Fergus Chocolate Labrador Retriever, 5 Years Old

August 31, 2018

Fergus got to go to the barn today to meet my horse Irish. He was great with the horses. All the slobber on the floor is from my horse.

August 25, 2018

I got to go to the doggy pool party today. I scored myself so food off the buffet FM just wasn’t fast enough to get to me. I kept faking her out by going between the trash can and the table with a pit stop in the pool.

August 23, 2018

I have had all my vet checks this week and I am cleared to find my new family. The cardiologist recommended that I stay on my medication and have yearly follow ups, but was happy with my heart function.

August 20, 2018

Fergus and FB “Q” went to the vet today. Fergus needed a follow up to have his urine check and is now 90 lbs. His urine test came back clear. After the vet FM likes to take us to the ACE Hardware store for some socializing and treats. We got an extra amount of loving when the two junior ACE associates posed for pictures.

August 12, 2018

I had my first road trip today. I was totally up and ready for the adventure. We went to FD’s family picnic. I was a really good boy and everyone thought I was really good looking. The kids came over and gave me some loving.

August 11, 2018

My fill in FM and FD took me to a meet and greet today at Orvis in Haverford, PA. I am always up for an adventure a going to an outdoor store was a first for me. I wore my Adopt Me vest with pride and allowed everyone to pet me and give me belly rubs (my favorite thing next to food). It was great to meet some of the other Brookline dogs and volunteers as well. Thanks for a great day. Fergus

August 4, 2018

I was on vacation last week and spent the time with fill in FM and FD. I was upset that I didn’t have any dog friends with me so when I was left at home alone. I got out of my crate and binged on half my weeks worth of dog food complete with my heart medication. I had to go to the vet so they could make me vomit up the food. The vet said I really didn’t want to let go of the food but I didn’t have a choice. I had a rough night with a belly ache from all the food. The next day I was feeling back to normal.  I got to go to the park for walks twice a day and sniff a new yard. I just loved meeting new people and dogs was well as working on learning to heal. The best part was when an 11 year girl came to stay and gave me belly rubs and hung out with me. I am back home with FM and enjoying quality time with my bone.

July 24, 2018

Fergus had his sutures removed today and is healing well. His eyes have some discharge so I asked for them to be looked at. It was recommended he take a 10 day course of Benadryl to see if it is allergy related. His eyes look fine and so do the eye lids. He has his follow up with the cardiologist and urine check in 4 weeks.

July 19, 2018

Life in a cone has not stopped Fergus from doing what needs to be done. LOL

July 17, 2018

The biopsy results from Fergus’ bladder surgery was a thickening of the bladder wall, most likely from past bladder infections. There wasn’t any current infection.  In one week suture removal and the cone of shame is over. He has been a model patient taking all his meds and eating and drinking even with the cone on.

July 10, 2018

I am home from the vet and still sleepy from all the medications. At least my cone has some cool purple plaid duct tape on it. Every Irish clan has their own tartan and I have adopted this as mine. FM said everything is better when it is purple. I am not sure about that for my private parts, but they are bruised from the surgery.  My plan is to sleep for now and think about that later.

I have to have cold compresses placed there to keep the swelling down.

July 9, 2018

Fergus had his bladder surgery today and is staying  overnight at the vet. Two more weeks until his sutures need to come out. In six weeks he will need his urine tested. The bladder stones were not retrievable so the make up of them can not be determined. He also had an inguinal hernia that was repaired during surgery. He will also need a follow up with the cardiologist in about 6 weeks to evaluate the effects of the medication on his heart contractions. He is currently 87 lbs of chocolate.

July 6, 2018

Waiting for dad to come back with the pizza

July 1, 2018

Fergus strikes again. We where over at camp McGee for a swim and birthday party. While I was in the pool with Bear everyone else was sitting around the table talking. One by one people started coming in the pool. Shortly after the coast was clear Fergus got up on the table and eat the whole birthday pound cake before I could get out of the pool to stop him. I moved everything else to the cooler and put a tote bag and a chair in front of it. He did try to open the cooler but we were all keeping an eye on him and kept him from opening it. I am sure he could have done it.

June 30, 2018

Well Fergus can open the toaster oven. He waits until you walk away for a minute and he goes to work. He didn’t burn himself. The pan was on top of the oven since I was using the rack and I herd it hit the floor and I got there before he got my lunch. He did try two more times later in the day so I put the toaster oven in a closet. He is going to need a family that can stay one step ahead of him and be willing to make changes to their routine. Once he learns something it is over.

June 27, 2018

June 24, 2018

Fergus is going to need bladder surgery to correct is bladder wall. The defect happened as a new born when the connection between mom and puppy did not close correctly. The vet feels the surgery will prevent future stones and bladder infections. He is scheduled for 7/9. He will need a follow up urine test to check the Ph and look for crystals. He also needs a follow up with the cardiologist in two months.  We also had a second escape when a house guest left the door open too long and he just walked out with my dogs. He just walked to the neighbors’ yard peeing on bushes until I caught up to him. He really isn’t a bolter but an opportunistic wander

June 18, 2018

Turns out I have a few tricks up my paws that FM didn’t find out about until recently. While she was in the basement I got up on the counter and knocked the dog treat jar over and all us dogs pigged out on the contents. I have also displayed my talent for opening kitchen cabinets to get to the trash can. What I didn’t know was that compared to FM former dog Dakota I am a novice. She has already adjusted things so I can’t get into them. So for my next trick I tried swimming. I wasn’t bad but really just enjoyed standing on the step to cool off.

June 14, 2018

I like my bath so much that anytime FM goes near the shower I get in no matter which bathroom she goes in and why.

June 12, 2018

We had out of town guest and let me just say I was the perfect host. I made sure that everyone had a chance to pet me walk me around in the yard. I supervised all meals by laying on the floor and going around the table for petting after everyone was done eating. I am tall enough to rest my head on the table. I got the cookie jar off the counter and my foster bothers and I eat the whole thing. Now FM has to keep an eye on me so I don’t get anything else off the counter. I have my consult scheduled with the vet to talk about removing my bladder stones next week.

June 7, 2018

Fergus is feeling better and that means his personality is starting to show. He is starting to chew on a bone which is the first he has been interested in any toy.

He has been responding to his name and gets all happy when we come into the room and talk to him. He has tried some playing with my dogs but they are more intense than he wants to deal with so he gives up. He is now on heart medication for his slow contracting heart. He has more vet visits to check for the underlying cause of the heart issue. Once the inner workings of Fergus are figured out he will need to have his bladder stones removed.

June 3, 2018

Today FM and I went to a meet and greet. Let me say, I am a master at the meet and greet. At one point there just wasn’t enough chocolate to go around. I had a circle of people asking about me and petting me, I could have my own reality show called FERGUS. One Brookline volunteer gave me so many cookies I was in heaven. Oh, did I mention my appetite is back and now I am 89 lbs. I still have some more vet visits to do before I am ready for my new home, but things are looking up for me.

June 1, 2018

May 30, 2018

Today was the big day to see the vet to get my abdominal ultrasound. Turns out I have some bladder stones after all. But now I also have a shaved belly. I just started getting my fur to grow back on the top of my back now I have to get it growing on my belly too. Well the news is a mixed bag since I now have to see a cardiologist to have my heart checked out before they can treat my bladder stones. I was a great patient while I waited to hear the results of the ultrasound just relaxing on the floor. Once we were done I got to go for another car ride which I am always up for.

My nose is doing better and here is a close up.

May 25, 2018

My nose is still running but my eyes are not dripping anymore. I have had my second bath and was a really good boy for getting my toe nail cut. I went to the vet to see why there is blood in my urine. So far they are unsure what is causing the problem, so more tests are in my future. It is a good thing I am in foster care so I get all the help I need to get back in shape. Today, we had our first female visitor and I really liked her, so much so that I hung out under the kitchen table while she worked on the computer stuff for FD.

May 21, 2018

I have been at my foster home now for 6 days and I have been slowly relaxing into my new routine. Mostly I like to curl up and sleep on my bed. I do have a runny nose and eyes so I really just want to chill until I feel better. Since the resident dogs are just as happy to hang that is what we all do while FM works on her computer. There have been some visitors to the house all men and I have gone up to all of them for sniffing and petting. When they walk away I do try to follow them for more attention. I am learning to answer to my name and already know how to sit. I walk pretty well on a flat collar but will pull if I want to so see something. I am 85lbs so I you need to be aware when you walk me. Mostly I just like to walk slow and sniff the ground. Stay tuned for more of the Fergus Files.

May 19, 2018

Fergus got his fist bath today. His skin and coat are dry and irritated so he will be getting more medicated shampoo baths in the future. He was very good for the whole thing. Of course I think he really enjoyed the full body massage that came along with the bath more than anything. Now he is chilling out in his doggy spa robe.

May 17, 2018

Fergus is a 5 year old chocolate Labrador Retriever that has just been brought into foster care. He was found as a stray and taken into the Brandywine Valley SPCA. Living on the streets was hard on Fergus. He is currently being treated for a respiratory infection and tapeworm. He is not interested in eating which just goes to show how under the weather he feels. He is a very easy going dog. He likes to approach things at his own speed. His introduction to my three male labs was the easiest one I have ever had. He really didn’t show much interest in them and my dogs were like ok check you later.