[Daas]

Hi all,
Rusty recently had his annual check up and his shots. His general health is good and both rear knees are holding up well. His stomach seems almost back to normal now having cut out bones and pork ears as he tried to hoover them up rather than chewing them.
He still loves his walk and still parks his 35kg butt on your lap until he’s brought for one. As a ploy it works well apart from the loss of feeling in my legs
He’s doing way better than 12/18 months ago thankfully. Will update again soon.
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[Daas]

Forgot to say his second knee op a success…
Some recent photos of him…
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[Daas]

Hi,
Apologies for not posting for so long. Rusty is doing really well again. He had been suffering from an upset tummy for a number of months despite repeated visits to his vet and a thorough exam in UCD (he was poorly until morning of trip to UCD when he staged a miraculous recovery). No ongoing symptoms were found and he seems fine as I write this. I cut out pork ears and bones for the big guy as he hovered them up as opposed to chewing them and I suspect he may have been nicked by a shard or two of bone.
We ironed out some recall issues when he was off the lead, due mainly to his friendly, fun loving nature.
He remains a very loving and well loved dog, has a great temperament and enjoys his walks and cuddles.
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[Daas]

Hi,
Sorry it’s taken so long to post, have been really busy with family stuff and taking care of Rusty.
Originally mixed news regarding the big fella. Further x-rays revealed extensive damage to both hind knees, good as not as invasive as hip surgery (though still major trauma), bad as hip replacement permanent, knee op gives him approx 3/4 years of good health before knees degrade again.
Rusty had his first op on his left knee in April and after extensive rehab is much brighter and happier in himself. Recently back to full walks, he even runs again off the lead which is huge progress for him.
It’s like having a bouncy puppy again.
Rusty will have second op in early July and after rehab should have a full, happy life for a few years. He will be well minded and spoilt rotten as he deserves it. Still not the most obedient fella but a very loving dog and i’ll take that all day long.

[Daas]

Hi,
A quick update on Rusty. Was back at the vet yesterday and the news was bad. His condition has deteriorated badly since it came to light last Aug. Rusty is in a lot of discomfort and pain now and needs a double hip replacement (one this year, one next) or the OTHER option. Has been given stronger painkillers to help with the discomfort. The poor guy came home yesterday and hasn’t moved from his bed, the ordeal of being lifted in and out of the car has taken it’s toll. Sad to him like this as he has only just turned three but i need to take stock and do what’s best for him.
Regards…

[Daas]

Hi,
Thanks to Twist and Dogsrule for the replies, sorry i’m only reading them now, haven’t been on for a while. Advice heeded and taken on board.
Rusty is still able to get his walks, just shorter ones. As a younger dog (i got him aged 8 mths) he did get a fair bit of exercise but mainly in fields and hill walking with me. This week hasn’t been kind to him, he was an appt with the vet tomorrow as his back legs going from underneath him and he seems in a lot of pain, he’s groaning alot and off his food again.
He is currently being rested and pampered and even though he’s sore he is enjoying the attention. He is taking Loxicom and ArthriAid Omega daily and we’ll wait and see what the vet says tomorrow, will update again soon.

[Daas]

Hi,
Quick update on Rusty as i haven’t updated for a while. He’s still a big friendly lump of a thing with not a bad bone in his body.
In August he was diagnosed with hip dysplasia, common enough in big dogs i guess but was shocked as he is not 3 yet (feb 2013). He is on a supplement and painkillers to ease his discomfort. His walks have been curtailed which he isn’t happy with as he loved being in the fields off his lead but it’ll benefit him in the end. Although he isn’t overweight he needs to lose a few kilos to ease the load on his hips, easier said than done with 2 kids that dote on him but his unoffical snacks have to go.
He is and will continue to be well cared for as he has brought great joy to my family. Thankfully he was insured which covers most of the cost of his care. He is in good spirits but can feel sorry for himself sometimes, only to be expected i guess.
Will update again soon…
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[Daas]

Hi all, a quick update on Rusty. The big guy is doing fine, has recently turned two and has matured into a handsome loving dog ( completely unbiased opinion ). Gets on with most dogs and people and just wants to play though his size does people off until they spend a few minutes with him. He’s just a bigfriendly giant
He idolises my children and vice versa and cries at their bedroom doors if they go out until they come back. He loves his walks and enjoys being off the lead in the fields behind our house.
Although not the best trained dog in the world ( he does have all his basic commands, he just forgets when another dog wants to play) he is one of the most loving and there is very little i’d want to change about him.
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[Daas]

Hi Martina and Jimmy, hope the holiday went really well for you both.
Rusty as you can see is all grown up now, a big handsome fella. Will be in touch early in the New Year and will try get him over soon so you can see for yourself just how big he is now. Regards…

[Daas]

Hi just to update you all on Rusty. He’s doing fine, is eating well and his general health and weight is good.
He was at the vet on Monday for his shots and to have an ear infection treated, it’s clearing up nicely now.
We recently decided to get some company for the big guy from DID but it didn’t work out. Rusty has it good here and is well minded and loved and he just didn’t want to share his forever home with anyone else, can’t fault him for that. The other dog has been rehomed and is very happy there so it ended well for all concerned.
Rusty is growing up fast although still some puppy in there too, he enjoys his playtime with my children and adores his walks everyday. He is a big affectionate guy with not a bad bone in his body. People are stand-offish due to his size but a more loving guy you couldn’t meet. Children don’t seem to mind him though and he gets lots of hugs when we pick up my children from school and Rusty enjoys all the fuss.
So, all in all, a great guy, in good health and progressing just fine. Is loved by my family and returns it in equal measure.
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[Daas]

Hi, just an update and some pics on Rusty. He’s nice and settled here, seems he was always here. He’s such a gentle (tho clumsy) guy and wouldn’t hurt a fly. He is still a good grubber and very social around other people and dogs. He is much better on the lead now and enjoys a good run off it in some fields nearby most days. My two kids have him spoilt rotten tho in a good way. They are actively helping with some training as i pointed out that they were confusung him, he has some more basic commands now.
Rusty saw Jimmy and Martina (his fosterers) not too long ago and will drop over again soon. Again would just like to thank them both for all they did for the big guy.
Rusty is a very intelligent, loving boy who’s growing up fast. Personality wise can’t be faulted, he still wants to hug everyone he meets tho they’re not too keen until they get to know him . I still get people who cross the road (even with their dogs) when he approaches due to his size, little do they know he’s a sweetheart.
Sorry it took so long to post this, will get some outdoor pics soon.
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[Daas]

Hi everyone, I’m Rustys new dad (though I don’t get a look-in). Sorry it took so long to post this but have been helping my sister move home. I know it’s really late but if i don’t post this now don’t know when I’ll get the chance.

Firstly I just wish to express my heartfelt thanks to Jimmy & Martina (and Kas of course) for taking care of Rusty. He is a very loving dog and that can only be down to the care and love you both provided for him.

At this moment Rusty (no name change as thats what he knows) is curled up in my daughters bedroom in his bed, both fast asleep. He was missing his fosterers and Kas initially and didn’t really know what to make of myself and my son at first.

After Jimmy and Martina left we took him for a long walk to get him used to the smells of Kill (Kildare). He did fret the first nite but settled in bed beside me in the end.

Has settled more and more into the home, is a very clever and loving boy and LOVES his food ( he’s like a food hoover) and his walks. Has had a bark at the dogs on either side of us just to introduce himself too

Rusty is very, very protective of both my kids to the extent that he gives me a little bark when I check to ensure my kids are ok at night which the kids love as they feel very secure with him. Only thing I can fault him on is he jumps up to my little lad for hugs and makes him a tad nervous, but is only a minor thing which we’re working on.

So, all in all, a smashing boy, very loving and playful and a credit to his fosterers. Needs more time to adjust to us and vice versa but only here since Wednesday so will take a week or two more.

Many thanks also to the volunteers at DID for the work you do on behalf of all the doggies and for giving my family the pleasure of providing Rusty with his forever home, will upload photos in a few days…

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