Willie!
shot in the left hind limb. He was a very sweet dog, and we couldn't bear the thought of putting him to sleep. His fracture would have required a specialist to repair the leg, so we amputated his back leg. He has been with us ever since. Except for a 6-day stint in the desert. Willie went on walkabout. He escaped from an adoptive owner, and we searched for him in the vicinity where he was lost. On several occasions, he was seen crossing Pecos into the reservation. We thought he was lost forever, but on the 6th morning, Willie showed up at Dr. Beyer's back door, and was anxious to be with people again! Willie (a.k.a. Wilbur, Wilson, and Chiklet) can be seen at the clinic with us most days. He has issues with anxiety, and doesn't do very well when left alone. He's getting better, but still comes to the office much of the time. The best part of his day is going to work and checking for kitties! It seems as though Wilson will be a long-time resident (much to the dismay of Dr. B's two cats!), so feel free to visit him any time. He is sometimes shy with men and teenagers, but bring him a cat to admire, and you'll be his best friend forever! He is very strange about treats - he'll often try something once, but then never again. He does seem to consistently like jerky-type treats. And you will be his buddy forever if you happen to have a Kong stuffed with liverwurst! |
| Willie - looking adorable as always! |
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| Willie likes to chill in the creek - this was taken at Kelley's mom's house. |
| Julie Mae (Dr. Beyer's 5-year old niece) meets Willie in his crate, and then climbs in for a hug! Willie reaches over and kisses her little hand! |
| Willie's friends at home (if you can call it that). He loves to chase them. They love to run away, and if they can get a hiss or a swat in, it's even better! Chai-kitty is on the left. Penelope is on the right. Chai is a shoe girl! |
| He went to visit Dr. Kelly Moffat, veterinary behaviorist at VCA Mesa Animal Hospital. He is working on his separation anxiety issues as well as basic training. Willie is working on learning independence (so that someday, he can be left alone without risking a panic attack and destructive behaviors). He can now stay alone for over two hours - probably longer, though we haven't tested it! He is also working on his shyness. If you want to say hi to Willie in the office, just ask the staff, but we want to avoid increasing his fear level, so we usually ask that you wait until he approaches you. And if he doesn't, please don't be offended! He's still in training, and it can take months. He really is a very sweet boy, once he overcomes his fear. Willie has also been going for some good runs - he loves to run, and is surprisingly fast! He bounds over bushes and looks for birds, lizards & bunnies to chase. He has been doing very well for off-leash runs in the desert! He loves to pounce on things, in true terrier fashion. He also got a DNA test done to determine his breed. Mostly it was indeterminate, but he does have some miniature schnauzer in him, which we thought all along! While he still doesn't know how to play, he has been getting more dog-like every day. |
| Willie hates the bath, but he gets bathed rather often, as he's stinky otherwise! He stands quite stoically for the bath itself, and then has a good old time rolling on the towel, drying off afterwards! |
