Jeter's Story

Day 34
Before heading off to his new home in Jeter helped UTW rescue a bird in need of some assistance.  Always the trooper he was glad to lend his help to another animal in need.  The trip to his new home was definitely a sad one for us but Jeter was in good spirits.  When we reached the house I started crying in the car so we had to hang out a few minutes so I could pull it together.  His new family was thrilled to see him and he appeared to be very comfortable with them.  His new mom donated several soft and comfy blankets to Under the Wing and gave us an extra $20.00 for the cause.  When we left, Jeter was standing at a baby gate in his shirt wagging his tail.  We have since received an email from his new family telling us that while he is continuing to mark, everything else is going wonderfully.  They are thrilled to have him and I can't imagine a better place for him to be.  Jeter is shown preparing for his trip home and hanging out with one of his friends from PS

Day 33
Jeter had his follow up vet appointment and was very dramatic about getting his stitches out.  He struggled so much that he had to be held by TWO vet techs!  He is doing great but still needs to gain between 1 and 2 pounds.  Saying goodbye to the little guy is going to be VERY difficult. 

Day 32
Jeter spends spent much of the day saying goodbye to his friends at VGS.  He was able to visit several of his favorite friends and had lots of pictures taken.  He's shown above with a buddy from PS&C.  After work, we headed out to the dog park so that he could spend some time with his Yorkie friend Louis and visit some more with Martha, one of his most favorite people.  Jeter got a little annoyed with one dog that kept sniffing at him and gave him a nip.  It's nice to see him so feisty!  His big friend Baar was standing by in case Jeter got himself in over his head but everything turned out just fine.  Towards the end of the evening, Jeter got VERY chilly and relaxed in the arms of UTW member Beth shown here with husband Tony. 

Day 22 - 23
Jeter has decided that he wants to chew on rawhides just like his big foster brother Baar!  We caught Jeter on Baar's special blanket twice yesterday chewing on his rawhides.  Jeter was so engrossed that he didn't notice Baar returning and was startled.  Baar put his nose right up to Jeter and Jeter headed back to his house.  We put one of the rawhides Baar wasn't using in Jeter's house and he chewed on it for a quite a while.  I'm not sure if this is because the pressure feels good on his gums now that he has no hurting teeth or if he wants to do it because Baar does.  Regardless it is adorable and pictures will follow tomorrow.  Jeter has had a couple of great responses to his Petfinder listing and has identified a couple of favorites. 

Day 20-21
Whew - Jeter feels much better without that rotten tooth!  Although he is now toothless, he is eating a ton more food.  Jeter is now up to an entire can of food in one day (he used to take 3 to finish one off).  Plus he is munching down treats as often as he can get them.  Jeter had a lot of fun cruising around the backyard over the weekend but we had to keep things pretty low key as he is still recovering.  We are starting to see a little more of his personality shine through also.  He can be quite demanding and when he's decided he's had enough of being outside he'll go to the door and bark.  Jeter is also getting a tiny bit more independent.  We can now leave his site without him immediately barking and crying. 

Day 19
Jeter was not happy when I picked him up from the clinic on Friday.  He was not as happy to see me as I expected - I had the uncanny feeling that he was not pleased with me.  Jeter seemed sore from the surgery - whenever we'd go over a bump he stood up!  He seemed much more comfortable sitting on Joe's lap.  He slept a lot but ate fine.  Jeter is back on antibiotics, which he hates and tries very hard to avoid. 

Day 18
The Family Pet Clinic reports that Jeter is making a good recovery.  He's already eaten his breakfast this morning and had a nice bath.  Jeter is scheduled to come home this afternoon.    

Day 17 - B
Jeter made it through surgery fine.  Maureen at The Family Pet Clinic indicated that his operation went very well and that he is recovering comfortably.  Jeter will be able to come home tomorrow.  After we talk to the vet we should be able to begin sending out applications for adoption.      

Day 17 - A
Jeter is having his big boy surgery today!  At the moment it appears that all of his remaining teeth will be removed as well as his testicles.  His blood tests showed high levels of white blood cells and higher then normal levels in his kidneys and liver.  This is probably due to the infections because caused by his rotted teeth.  We opted to go ahead with the surgery but they will be using gas since it's easier on his system (gas is mainly processed by the lungs).  Updates will follow soon. 

Day 14
Several of Jeter's friends at VGS have mentioned that he seems tired.  He is!   After being isolated or so long and having no exercise all this activity takes a lot out of him.  His activities are planned so that he can become more socialized and begin to experience doing normal dog stuff again. 

Day 11-13
Jeter had a very busy weekend.  He visited the dog park and made lots of friends among them a very sweet little girl and a friendly pug.  Jeter is often a favorite among children at the dog park - so much so that we have to watch to make sure they are gentle enough and that he is able to get some exercise!  Jeter is making progress with his potty training but still has to be watched carefully. 

Day 9
Jeter spent his first day visiting with the consumers and staff of PS&C this afternoon.  He spent the afternoon meeting new friends and being shamelessly spoiled by everyone he came in contact with. 

Day 8
To celebrate the warmer weather, Jeter took a trip to the Tremont dog park with Baar and I.  On the way back they both decided to relax for a nice ride home.  Lakewood Dog Park is definitely a better fit for Jeter as he can hang out in the little dog area if things get to crazy with the big guys.  Jeter got very excited and ran the furthest he has thus far - all the way across the backyard to catch up with Baar.

Day 7
Jeter is shown here in his handsome winter coat enjoying a romp at the dog park.  He had a minor potty training victory yesterday when he peed in the house where he was supposed to.  The triumph was short lived though, he soon peed in an unsanctioned area.  Jeter enjoyed visiting at the dog park but it was chilly so we didn't stay too long. 

Day 6
Jeter has made the decision that he no longer wants to spend ANY time alone.  Last night at bed time he barked off and on for an entire 35 minutes before I brought him upstairs to sleep in my room.  Once his crate was in a place where he could see me he quieted down and went to sleep.  The kitties were not happy with his visit upstairs.  This separation anxiety is pretty normal for his situation and we will work on a some techniques to lengthen his ability to be alone.  This new found bond with humans is a very positive development. 

Day 5
Jeter got a new t-shirt for the spring when it's too cold for nothing and too warm for a coat.  He is becoming more affectionate - particularly after the initial being scared and flinching phase.  Last night he fell asleep while I was holding him and when he woke up he just looked around and fell back asleep.

Day 5
As Jeter recovers physically some of the other damage done over the past few years is becoming more evident.  Jeter has started to perk up and is much more active.  This has brought some ambivalence to the surface.  He will see us and very much want to get out of his crate to visit as shown in the first picture.  He'll start to dance around a little and wag his tale and continue moving forward as shown in pictures two and three.  But if we move toward him he will becoming frightened and head back into his crate.  He also has a tendency to flinch when people attempt to touch him.  .    

Day 4
Jeter was much more energetic then he has been and even barked a little today!  He has been standing up and wagging his tail at times when friends visit.  This is the first day he ate without having to be encouraged with spoon first.  He is also starting to leave some food on his plate.  Jeter's friend Martha noticed a brand on his ear which is shown above.

Day 3
Nice and toasty warm in a sweater, Jeter was ready to face a cold March day.  He has perked up a little bit and has moments when he's even happy to see his new human friends.  Still very shaky, Jeter doesn't appear used to walking and moves very slowly and isn't able to go very far.  The leash and harness are new to him.

Day 2
After a trip to the vet and the groomer Jeter is cleaned up and has medicine for his infection.  He has difficulty walking and moves quite slowly - likely caused from spending all his time in a carrier.  He is inhaling canned food and met his foster dog brother Baar, who he LOVES.  Jeter is starting to be comfortable with his new human friends.  Jeter is not housetrained and is marking quite a bit.   

Day 1
Jeter is badly matted, smells like urine, and has nails so long they have curled down.  He has spent the last three years in a small carrier.  His remaining teeth are so rotted they must be removed.  He doesn't seem to know his name.