At Last!
Robbie has come through his final cataract operation with reasonable success. It was not straightforward - which is par for the course with Robbie- as some of the cataract was attached to the back of the eye. But the ophthalmologist did manage to insert a new lens and Robbie had quite good vision - probably about 70%. This means he can negotiate familiar and enclosed spaces such as dog parks with great success. He needs to be kept on leash at the beach etc where he may become disoriented easily and not find his way back. So after more than three months, his journey is over thank heavens. He will now be put up for either adoption or permanent foster care as we need to find an owner who will take into account his limitations - minimal as they are! We were very lucky with Tigger - my previous vision impaired dog - as he found the  perfect new home with Ross and Carmel.Hopefully there is someone out there just like them for Robbie. He goes to a new carer next week as I am going away but they love him dearly so he will be fine. Hopefully he will find a new home whilst I'm gone.
Cheers
Marilyn - The Dog Diva.

Still no joy!!

Robbie went in for a cataract operation on his other eye after the first one was not successful. Unfortunately this time he had to be pulled out of the anaesthetic as his lung collapsed. The surgeon had already made the incision - poor little dog! He has recovered really well and is back to his old self.

Yesterday we decided to go ahead with another attempt after discussion with various professionals. The collapse of the lung was due to a procedural occurrence but I wont say much more on that. He is fit and healthy so all should go well next time.

It is all rather stressful for all concerned - not the least Robbie.
I will keep you updated. His next operation is on the 11th May.

Robbie with his cousins Misty and Shadow

Cheers
The Dog Diva

Update on Robbie

Unfortunately Robbie's cataract operation did not go as well as we hoped. The ophthalmologist was unable to insert the intraocular lens successfully after removal of the cataract from his eye.We waited two weeks but very little vision has returned. He can see things moving at a distance of say -  5 m -  but he is just as likely to walk straight into a stationary object right in front of him.
We are in the process of deciding whether to operate on the other eye. The vet seems quite confident but it's a big decision financially.  Personally I would like to see it happen as he is a lovely young dog and deserves a chance of finding a forever home preferably with a family.
He has recovered well from the operation and expects to play ball frequently during the day!!!   Hmmmm!!!

Cheers
The Dog Diva

Little Robbie


A new guest checked in at the Hotel for Dogs last Wednesday. His name is Robbie - a  four year old Maltese/Papillion Cross. Cute as a button as you can see!

He is nearly blind due to cataracts so Four Paws is raising the funds for him to have an operation on one eye. This will happen Monday.You may remember I had another foster dog called Tigger who also underwent cataract surgery and continues to do really well. We are all hoping for the same successful outcome for Robbie.
He is full of beans and likes to play ball which is amazing. He follows the sound of the bounces within a small area and then seizes the ball and brings it back - or not!








Buster the mini doberman - my last foster dog - only lasted a day at his new home. He did not like their cats. Not much effort from the new owners seemed to have gone into getting them to co-exist. So that was unfortunate! Four Paws always takes the animals back if they don't work out but it rarely happens. Buster is now with another carer.

We have a new website which is still in the early stages but check it out when you have time.
4Pawsanimalrescue

I will keep you posted on Robbie.

Cheers
Marilyn
The Dog Diva

Open for Business

I was hoping to wait until the end of February before I opened the Hotel for Dogs again for 2015. But a desperate phone call from another foster carer, who had urgent family business, meant that Buster came to stay!
Buster is a MinPin - a miniature Doberman Pinscher. He weighs about 7kg and comes up to about my knee. He is 7 years old but thinks he is 2. He is very handsome as you can see.

Buster's previous owner had to surrender him due to life changes but he was well cared for though a bit undisciplined. The previous foster carer did a lot of obedience work with him and spoilt him with nice things.  His bed looks fit for the Queen's corgis!

HRH Buster

He loves walking , going in the car, is not a fussy eater and sleeps in his own bed all night. So he was allowed to stay!He has one funny behaviour - he goes beserk when he is on the lead and another dog goes past on a lead.It is sometimes quite embarassing.  He is happy if the other dog is unleashed and he plays well with doggy friends. We are thinking prehaps he has been attacked by a dog on a leash before and now tries to warn them off.

He is checking out tomorrow as a couple want to give him a trial run with a view to adoption. They have two cats and need to see if they can all settle down together. Hmmm - he may be back!

All the best
The Dog Diva

Great News!

Con and Pepper have found a forever home at last! Yesterday they flew up to Mackay in Queensland  to live on a 5 acre property with a lovely couple who just adore them. I introduced them to their new owners on Monday whilst they were still holidaying on the Sunshine Coast. Con and Pepper had been at the Four Paws Halfway House for a few days as their current foster carer was away. It was so nice to be able to say goodbye to them as they were a special part of my life for a few months. I took the grandchildren with me to visit them and they all had a good time.
I am still doing quite a bit of work for Four Paws but won't foster full time until late February - well that's the plan!                                            

Cheers
The Dog Diva