Oisin at the Dog Show

Oisin went to his 3rd Dog Show Saturday.

"Smile for the Judge"

Who will be Best in Breed ?

Oh, the suspense.

At 7 months, Oisin wasn't really in the competition, but he seemed to be having a good time, and at this point that is all that is important. The psychotic poodles in the next van over scared him when we arrived at the show, but he got over that and did a good job of showing and enjoying all the attention.

Liam continues to do well in his recovery. He has started playing with the puppies again, but once across the yard chasing them is far enough.

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Liam - one week later

Liam, one week after coming home.


Thanks to the skillful hands of the surgeon, Laurent Guiot, DVM, and the attention paid by the veterinarians of the Michigan State University Teaching Hospital, Liam returned home 36 hours after his surgery. He was delighted to be home, but walked like a drunken sailor and had to go out every 2 hours - all night long. His ability to get himself up and going is always marginal and for the first 4 days he frequently required a little boost to get up (which is not easy with a 180 pound dog).

We gradually increased his exercise to the point that he is now going out in his paddock every morning and enjoying the scents and the grass. He is still not quite ready to romp with the puppies though.

He has the most marvelous line of staples that run from stem to stern, very much into heavy metal is our boy. He is scheduled to lose them on Friday, when the vet comes to visit.




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Liam

Liam, at 8 1/2 is not as active as he used to be. However, here with Oisin and Bidelia, he is willing to play...


... and give moral instruction about respecting your elders.


However, possibly related to the active play, possibly related to the phase of the moon, possibly related to ??? The next night, Friday, he was uncomfortable, and couldn't settle down for the night. He usually sleeps in the bedroom but he was restless enough that Bill took him into the living room.

He would have an hour of rest, and then become restless again. He had vomited the preceding afternoon, but that is not unusual, depending on what he eats that he shouldn't. By 4 am it was time and we trotted off to the emergency vet clinic at MSU with the suspicion of bloat. The emergency vet doubted bloat as he was not retching, but they don't all retch.

They did an x-ray of his stomach and found it to not be enlarged and apparently in the right position. But, his heart rate was 180, so something was wrong. Over the next 3 hours repeat x-rays did show his stomach swelling, so off to the operating room. By 10 am he was out of surgery with an incision that went from his sternum to his testicles and not a happy boy, but alive. The surgeon found that he was having torsion, but only (only !?) 90 degrees, that was periodically returning to the normal position, thus the unusual presentation of bloat.

The vet hospital does not have crates large enough for an IW, so he got the special bed. Here he is the next day, with 3 IVs running.

The staff at the emergency clinic loved him because he was so nice and well behaved.

On the evening of the 2nd day he came home, barely able to walk. Now, at day 6 he is doing MUCH better and even pooped. Those of you who have had surgery know how this pleases the surgeon - and us !

It is seldom dull around here.

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The St. Brigid's litter pups are 6 months old.

The pups of the St. Brigid's litter are 6 months old this weekend.

Seamus returns to spend the birthday weekend.

Oisin thinks he is just too cute, and he is right.

Oisin participated in his first dog show on his birthday.
He didn't fall down, run from the judge or bite him - a successful first show !
He also won Best male dog and Best Opposite Sex to Best of Breed.

Maitias thinks he is cute too, and he is.

Deborah with the pups' Grandsire, Liam, and Oisin

Bidelia making tracks with Oisin chasing her.

Bidelia leading Maitias and Oisin on a romp.

Oisin, taking a rest.

If you want to comment, please send an email to:
william {at} HoundsOfHeaven.com,
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