Update on Tigger

Recovering in the sun

Tigger had his cataract operation last Monday on his left eye. It all went well though at this stage we don't know how well he is seeing. Vision should come between 3 and 8 days ideally. I think he can see as he is quite a different dog on our walks. He will stop and stare at a log or a free standing letter box or a person as he tries to make sense of what he is seeing. If another dog passes by, Tigger now barks at them a couple of times. He has also started to retrieve his toys which he could never do before. I don't throw them very far but it is a good sign. Things can still go terribly wrong eg. retinal detachment, infection etc but I am not going to think about that!
Tigger is wearing an Elizabethan collar and he is being very good about it. I take it off to feed him and give him a bit of a massage but I have to watch carefully that he doesn't scratch the eye etc. He is sleeping in my bedroom at present in case anything goes wrong. At some time during the night I am joined by Tigger on my bed  snuggling up close. It is very hard to sleep with someone who is wearing an Elizabethan collar!! It will be back to the laundry next week.
It's like having a new baby in the house!!

This is the photo that appeared in our local newspaper accompanying Tigger's story. I will have to start the anti-wrinkle cream!!!
Thankyou to any blog readers who donated to the Operation Fund.I know some money has been donated but I don't know from whom so please take this as my personal thanks.
I am sure it will all be well worth while.

Cheers
The Dog Diva

Hello Little Tigger

Tigger loves his food

After I returned from Melbourne, I had the grandchildren up here for a week of their holidays. I wasn't planning on fostering a dog till things settled down again but of course I received a request to do so from Four Paws. Naomi and Aidan were very keen so we went to view little Tigger at the vet practice where he was being held. We took the grand dog "Misty" along to see how well we all got on. Naturally everyone fell in love with Tigger and he with all of us so home he came. He is a 5 year old Chihuahua cross and has a beautiful temperament. He was advertised as "free to good home" on Gumtree but had only been obtained from them a month earlier as a "free to good home" dog. The problem is that he has mature cataracts in both eyes and is virtually blind. It doesn't seem to bother him much but he is constantly walking into things when out of his normal environment. Because of his relative youth and his placid temperament, Four Paws has decided to have one of the cataracts removed which costs a small fortune of course. But that's what we raise money for. His operation is on the 22nd July.The success rate is about 75% so we all have everything crossed. Tigger will remain with me until that is all sorted.

And his bed!

Yesterday the local paper came and did a photo shoot of him to accompany a story warning people of the pitfalls of obtaining "free to good home " dogs from the Internet. We also hope to raise some money towards his operation. If anyone wants to help please do so through our webpage.. All donations over $2.00 are tax deductible. The details are on the home page. Make sure you let us know that the funds are especially for Tigger.

http://www.4pawsanimalrescue.org.au/

Thanks heaps
Marilyn - the Dog Diva

Suki Update
Suki is with another foster family at present. I had her for about 6 weeks which is a long time for a dog to spend with a temporary foster carer. Naturally I became quite attached to her. I went to Melbourne for about 9 days so Suki went to another family where she has settled in quite well with two other dogs. She is a permanent foster dog with Four Paws as she does have high needs. I decided not to take her back when I returned as she has had quite a few changes in her life. Here's hoping that she continues to have a happy "old age".