Page last updated on Saturday, March 31, 2007 .
Adopted 11/30/01
Oldies but Goodies Cocker Rescue of Northern Virginia
and
Kathi A (foster mother for Genji and Duchess)
Telling you how much I love my girls (Genji and Duchess) is difficult because I
don't think I will be able to put it into words. They came into my life at the
time my mother passed away and although I miss her so much, the girls help ease
the pain every time I look at them. They are here to stay.
My daughter and I can't wait to get home from work to see them as well as our lab, Ryker. Speaking of Ryker, he loves them too, especially, Duchess. Duchess grooms his face by licking it and he loves every second of it. They both sleep with me in my bed! Genji prefers to sleep in her bed in my room. Occasionally she will jump up on the bed to be petted and then she is ready to back to her bed.
Genji is beautiful and she looks so well mannered, but don't turn your back or leave food out, because she will find a way to get it! A few minutes after bringing her home, I found her on my dining room table, drinking water from a floating candle bowl. I had to laugh, but I am learning to keep the chairs under the table now. At a dinner in honor of my mother, Genji decided that if she pulled the runner from the table, all of the food would be hers. It almost was, but we caught her in time. What a little stinker but that is part of learning who she is and how to manage the house with two new personalities. Are you all sure she is 11 years old?????
Since Genji has been with me, other than her routine examination, her teeth have been cleaned and 15 large moles removed as well as treated for ear infection. She has been groomed professionally and bathed twice by me. She is due again since she likes to roll around in the back yard! Yesterday her blood test results showed that she is at the beginning stages of Cushing's Disease and began taking Anipryl a very expensive medicine ($71.50 a month). Her symptoms were drinking excessively and wanting to eat 24 hours a day. I hope the new medicine relieves her of those cravings. I will keep you informed of her progress.
Duchess is truly an angel. Her first few nights here she had diarrhea but has been fine ever since. Duchess is not as independent as Genji and wants to be near me all of the time. Even when she is sleeping on the pillow next to me, she awakes occasionally to make sure that I am still there. She is a lover and wants to snuggle constantly and we love it. What a doll.
When Duchess had a routine examine by my veterinarian he suggested that I take her to a veterinarian ophthalmologist to check her blind eye as well as the good one. On December 14, Dr. Denny spayed Duchess at the Pender clinic and healed she remarkably well. I know that OBGCR would reimburse me, but I am not requesting payment. I hope you will be able to use that money on some other doggy that needs help. On December 28th, the eye doctor examined Duchess. Dr. Kelly Corcoran, Colonial Veterinary Clinic assured me that the blind eye will not have to be removed but can straightened primarily for cosmetic reasons. Her other eye is in good condition and I won't be putting her through surgery for the eye unless she needs to be put under anesthesia for additional teeth cleaning, etc. She also informed me that the blind eye was a result of trauma that was never treated. She also told me to let OBGCR know that she will testify to that if necessary. I thought the eye was blind due to infection and when I heard that it was the result of trauma, my heart sank. How could anyone hurt that little angel?
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(OBG received an update in January 2004)
My two cocker girls adopted in 2001 are doing fine. Genji is now 14 and we think Duchess is 12. 1 also have a 13 year old lab/chow mix named Ryker. My daughter rescued him at 3 months of age. They all have extremely costly veterinarian needs.
Both cockers took to my family environment as if I had adopted them at 6 weeks old. Ryker (the lab) loves and gets along with both cockers but I believe he thinks Duchess is his dog. When I pet her, he immediately starts licking her on her head and back and she loves it. They snuggle and sleep together.
Genji has Cushing's disease and is a bit more independent and she is also alpha dog. Both cockers love people and especially my granddaughter, Gabi. Gabi, loves and respects them all but considers Duchess as her very own dog. She has grown up with Ryker by her side and she learned from us how to respect all animals.
Both of my cockers are deaf. Duchess is blind in one eye and has allergies with skin and ear problems. Genji has Cushing's disease, joint problems and skin disorders. And, Ryker has a long list of health issues ....But - they are our puppies and we love them so much. I can't imagine not having them in my life. Every time someone stops to pet one of them, I try to get the message out that older dogs are wonderful family members.
In closing, I want thank Kathi A for being such a good foster mother and going out of her way to help me acquire the sweetest girls in the world. I also want Kathi and OBGCR to know that you can call on me if you need help with anything.
Thank you and best wishes
Helen C.
Springfield, VA