by Dagmar Moseley
“Georgia,
the red & white Coonhound, just turned four & seems
to be our Humane Society mascot. She’s been in foster care
for three years & may stay on another
three."
This quote is from an adoption poster I made two years ago.
Indeed, Georgia is still around and I want you to know why
she will be with me permanently.
In July 2001 I took her to the vet because she had a lump on her
rear leg. The diagnosis was cancer. Georgia has a mast cell tumor
& its location makes it very difficult, if not impossible, to
remove completely. I educated myself about this cancer and took
Georgia to a specialist in Santa Rosa for a second opinion. After
much soul searching, I decided, together with our humane
society group, not to put her through surgery with an
uncertain outcome. Mast cell tumors can react very aggressively
when they're disturbed and complete removal isn’t possible.
My decision against surgery was also influenced by Georgia
herself. She is quite stressed by travel and does not take pain
well - both factors that would have made invasive treatment hard
for her.
She is doing just fine eight months after her diagnosis. She
still loves to eat, she still bays at the moon, and she loves her
daily walks with her buddies of many years. She’s not as
wild as she was a few years ago but that's to be expected from a
six year old dog. It seems Georgia is dealing with her fate very
well. Truth be told, I had a much harder time accepting
this turn of events. Georgia has been with me almost 6 years,
through many trials and tribulations, and part of me may
have always known that she would not leave here. She just isn't
your "normal" dog! But no matter how trying she can be,
I love her and I made the promise to her that I will be there
when the time comes.
And now the hound and I sign off, ‘cuz we gotta go check
on the coons, aroooo.........
 |
This white and red female Coonhound is 3 years old, spayed, and house-trained. She is leash-trained, civilized indoors and has had some obedience training. Georgia is a very social dog who thrives on company, human and canine. She loves to play and would not do well if left alone all day. If Georgia were placing a personals ad, it would specify a human companion who is: not shy about being in charge; reasonably athletic; experienced in the responsible care of dogs; appreciative of such a beautiful young animal; and possessed of a sense of humor. If you have considering getting a dog and fit this description, you would do well to consider Georgia. She's not a dog for everyone, but for the right one, she's a real Cajun queen. |