New Family Member!

[Ryderd65]

I've been doing a little volunteer work at the Arizona Animal Welfare League, and am really enjoying this organization. They offer animal education classes to elementary kids, behavior classes, training classes, a Teen program, have a thrift store, and have a lot more to offer. I encourage anyone interested to check out their website at http://aawl.org. The AAWL is AZ's oldest no-kill shelter, and have had a surge of donations and adoptions over the last 3 weeks! They are planning on doing another 30 dog roundup over the next 4 days- taking the dogs from the Humane Society and other shelters that euthanize. Not bad considering our weak economy.

Today Sierra and I decided it was time to add to our little family. We considered 2 other dogs, but neither one socialized well with our Corgis, who want to play a lot. But this little guy won our hearts with his sweet disposition and adorable DEEP voice and howl!
Making his forum debut is our Pomeranian-mix, formerly known as Ferrari, but now simply named

Charlie :)


He jumped into the truck when we left the shelter and was so excited to go for a ride!
He's a sweetie- he loves to snuggle, and his favorite place besides my lap is the top of the recliner, perched like a cat.

Now he's worn out from his adventurous day. (Sorry the photos aren't better- I took them on my phone). He has a slight ear infection so he gets drops at night for another week. I think he's having allergies too- he rubs his eyes a lot, scratches his back a lot, and has been sneezing all day. (Yes, he was immunized for bordatella, rabies and parvo). He's rubbed his eyes until he looks like a raccoon. I might give him some Benedryl tonight if he keeps sneezing, otherwise I'll wait for the vet.

We love our new little boy!

[lovesfortune]

Well if he isn't just the cutest!! How adorable. And I like the name Charlie...doesn't look like a Ferrari to me.

[WashingtonBay]

Monster! :)

[Cat]

He's so cute!

[JackieB]

Awww, look at little Charlie! Welcome, Charlie.

[Gypsy Rose]

Welcome to the forum family, little Charlie! He's so cute!

[shewasmyshadow]

Awwww...what a cute little guy!! Good choice. :D

[oursarge]

He's adorable, I am glad he has a good home for Christmas! I wish they could all be so lucky. Hugs the new little boy!

[Ryderd65]

Thanks for the compliments all- he'd say thank you himself, but he's on his back snoring right now :)

Anyone have a Pom? He's our first one and I only know the stereotype- but he is really mellow and has a low voice. He's not much of a barker so far either- he just let us know when there was a car outside and settled down quickly.

[cowgirlup@idaho]

He is a cutie! But I hate to be the barer of bad news, your boy looks like he has mange! That is what is around his eyes and why he itches so much. Get him to the vet asap. Sometimes mange can be difficult to get rid of and it is catching since it is mites in the skin. I hope I'm wrong. :(

[Ryderd65]

I am making a vet appointment for him, so I'll know soon enough. I googled mange, and although he does itch a lot, he doesn't seem to have the other symptoms.

His skin isn't red, he doesn't smell foul (does smell like he needs a bath) and his skin isn't thickened or raised at all. I'm hoping its allergies- they tend to be bad here in the valley. Itchy boy woke up for a while, ran around and played, and is now snoozing again.

I think the little guy is worn out- he's been homeless, immunized for everything, neutered, had 2 teeth pulled,and kept in a concrete kennel and now a home all in 11 days. His immune system is probably weak.

I'll post as soon as I know what the diagnosis is.

[shelsnsaus]

Mange usually starts on the ears and/or feet first. Not always but usually, can start on the face, but around the eyes and no where else? His eyes look swollen and irritated, thats probably why they look a bit wet and hairless, from him rubbing. Combined with the minor ear infection, maybe a food allergy? Anyway, until you get to the vet you could try some artificial tears, see if it makes him a bit more comfortable until you can get some meds, at the very least it should cool his eyes for a bit. Plain old artificial tears, nothing for red eye etc.

[shelsnsaus]

BTW he is adorable. A friend of mine has a pomeranian mix as well named Bear. They look a good bit alike, very cute.

[Steelhorserider]

He is quite the cutie....wishing you lots of luck with him.

[Ryderd65]

We just got back from the vet. Charlie has allergies, but we're not sure what they're from yet. He also has poor dental health, swollen throat glands and a sore throat. Dr S gave him an antibiotic and cortisone IM and we start him on an antihistamine tomorrow.

She said to give it a week to see if the allergies subside. She's thinking his immune system is compromised right now and once he's healthy again we'll have a better idea of what we're dealing with. I'm relieved it's not mange or anything worse. She said his heart and lungs sound good, and guesses he's between 3-5 years.

He is such a happy little guy even though his energy is low. And he loves carpet so much he could do a commercial :) He snuggled all night with us, so he's definitely part of the family!

Thanks to everyone that posted for your warm thoughts and wishes. We'll keep you updated on his progess and adventures as they happen.

[Remali]

Awww is he ever adorable!! I love Poms.....! Mouse has a Pom....

[mouse]

yes, yes I do! I rescued him 15+ years ago. That's right, he'll be 16 pretty soon. He's been the best dog!
http://catnipmouse.net/fritz.html (http://catnipmouse.net/images/dogs/fritz3.jpg)
http://www.catnipmouse.net/images/dogs/fritz3tn.jpg

(http://catnipmouse.net/images/dogs/fritz3tn.jpg)

[JetLagaside]

awww what a cutie!

[LittleRedMare]

Oh gosh, how sweet!

[ownedby7horses]

Congrats on the new family member! He's sure cute!
Glad that it's not mange.

[Gliderider]

Aww he is cute. I had a Pom for 15 years. She was the best little dog and very smart. Her name was Megan.