Digsby's Story

They had been dumped outside the shelter gates in the middle of the night.  They ran around the horse stables across the street and miraculously did not wander onto the River Road where they would have been hit by a car immediately.  I used the random name generator on Petfinder and named him Digsby.  In the background is his sister, Sylvia.  Sadly, Sylvia was seriously ill.  She was coughing up blood.  Since it was Mardi Gras all of the vets were closed and the shelter does not have a vet, so she was going to be allowed to suffer until Thursday when the vets reopened.  On Monday I was asked to pull Digsby for a rescue.  I agreed on the condition that I could pull Sylvia as well.  If she was able to be treated I would foster her and Digsby would go to another foster home. 

As I suspected Sylvia was seriously ill.  By this time she had blood trickling from her nose.  If I remember correctly, she had such severe pneumonia that she was suffering from a bronchial hemorrhage.  I held her in the waiting room and seriously wondered if she would even live to see the vet.  The vet and rescue made the decision to euthanize her and I held her while she was put to sleep.  Rest in peace, Sylvia.

Digsby was diagnosed with coccidia.  The foster home refused to take him because they had a dog leaving for transport the next week and did not want to risk exposure.  His coccidia developed into severe pneumonia.  At one point, the vet suspected distemper because he had green slime pouring from his nose.  He also had a terrible cough.  Another possibility was canine influenza, but no one knew for sure.  What I do know is that he was sick for 40 days.  From Mardi Gras until Easter when he was finally old enough to go on doxycycline.  The doxy finally knocked the last bits of the cough out of his system.

The picture I took was labeled: golden.jpg.  He was pulled as a golden mix.  I suspected possibly spaniel, maybe basset because of the short legs.  He was a beautiful puppy even when he did not feel well.  The vet at Riverlands Animal Hospital suspected that he may have some chow in him, but dismissed it because did not have a trace of purple on his tongue and didn't "have that chow personality".  At obedience class, the golden breeder suspected him to be a high mix of golden.  He just had a little difference in his ear placement and face structure, but definitely "golden and something".  Sylvia appeared to have some shepherd in her, but I knew that one litter could have different fathers so that must have happened here...right?  The rescue kept asking if they could list him...was he well enough yet?  I said there was no need to list him because he was already home.  How could I send him away after all we had been through together?

Well, two years passed and I decided to have his DNA analyzed.  I just wanted to know what he was mixed with.  Golden and what else?  I could say it was for heath history (genetic predispositions and all that), but it was just a matter of simple curiosity!  So...before you look...what is your guess?  Golden and ... ? 

Ready?

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Suprised?  I sure was!  Chow/Shepherd and a little touch of spaniel!  Hmmm....  Genetic mystery revealed!  I don't care.  That's my boy and I love him!  It actually does explain a few things.  I went to www.dogbreedinfo.com and found this info that totally relates to his personality quirks...

Chow Chow	German Shepherd Dog	Cocker Spaniel
Quite good with children. (Gets along great with my friends' young children.) Chow Chows will often be a one-person dog, very loyal to his family, though he may act reserved, even with them. (I have always thought he was not an overly affectionate dog, but he is becoming more so as he leaves the  puppy stage.) Chow Chows can be lazy, but need to be taken for a daily walk. (I have always said that he is the laziest dog in the world!  Down stay is the easiest thing for him to do at obedience class!) Space means a lot to a dog. It is respect in the dog world. (He gets upset when he is laying down and another dog lays down too close. ) Interesting: This very dominant breed requires a dominant owner.   The owner of this breed of dog should be a calm person who is naturally firm, confident, and consistent. (He is so lucky he has me!)	Bold, cheerful, obedient and eager to learn. (In intermediate obedience class and has earned Canine Good Citizen.) Known for their tremendous loyalty and courage. Serious and highly intelligent. German Shepherds love to be close to their families, but can be wary of strangers. (Explains why he needs a leash when guests come over for the first time.)   And Again: This breed needs owners who are naturally authoritative over the dog in a calm, but firm, confident and consistent way. (Starting to see a pattern)	Cheerful, sweet, and sensitive. The Cocker Spaniel is respectful of its master's authority without much challenge. (Hey, at least one easy going breed!) Gentle and trusting, with average intelligence. They are lively, playful and devoted, but should be socialized well when they are young to avoid a tendency for shyness.  (When he first started obedience class without my older lab, he was very shy.  He does not play at the dog park.  Just wanders around and minds his own business.)