Tag Archives: Zoe

We may have none right now until we opt into COBRA or another plan. Zoe, on the other hand, needs a full physical exam and rabies shot so that she can remain in quarantine in case we need to move overseas. One day after the deadline and she would need to be quarantined another six months so Zoe gets what we need and also a nasty jugular blood draw sent to a State lab, no matter what our situation or budget. Zoe’s been DEFRA-eligible for 11 years (eligible for EU countries), and we’re not about to change things now.

The US only recognizes a three-year rabies vaccine and the EU one year so I must have our Zoe vaccinated for rabies for three years every year in order to qualify for DEFRA, what has been the most stringent policy for dogs overseas.

She just turned 12, 84 in “people” years, and I do not want to send her overseas. She recently passed all her blood tests with and “A” but I think anything but a long car trip would be too much. She does love riding in the car. Has her harness for hard roads, a 4″ orthopaedic bed and food and bowls and blankets.

She’s having more trouble getting up to our bed. I know the routine. Happy, excited and chasing a ball, this distance. Normal, a run and jump. Tired, a longer run and jump (strategically placed rubber mats as runners in bedroom and bathroom rug) and really tired and old, now, is a whine and Dee gets up and does the Otis elevator to the top, even in the middle of the night. That little whine happens a lot now. She loves her pack and chooses her place. She is such a loving and demanding companion.

We’ve noticed that she needs more “oomph” to get up and her back legs trail while her front legs get her up where she wants to be. She has no hips, so we just want to know what to do at age twelve to keep her fit and agile. She is on a great diet and I do give her hip supplements even though she grew her own with cartilage. Our bed is high and she can no longer get up on her own. She can get down because her front end is very strong and she can walk and run, just not get up to our bed.

Whatever happens to us, we’re certain that Zoe will be OK. We don’t have kids so she’s our gal and my husband spoils her shamelessly. Let’s hope her next exam goes well. Also, much more important, that we all have a good day. Hug your spouse and dog! Be there for your pack, family, kids, everyone. Dee

ps Don’t forget the cat.

I just ran into a guy with two Llhasas that I had the opportunity to take care of recently.  Very interesting dogs.  My version of Alpha/Beta does not coincide with the owners!  But I’m just the neighbor who takes them out and feeds them,

Zoe ran and said “hello” to Rick.  He said that when he sees Zoe, which is Greek for “life,” all he can think of is “smile.”  That’s our sweet girl in a nutshell.  The happiest critter I’ve ever seen.  When she was relinquished with her litter at the shelter at five weeks, she was full of fleas (flea bath) and had a nasty case of coccidia and hookworm that we took care of three days later.

Since then she’s had both hips removed as a pup (at six and nine months) and has recovered nicely, able to get up to the counter for steak and stove for croissants.  We love our little shelter girl. She’s sleeping right now, making sure neither of us go out the front door. Yes, a herder.  ‘night now.  Dee

Apparently it’s been done, and the mitochondrial DNA produces dogs with slight variations on their cloner’s characteristics and demeanors.

In a fantasy world I would love Zoe’s sunny personality to persist into the future, not her obstinate nature or severe hip dysplasia. But if science perfected the dog, where would be the individuality and what makes us love them and them love us?

While I know nearly every facet of Zoe’s mind, she amazes me every day. As she’ll turn five years old this month, I can guarantee she doesn’t know this of me. She is surprising, enthusiastic, loving and very happy, and we call her the “Hipless Wonder” among other names, including “Runty Mutt” and “Noodlehead.”

Zoe should never be cloned, not because of her physical deformity or mentally stubborn characteristics but because she is an individual and should be respected as such. No, she doesn’t wear clothes, only her own fur coat. She is treated well, goes out often and gets the best of food (frozen raw food and organic chicken broth).

While she is the apple of our eyes, another family might not be the right “fit” for everyone. We love our dog dearly and wouldn’t want any dog to go through two hip surgeries where her original hips were removed and she had to grow her own. She can now run fast and corner like crazy through trees and leave bigger dogs at a loss.

She is a challenging mutt that herds and is very determined to get her way. Cloning? No way. Now the cloners would say she’s not perfect. I’d have to say that Zoe is perfect … for us.

Zoe grew out of her jingle bell collar so it was given away. I will not make her pose for a photo for you or make her wear reindeer antlers. So all I can say is enjoy this season, with family and friends. Cook a few healthy things but make them taste good. I’ll be around and probably writing about this and that, and you can catch up as one of your New Years’ resolutions. Cheers! Dee