Ziggy - W/E 22nd October 2017

Another week goes by and Ziggy is still bald and itchy.  He's been back to the vets this week for skin scrapings and tests as he hasn't been responding to the current medication and by now he should be growing more fur.

We have antibiotics for a week to make sure there is no underlying infection and then back to see the vet at the end of next week to decide what treatment is next for Ziggy.  In himself, he is a happy, affectionate boy but despite being bathed every 3 days and medication, he chews and scratches a lot still.

This weekend though he has been busy trying to woo the Labbie he has decided is the girl of his dreams - Lilly:

Ziggy has met Lilly before when he has been to work with me but this weekend she is staying with us and he has decided that he loves her very much.  Despite his best efforts, she isn't falling for his charms but he keeps trying to win her affection, giving her little kisses and following her around.

After very muddy and windy walks yesterday this morning we made the most of the sunny morning and went up to the Downs.  

 

Ziggy will be quite sad when Lilly goes back to her family on Tuesday but I'm sure they will see each other again soon.

Where did the time go?

Somehow it is nearly 2 months since Ziggy arrived.  In that time it's been the first anniversary of saying goodbye to my special boy, Wiggle and Sofy has celebrated her 12th birthday.

Ziggy has been settling into life with us and destroying a lot of toys:

He's been to Maud Heath:

Ziggy still needs to grow a lot more fur to cover his bald area's but he is very good about having a bath every three days and hops into the tub when I ask him.  He likes being wrapped up in Wiggle's soft towelling robe after:

Ziggy has been to work with me and enjoyed playing with Lilly's toys:

He's really hoping to get some more fur soon, since we are heading towards winter:

Ziggy loves going to the Downs for a run, especially when its sunny:

Sometimes its good to stop, sit and soak up the sun:

And when there's no sun, a coat to keep dry in the rain:

Even though he has been here for nearly two months, he was in such a poor condition that  Ziggy has a long way to go.  He's now vaccinated, having to start from the beginning as he had not had any boosters after his puppy vaccinations, he's been castrated, wormed and flea treated and is back to the vets again this week to review his medication for his allergies.

There are a lot of similarities between him and Wiggle, but mostly that Ziggy is a really lovely boy.

LRSE&C are taking care of Ziggy's medical bills and rely on donations so please consider helping if you can via the JustGiving page.

Ziggy - Days 1 - 7

Last weekend, we had a new visitor.  I'd been contacted about another Lab needing help and when I heard it was another poorly boy with skin problems, I couldn't say no.

So on Sunday, Ziggy came to stay:

Ziggy is 6 years old and was given up as his owner was unable to take care of his medical needs so LRSE&C agreed to take him on.  Like Wiggle, he is itchy and bald and needs to be treated for his allergies so this week he went to the vet to get treatment underway.  Ziggy has a very sweet nature and was very good for Alison the vet. 

Part of Ziggy's treatment is Malaseb baths.  Currently he's having a bath every other day and he hops into the bath and sits while I lather the shampoo into his poorly skin.  Ziggy tries to look like it is torture but I'm sure it must feel nice really.

After his bath, Ziggy went back to bed:

Yesterday Ziggy went shopping as he has been wearing one of Wiggle's collars and needed his own accessories.  

We chose purple as 'his' colour so he has now been kitted out with a collar and harness:

Sofy seems to like having a brother again and has been very welcoming to Ziggy.  Obviously she thinks she is in charge although so long as she has food and love, she's happy:

Apologies for the rather X-rated photo but this is how bald Ziggy is right now.   

But despite his health problems, he's a happy boy and we will do our best to get him healthy again. 

Wiggle's Gotcha Day

Today marks the anniversary of Wiggle's Gotcha Day, 20th June 2008.  I'll never forget how he was when he arrived and how special he was from the very first day here.

Every single day we miss him but now the sadness has passed, it's the happy memories I remember  and think how lucky I was to have spent so many years with him.  He'll always have a very special place in my heart.

More happy memories were made with the foster boys, Kal and Boulder.  After being here for a couple of months they have now found themselves a lovely family and are settling into their new life.

So once again, it's just me and Sofy but she's a happy little girl and although she isn't keen on this heatwave we currently have, she does like the water so was happy to go to the river this evening.

The Labbie Gang

Foster dogs Kal and Boulder are still here while they wait for their perfect home.  They have an updated profile on the Labrador Rescue South East & Central website - Click here for their page

In the meanwhile, they are having fun with Sofy and enjoying their time here:

Both the boys have put on some weight and are looking much better:

Kal and Boulder love the fields near us and have been enjoying following different paths from one field to the next

Boulder can even fly!

While it was very warm the past few days, all three had a lot of fun splashing about in the river:

And when the field is all wet after rain in the night, the Labbie Gang are all happy!

Kal and Boulder are still the most perfect pair of boys, they are great with other dogs they meet, they have excellent recall, love to go anywhere and will also settle down and sleep when left at home.

We are looking for a perfect home for the boys as they love people and getting fuss.  They are so lovely, they need to be spoilt although they don't know it!