Ginger had surgery this morning, and the following was done:
1.) Mammary tumor removed. Harry said it was a clean removal and nothing had spread, so she should be good.
2.) Fixed. No more puppies for this bitch.
3.) Teeth cleaned and one removed. She now has good breath, and Harry says that after looking at her teeth more closely, he believes she is 8-9 years old, which is pretty young for a dog her size.
4.) No heartworm.
5.) She had roundworm, and we have meds for her and the puppies.
6.) Harry gave her face a trim and removed some of the crusty stuff around the eye ducts.
7.) Harry said she is about to go dry milk wise so it is important that the pups eat on their own.
8.) She is now up to date on all vaccinations.
All that and it is only going to cost me $370.00 (Harry gave me the “homeless slut” discount, which is our inside joke for the discount he provides abandoned dogs- we also jokingly refer to puppy mill dogs that were used to breed as “sex workers.”). So Ginger is in good shape and up to speed and on Friday I am taking her to the groomer so she can get the day spa treatment and get all prettified so I can start homing her (if the Mary G. thing does not work out- Mary- email me.) in a couple weeks.
Not a bad day for at least one unfortunate soul.
Olivia
You’re a sweetheart! Happy to hear Ginger is healthier than expected.
policomic
Thanks for doing this, Mr. Cole.
Mary G
I was going to fly to Pittsburgh and pick her up myself until I read the weather forecast there. I will look further into transport services. Can we haz pictures, pleaseeeee?
SiubhanDuinne
Cole, if you need a little assistance with that $370 vet bill, give your minions a shout. I’m sure many of us would be happy to throw a few bucks your way on Ginger’s behalf.
hedgehog the occasional commenter
Thank you, Cole. And seconded on $$ help should you wish.
John Cole +0
@Mary G: Email me so I can give you my phone number. We need to talk.
imonlylurking
Do we need a transportation fund for MaryG?
Gin & Tonic
If you or Mary need some scratch, give a shout out.
JPL
Even though I hate paypal, I’d be in for a few dollars. You did good Cole.
kc
Harry sounds like a really good guy.
Felonius Monk
It’s been said before, but not often enough. You’re a good man, John Cole!
grumpy realist
Paypal button plz? And puppeh pix? I need my daily dose of SQUEE!
Riley's Enabler
Hurray for JC and Miss Ginger. Thank you for giving that sweet girl a chance at a brightnshiny new life.
Mary G
I posted before I even read the whole thing. If John and Harry feel like she is up to the cross-country trip, I want her and would probably need some help with the arrangements/fees. Will keep everybody informed after I have talked to JC.
PurpleGirl
JC: You and Harry are both menschs, good souls, and righteous men. Thank you both for helping Ginger and her puppehs, and abandoned dogs and puppehs, generally. I’m glad that Ginger is doing well now, health wise. She’s a cute little dog and now has a chance at that perfect foroever home.
rikyrah
Glad you got such good news. Add me to the list of those who will donate for Ginger. I am among those who believe she’s ALREADY HOME….but, you know that.
Betty Cracker
Wonderful news! You’re a good fella for helping Ginger & pups out. If Mary G ends up taking her, it would be lovely to see a picture of Ginger in the garden someday. I am also willing to donate if needed!
Iowa Old Lady
Sounds like Ginger is getting back on her feet–with some help from you of course.
John Cole +0
I don’t need any money- Furkids (the place I am fostering for will pay for part, I think, and if not, that is why I have ads on the site, to pay for shit like this. Don’t send money unless you want me to waste it on video games and what not.
And if Mary comes to pick her up, I will pick her up from the airport, and she can stay the night at Harry and Chatman’s hostel:
http://www.barnwithinn.com
I’ll pick her up and take her to the airport the next day. So no need for money for that, either.
John Cole +0
Also, the paypal button is where it always is.
jnfr
Bless you, John.
ruemara
You’re some generally good souls.
Villago Delenda Est
Very good news on Ginger.
SuperHrefna
I just PayPal’d you a little bit towards Ginger’s expenses. I’m so happy to hear she is doing so well! I am going a bit nuts waiting for the results of my own biopsy, and every ray of sunshine helps.
kc
@John Cole +0:
Ooh, nice!
Karen in GA
Glad to hear all is well. Ginger pics?
John Cole +0
@Karen in GA: She’s at the vet until tomorrow. Staying overnight.
Pogonip
John, you are a fine human being, I don’t care what Bob says.
Also, how about a round of applause for Harry?
How’s Ginger feeling? Probably a lot better.
Tom Levenson
Count me in for some scratch when the plate goes round.
Phoebes in Santa fe
Good for you, Mary, and Harry. You’re all doing a good deed.
Patricia Kayden
It’s always good to hear about a pampered pooch. Good for Ginger. Hope she gets adopted soon.
Quaker in a Basement
Damn, you can be a good guy sometimes.
SiubhanDuinne
@John Cole +0:
Oooh! I’m staying there on my next drive north!
JPL
@kc: It really does look like a lovely place.
TaMara (BHF)
Whatever Mary G needs, I’m in. I already know John would waste anything I sent him on Hookers and Blow. ;-)
gogol's wife
Good news. Ginger is a sweetie.
Manyakitty
Good to hear about good people doing good things for a change. Peace and love to all!
sharl
Excellent news on Ginger. Good on you JGC for doing all this!
That hostel (#19) looks like a great place. One thing I’ll note – and I’m sure Mary G. knows to bring it up herself – is that she is in a wheel chair (she mentioned that in comments to an earlier post), so the issue of accessibility should be addressed during the arrangement-making process.
raven
No Wheeling limo!
seefleur
Taking a break from the office to say BRAVO Mr. Cole! Ginger was very fortunate to find a way to wiggle her way into a much better situation. And BRAVO to your sister for conning, I mean convincing you into proving your menschness again.
Josie
Excellent news. Thanks, John. Mary G., if you give us a paypal address, I would chip in a little for transportation.
Violet
Yay! So glad Ginger’s surgery went well and everything else too. Really hope the Mary G thing works out. Can we contribute in any way to help?
Looking forward to picture of Ginger after her spa day and makeover!
Jacks mom
Adding my good wishes & offering any financial help as well. It’s nice to know there is a community of like minded and just flat out nice people out there in the world.
Well done Mr. Cole!
Anne Laurie
@John Cole +0: Sounds like an excellent plan! Ginger & MaryG can get acquainted before the flight, and Ginger can ride in the plane as carry-on luggage instead of the stress of being shipped as cargo. (You’ll probably need to deal with some extra paperwork beforehand to make that possible, though — veterinary records, at least.)
How are the puppies reacting to Mom not being there?
Jay C
OK, I coughed up a
pittancegenerous contribution to help John (and Ginger) out – all I ask is the usual request: MOAR PUPPEE PIX!!1!!1!Felixmoronia
@Mary G: If a cross-country relay needs to be set up I can drive Ginger from Grand Junction, CO to Lost Wages.
Kristine
Great news about the tumor. Glad to hear Miz Ginger is doing well. I hope Mary G. can take her. I will happily chip in for expenses if it comes to that.
Update: aaaaaaand I read some of the earlier messages and just kicked in a few bucks.
WereBear
I am so happy things are shaping up so well for Ginger. Looks like she’s finally getting off the island!
Kristine
@John Cole +0: Ah well–Go ahead and donate my contribution to FurKids, if you don’t need it.
Chat Noir
You’re awesome, John Cole.
SuperHrefna
@John Cole +0: Feel free to spend my contribution on video games :-) You deserve it!
a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q)
That’s a great surgical report. I’ll help however I can with Ginger’s westward travels. Mary G’s is clearly the best place for her.
Barn With Inn looks very cool.
WereBear
Turns out this book:
The Plot to Seize the White House: The Shocking True Story of the Conspiracy to Overthrow FDR
is on sale at Amazon. (Click for John’s BJ link.)
satby
I know Mary G is also on a fixed income, so I’d like to kick in a touch on her plane ticket, and I’m sure others would too! Can we make that our Juice fundraiser for Ginger’s forever home?
Jane2
I’m in for Mary G and Ginger!
Scamp Dog
@Felixmoronia: If we can work it around my teaching schedule, I can get her from Denver (or places nearby) to Grand Junction. I’ve forgotten what part of California you’re in, Mary G, so I don’t know if Denver’s on the way or not. (It is California, right? Or some other west coast state?)
raven
Aite, I’m in.
Roger Moore
If it’s a matter of flying, I could probably take Mary G to the airport.
Mnemosyne (iPhone)
Hooray! Glad to hear Ginger may be coming to the left coast with us. Our next meet-up may need to be someplace dog-friendly so we can make all the rest of youse jealous.
Aleta
We’ve been living with an 8 yr old poodle from a puppy mill, since a year ago January. Literally 7 years a stud in an outdoor pen. He was entirely untrained, had never been in house, no leash learning. Could not change levels at first (to get up on the couch, hop in the car, or climb 3 stairs all freaked him out). Anything we said to him would go right over his head because he hadn’t been talked to (or petted).
Anyway: amazing fellow. Learned so fast it made my head spin. A perpetual joy, as gentle as the winter is long. With a soul like older rescues seem to have. I had read about about a “narrow window of time for socialization as puppies,” but for him the ‘plasticity of the brain’ stuff is much more the case. It did take him the whole year before he learned to play.
voncey
Well done, sir. A good day’s work all around.
WereBear
@Aleta: All puppy mills should be hunted down and the people responsible put in jail.
TaMara (BHF)
@Aleta: That sounds so much like my Greyhound rescue, although he had a foster home before he came to me. But everything in the house just freaked him out. Full length mirrors were his nemesis.
Sweet thing though – he bonded more with my Dane than he did with any of us, but that was fine, he was happy.
@WereBear: And racing dog facilities.
WereBear
@TaMara (BHF): Yep.
Pogonip
@WereBear: In very small cells that are only cleaned on 29 February, whether they need it or not.
Pogonip
John, I just remembered; you mentioned Ginger being like a chiming clock, tinkling every hour on the hour. Was Harry able to find the cause of that problem, and, if so, can he do anything about it?
Miki
Dear Ginger: On the occasion of my second divorce, my favorite aunt, Martha, sent me a card: “Congratulations on your divorce. What woman needs 3 boobs?” And so I congratulate you, Ginger, on the removal of your 3rd boob (i.e., the tumor) and your breeding parts (my parts ultimately just shriveled away, making surgery unnecessary, thank FSM).
And Mr. Cole? {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{John}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
Miki
@Mary G: I am a poodle owner from way back (okay – since 1997). The one who presently owns my heart/soul/life/bed is a rescue miniature with kind of a lot of behavioral trash (but we’ve worked it out, mostly). If you’re new to poodles, send me your questions (that garbage thing Ginger did for John? hahahahahahaha.). Seriously. Poodles ask a lot – but they give even more.
Aleta
@TaMara (BHF):
Yes, reflections. On the first night, this dog spent a lot of time gazing into the window on the oven door. Then he found the full length mirror. Backed up. Peered around the corner again. Tried a slight tail wag. The dog in the mirror seemed equally amenable. He approached a bit more, wagged a bit more. Soon the two of them were wagging at each other like mad, and he looked overjoyed to find another dog in the house.
He had beginner’s mind for a long time. Would stop and stare very calmly at everything. Like a foreign exchange student dropped into a village where he didn’t speak the language and all of the customs were strange. (Man vacuuming a car? Amazing. Giant black garbage bags appear all up and down the street one morning? Eerie.
Walking with him the first few months was a reminder of everything. It’s been a fantastic experience. (Now he gallops along in the snow, ears flapping, like a bighearted goofball.)
Aleta
@Miki: @Miki: Any tips on ear infections/cleaning?
Miki
@Aleta: Cleaning – remove hair if possible (plucking or cutting), then clean with an astringent cleaner (try for dry). But every poodle’s ears are different.
Poodles have hairy ears and can have a ton of problems with them. It’s truly an individual issue. “Best Practice” for most groomers is to pluck it, but there’s a large school of non-pluckers out there, too.
I groomed my own poodles for years and would pluck it using powder. My Big Guy Mike (SP) loved it – he’d groan and moan and twist and turn and push and pull – you get the idea. But he also had tons of hair and yeast would grow in there no matter what I did. I used Otimax 1x/week and it worked fine for him. But my other SP,Tucker, developed an allergy to Otimax and any kind of plucking. (He had a gazillion issues – Addison’s disease, bladder stones, chronic pancreatitis, etc.). His last 2 years my groomer just clipped the hair so air could get in at it and he was fine. My mini, Sully, doesn’t have a lot of hair and my groomer plucks it with no problem.
My vet has described poodle ears (and Springer Spaniel ears) as defectively designed. Heavy ear leathers and a right angle invites yeast. Add hair into the mix and it’s a challenge to find what works best for your particular poodle. Sometimes there’s nothing that can be done – and the horrible and chronic infections can only be stopped with radical surgery.
BTW – so many of the ear infections, etc., are a direct result of shitty breeding practices. It’s getting better but for far too long too many poodle breeders bred for conformation, not health or temperament. Pity the resulting poodles – and their owners.
seaboogie
You all make my heart feel happy….and I know that Mary G will not be stingy with the pix of sweet Ginger once she is re-homed. Mary, you are the queen of the BJ rescue corps, and – on that front – how is HBM doing these days? Don’t lurk and read enough comments to see if he is still checking in.
SWMBO
@John Cole +0: Just in case you check this later, if Mary is in a wheelchair, you might want to borrow one for a few days, Get Ginger used to seeing someone she cares about using one so there isn’t as much of a freakout over someone she cares about in one. It will save a lot of aggro traveling with her if she isn’t skittish around it. If Mary’s state has specific paperwork to get Ginger certified as a service animal, that paperwork should get started sooner rather than later. (Service animals usually fly free.)
ixnay
Major kudos to everyone involved. I don’t know how many people have checked in on veterinary pricing, but up here in Maine/NH, $380 often will not even cover a simple spay. So: Harry: you’re a good person.
Re: poodle ears (and any other doggie ears with brown crud in them): Removing excess hair, by whatever means (plucking/clipping) is a good start. If the OtiClens gets too expensive, and it might (because the point is to seriously flush out the ears), a mixture of 1/2 cup warm water and 1/4 cup vinegar is a good start. A drop or 3 of tea tree oil added to the solution won’t hurt, but no more than that. Better to “blot” the ears dry than to get in there and dig. Using human-kid-style “swimmer’s ear” drops afterwards helps to dry stuff up.
— ixnay, DVM (really)
Aleta
@Mary G: In case this might be useful: Emily Larlham’s free videos and writings at Dogmantic were fantastic help for socializing and training and calming our puppy mill adult poodle. (No connection between her and me — found her on the internet.) She’s clear, humane, short and to the point, and scientific. (We didn’t use the clicker training part.) We also used her puppy methods because the dog was impulsive and got overwhelmed and anxious. Her youtube channel = ‘kikopup’ at https://www.youtube.com/user/kikopup/videos?shelf_id=0&view=0&sort=dd
and her writings = http://dogmantics.com/category/freereading/english/
(She also shows how to teach dog tricks!) I see that she lives in San Diego and will travel to people’s houses, too.
@Miki: This is extremely useful. Thanks so much.
@ixnay: Thanks very much for the good information.
mainmati
Good for you on the slut discount. We had a cat that had a minor tooth lesion that the vet estimated would cost many thousands of dollars to repair. We abstained. There is no PPACA for cats. Anyway, good for ginger.