LG gets Spayed

The Friday before last, we took LG to our local humane society to be spayed.

I'm not going to talk your ear off about the benefits of Spaying and Neutering your pets, (you should, by the way) because that's an entirely different post.

I am going to, however, tell you about something very special that I'm not sure a lot of people know exists.

When I called to make LG's appointment at the end of June, the receptionist asked me what type of dog she was, and when I said a "pit-mix", she told me about a program they had going on, starting in August.

Apparently, I could have her spayed for $20! This is $80 off of what they usually charge for a dog her size, and they clipped her nails for free as well while she was under.

The reason we were able to get this amazing deal?

The specific grant was for Pit Bulls and Pit Bull mixes to be spayed for $20 during the entire month of August. 

We also had her Heartworm test done (Negative!) her rabies shot, as well as a microchip and her final puppy boosters.  We paid less than $100. 

This is beyond a blessing for us. There is no way we would have bee able to afford to have all of that done at the same time if it weren't for Petsmart Charities.  I really cannot thank them enough.

I also cannot say enough good things about the Humane Society we went to.  They were so nice, and also I have to say, I'm pretty sure they had almost everything to do with how well and how quickly LG recovered.

She was terrified when we dropped her off, clinging to MP like her life depended on it.

And I think the ladies noticed who were checking her in, because they let us walk her back and put her in her cage in the room with the other pups who had surgeries that day.  It really seemed to help calm LG down, as well as reassure her that we were coming back for her. I won't lie, it also helped this nervous fur-mommy as well.

No matter how many times we do this, I will always be nervous dropping my babies off at the vet, no matter the reason.  I know they are in great hands, but I guess other Mom's probably know what I mean when I say I'm the only person who can take care of my babies the way they deserve to be taken care of.

She is my youngest, and like I told MP, the last one (last pup anyway) that we will be having fixed for a long time, so I was thrilled to not receive a call before it was time to go pick her up.

No news is good news in those situations.

We picked her up and she kind of stumbled out of the back and as soon as she reached us sat down and started her little whine that is so typical of her when she first sees us after an extended absence.

We thanked the amazing women who watched our baby for the day, and headed to the car to take her home to her sisters.

She whined most of the way home until she finally laid down all the way down and closed her eyes a few miles from home.

MP carried lifted her crate out of the car with her still inside and brought her in the house that way.  Her siblings were so excited to see her, and I'm glad we chose to do it this way; I think their excitement might have been a little overwhelming for her if they'd had direct access to her.

She slept for a little while and before I started work that night I offered her a little food so I could give her the prescribed pain meds. 

She wasn't interested, so I put her back to bed in her crate while I worked the first half of my shift.

On my break I took her out in the front yard on the leash where she did her *ahem* business, and we went back inside. I offered her a little water and another small handful of food, and this time she ate and drank like a champ.

I gave her a pain pill before I went back to my office, and by the time I finished my shift about two hours later she was a different pup!  Her eyes were bright and she wagged her tail when I walked in the room. 

 

 

I took her out on a leash in the backyard with the other pups, and I could tell that she was almost herself again.

For the rest of the weekend we were trying to reign in her energy and we were constantly having to calm her down.

I was so afraid she would rip a stitch y'all! And that is not cheap, I know from experience!

But, by Monday she was back to herself and when I called to ask the vet if I needed to really focus on restricting her activity which was getting to be nearly impossible, they told me that at this point she would do what she could handle. If she needed extra rest, she'd take it, and if something hurt she'd stop.

Out of four female pups getting spayed in just as many years, her recovery was not only the easiest in terms of pain, but also the quickest. 

Thanks so much Petsmart Charities for giving us this opportunity, and thank you Tampa Bay Humane Society for treating our girl so great!




Disclaimer: This post is my own opinions and is in no way affiliated with any other organization including but not limited to Humane Society of Tampa Bay as well as Petsmart and/or Petsmart Charities. I paid for her surgery out of pocket with my own paycheck. This is NOT a sponsored post.

From my soapbox

I am not sure if I have mentioned it before, but our baby LG is a Pit Bull mix. We adopted her when she was a pup, the lady said she was 7 weeks but I'm pretty sure she was stretching the truth. She was definitely closer to 5 weeks based on my experience, but she was a big pup so she did look a little older.
I truly believe the younger you adopt an animal, the more attached and loving they become. This is especially true with pit bulls and pit mixes.
I have always believed that there is no such thing as an "aggressive" dog, just bad owners.
I have known 90lbs dogs who were aggressive and "dangerous" and I have also known 2lbs dogs that were just as aggressive and despite their size difference, still quite dangerous.
What did these dogs have in common? An owner that didn't really care or take the time to socialize the dog.
Our pups know nothing but love, and I know I am biased because they are mine, but they really are four of the most loving, gentle, affectionate, personality and love driven dogs that I have ever been around.
And people tell us this too.
Sadie has never met a stranger, Scout is the goofiest little thing most people have seen. Lucy is a sweetheart and just wants to give hugs and lay in your lap. And LG, we always joke she can't hold her "licker", she looooves to give kisses.
Even our cats are special. Cubby will jump into your arms and his mini, CJ (Cubby junior) is turning out to be just like him, hence the nickname.
Why am I rambling on and on about this?
Well, it makes me so angry that I have to technically tell a little white lie every single time I introduce LG to people and they ask what breed she has in her.
I always say she is a Great Dane mix. Which is probably mostly true, but really, she is more recognizable as a pit bull.
People have this awful stigma about pit bulls and pit bull mixes, and if you ask me, this should truly be directed to owners.
It is all in how the dog is raised! LG may be a brindle pit mix,but she doesn't have one aggressive bone in her body. She is just a loving pup that thinks she should fit in everyone's lap.
I always told MP that one day I would adopt a pit bull puppy and prove to everyone that it doesn't matter what type of dog it is as long as you give it enough love and affection throughout their life.

And I think I am doing it right.

Would you really believe that she sleeps with the kittens almost every night?

The four pups are so close and such a pack, they really are siblings and act like it.
Of course LG has her moments where she doesn't know her own strength, but never once has she scared me or made me nervous to have around other dogs or cats.
So the next time you come across a pit bull or a mix, don't think automatically that they are a bad dog.
You should always approach every situation with an animal you don't know with caution, of course never pet a dog unless the owner tells you it's okay. And of course remember to teach your children basic animal safety.
But don't judge the dog by its breed. Treat a chihuahua with the same caution you would a pit bull. Remember that it's probably an owner they had at some point in their life that caused any emotional damage you may encounter.
Don't think that the dog you read about in the newspaper is just like every other dog of the same breed.
And remember to give your babies an extra kiss today and everyday! You are their best friend, their entire world! Treat them like you want to be treated!
Not all pit bulls are bad!

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O, LG...

When we adopted Lyla in February, I knew immediately that she was special. I knew that she would quickly find a very special place in our hearts and stay there.

Four pups is a lot of work, but it is so worth it. She is so worth it.

Not only is she just 45lbs of pure love, she also has the biggest personality I have ever seen in a puppy so young.

We are constantly reminding ourselves that she is still young, and has a lot more to learn!

One of my favorite things about LG?

She loves the camera.

I am not even kidding. She will be laying around in the yard, enjoying the sunshine, and if I bring my phone or camera over to her to take a picture, she will actually model.

Yesterday I took my phone over to her and took a picture.

I smiled and said "Good girl!" and she rolled over and I took another picture.

I was totally joking, mostly for MP's benefit, and started saying things like, "work it girl! The camera loves you!"

For about a minute she rolled around and posed for me.

Every time I took a shot she would change positions and look at me and wait for another click! Not even kidding!

Here are a few of raw photos from our little shoot yesterday with my iPhone! (Please disregard the junk in the backyard, it has kind of become a dumping ground as of late.)

She has my heart!

I know she will bring us nothing but love for the rest of her life.

Are there any little funny things your pups do? I would love to hear them! Sound off in the comments!!

Have a great week everyone!

PS: have you entered my Spark giveaway yet? Details here!

 

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