Before Houdini became Hoodie, Kerry found him painfully thin and wandering near railroad tracks. She brought him to the vet and spent months helping him regain his strength before contacting California GSP Rescue to help find him a home. Kerry’s kindness gave this gentle senior a chance to meet the people who would adore him for the rest of his life. We were heartbroken to learn of his passing, and we are grateful to Sharon and Michael for sharing these memories of their sweet boy.
“Hoodie was noticeably underweight, seemingly almost in a trance at times and had some difficulty walking normally. We brought him home on a weekend, and it was as if he immediately knew he belonged here. The first two nights we got him to sleep in the bedroom on his bed, but from then on, he decided to spend his nights in the TV room on his other bed where we left a door and walk-thru screen open for him 24/7 and had the yard light on for him all night. He was not able to get up on a regular bed or sofa or even into the car without being lifted.
He was never able to stand very long - had to keep moving or he would "collapse." But he followed me everywhere in the house, and when he needed to "drop down" on his pillow, I almost always dropped down right beside him...I actually spent hours every day just lying beside him - hugging and loving him. He was deaf, but I would lift each ear and speak directly into it, telling him loudly how much I loved him, what a wonderful boy he was and how lucky we were to have him in our family.
He eventually gained 12 lbs. and a beautiful shiny coat. He was the most picky eater though of all the dogs we've had over the years (11)! He would eat scrambled and hard boiled eggs, Trader Joe's plain yogurt, cheese, steamed carrots, green beans and peas and carrots. Unlike our other dogs, he would not touch fresh baked salmon, blueberries, strawberries, watermelon, bananas or peanut butter! But he did appreciate any of Blue's canned dog food added to his dry food for most meals - he was fed 3 meals a day for easier digestion.
In the entire time he was our boy, he never uttered a sound - even when I accidentally stepped on a paw when he silently came up behind me. But his joy was evident when he saw me first thing early every morning for his walk. That long tail started whipping back and forth.
As his mobility decreased noticeably after about 6 months, we took him to Dr. K for x-rays and were devastated to learn that he had severe disc disease with the only recommendation being to continue with pain meds we'd been giving him for some time. And when his struggle to get up became obviously so painful for him, and I could no longer lift him up so many times each day, Dr. Jaime from Tender Paws came to give him the rest he deserved.
So...not a "mercy mission" after all, but a way-too-short time with our sweet, love-able Hoodie. Your Mommy will love you forever, Hoodie.
We cannot thank Greg and all the selfless volunteers at the CAGSP Rescue enough for everything they do for each and every dog needing a place of safety and special care until each one is matched to the perfect adopter. I cannot stress strongly enough the many ways bringing a senior dog into your life can be fulfilling”.
We're very grateful to Kerry for stopping to help out with Hoodie and for reaching out to California GSP Rescue for assistance. We're also very grateful to Sharon and Michael for welcoming him into their family. The time they spent lying beside him, the meals they made to his liking, and the care they showed as walking became more difficult all demonstrate how much he was loved. It was such a short time, and we share their sadness, but we also feel a great deal of warmth knowing they were able to give Hoodie time he may never have had otherwise. Many thanks for giving him a home where his needs mattered and he always had someone with him.
