… that’s mister morley to you!
what can i say about morley? he’s his own man. morley was adopted seven years ago from the Perth County Branch of the OSPCA at 9 years of age. he was the easiest adoption ever, fitting into the pack within minutes.
this sweet man is the most easy-going dog i have ever known. there isn’t a dog or human he doesn’t greet with a big tail wag and a calm, happy-go-lucky approach … the perfect greeter in any situation, even with aggressive dogs.
over seven years now on a raw diet and being able to have lots of off-leash excerise and hikes has completely turned this little man’s health around. he went from complete vaccinosis and seasonal allergies (losing most of his hair after adoption) and barely keeping up with the humans on the trails, to an absolute fire-cracker. in spite of those 3-inch legs he now keeps up with the crazy pointers for long hikes, and still comes home wanting to play with his ball. AND he’s even taught himself how to swim.
when he first joined our pack he wouldn’t set foot in a puddle, wouldn’t even sniff a rabbit hole … today he’s consummate hunter and happily wallows in the swamp with his mucky pointer counterparts on those hot days, doing his jack russell heritage proud. an outgoing, exuberant, brave little man … i learn from mister morley daily and am greatly blessed to have found him. my only regret is that i didn’t know him when he was younger. then again, given the energy he still has today at sixteen, i’m not sure i’d want to have known him!
morley is terrified of thunderstorms. part of it is due to his thyroid condition which was most likely a result of over-vaccination from the SPCA prior to adoption. hypothyroidism isn’t difficult to treat, and certainly not expensive, and it’s surpising how many dogs suffer from it.
thyroid disease is only one of many issues that can arise from over-vaccinating our dogs. i lost murph – the original scruffy dog - to vaccines at only four. i highly suggest you research as much as you can before blindly taking your vet’s word on what your dog does and doesn’t need. there are many good sources in book form as well as on line, including from vet sources. i have a number of them listed on the Vaccine Page on this blog. please do your research, and at the very least, demand to go to a three-year protocol for vaccines vs. the one-year.
also please, please, please consider adopting an older pet. just because they’re older doesn’t mean they come with problems. more often than not, they are perfectly adjusted pets with a ton of love and gratitude to lavish on you.
