2. Play fetch at the tennis courts in town twice a week. The trick is to go early in the morning, so we don't interfere with tennis players.
3. Play fetch in the back area of a soccer field near our home. This is a tad illegal: the signs prohibit dogs. We go at 6 a.m., speak softly because it's near a senior condo development, and limit our visits to once a week.
4. Treat them to extra-long walks through the Passaic River Park. It's wooded, and a branch of the Passaic River winds through it. I make this a part of the morning routine twice a week.

In addition, we (or our dog walkers) walk them on leash three times a day.

Sometimes Dave and I peruse the real estate ads and seriously consider buying a single family home with a big yard! Someday, perhaps ...

"American Gothic" style dog photo

Our friends, Roger and Tomo, took this photo of our dogs a couple of years ago. Zoe, the white one, is alert (as always) and sitting still, which is not typical. Angel, the black dog, is true to herself: mellow and compliant.

Both of the dogs are rescues and have been trained in obedience and agility. They've trained me to laugh every day and take walks that include breaks (a dog needs to sniff the ground and hunt small mammals, for god's sake!) .

Dogs and People -- Unshakable Bond

The intense bond between people and dogs cannot be denied. I have two dogs -- Angel and Zoe -- who play a very prominent (some think way too prominent) role in the lives of my husband and me.

Outside of my pure enjoyment of living with these two sweet dogs, they are a great way to reach out to other people. From making "dog friends" (other couples who are into their dogs) to pet therapy (visiting hospitals and nursing homes with Angel, a certified pet therapy dog), our dogs have become a big part of how I relate to people and give back to society.