Barney Rushed to Emergency Veterinary Clinic

Last night Barney was bitten by a normally sweet golden retriever at his favorite dog park here in Encinitas. The dog wouldn't let go of Barney's drooping lower lip which made it a struggle to separate the two dogs. By the time we did there was blood on Barney and my coat. The retriever was untouched.

The dog's owner, who has known Barney for several months, insisted on meeting us at the emergency veterinary clinic so his wound could be examined.

We couldn't figure out at the time what provoked the incident. In hindsight, I think I know what happened.

Barney routinely breaks up dog fights in the park by physically inserting himself between rival dogs. He never barks or growls, he just breaks away from me, trots up to the pups, and either separates them with his head or walks between them. The fight is over. End of story. I have seen him do this many times when Lara backs herself into a corner by playing too aggressively, and also with strange dogs. He's a peacemaker.

Yesterday a smaller dog was chewing on the golden retriever's ear in play. I think Barney thought a fight was about to erupt. He broke away from me and trotted up to the two pups. I suspect the retriever felt overwhelmed by the two dogs, especially with Barney being so large, and reacted in self defense.

The retriever's owner and I decided to keep the pups apart till next week when she is going to invite her dog trainer to meet us in the park and show us how to reintroduce them. They have been buddies since August, so we're hoping things can return to normal.

A vet tech first examined Barney and said he had a puncture inside his mouth and a laceration on the outside. Dr. Hugh Elliott then took a look and said it wasn't serious and sent Barney home with antibiotics. He wants to look at him again in a week.

We got home in time to watch American Idol with Joey and Lucy-Bird, a ritual we have had since Joey was 9.

In fact, two years ago Joey and I went to L.A. to be in the American Idol audience. Joey sang "Amazing Grace" acapella at a pre-show bash hosted by first-season finalists Justin Guarini and Kimberly Caldwell. When he finished the song, Kimberly pointed to her forearm and told Joey to look at her goosebumps. Justin added, "You could win this whole competition, man!"

You can get a glimpse of what they meant when you see Joey on this video below. He has some competition from Lucy who we were coaxing to do her "Psycho Bird" routine:

New Year, New Lara - Fit & Fabulous!

Yesterday Mike & Michelle Dougherty, owners of the posh Windsong Resort for Pets ("Best of San Diego, 2008" San Diego Magazine) in Escondido, invited Lara for a celebratory beauty makeover for the New Year. We didn't hesitate to take them up on their offer.

When we arrived at 9:30 a.m., the lobby area was packed. That made it even more special to think they wanted to pamper Lara when they were so busy.

Jessica Lynch (left) is the resort's head groomer and assistant manager. She has taken a genuine interest in Lara's rehabilitation, and almost enjoys spoiling Lara as much as Lara enjoys being spoiled.

Jessica began by giving Lara a strawberry milk bath to moisturize her skin.

"Lara's coat was thick and strong," she said. "With losing weight and her thyroid being under control, her skin has healed and is great condition."

After the bath, Jessica treated Lara to a pedicure and furmination which removes the undercoat, a process she's undergone before.

"She didn't need it very much this time because she's so healthy," Jessica added.
















Mike, who's an AKC-licensed judge at competitions including the Westminster Dog Show, was visibly impressed with Lara's condition.

"Unlike 'The Biggest Loser' on television, you have a real success," he said. "Some people would throw up their arms and say, 'It's a lost cause -- it's going to be what it's going to be.' Lara's dropped one-third of her body weight. Her life has been prolonged by 3 to 5 years."

Mike also admired Lara's new face.

"Now her jowl line has definition," he said. "Her muzzle and cheeks are also well defined."

Mike noted that Lara finally looks like the young dog she really is, only 3 years old.

Lara left Windsong walking on air.


The next stop was the off-leash dog trail between Mountain Vista and Encinitas Blvd. to meet up with her friends and show off her new look.

It's funny, normally Lara's a complete tomboy at the park, body-slamming and head-butting other dogs -- especially Dylan, the golden retriever in the video below with whom she shares a special fondness. You'll note there was none of that. This was a demure, ladylike Lara who was confident in her new body -- and lovin' that sexy, pink bandana.


Click to watch Lara parade her new look before friends at the dog park.

Lara Exceeds Weight Loss Goal Today! 30 lbs.!

Team Lara, from left: Dr. John Harrison, Lara and Dr. Carmine Bausone celebrate Lara not only meeting, but exceeding her weight loss goal this afternoon. Since her first visit to the Acacia Animal Health Center on June 12, Lara has dropped from 102 lbs. to 72 lbs.


Julene is the first to give Lara a congratulatory hug.

Lara can't resist the opportunity to show off her stitches. Dr. Bausone was impressed with Dr. Haver's excellent handiwork.

After weighing in, Lara received another VOM treatment from Dr. Harrison which has been at the heart of her transformation from the sedentary life of a backyard breeder into the athlete she's become at the dog park. This was Lara's first session since being spayed 8 days ago. Dr. Harrison explained that post-op discomfort most likely caused her to put up her guard which, in turn, affected the way she walked and created problems with constipation.

"I concentrated on her lower lumbar and paraspinal muscles," he said. "She was tight on each side of the spine which would dovetail with symptomology of being constipated."

Dr. Harrison used a vibracussor and joint stimulator in and around the lumbar vertebral area which increased blood flow to the muscle, relaxing and mobilizing the area.

Let's not forget how Lara looked when we first met her at 102 lbs. six months ago.

I want to thank Dr. Carmine Bausone for generously agreeing to manage Lara's weight loss program last June. Integrating western veterinary medicine with acupuncture has given Lara an opportunity to make up for lost time by adding valuable years to her life. Dr. B and his staff at the Acacia Animal Health Center have treated Lara like gold, an experience that was completely new to her. She was so at home at the clinic today that she helped herself to a Christmas present under the tree before leaving!

I can't say enough good things about Dr. Harrison and veterinary orthopedic manipulation (VOM) which Lara will continue in the new year to ensure her health and vitality as we begin a new chapter of her life. I also want to thank Michelle & Mike Dougherty of the fabulous Windsong Pet Resort in Escondido for introducing Lara to the lifestyle of a diva with their luxury beauty makeovers. And wonderful Rebekah Peterman, holistic (pet) health practitioner from Sunnybrook Farm in Encinitas who spoiled Lara with aromatherapy, Reiki body work and dowsing.

Finally, I want to thank Alison Hardison, Pam Chandler, Carol Cote, Leslie Davies, Susan Healy, Keith Blackburn, Dr. Gary Haver and others who do heroic work on behalf of the animals at the Palomar Airport Shelter. If you have the space, please consider fostering. If you have the money, please consider donating to one of the fine rescue groups who work tirelessly to save dogs like Lara and Barney every day. Each of them deserves the same life of kindness and unconditional love that they so freely give to us.

Happy Holidays and all our love,

Lara, Barney & Lillian

Barney's Reunion with Dr. Haver

Barney had a joyous reunion with Dr. Gary Haver this morning when he arrived at Dr. Gee's office in Encinitas to be neutered. Dr. Haver was the attending veterinarian at the San Diego County shelter in Carlsbad when Barney, known then as Cujo, was surrendered last summer weighing only 105 lbs.

"It was great to see Barney again," Dr. Haver said. "Because I work general practice and shelter medicine, I have seen a lot of animals' transformations. I get great satisfaction in seeing the changes in the animal and the bond that develops with their new family.

"Back when I first met Barney, I was presented with a very thin dog in poor condition. So poor that humane euthanasia was contemplated. He seemed to be very compliant to a physical exam and I thought that because of this, the great staff at the San Diego's County Animal Shelter were willing to go the extra mile and devote their efforts to treating him.

"He obviously was neglected. Some of his problems were that he was weak, depressed, had severe skin and ear infections, and worst of all he had a maggot infestation. The maggots were so bad that the smell permeated the halls of the shelter for several days. An experienced shelter technician, unable to stomach the odor and mess from the larvae, had to excuse herself from the room while treatment for the maggots was instituted. There were so many maggots, that the following day the drains in the kennel where Barney spent the night had maggots crawling out of them. It was like a scene from a bad movie.

"Today I was blown away when I saw Barney. Not from his clean coat and ears, or by the near 15 pounds he gained; but by his outgoing and loving personality. He wanted to be with someone, anyone, at all times. He seems to be a happy, well-adjusted dog that is everybody's friend.

"I will always remember Barney; not just the image of maggots crawling out of his ears but seeing him weeks later resting his head on my leg soliciting me to pet him."

Freedom: Lara's Big Day

Yesterday at 8:15 a.m. I delivered Lara to Dr. Milton Gee's office in Encinitas for spay surgery which was performed by Dr. Gary Haver. Dr. Gee is one of many vets that offers discount spay and neutering surgery through a partnership with the San Diego County Department of Animal Services.

The procedure officially brought an end to any chance that Lara could be exploited as a breeder again.

"Lara was great. She was very friendly and high energy when she arrived," Dr. Haver said. "Her excitement for being in the company of people was contagious and it made everyone want to be with her. After an exam and review of her medical history she was given a 'preanesthesic injection.' She soon was in a much calmer state."

11: 16 a.m. Vet tech McKenzie Russell prepares Lara for surgery.

11:24 Dr. Haver begins surgery.

11:27 a.m.

11:43 a.m.

11:51 p.m. Finishing up.

"The routine surgery was completed without incident and she was soon back in her kennel recovering from anesthesia, though she still was in a calm state from the pain injection given intraoperatively," Dr. Haver said. "I want to see her back in 10-14 days to remove her sutures. I can tell already that she will not hold any grudges about the surgery and will be excited and happy to come in and be the center of attention once again."

5:15 p.m. Home, in the stairwell.

7:32 p.m., awake, but groggy, and still in the stairwell.

6:23 a.m. this morning.

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"Little does Lara know that her better life began yesterday," Dr. Haver said. "No more potential sex hormone induced problems in her future, she will never get ovarian or uterine cancer, and the threat of a life threatening uterine infection has been completely eliminated. And though she probably could be a great mother, I'm sure she put her maternal time in earlier in her life and will be happy to enjoy her life without concerning herself with puppies."

"Houston, We've Got A Problem"

We've had to deal with a bit of separation anxiety here at home this weekend. I've been busy figuring out how I'm going to keep Lara and Barney separated since discovering that she's in heat Friday night.

Neither dog had been fixed upon advice from their respective vets: Lara needed to lose weight first and Barney had to recover from anemia brought on by the maggot infestation. Both were scheduled for surgery Dec. 23 to be performed by Dr. Gary Haver at Dr. Milton Gee's office in Encinitas.

I met Dr. Haver last month while interviewing him on SNAP's Neuter Scooter for an article in The Coast News. We were surprised to discover that we both knew Barney: I was fostering him, and Dr. Haver had taken care of him when he was surrendered at the county shelter.

I remember Lisa Hamilton returning to her office at the Mission Animal Hospital Aug. 7 after assessing Barney at the shelter and reporting: ". . .they have done a super job at the shelter of getting him well on the way to recovery. Bless who ever spent hours shaving and pulling maggots from his wounds!"

That was Dr. Haver. He seemed very pleased to hear that Barney was doing well and vividly remembered that day.

Because of his history with Barney, it seemed only natural that Dr. Haver, who works at Dr. Gee's office on Wednesdays, would neuter him and, of course, Lara. After Friday night's revelation, I was eager to move surgery up from Dec. 23 to avoid any chance that Lara would become impregnated.

Although Dr. Haver's surgery schedule was full this Wednesday he graciously offered to squeeze Lara in. The only challenge now is keeping the two pups separated till then. Let's see, it's 6:10 p.m. on Sunday. 62 hours and counting. . .

You Go Girl! You're Almost There!

In the past month, Lara's weight has dropped from 77.1 to 76.2 lbs. Now it's not a matter of pounds, but ounces before achieving a goal weight of 75 lbs. -- and victory!

Last Sat., after her weigh-in at Acacia Animal Health Center, Lara and Ginger were all smiles. Hopefully, Lara will achieve her goal on the next visit scheduled for Dec. 19. Then she'll have the satisfaction of being at her ideal weight on Jan. 1 while others, bloated from the holidays, will just be getting around to making new year's resolutions.

When Dr. Harrison greeted Lara in the lobby for her VOM treatment, she sprung up on to a cushioned bench next to where he was standing. She looked like she was going to jump into his arms. Fortunately, she gave it a second thought. As he noted later, she is one limber, muscular little girl. She greets her male pals at the dog park by charging, then head banging them -- her tail wagging all the time. I saw her closing the gap while in pursuit of a young male great dane last week and remarked to a friend: "Look, she can keep up with him." He responded, "Lillian, he's trying to get away from her."

"Lara's all muscle," Dr. Harrison noted after treatment. "She has great muscle tone and definition in her shoulders going into her spine. Her legs are stronger and she's walking straight and more relaxed. Her paws are strong and defined. She's balanced. She sits in a comfortable position the way she's supposed to."

The activator (below) infuses mobility and motion into Lara's vertebra, lubricating the joints. This removes nerve interference that might have occurred from a muscle injury.


Dr. Harrison uses a vibracussor which sends calibrated pulses to tissue. This drains congestion and increases blood flow to enable the area to move easier.


As we left, our friend Carol Cote arrived with her older pup, Morgan, for their first appointment with Dr. Harrison. Carol is a rescue volunteer who saw Lara at the county shelter in Carlsbad back in June when she looked and felt like a beached whale. "I can't believe how Lara has changed," Carol said. "The transformation is unreal!"