Ernie

Almost 14

Ernie has come a long way since we first got him. A mouth full of bad teeth, plus a chicken bone lodged into his jaw. Anemic, and with a thyroid problem. A very reactive dog.

His first two weeks with us were rough. He and Sally didn’t get along. Sally didn’t like him. Ernie was sick with his mouth and in a new home. He didn’t know where he was. Even a bad home is a home for a dog. Ernie was missing his former home.

After removing all his teeth (except a back molar) and getting the chicken bone out of his jaw I’m sure he felt like a million bucks. It took him a little bit to recover from the surgery. Life is finally going well for Ernie. He was adapting to his new home. He loved his walks. 

Screen Your Groomers

His first grooming appointment didn’t go well. The groomer did a horrible job and Ernie’s nail was bleeding when we left. Poor Ernie. He had a seizure the next day after his appointment. I believe the appointment at the groomers brought it on. The guy was a loser. Needless to say, we have a different groomer now. Live and learn. I just hate the fact Ernie had to live through it. Sometimes Ernie cannot catch a break. Poor dog.

Things are going well for Ernie. I had to work with him on his walks. He reacted to everything at first. People, school buses, loud trucks, kids on bikes. You name it he reacted to it. Through trial and error, we have come on the other side of that also. He at times will react now but not often. He is a little bit cautious around men. 

Life is a bowl of cherries for Ernie now. He loves living with us, he had a hard time trusting Gary at first. Like I said, men in general. He came from a house with men. So, go figure.

Dang Dogs

Life happens doesn't it. Once again Ernie's life took a bad turn when he was attacked by two huge dogs. A Great Dane, and a Bull Mastiff. He underwent surgery from bites on his stomach and by his neck. He had tubes in his belly and neck and plenty of stitches. Once again, poor Ernie. He cannot catch a break. He has since recovered from that and once again is living his best life. He has had a few glitches along the way. He had ear infection, and a severe itching problem. He had the runs once and had to be taken to the vet. He is currently on medication for the ear infection, and he gets a shot to stop the itching.

He is now the only dog we have left because we put Sally down at the age of 18. She lived a privileged life. She was spoiled and loved. A dog couldn’t have asked for a better life than the one Sally had.  

Now every time we leave Ernie, I feel bad because he is alone. He spent his entire life alone. I hate leaving him for extended periods of time. Not sure how he’s going to fare when I go to Hawaii in March, but we will cross that bridge when we come to it. 

Right now, his favorite place to be is beside me sleeping. He lays on a brown snuggle blanket and sleeps the day away. He’s at peace. He no longer has to be afraid of anything. He gets his daily walk. Fresh water and plenty of food. 

A Dogs Life

For however long he is with us he will be pampered. He has a growl for us once in a while, but we all get ornery every now and then. I take it into consideration and forgive him. He’s had a hard life. We just want to make it easy for him now. 

No more meet and greets with dogs. I don’t trust them. Especially if it’s a bigger dog. 

At this moment in time Ernie is living his dream. 

Gary and I plan on keeping it that way.

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