Tuesday, April 10, 2012

The Complete Package

Yesterday, we took Ray to the vet. Not that he had anything seriously wrong with him, it's just that every since his friends left, he's been off his food. I couldn't tell if it was because he went from international superstar to just plain ol' Ray overnight, or if Ray was pining for his new friends. I thought it was more likely that he'd gotten into something he shouldn't. Turns out the doc thinks he just had a case of indigestion. (I've fed him boiled chicken with rice for a couple meals and the indigestion seems to have magically disappeared - every speck of food was eaten with gusto - maybe he was just languishing over his friends...)
I bring this up because, while we were at the vet's, the vet tech, who LOVES Ray (and even gave me his card with phone number "If you ever need anyone to babysit Ray, just call me. I'll even take him for just a couple hours if you want."), walked us into the room, turned to us and said, "I have something to tell you." Usually you expect bad news when someone says that to you, but there was this look of excitement on his face.
This particular vet tech had asked me a few months ago if he could take a quick one minute video of Ray doing his 'tricks' for a class that he was taking (Ray can sit and flop and shake). So I had brought Ray to the vet, the video was shot, and I thought no more about it.
"I presented the paper I did about Ray at a conference," said the vet tech (I think he said the conference had something to do with rescues of dogs considered 'unadoptable;' blind dogs, dogs with missing limbs, etc.), "I included Ray's blog site and the youtube videos. Ever since then, rescues (of the unadoptables) are up 20%."
I've never seen 'glowing with pride' in person before, but he was doing it.
I'm not sure how 20% translates to numbers - did they have 10 adoptions before and now they have 12? - but it doesn't really matter. Ray has once again inspired someone (click here to see the story about Bess, Beverly and Blanche) to take home one of his own kind and that's all that matters.
My dog, an international superstar and do-gooder all in one package.
Ray contemplating his life
(actually he's just 'watching' the geese)

8 comments:

  1. You're too modest, Jean. The reason Ray can help is because you and Gregg were willing to take on an "unadoptable" dog and then invest your time and talent in creating a thoughtful commentary on your life with him. I was inspired to adopt Liam by Tonka's blog, with gratitude to AP for all her blind-dog guidance. I'm inspired every day by our "unadoptables" and the wonderful people who care for them - it's so nice that the rest of the world is catching on!

    Tina

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    1. (blush).
      Good for you adopting Liam. I've been watching the trials of AP with Tonka and my heart goes out to them both.
      Those of us with 'unadoptables' know there is no difference between them and other dogs, it's just that we are more surprised when they manage to get into things. That has to do more with our preconceived notions of what these dogs are capable of doing, which we find, to our amazement, is practically everything.

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  2. The great thing about animals is that they don't know they are different....they are just special ;-)

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  3. The boy done good. Again :)
    I certainly agree with the comments above
    Perhaps this contributed to the stats spike?

    Where can we see said paper & associated video?

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    1. I don't know if the paper and video are out in the general public. I'll ask him next time I see him. (It will probably be sooner rather than later, we found out today that our old lady, Moonie, has kidney disease).

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  4. Oh no I only just saw this about Moonie, the vet I may have mentioned to you before, Elizabeth M Hodgkins who developed the diabetes protocol I used with my cat Homer also talks about kidney disease in her book, it is manageable, although she does not agree with the protein restricted diet most vets recommend. I could ask Jez to scan the pages from her book and email to you if you are interested in having a look ?

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  5. Ah, good news and bad news hand-in-hand, that's the way life goes :( Sorry about Moonie, please keep us updated. On the other hand, who WOULDN'T want a Ray??

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  6. I am so glad Ray can help people understand that what some consider "unadoptable" and "Not good enough" is just a wonderful kind of different. Deaf, blind, less than 4 legs....just different. Arent we all a bit different than everyone else. I am so happy Ray gets to help showcase that he is just a different normal than some other dogs. Love them and they will love back. Hugs and more hugs to little Moonie. I hope your vet can be a great help to her.

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