ABMC Malinois Rescue Blog

It’s been a rather crazy week here! With an impending home check for a possible placement for Lily I’ve been on pins and needles waiting for news. Then, on New Year’s Eve we attended a family get-together with Jack’s family. His brother’s mother-in-law began asking about why I rescue and I began telling her EXACTLY WHY we do it and of course Simon’s name came up. I went on to tell her what a great dog he is and how he (and rescuing) have impacted our lives. She then stated that she’s interested in another dog “tell me more about a malinois” she said so I gave her my best description. She then began telling me about the GSDs she’s had over the years and how she missed that type of dog. She asked if I had pictures of Simon (ha, how many albums would you like to see I asked her) and then I took her to the website. Well, after seeing him she sounded interested and asked me to send the site to her and not even a week later I get word that she’s sent in the application (I’ve already done the home visit myself- I’ve known this woman for 20 years and we’ve been to her house many times). So of the list of things I had on my list for the PERFECT home for Si Guy she hit a 10 on every aspect. Older person, dog savy, not weary of larger dogs, large house and yard to patrol, no kids 24/7 but interaction to keep him on his toes, a dog to keep him company. Did I tell you he will accompany her to work EVERYDAY!! What a wonderful end to a long story for such a wonderful boy. To those of you that asked me if I’ll be able to let him go and I replied “yes, sure….if I find the perfect home for him (never thinking that anything but here was going to be perfect enough) Well, I did it!! I’m so happy I could just…….. well, I better just go hug my dogs. If anyone asks if it’s worth it the answer is YES, momments like this make it all worth it!
Cher

Whoa! What a great get-well present. Today we went to see the gang at Dr. Abfall’s office. They took the poky things out of my leg and had me walk around a bit and checked to see that my toes aren’t getting damaged. It was great! I’m such a celebrity there and I get all of the hugs and stuff. My best Katana got to go with me this time and they didn’t even give her all the attention. They still thought I was the coolest! Then we got home and mom let me out in the yard. I haven’t been allowed out there for days. I was allowed to go all over the yard without the leash and I even got to run a little bit. THEN, the big brown truck came and brought a box. It was kinda like Christmas all over again. The box smelled really good but mom said that I had to share the bones and that the toys were for Gyver. Heck that little runt sure doesn’t need any more toys he’s got two baskets of them now. Well, she bought some more bees for the bee hive and a gingerbread house that looked kinda cool but then she pulled out a quail. Not any quail mind you but one that honks! I took it from her hands and she let me play with it!! I was allowed to chew it and throw it for myself and to just be silly for the first time in 10 days. It feels so good now. It must made mom happy too ’cause she said I could keep the quail in my basket and that Gyver has too many toys anyway (no, ya think?). You know what? I just realized I didn’t have to play the stupid where’s the treat game with mom today and I didn’t lay around with my Kong. I wonder where I put that thing anyway. I guess I won’t need it so much now that I’m allowed to move around a bit more! Thanks again for all the well wishes and I hope everyone’s new year is filled with as much love and as many friends as I’ve got now!
Hugs and kisses, Simon

Hi all! Simon had his follow-up today and they removed his stitches. He got the all-clear and is now allowed to use it minimally. No running up and down stairs and no off-lead out of the fences. I asked about jumping onto the freezer for cat food and the vet just laughed. He’s doing pretty well. He and Katana were playing crazy today and chased each other around the house for about 10 minutes. He still isn’t using that leg but now that he’s no longer restricted he will begin to use it. Everyone at the clinic was so pleased to see how well it looks and we’re all really happy that the arthritis should no longer be a problem for him. Looks like things are looking up for the old boy!

Hello everyone!
Simon has been resting well for the past four days. His velcro-like habits have increased and I am never more than a room away from him. He is beginning to go a bit stir crazy and is quite tired of being cooped up. He lays by the back door when I’m in the kitchen just waiting for someone to come in and set him free. The kids are a bit tired of the door staying locked but we can’t chance that he’d get out and chase a kitty across the yard. He is not using the leg at all and I’m a little discouraged as we’d hoped that he’d be at least setting his toes down to steady himself by this time. His pain level is managed with Rimadyl for now but that will change when we go back in this Friday for a check-up. He knows when it’s time for his next dose and sits by the counter to remind me that “it’s time”. Trying to keep him from going crazy has really paid off in the tricks area. He can now beg and roll over and he’s working on covering his eyes with a paw when I say “nite-nite”. I have spent about an hour a day hiding treats for him under toys, boxes, and blankets in a variation of the cup came. We’ve had to cut his daily rations in half due to the number of treats he’s getting in order to keep him quiet. His new Kong has gotten a thorough work out already! He absolutely adores the newest addition to the family. Our 8 week old terv, Guyver, loves uncle Simon, too. They mouth wrestle and Guyver will take off around the house with Simon waiting for him to return to ‘finish him off’. Katana also takes some time out of playing with Lily to entertain Si Guy. They mostly play tug of war with the rope tugs and that’s a few more minutes a day I’m not responsible for filling up with silly human games. Overall things are going well and I’m looking forward to him being able to get around on his own soon.
Hugs from Simon!

Just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone. Mom’s been singing ‘All I want for Christmas is my two front legs’ all day. Hahaha isn’t she funny. My two-legger brothers and sisters just roll their eyes when she gets their way. I roll on my back. That usually gets her to stop acting goofy and rub my belly. I’ve been sleeping on the bed all day and dad hasn’t even one time said ‘hey, what are you doing up there’? He loves to do that and watch me jump out of my skin. I always think I’m in trouble until he laughs and rubs my ears. Humans- sick senses of humor let me tell you! I was pretty happy to see mom this morning. I was kenneled next to a grumpy boxer for the past three days. I was glad to get out of there! I was surprised to see it was mom that came to get me. It seems there for awhile I kept meeting new faces everytime I was left. Nice people. But not my family. I feel like I’m in a family now. Thanks to everyone who helped me get here. There are too many to name. Everyone keeps saying how special I am but come on- what about all of you? You’re special, too. All the people that helped make this happen. It’s just too much to think about. I’ve slept all day except some time to eat and do those necessary things you should never do in the house. I would never miss a meal that’s for sure! I may not have time to get on here for a few days. You know, Santa Paws is making his trip tomorrow night so we’re busy here making ready! I helped mom wrap presents today. I saw a new Kong toy (my favorite). Suppose it’s for me? There were some balls and a couple boxes of treats. Mom said I’d have to share. I’m so excited! Well, mom’s putting everyone to bed so that means I better go find my spot right in the middle of dad’s side of the bed. He really loves trying to make me move before he lays down (and they say dogs don’t have a sense of humor). Hugs to all and to all a good night!

Simon

Hey Everyone!!
Simon is home. Everything looks really good. His leg is showing some
swelling and some unexpected bleeding but we’ve gotten that under
control. When I called back in to the vet they assured me that it’s due
to him using it and stressed the need to crate him. That could be
interesting~ he hasn’t been crated since his first night here and really
doesn’t like to be restricted. I set the x-pen up in the kitchen to
limit his movement somewhat. Jack is loving it!! I brought a terv puppy
home with me yesterday so I have a puppy crate and an x-pen in my
kitchen. Of course Jack doesn’t understand why we have two runs
downstairs that sit empty when we have these guys set up in the kitchen.
My reply was “because there’s a tree in the living room~duh”

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Stay Safe and Simon sends his love,

Cher

Hi all!

Simon’s been out of surgery for a few hours now. He did well.
There was alot more calcium build up and fused cartilage than they were
expecting so they weren’t able to get the placement they’d hoped for but
it should be better than it was. He’s going to be in alot of pain for
several weeks so it’ll be a long/slow recuperation for him. They’ve
decided to keep him overnight just to monitor his pain tomorrow and then
he’ll be able to come home. I’m sorry I didn’t get this out earlier~ it
was party day at school so it took me awhile to get my room cleaned up
to leave.

Talk to you all as soon as the big guy comes home.

Cheryl

Hello all,

Simon just had his pre-surgery bath and is sleeping on the bed with no
idea what is about to become of him. His stuff is packed. Food and treats
for when he wakes up, his new memory foam mattress pad is wrapped in
plastic and recovered in fleece. His favorite blankets (and an old t-shirt
that I’ve slept in for the past four nights so it’ll be covered in “mom’s
smell”). For some reason I can’t bear to think of walking out of that
clinic tomorrow night with an empty leash. I’ve dropped hundreds of dogs
off at many clinics for various treatments and surgeries but this one…
this dog… is different. And why is that? He is truly a special guy! How
many times has he gone through things alone and taken it in stride? How
many times has he waited for someone he loves to come back to him (trust
me, there have been many. I’ve not known a more loving dog)and how many
times for him has it not gone well? There’s nothing I can do to make him
know I’m coming back for him. There’s nothing I can do to let him know
that this time will be different for him. Oh my, getting to weepy. Just
pray for us and I’ll let you know as soon as I hear anything on Wednesday.
Cheryl

Thanks to everyone who’s worked so hard to make this happen for him. I
wish each of you could just place your hands on him one time and feel what
it is he has to offer. He deserves this!!!

P.S. Simon says while he’s recupperating he’ll have plenty of time to
write thank you letters to everyone so watch out for that post in the
coming days.