Jackson Jambalaya

Rescued a Ruby Cavalier King Charles Spaniel from a pound in West Memphis a couple of months ago. Madison came from a puppy mill that voluntarily shut itself down and turned in all of its "inventory" to the pound. Said inventory consisted of Pekineses, Poodles, and Cavaliers. Drove up there and got her. She was very friendly and trusting, much too good for her previous owners. Madison had ear mites real bad and then a bout of ghiardia right after I got her (of course she developed those symptoms five minutes after five the day before Thanksgiving.). To top it off, her back knees were both malformed and hip muscles were very weak. She was incapable of climbing steps or jumping on the couch. Poor thing walked real funny, kind of a waddle, because of her knees. Two vets said they were malformed due to living in a cage her whole life. Her bones and joints sounded real fragile. Every time I grabbed her a certain way or pulled on her, her body sounded like someone stepping on twigs: snap, crackle, pop. And hygiene. She had no clue what it was like to be clean (She was cleaned up when I got her.). At first she would always hide her food instead of eating it. I learned later this is typical behavior from puppy mill dogs. Even her stomach still sagged from a recent litter. She was around six years old. They must've been cranking those litters out of her every chance they got. The shelter in West Memphis was run by the city. It was strapped on resources but the staff was friendly and took good care of the animals. They were literally doing the best they could. Madison couldn't have been any nicer. She was completely docile. Her idea of fun was sitting next to you while you watched tv or read a book.













Pictures taken by Gloria Scott.

Well, she fit right in at home. Got the mites cleared up, put her on some good dog food by Natural Balance. She got to walk around the house as she pleased and never saw a cage. She discovered she loves riding in cars and laying on pillows. After two months of normal exercise and decent dog food, the creaking has mainly disappeared. Last week she jumped up on the couch for the first time ever. Apparently just normal walking around a house and yard as well as the diet has strengthened her hip muscles somewhat. Hopefully there will be more progress in the upcoming months. She will not lick your face but will lick your hands to death if you let her. She went to her new home last week where she is spoiled by two little girls, one in particular who likes to read to her. She now has not one, not two, but three pillows at her new home bought for her. No word yet if she has gotten a trip to the spa yet. She is still figuring out how to be a dog but has made much progress.