Jojo

I am very pleased to introduce you to Jojo!  I hadn’t been planning on adding to the pack but Jojo was considered urgent and it felt “meant to be”.  ODH was contacted by a local shelter because Jojo was 16 years old, with lots of physical issues and not doing well.  They determined he was not adoptable and might need to be euthanized because of the lack of quality of life.  We decided this pup needed an ODH home and he deserved a last chapter filled with love and care – for however long that might be.

From what we were told, his owner had been hospitalized, and Jojo was alone in the house for 5 days before he was taken to the shelter.  Jojo was in dreadful condition: his right hind leg had been severely injured some weeks (months?) before and had a very infected wound that had not received vet care.  Because of this, he was not able to really use that leg and it was extremely painful.  Also, shelter records showed that he a severe ear infection and was extremely underweight.

Amazingly, when our transport coordinator put out the call for a long transport for the very next morning, Bob (an experienced transporter) volunteered!  I was so grateful as it was the day before Thanksgiving, and I didn’t want this pup to spend it in a kennel at the shelter – he’d been there for over 3 weeks already.

When Bob arrived with Jojo, he gave a glowing report about how good this pup was in the car for a long ride.  Also, the folks at the shelter were very taken with Jojo and several came up to say goodbye before he left!

As I picked Jojo up out of the car, I was struck by how underweight he was – backbone, ribs, shoulders –  all I felt was bones.  But he looked at me and I hope he knew he was home.

I can’t believe what a wonderful little fellow he is after all he’s been through.  Intros with his three new sisters went very smoothly with lots of sniffing, and then he explored the yard (I do intros outside in the fenced back yard so there’s more space and my current pups are less territorial).  Jojo seemed very pleased being outside and was able to go up and down the 2 steps to the yard – he was unsteady but didn’t hesitate.  I had been worried that he might be shut down emotionally after being alone in his house and then at the shelter while in pain.  However, whenever I walked up to him, he wagged his tail and very quickly joined the other three in following me everywhere in the house!

Once inside, Jojo did the usual pacing around and sniffing everything.  He checked out all the dog beds (and there are a lot) before he picked one and curled up.  He couldn’t keep his eyes open and took a lovely long nap.

After just 2 days, there has already been a delightful change in this boy.  Instead of wobbling as he makes the rounds in the yard, he runs sometimes and is much steadier going up and down a few steps.  A really fun time was when my daughter’s 2-year-old (energetic) standard poodle Oliver came to visit and as soon as Jojo saw him, he ran up to him and did a few play bows.  Oliver was so happy because my other three have made it clear they DO NOT play with the large fluffy youngster!  Jojo even played a game of chase – running after Oliver!

Now whenever I am on the sofa, Jojo comes to cuddle and nap right beside me.  He can even get on and off the sofa and is clearly part of the pack – and has a great appetite.

I am beyond grateful to Old Dog Haven for trusting me with this little fellow.  He is a great example of why we do what we do, and he really brightened my Thanksgiving!

Update:  After a year and a half, dear Jojo’s health declined so we had to say good-bye.  He was such a brave boy, and had some wonderful time relaxing and being a treasured member of my family.  He was kind to all and never complained.  When his body and mind failed him, it was time to let him move on.  He leaves a real hole in my heart and I’m so thankful he could spend his last time with me.  My sweet Jojo.