DDeer wrote: ↑Sat Jan 02, 2021 8:21 am
Was that something Sophie was born with (if o.k. to ask)?
Christmas decks down, tree removed, looks very bare, took the opportunity to clear out some stuff from the attic so feel good about that.
Sure it's okay,DD. Sophie was born without her left forepaw. Her "wrist" (do dogs have wrists?) ends with a footpadding about the size of a US half-dollar. When she walks or runs, she just touches the ground with it, mainly to keep her balance. She's also a bit swaybacked but no signs of imbalance or arthritis yet. You should see her run - I don't know how she does it; it's a miracle of God!
We encountered Sophie at the local animal shelter when we started working there. She'd been there over a year because the staff delighted in her and kept her "off the line". In our county - as in many southern counties and others throughout the USA - space is a premium so, when a dog is brought in, it is held for a week or so, sometimes more. If it is not adopted and another shelter won't take it, either it or a dog already in a holding area will be euthanized for the space. "On the line" is slang for the list of enthanzation candidates - to come "off the line" means that animal is up for execution. Being a Sheltie mix - probably some corgi, pomeranian (big fluffly banner tail), and maybe a little red fox - Sophie's quite endearing and survived on her charm and good looks until we took her home.
She's now eighteen and still pretty healthy. Spent yesterday supervising our de-Christmas labors which we appreciated. If the weather improves, she might get a short forest walk or the beach. Being a Sheltie, Sophie's fairly vocal, sometimes a whiner, but always appreciative. I should be so gracious.
![Wink ;)](./images/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif)