I rescued Bear in the nick of time, and got him home to Killeen. Ryan was visiting his Dad in Ft.Worth and wouldn't be home until Saturday, so I scheduled Bear's vet appointment for the next morning. I told their office that he seemed very sick, and was horribly under weight (a skeleton), that he needed a full lab work up, and grooming too, because he was covered in ticks.
I stopped at Petco to buy an easily digestible dog food, and a concentrated calorie paste for him. He needed to gain some weight quickly without having to eat large amounts of food. When I fed him that night he barely nibbled his food, and kept laying down every few minutes. I was very worried about him. He was only a year and a half old, and an Australian Shepherd, he should have been very energetic, and excited about his new home. Instead, he was lethargic.
I got him to the vet the next morning, and the whole staff was waiting for him. They weighed him, and sure enough he needed to gain 20 pounds, they took lab samples, and started working on them immediately. My vet checked him carefully and didn't like what he saw, and agreed Bear was sick. He did confirm that Bear is an Australian Shepherd, just the biggest one he had ever seen! I discussed neutering him on the following Monday, because I wanted Bear to meet Ryan over the weekend, without stitches and he agreed. The groomer came in, and Bear greeted her like she was an old friend, standing up and giving her what we have come to call a "Bear hug", laying his big head on her chest. She went ahead and took him back to the kennels (I explained to them that he was traumatized and NOT to put him next to any other dogs), and we waited for his test results.
The vet came back into the examining room with a serious look on his face, and my heart sank. He said we had a very sick dog on our hands, and he explained that Bear had contracted a serious blood infection carried by ticks. He likened it to Lyme disease, and it would take a couple of months on a specific antibiotic to cure, if not longer. Then he said his weight loss was also being caused by a huge infestation of large round worms. I gulped, and hung my head, because I wasn't sure if Bear was going to be ok. He assured me, that no matter how long it took, he would keep re-testing him for the dog Lyme disease and keep medicating him until it was gone. I felt like we were in good hands. I said a prayer to St.Francis for Bear, and left him for the afternoon. When I picked him up and he was so happy to see me I realized he must have thought he had been taken from one kennel, only to be left at another! I gave him a big hug, and said "Let's go home Bear." and he was at the vet door instantly. He slept quietly at the foot of my bed that night, and I was looking forward to his first meeting with Ryan.
I told Ryan about Bear over the phone, while he was on his way, and he was very excited. He couldn't "baweave it"! lol I decided to have Ryan come in the house to meet Bear for the first time, instead of on a leash outside figuring it would be quieter, and Ryan's Dad could wait outside. I still wasn't sure what type of man Bear had acted aggressively towards at the shelter, but I needed to be careful. Bear had met my oldest son Daniel, joyfully with his typical "Bear hug", and hadn't growled at him once in 2 days, but Ryan's Dad is very tall (think linebacker) and large.
I had Bear by his harness when Ryan came in, and when he saw Ryan he started wagging his whole body. He was so happy to see him! Ryan dropped to his knees in front of Bear and petted him. He said"Oh Mommy, he's so soft!" Bear didn't to jump up on Ryan, but he lay his big head up against Ryan's chest and looked up into Ryan's eyes. They both smiled, and my eyes filled with tears. It was the moment of truth. The one when IT happened; they could see each other eye to eye with Bear sitting, and Ryan had made eye contact, and felt a connection! He petted him for a moment, and almost in slow motion, Bear rolled over onto his side and then onto his back to expose his belly for Ryan to scratch. I told Ryan he wants you to scratch his stomach, and Ryan asked "Why?" So I told him, "Because he is telling you, you're his master, and he trust you so much, he's giving you his softest place to rub." Ryan scratched Bear's stomach for a few seconds, looked up at me and asked, "Can I show him to Daddy?" I said ok.
I held onto Bear's leash as Miguel walked in, and when Bear didn't growl I let him go. Bear was wagging his nub, so Miguel petted him, to Bear's delight. When Miguel stood back up, Bear indeed climbed his body as high as he could go, and hugged Miguel. He looked at Bear and said "You're a good dog Bear." I've known Miguel a long time, and ALL dogs love Miguel! If Bear had growled at him, or acted aggressive I would've been worried about his stability, but he passed with flying colors! I breathed a big sight of relief! Bear was everything I had sensed about him...kind, sensitive, submissive, and smart. We had the right dog. Especially when it was time for Miguel to kiss Ryan goodbye. Instead of the usual sadness, crying, and begging, when his Dad had to leave, Ryan kissed him goodbye, turned around, and walked away with Bear's lead in his hand. Wow. Amazing!
After months of medications, Bear finally got a clan bill of health, he was neutered, and he settled into his job of watching and interacting with Ryan from their first day together. Today, they are never far from each other. Either Bear is laying close to him, joyfully running after him as they play "tag" in the house, or playing fetch the ball, or chase outside. We all know when his bus is coming, because Bear starts pacing, even before any of us hear it. He runs outside, jumps, and smiles, and wags his nub when the bus pulls up. He never, ever jumps on Ryan, but his excitement makes him smile big dog grins as he runs beside Ryan as they both bound up the stairs together. Ryan always gives me a quick "Hi Mom!", a hug, and then they go running through the house, happy, and playing the many games they've invented. (Bear remembers each game, and the rules effortlessly, so Ryan doesn't get frustrated.) He rarely gets mad at Bear, and I can count on one hand the times I've had to take Ryan aside for doing something mean to Bear, but once I explain how it makes Bear feel, he never does it again. They have become a team, an amazing event for a child that wanted to be left alone all the time!
We are truly blessed to have Bear! Ryan has learned to transition better than ever, to share his space, and be considerate of another's feelings. Thank you God, St.Francis, and the many angels (including Gail Forrest), for making this story a happy, and successful one. We couldn't have done it without you!
For now dear friends, peace be with you all, and I pray that each of you find that special something that sparks that "connection" in each of your children too. (hugs)
Beth
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