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Update
October 24, 2010 George is
having a fine day, just back from his walk at the state forest. He still
takes an early morning walk with us around a track at the park, and
often a late afternoon constitutional at White Deer Park, plus lots of
ramblings in the yard in between. He is a little stiff though still able
to get up on his own, but as Joy remembers from a few years back, it’s
the getting back down that is often tricky for him—there’s usually a lot
of circling before a loud “thunk.” He never acts as if he thinks this is
a handicap either—always a great attitude—which is what really gets us
all through when it comes down to it! He is still energetic with good
stamina and insists on taking part in all family activities. And most
tellingly, he’s forever young at heart. It still amazes us how at a
relatively advanced age, he sailed blithely into a new life and just
kept “keepin’ on,” as they say. We have enjoyed him so much—the indoor shot where he’s pulling a face resulted from Tom’s coaxing him to smile while shooting. George definitely has more faces than most I’ve seen! And as I’ve said before, who would ever have thought we’d be lucky enough to have these extra years with him? Just wanted to let you know he’s happy and healthy and thank you again for your role in this happy saga, Wish him another anniversary next year, too! Carolyn. Update
November 29, 2009 Attached
are some endearing shots of George, long overdue. There’s a lot of
character in that face and his intelligence shines through too, I think.
He has adapted totally to life in NC—I think he realized early on that
although fate had been unkind in San Antonio, his luck had suddenly
turned in a big way. He had gained two personal valets to dress him in
just the right jacket for wind, rain or cold, a chef mindful of his
preferences, (He really is SPOILED ROTTEN!) and a bossy shaggy sister
who serves as his guide star now. Annie has a raucous, ear-splitting
bark, but it’s the one sound George can easily hear (Yes, we still have
our shooting range earphones in the car and he’s very watchful and keys
on her every move. Surprisingly, he seems to have become the dominant
one. They’re the odd couple, but they’re developed a pretty good
relationship. He’s such a very good dog! It’s hard to believe he’s now entered his 14th year. He’s still indefatigable and just amazingly durable. I hope he doesn’t start to fail on us because I’m not sure what the three of us would do without him.
Happy
Thanksgiving! Will send Christmas shots soon! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Update November 2008
Hello All, The summer like photo was taken in early autumn, and with hard freezes coming just as the leaves were nearing peak, we had to rush to get some documentary shots before the frozen leaves dropped off. He's beginning to look like a poodle, so a minor trim is obviously in order. He has a light but warm gray flannel jacket which he seems to love getting into--it keeps the wind off him on his walks and the floor drafts in his bedroom off him during the night. It's piped in red Velcro--very photogenic--will send with his Christmas shots. Happy Thanksgiving to you all! PS A shot of bossy "sister" Annie included, too.
Carolyn and Tom
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We are totally in love with this sweet and loving dog! Time flies when you're happy and we suddenly realized that we'll be coming up on six weeks together on Friday. George passed his wellness exam with flying colors and he's apparently very sound. I can't remember if I mentioned that he had been a little 'loose' no doubt due to some very good interstate 'road food' during his long trip. Joy had him on Paul's Food made in Austin and unfortunately, it isn't available in Raleigh (although it is in DC and Atlanta.) So we printed out the guaranteed analysis from the web and did a little research to discover that the closest approximation is Blue Buffalo Senior, which he loves. I add just a little water and warm it just a little in the microwave before folding in about a tablespoon of basmati which I had used on him during his boiled chicken phase. He's got a wonderful appetite--someone should come to our house to shoot a commercial of his antics as I walk toward him with his bowl! He loves riding in the car and we're using the ramp to download him which is working very well--if we had a normal vehicle (hate that dratted @**@! Explorer!) this would not be necessary, but the SUV is really high off the ground. He was apprehensive about the ramp at first, but we had the idea to break up his treats and bait the ramp as we slowly guided him down. He's so smart--it only took one time and he enjoys that little maneuver a lot now.
He's very vocal--he has more different sounds than any OES we've experienced, and it's so funny! With the onset of heat and humidity, he's a little less avid about long long walks (like 3 miles at once!) but can easily toss off a one mile hike at the state forest which is nice and shady with soft, pine straw paths. He gets two good walks a day, but is active during the day in the yard as well. We need to shoot the rest of a roll (still not digital!) while our red climbing rose is in bloom--I shot two with George under it but I want to get a better one when the sun isn't in his eyes! Check out the shot where
George is sitting by the garden chair beside the Japanese maple--he
was smiling in that shot and I love it! He smiles a lot now and is
getting so much love! He is absolutely the best medicine for us,
and amazingly he's a perfect cross in appearance and personality of
the two wonderful ones we lost during the past year! This was
destiny for sure. It doesn't get much better than that, really. Hope all's well with rescue in your area-meaning not too much current business! Carolyn. |
