Spanky

By Mary Lou Force
Southern California Dachshund Rescue

Spanky at the West Valley Shelter - 4/01/2002

On the morning of April 2, 2002, I went to the West Valley Shelter to see about a black and tan smooth male dachshund that had supposedly been turned in by his owners to be euthanized, no reason given. Dena had heard through the “dachsie grapevine” that the dog was down (paralyzed), but the shelter staff said he wasn't, and when I met him he was racing down the hall, pursued by one of the staff members. So much for being paralyzed. I bailed him out and went to the vet to pick him up after his neuter the next day. Imagine my horror when the vet tech walked him out to me, where he immediately went down and had to be carried to my car. We drove directly to my vet, as I already had another little old "train wreck" dachshund in my car. I left Spanky in the capable hands of Valley Veterinary Clinic in the Simi Valley to be ministered to. The vet called the next morning and said that 3 hours after giving Spanky a shot of steroids, he was on his feet. So I went back and brought him home.

This time, I KNEW I was going to be stuck with BOTH these little old guys. I asked myself if I'd done the right thing by rescuing them, if we were squandering resources that could have been better invested in younger, healthier dogs. But Spanky was such a charmer. He was handsome, polite, kind, gentle and relentlessly happy. He loved to snuggle, gave wonderful kisses, ate like a champ (a big plus at my house) and managed to totter around on his poor little crippled legs well enough to use the dog door and be house-trained. And there was something about him that was utterly irresistible.

Weeks went by. Spanky remained status quo and I resigned myself to keeping him until the end of his days. Since he was only eight years old, that might turn out to be a considerable time. But I loved him and felt he was entirely worthy of our time, money and energy. My best friend kept insisting that Spanky was going to go to a wonderful home, she just knew it, but I wrote that off to wishful thinking. And then one day Dena e-mailed me. She had received this truly incredible application from a lady named Janis who was looking for a mature companion for her dachsie-girl, Sophie Toes.

From Dena:

So on June 29th, I arranged to have Spanky introduced to his ladylove, Sophie Toes, the Princess of Lakewood. I wish I could say it was love at first sight, but alas, that was not the case. Sophie did not wish to share her mama or want this ruffian taking liberties with her. Janis was thrilled. She thought Spanky was quite a stud. And so Spanky was adopted on the spot and was given a title of royalty and respect. He would forever by called Sir Studly Spanky. Janis has a keen sense of humor and shares the adventures of Sophie Toes and Sir Studly Spanky with us on a regular basis.

From Janis:

After losing my beloved Oscar to liver cancer, Sophie and I knew that somehow we wanted to fill the void with another dachsie in our life. I wanted to adopt a dachsie rather than purchasing one through a breeder because Oscar had been a rescue and was such a wonderful companion to us. I looked through the Internet for Dachsie Rescues and left my name with one of the Southern California Rescue Groups.

Dena called me and talked to me at length about Spanky and said that she would have Mary Lou call me, because Mary Lou was fostering him. After talking to Mary Lou, it was decided that we would meet Spanky on June 29th to see how the three of us got along. Sophie Toes is very particular about sharing her home with someone and this had to be an ideal match for me to consider adopting Spanky.

Spanky arrived with Mary Lou in tow, and lo-and-behold, Sophie kind of gave the boy “the eye”. He relaxed on the sofa next to me and Sophie and I knew this was the match! Spanky was on steroids and aspirin to help him with his back and he was obviously determined to be all dog one-way or the other.

I took Spanky to my vet for a check up and from there headed south to All Care in Fountain Valley for further consultation. It was determined that Spanky would most likely not survive any type of surgery to correct the back problems due to the extremely high enzyme count in his liver. After much soul searching and web searching, I joined some groups who had dachsies with varying degrees of back problems. We took Spanky off of the steroids; nerve racking to say the least as I knew he would be down by the time I came home from work, but he wasn’t! We began therapy on him using a kiddie pool and treats to encourage him to work his hind legs. Sophie, of course, was on the sidelines rooting him on. We started taking walks through the neighborhood in the afternoons and slowly but surely, he began to gain strength in his hind legs. We changed his diet to one of more protein and veggies (this little guy will eat anything by the way!) Everyday is filled with something new…something heart warming or funny, you name it, he has struck my heart with every emotion.

On our last visit to All Care, his liver was within four times the normal range…pretty impressive for a liver that was 400 times the normal range just a short three weeks ago! The even more awesome news is that they have decided surgery is not needed at this time even if he could survive it! I tell you, Spanky has the will and heart to overcome any and everything. I would love to say the romance is continuing with Spanky and Sophie but alas, the honeymoon is over and they quarrel and spar like any other two NORMAL dachsies…. And that says it all. You see, Spanky is not a “Special Needs” dog, he is a “Special Breed” dog, and he just keeps getting better everyday! Of course, I drive both Dena and Mary Lou nuts with emails everyday on his progress just like any proud Momma would …ahem…

The further adventures of Sir Studly Spanky – from Janis:

Well, as you are aware, I had concerns about getting another dachsie who would be willing to get along with Sophie Toes, the original Princess of all princesses. Spanky played the game like a pro. He began by acting very submissive around her and then wormed his way into her heart and mine and everyone else he comes into contact with. He is such a clown and his hind legs are growing stronger everyday!

He does, however; use his so-called disability to his advantage, as in, “I can't go down the back porch steps to do my business, but I can sure jaunt back up those buggers to get in the house and do it” ....ahem. When we were in Carmel, he acquired the "Carmeltite" strut magnificently, trotting along the beach with head to the ground and tail high but decided "Grandpa" should carry him up the beach to the car... hmmmm, Sophie and I didn't get away with that--we had to walk.

He sleeps in bed with Sophie and me and still hates the alarm clock going off at some un-dogly hour. He does his "swim in the bathtub" like a true water dog to strengthen his legs (I haven't had the heart to tell him the life jacket he wears is what keeps that long back of his afloat. He thinks it's a fancy coat).

Sophie and Spanky have truly recaptured their youth. It's a crying shame that they are aging me by the millisecond with their antics. I wouldn't part with him for a million dollars (OK, so Sophie might give him up for a ton of Beggan Strips, but I can see that she is pretty attached to the dashing fellow). It's obvious to all of us that he is a part of the family and here to stay.

From Sir Studly Spanky:

Dear Auntie Mary Lou:

You’d better come get me... I can be packed in 2 days. And I can forward my address to Ralph's so my chicken gets to where I am.

Remember how upset I told you Mommy was when I rolled in the Eau de PooPoo? I remember it very well, so being the smart little lean, mean weenie-dog machine, studly that I am; I didn't roll in the Eau de PooPoo. I ate it! To be honest; it wasn't that yummy, but I figured a boy has to be a boy. I did the mouth test before Mommy got home. and I was sure I could pass it. So when she picked me up for the "I'm Home Hug" -- being the appreciative guy that I am -- I gave her a big ole lick right on the kisser. Don't worry, when she fainted, I barely heard her hit the floor (of course Sophie and I were running for cover--after all, Mommy is lots bigger than we are....) ..We edged over to her and I thought maybe she needed mouth to mouth---YIKES!! She said words that I had to look up. And they were the FOUR letter words Auntie Mary Lou!! She scooped me up and hauled my dirty mouth straight to the OMG---TOOTHBRUSH--how humiliating to say the very least. Now she just looks at me and shakes her head.... What can I do to make it up to her or should I just wait on the porch for you to come get me?? I am very TRAUMATIZED by her behavior; I may never be the same.... Sniff, sniff....is that chicken cooking? Maybe I'm not so traumatized after all... Pick me up AFTER dinner.

From Janis 9/15/2004:

Spankers crossed the Rainbow Bridge on September 15, 2004.  He showed great courage and gentle heart in his two years with me.  Spankers not only proved them wrong when he walked again and never once went down after that.  His gentle heart kept him going with a grade 5 heart murmur and battling Cushing's disease.  Never once in all his time did he ever utter a growl or bare a tooth.  He was a gentle soul with a great compassion and he will be dearly missed.

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