Baby Cakes
This precious girl was returned by her owners to animal services. They stated that she had a seizure, and their veterinarian said she had some type of neuroligical condition. Baby is only about two years old. But she did present with difficutly walking, eating, and with delayed pupil response.
Due to the extreme expense of MRI scans, we could only look at Baby's eyes to attempt to evaluate whether or not her condition was possibly stroke related. The initial exam revealed that it is possible Baby suffered a stroke. While we cannot be certain what may have caused it, we suspect the stroke may have been trauma induced.
Baby was put on meds and we have been working with her for over a month now. She has improved. Her walking is better, and she is much more responsive to commands. She is also more inquisitive and likes to go outside and investigate her surroundings more. We are working on not going potty in the house by taking her outside every 3 - 4 hours and encouraging her to go outside. 
Baby does not like to have other dogs too close to her. If dogs crowd around her, she gets nervous and nippy. It is difficult to tell if that is an old behavior issue, or due to feeling crowded, and her discomfort as she is aware that she is not as agile as other dogs. We are very hopeful that this loving girl will improve a bit more, and that we will find a loving home for her where she will be loved and cared for the rest of her life. We will continue to post updates on Baby Cakes.
BABY UPDATE
Baby is doing well. She is eating much better, and also does better walking and standing. When we come home, Baby will run circles in excitement and jump up. She also barks when other dogs bark at noises which they do not recognize.
Baby continues to have issues with her vision. She clearly does not have proper depth perception and she seems to lack peripheral vision. This continues to make her snappy about other dogs in the vicinity. She can get quite worked up growling and snapping when numerous dogs crowd around her. However, she has never bitten any dog. I believe this is due in part to her inability to judge distances. But, it is quite possible she is mostly warning the dogs off, more than actually trying to hurt them. On a few occasions, when I have had to pick her up when she is in a stressed state, she has managed to turn around and get me on the arm. She has not even left a mark. I know she can bite hard, so I question whether or not she is actually trying to hurt during these events, as opposed to warn.
When Baby gets too stressed, I carry her into the bedroom and lay down with her in bed. She immediately calms down and will curl up next to me. I can pet her anywhere at that point. Roll her onto her back, rub her belly, rub her ears. She will not react with any aggression. Once she is in a calm, quiet environment, she calms down. The excess stimulation of having many dogs around her is sometimes too much. But, Baby does fine most of the time. She finds pillows and dog beds to lay on. Walks out onto the porch. When dogs come over to her, she will sniff at them. If they start to spend too much time around her, get in her face, or near her tail where she is very uncomfortable, she gives warning growls. Most of the time, the dogs walk off at that point and all is fine. She has even allowd the puppies to come up to her and pester her for a time, then when she has had enough, she growls, and occasionally has snapped toward them. They now know to leave her alone when she growls. She has never bitten the pups, or any dogs.
I believe that Baby Cakes would do well in a loving home with people who wanted to care for her as an only dog. Quiet, controlled environments are best for her. She is very loving with her people, and very trusting. Excitement causes her to react without thinking. This is not unusual in a case such as hers.
To inquire about adopting or sponsoring Baby or any of our Special Stories Dogs, please email
micandlego@gmail.com
PLEASE NOTE
To Adopt Any of Our Dogs
- You must first fill out an adoption application
- We are not a kennel. Some foster homes may have visitation for the dogs. For the most part, after your application is reviewed and approved, we will bring the dog to visit you
- In the case of long distance adoptions (further than 25 miles) we will bring the adoption paperwork with the dog on the day of the home visit. This arrangement can also be made for any adoption
- You will have to sign an adoption contract and pay the adoption fee before the dog can be left with you
Baby Cakes Update - February 26
Baby began to have trouble swallowing and eating after her prednisone dose was cut back. We increased the doage again, and she is doing better. She will go in for bloodwork in the summer and we will check her liver values at that time also, as she will have been on the steroids for some time. She continues to do well otherwise. She enjoys some of the puppies which are currently here and is more tolerant of them than the other adult dogs. She is very loving, and follows us everywhere. She gets very excited whenever we come back from going out. I take her in to the bedroom and make her take a nap in the afternoon, as she tends to stay awake more than most of the other dogs, and does not lay down to rest as much as the other dogs will.