Tricolor Love

The following story comes from Roxy Gieroski, Dog Trainer and Companion Animal Specialist at Store 1809 in Elmira, N.Y. I met Dixie as an 8-week-old pup while visiting a person I know that breeds my beloved Collies. Looking down at a litter of six, there was no competition. She was the one. I wasn't there to get a puppy and knew that I'd be walking out without her that day. But instantly, I was drawn to that little tricolor puppy. I spent hours with her and cried when I had to leave. Only once before had I had an immediate bond with a dog like that. Piper, my very own tricolor female, had died on her first birthday, Christmas Day, only a couple of years earlier.   Four months later, I got the call. That same little puppy was back. And, she had a severe case of demodex mites. I didn't need a puppy. I already had two dogs and a cat at the time. We had just moved to another state and had a new house to move into. None of that mattered. By the weekend, she was home.  [caption id="attachment_487" align="alignleft" width="400" caption="Dixie when first adopted."][/caption] When I first saw her, I was shocked. She was in very bad shape. Her face was swollen, her head was bleeding and her eyes were oozing with infection. All over her tiny little body were bloody scabs. The smell nearly knocked me off my feet. We went from vet to vet, hoping that someone could treat her. She is ivermectin sensitive, which is common in Collies, and couldn't have the normal treatment. For months we worked to help her. Getting infections under control, preventing and curing hot spots and most importantly, killing mites took up nearly all of my time.    Finally, a miracle! I was once again trying a new vet and instead of the same old responses we had grown used to, she said "Here's what we're going to do..."  and the best part is – it worked.     Twelve weeks later, my dog was relaxed enough to pant for the first time. The worry melted away from her face and she looked at me and I knew right then that she finally felt good.  [caption id="attachment_488" align="alignright" width="400" caption="Dixie how she looks now, with her new friend."][/caption] Today, Dixie is a healthy, loving 2-year-old that never leaves my side. She's full of spirit and truly is the dog that was simply meant for me. There was never a doubt in my mind that pouring my heart, soul and pocketbook was worth it to save that one little Collie. Not long ago, I got another call. There was a 6-month-old tricolor Collie puppy with demodex mites. That night, I picked up my next foster puppy.