Lucky

Lucky, Howard and Isabelle

Lucky's New Life - Jan 18

Lucky wearing his new coat bought specially for him by his new dad Howard - it was gorgeous and a taste of things to come for Mr. Lucky. Howard's brother Hubert and his wife Lucille were unfortunately not able to join in bringing Lucky home. Lucky is going to a great home - Isabelle and Lucille are home all day with Lucky and his new pug sister Sheba who is a similar age and similar colouring. Howard was very excited to get Lucky and I know Lucky will be very happy with the whole family. They are all very kind and loving people that I know will take great care of Lucky who will also get to enjoy weekends at the cottage and a great fenced deck on which to lie in the sun in good weather with Sheba.

Wearing his new coat, Lucky's ready for his new family

Lucky will cuddle his way to your heart - January 13th

Lucky went to the vet for a follow up - paw is healing wonderfully, no swelling, no infection. He is a new dog!. Lucky is so much happier now he runs and plays more - no limping. You can tell how much more comfortable he is. He can now go on to a new life and leave all traces of the old one behind.

Lucky is the sweetest, gentlest little guy - really coming into his own. He can be funny and silly at times, loves to play when he is in the mood. His paw continues to be a source of discomfort for him and I am not sure it will go away. Lucky can't do long walks 5 - 10 minutes, 15 on a good day but he limps heavily by the end. The pad continues to be soft and spongy, cool with no sign of infection. Metacam has limited impact. It is my belief it is a chronic problem due to the wire cages he spent so many years on and he has good and bad days when the paw will be more or less puffy. It is likely related to the cyst that was removed and his paw needs to be monitored in case it returns as they often do.

He loves and I mean loves the big bed and to snuggle in tight - hates to get up in the morning. He wags his tail whenever you catch his eye. Lucky has just started to rollover and show his belly for a rub from time to time but can be easily startled into a cower. He is quiet barking mostly in play with the other pugs. Lucky fits in beautifully with Sophie and Bugzy but also loves his time for cuddles alone ( especially if you sit sideways on the couch and he can curl up on your leg with his head on your thigh gently scratching his ears and head!)

He likes kids ( as long as they aren't too loud and aggressive with him) and will give kisses to one of the neighbours wee one as she sits in her stroller. He would be fine with other dogs and would be best if adopters had a small yard he could wander in rather than taking long walks. We often take him out on his own for a shorter, quiet walk at his speed - he loves going with the other two but if his paw is sore we don't want to over tax him. Lucky has never shown any signs of aggression instead being a bit timid with strangers and great with the other pugs. He is a fabulous boy and an absolute love. He needs gentle handling and a soft voice, loud voices or quick movements at him scare him and he hides a bit.

Lucky's on the mend - Jan 8

Lucky is a real trooper - such a sweet boy. He is doing fine - starving as pugs usually are. His foot looks pretty good - the vet said there was a hard object inside the growth! She indicated its still up in the air what caused the lump but once she saw the object it is possible the growth was part of an old abscess.....due to whatever was embedded in his paw. Or it could still be from the wire and once it formed the growth was more susceptable to an object getting into it as he walked on the lump all the time. A chicken and egg thing but how that must have hurt the poor wee boy.

The clinic is concerned about keeping the foot clean and dry he sees the vet again on Friday and again next Wed to keep an eye on how he is healing. He will also be on antibiotics for 10 days. Lucky is a real love and I am so glad he will be able to start his new life with whatever that object was out of his poor foot.

Lucky Needs Surgery

It appears that one pad - second toe from outside right paw - is the culprit. It looks like part of the pad has filled with fluid ( part of old cyst most likely). The primary part of the toe pad is fine and this has become almost an extra pad - making it feel like a stone in his "shoe" all the time. The vet thinks it should be removed. The procedure will be scheduled after consultation with the surgeon but then Lucky will need a fair bit of healing time before he can be adopted out.

We decided to remove him from the Ready list until he has recuperated.

Foster Update, Dec 17th

Here is a Santa pic of Lucky and my guys... very cute! Lucky is on the floor on the right side of pic as it is facing you. He's a great guy, I have just been holding off til after the holidays to look to place him - also hoping his foot will get better. It bleeds off and on and is still full of fluid. The Metacam has had limited impact. Lucky greets the whole family now with wild enthusiasm, kissing everyone.

Unlike Maude & Gertie who have been resisting their humans, wanting to be carried, Lucky is an independent man who can do the stairs easily now. Down is nerve racking for me as it is a bit of a headlong plummet but he stays on his feet - so far. This is where you see his foot bother him indoors - going down.

Lucky's favourite place in the house is the big bed and while he is unable to get up on his own, he gets down but then looks back longingly, his head swinging from me at the stairs back to the bed in the hopes of a return to the comfort he now believes he deserves.... soft bed, soft fuzzy blankets, humans to rest his head on...... a the life.

Foster Update, Dec 7

I had Lucky out to the vet today to have her check on his swollen left front pad. Dr. Morgan is uncertain what is causing the swelling - the pad is very large but is cool, soft & spongey. It is obviously bothering him when he walks as he is limping. We suspect it maybe fluid build up post removal of the cyst so he will be on Metacam for a bit to reduce the fluid and ease his pain when walking. I will continue to monitor the foot in case this is a recurring problem as at present we just don't know the root cause but the good news is there is no active infection. Dr. Morgan cleaned his ears as there were still some sign of earmites.

Beyond that he is a healthy puggie. He was extremely frightened at the vets cowering and shaking but as soon as we left the building and he knew he was returning home with me all was fine and the spring was back in his step. Lucky travels very well in the car. He is slightly heavier than his previous weight which was listed initially as 25.6 lbs and he is now 27.7. He is overall a fairly large sized fellow - very long but still lean. Lucky is curling his tail almost all the time now and is very happy to give kisses to people he knows. He also loves sleeping in the big bed and cuddling with everyone. He is a great boy gentle and kind, and he loves to play with new pals Sophie & Bugzy.

Foster Update, Dec 3

Lucky is a very sweet and gentle boy. He is very keen to cuddle, not especially fond of being picked up as one might expect - he does not fight it but tends to stiffen and hang his head. Lucky gives gentle tentative kisses. He and Sophie have played a bit this afternoon both happily wagging tails. He is a bit nervous but not frightened, curious but easily startled as yet.

Lucky eyes the toys but is not quite sure what to do with them. He loves to snuggle tight against you. Lucky is very gentle when taking a treat from you. He ate his dinner happily tonight cleaning the bowl completely. While he is fairly solid -Lucky definitely looks "thin", you can count his ribs and his skin hangs a bit. At times he walks with a slight limp- especially outside- but he loves to go outside and is very good to get his harness and leash on and he walks nicely no pulling. He has a bit of trouble jumping up on the couch but that will get better with practice. Lucky is quite curious about every blade of grass...... But there has not been a single accident in the house.

He is having a terrific day, just a doll and yes housebroken we have not had any accidents. He eats well, takes treats gently and is a bit nervous but not scared.... he has made attempts at playing. His feet are splayed on his front paws much worse than the rear ones. His back has a bit of a hump and when he stands he definitely has the stance of a dog who has spent a great deal of time in a wire cage (saggy back). He has a great personality and with a bit of time is going to make some family a lovely puggie.

I love him already he just rubs up to you and licks gently. Very much a gentleman he has yet to try to hump Sophie - or Bugz for that matter and he loves walks and is easily handled. Lucky does not like to be picked up very much but does not fight, just kind of hangs his head and hunkers down. I have picked him up and held him on my lap and he settled quickly - just not used to it. Lucky knows his name and comes readily when called.

Overall its been a successful first day and Lucky is a real sweetie. Thanks Alison and Randy for bringing this lovely boy back from Kansas.

Introduction, Dec 2nd, 2006

This is the initial assessment that came from Prairie Pugs Rescue.
He is a six year old male puppy mill boy. 25.6 lbs. Lucky is a big boy and very sweet.