Shadow and Sadie Update -- UPDATED, 7-4-14

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

UPDATED 7-4-14 -- Kathy and Rick remain totally in love with Shadow and Sadie.  Since my last update Shadow had to have a lump removed from his eye.  I had this checked out at the Vet here before he left and he said it was a Meibomian Gland Adenoma and that it wasn't anything that we needed to worry about unless it grew or started bothering him.  Well, a few weeks ago it grew, apparently overnight.  It was very large and very nasty looking.  They rushed him to the Vet and they made arrangements for Surgery on that Monday.  After the surgery the Vet called Kathy and told her it was much more involved and difficult surgery than she anticipated and that it looked very suspicious so she wanted to be sure to take enough to get as much as absolutely possible in the event it was malignant but also to save the eye.  Long story short, it was a very long, difficult week for Kathy and Rick, but the all clear came on Saturday and everyone celebrated once again.  Shadow did not like the cone, so they spent a lot of time just sitting with him and trying to distract him during 10 days with stitches.  So, finally after several cancelled SPA appointments because of both of their surgeries, this week they finally got to go in for their summer cuts.  So, for now everything and everyone is doing great.  We hope to get up there to see them sometime soon.  Here are some updated pictures.

His eye following surgery

Poor exhausted big boy after his SPA day!

The Princess before her haircut!

The Princess after her spa day!

ORIGINAL POST:

If you recall, Shadow and Sadie were the brother and sister pair that belonged to my neighbors and lived outside, that were recently placed through the DRC.  It has been approximately 5 months since they went to their new home in Columbus.  I speak all the time with their new Aunt Kathy.  Their new Dad has been really sick and most of the care of them has been handled by Kathy.  I now know that they are a family that was just meant to be.  They have been such a comfort for Rick during his healing and Kathy who has been staying at Ricks house for a last few months is just head over heels in love with them.  In the beginning they slept at the back door and they felt they were supposed to be outside.  Now Sadie sleeps with Rick and Shadow usually sleeps in the living room with Kathy.  Shadow is Kathy's boy.  Kathy recently lost over 140 lbs so she sort of relates to Shadows weight issues so they have sort of bonded.  She also felt bad that Shadow just sort of let Sadie rule the roost and have all the attention so she has really brought Shadow out of the background and he now demands his attention time as well.  He is also a toy hoarder and takes all the new toys that come into the house for himself.

The transition has not been without its issues, but I have never seen a more determined family to make sure they can make it work for everyone.  It started with a new fence because Miss Sadie quickly figured out the escape routes from the old fence.  Then there were many tests trying to figure out if there was something related to Shadows weight issues.  Which nothing has been found.  He has also had some diarrhea issues that have not been too pretty, but so far they haven't figured out what is causing that.  We knew that Sadie had a couple of seizures prior to her adoption but sort of thought it was heart worm related.  It has since been determined that it isn't.  She had a couple of really bad ones and the Vet now has her on medication for them.  She has only had one small one since then that wasn't nearly on the scale of the first two.  The thought of her having those out in the back yard alone was just about more than Aunt Kathy (or I) could bear.  She is doing much better and is an attention demanding little girl.  Her coat is absolutely gorgeous.  It is so long right now and they manage to keep her mat free.  Kathy did trim her head and got it a little short, but she looks adorable all the same.  The latest news is they found a very large lump on her rear leg that appeared  seemingly overnight.  The vet removed it last Friday and because it was very hard and very large he wanted to be sure he got clear edges just in case so her had a very large incision.  Then the wait began for the results.  Kathy said she could tell by the Vet's voice on Friday that he was nervous.  However, yesterday the all clear call came and everyone celebrated last night with some new toys. Of course Shadow was hoarding them by the end of the evening.  Shadow is very attached to Sadie and he had a hard time when she was gone at the Vet's.  Rick had to give him lots of extra attention that day.  Shadow also hates being locked in a room when Rick has to leave so he gets the run of the house and does fine.  Sadie has to stay in the Dog room because she tends to chew things up.  Shadow will normally just lay outside of Sadie's door while Rick is gone.  

Rick and Kathy are both just ordinary people living in little small houses.  Kathy still works and Rick is on a disability.  Even with all of the expenses that they have incurred by the illness of both dogs, plus all of the initial expenses with the fence and getting beds and toys and grooming etc., Kathy still asked me for the address to send a year end donation to the DRC.  They are so grateful that they were selected for these dogs.  She reminds me all the time how excited they were to be chosen as their new home.  

I had some doubts initially about how this was going to work out with Shadow being so huge, and there being two of them, but I can honestly say that I have never seen a more devoted family.  It is always so cute because they weren't really familiar with "doodles", they just fell in love with Shadow and Sadie and their story.  So, she is always e-mailing me about these cute little things that they do and I always have to tell her yep, that's a doodle thing!  

Here are the latest pics I've received.  Kathy got a new phone for Christmas so she could send me pictures.  

Shadow hoarding the new toys

Sadies incision from surgery last friday

Sadies gorgeous coat

[Robin and Libby Louise]

Such a wonderfuil story.  Thank you Sheri for the update!  I am so happy that all the health issues seem to be under control, including Rick's!  It sounds like true love all around!  What could be better?

[Miss Ellie]

Thanks for the update...praying that Sadie's health issues are all behind her now...Kathy & Rick sound like just amazing people...I am so happy for everyone...gorgeous dogs:)

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Thanks for the update, Sheri.  God bless Rick and Kathy. I hope the health issues are behind them and wish them all a long happy time together. It sure sounds like there's so much love there :)

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Wonderful, thanks for the update. What a wonderful family!

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

What a wonderful story Sheri!  How nice to know they fell into "Doodle love" and the Doodles are getting the life they deserve!  Poor Sadie, but I'm glad the outcome was good.  Sadie is one beautiful Doodle and I love the picture with Shadow hugging his or "their" toys!  Thanks for updating us!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Thanks for updating us on this heartwarming story. Kudos to Kathy and Rick.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I still consider Sadie and Shadow's placement in this loving home a small miracle, and one that renews my faith in people, lol. Thank you for this update, Sheri, and for all you have done to give S & S the kind of life that every dog deserves. 

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Thanks so much for the update! Love hearing their very happy ending. Please convey our heartfelt thanks to Rick and Kathy, and wishing them both healthy days ahead!

[Sue & Lily Grace]

A wonderful family. Prayers for them all.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

So glad to hear this wonderful update.  These doodles have found a caring forever home! 

[Jill, Woody & Maxi]

Thank you so much for the update..and I am glad to hear everyones health issues are under control..I wish nothing but the best for  Kathy, Rick, Sadie and Shadow

[Bonnie and Kona]

This is such a happy story! Thank you so much for sharing the update. I'm thrilled that these two special doodles found a super special family to love them.