Cheryl's Brody Update - July 13

I just wanted to give everyone an update on Brody. Brody was neutered last month as the vet suggested that we get that operation done first. I'm not sure what Brody's opinion of the surgery was but he didn't have much time to think about it. After a week recovering, Brody went to "Camp Tilly" while his foster family went on vacation.

Brody got to play with a whole new set of dogs and kids. Tasha, another rescue Sam, left for her new home, right after Brody arrived. This left him with Angel, Cathi's Sammie girl, and Katie, the wanna-be Sam. Cathi's husband Bruce said something about the barking but maybe that was Brody's happiness at having a couple of admiring females as playmates. Ryan and Colleen, Cathi and Bruce's daughters, kept him busy while also caring for their Shelties and Border Collie.

At the end of two weeks, Brody came back to the Brabson's and caught up with Cutter and Jaz on their vacation stories. Paul got SFCF's official approval to proceed with the operation. Debbie jokingly said we had better give it or we were going to start paying for her shoes. Seems Brody has a taste for leather. She forgot to tell us if he prefers heels or flats.

Debbie has also been working on some obedience training with Brody. He can be pushy. The Brabson's think this is due to the fact that he was raised with two slightly older Samoyeds, Milla and Corbin. Brody probably had to act up to get attention and did not learn proper house manners early in life. But Debbie has taken on that task, hoping to use all of those skills she used while getting Jaz' CD. Good luck, Debbie.

So, with the financial help of SFCF and SamUrgency, Brody will soon receive his operation to correct the bowed leg. We are hoping that this will give him about 80% use of his leg and ensure that he will not be suffering from any pain with it. We want to thank everyone for their contributions which is making this happen.

The Brabson's Brody Update - July 24

I wanted to let everyone know that Brody had surgery to correct his leg yesterday (7/23). This morning I went to pick him up, and not a happier puppy have you seen. I expected to get back a worn out dog that I would have to carry to the car but instead got to chase behind the Brody express as he bee-lined it out of the office for the car. Needless to say he is doing fine and resting comfortably. I think the most painful part of this surgery will be keeping him quiet for 8 weeks while the bone heals. He will be going back to the vet on the 8/6 to have the stitches removed and then goes back in six weeks to have minor surgery to remove the pin.

Debbie and I would like to thank everyone that has helped this wonderful boy out. We'll keep you updated on his progress.

Paul Brabson's Brody Update - September 5

Just a quick note to say that Brody had his 6 week checkup today and his ulna was pronounced healed. They decided to leave the pin in his leg as they could not feel it and it's not causing any problems. Brody is using his leg more and more but he does still have some lameness. This will decrease with time and exercise. His new family might also want to do a corrective procedure to fix the slight turn in his foot but it is not a necessity.

Debbie Brabson's Brody Update - September 29

Just thought I'd give everyone an update on Brody. He is doing fine. His leg is still improving and the only time we are noticing any limping is when he has been running with our 2 in the back yard for an extended period of time. But after a short time out he is back up and running around some more. I have been trying to take him on short walks (or is it that he is taking me for the walk?). He is doing ok with those. He is all over the place, but is slowly learning to walk on the left side, with only the occasional dart in front of Mom to see if he can trip her.

He is down to stealing shoes only once or twice a day now. Since I started closing off the bedroom doors to keep our shoe supply in one piece, he had to find something else to get into (what else would a good Sammy do). In search of something else to keep himself busy, he found the laundry and the dirty towels. So now instead of shoes, he and Cutter come running out with a dirty dish towel, playing tug of war, that is until mom steps in and takes the towel back. The only problem is that door needs to stay open for the cat. I guess I will need to put the gates back up to try and keep the towels and shoes safe. Of course that will force them to play with (gasp) all their toys that are laying around the house and not our toys.

He is still keeping a watchful eye on our toad population around here, Can't have those hopping around the yard, so like any good hunter he does his best looking for them at night. If he can't find any he will even dig them up from the ground.

Brody Goes to His New Home - October 20

Today Brody left the Brabson clan to join his new family Melissa, Andy and 4 year old son Quinn. Since they live in the western panhandle of the state we decided to meet half way. We picked Suwannee River state park as it is dog friendly and easy to get to.

It was a beautiful day at the park and a very picturesque setting with the Suwannee river winding through. Brody was excited to be there as this was his first trip anywhere with us (except the vet and that doesn't count). We walked around the park for awhile and Brody investigated all the new smells. He also used this opportunity to roll his freshly bathed fur in all the woodsy ground cover. Can't look too good for prospective humans now can we!

After a while Melissa, Andy and Quinn showed up. Quinn was pointing at Brody and had a grin on his face. Brody did his best to greet all of them with a jump and a tongue bath. Quinn wasn't really sure how to handle this. He would try to sneak up on Brody then step back when Brody turned to lick him. Eventually he petted Brody a couple of times. It will take a little time for him to get used to having a dog but he wasn't afraid at all.

Melissa was a little taken aback by Brody's size. Her only other dog was a Maltese so this was quite a jump. Brody showed her how good a hunter he was by flushing out the grasshoppers and going after them. Melissa couldn't figure out what he was after until one went flitting through the air. She doesn't have a problem with critters so she and Brody will get along fine.

Andy was probably the most enamoured with Brody. He ran Brody around and played fetch with a tennis ball with him. Actually it was more throw the ball, run to where it stopped, pick it up, repeat. These two really hit it off and I believe that they will be best buds.

The whole time we were there Brody paid very little attention to us which I guess is how it should be. When we left Brody was quietly standing with Andy waiting for Melissa and Quinn to come back. We drove away sad to see Brody go but happy that he has such a wonderful family in his life. We were lucky to have him in our life for these few short months.

Thank you to everyone that helped contribute to getting Brody his family today. The outpouring of support is more than we could have hoped for and it has culminated in a wonderful family and forever home for Brody.

- Paul

P.S. This message came in while I was typing this:

Things here are going well so far. Brody is truly a wonderful car-rider!

We got home and he ate in about two seconds flat, then tried to get Quinn's pizza. After dinner we all went for a walk and he had no trouble taking care of business while on the leash. After that we played for awhile and when Andy went to read Quinn bedtime stories, Brody went to the front door, and then sat down by the leash I'd hung on the closet door handle nearby. He kept nosing it and looking at me meaningfully. I took him out and we had to make a big circuit of the yard while he checked for wayward critters, then he led me right back in.

He has yet to brave the steps - other than that, he's checked out every room downstairs, and found one of Quinn's fuzzy slippers and his teddy bear. Quinn's still not too sure what to make of the whole thing, but I can already tell they're going to be friends. Brody seems to already be making himself right at home and seems to like all of us fine. It's mutual.

- Melissa

Brody's treatment has been a big success, but if you whould like to help other Samoyeds like him, see the How You Can Help page. If you have a rescue sammy in need, see the Guidelines and the Application pages.