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Lulu
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Lulu is a Llewellin Setter. This is a specific strain of English Setter, bred only for field work (upland bird hunting), rather than for the show ring. She is a pretty little thing, very "birdy," a consummate clown. She's a great addition to our pack, as she is a very high energy dog outside, keeping up just fine with Gollie and the hounds, but is able to down-shift in the house into low gear. She is super-affectionate, and in the 2 weeks we've had her she is learning housemanners very rapidly, and has never had an accident.
We found Lulu at the Bastrop County Animal Shelter while I was there evaluating some Border Collies, and just fell in love with her. Unfortunately, she has a luxating patella (slipped knee-cap) which is painful and degenerative. I'm guessing this may be why she landed in the shelter, as she will never be able to stand the rigors of hunting again (she was picked up by animal control on the road in front of a large bird-dog training facility). She will require nearly $1000 worth of surgery to repair her knee. However, before this can be done, she has to recover from another condition she came to us with: "stump pyometria." This is a complication/infection caused by her spay surgery she received while in the shelter. Our vet is trying to clear it with medication, but it may require abdominal surgery to fully be resolved.
In the meantime, Lulu is a happy little ray of sunshine. She loves the other dogs, and they love her as well, especially Udo, who really has become devoted to her. She also LOVES toys! She'll entertain us and herself until she is exhausted, just with a ball or squeaky toy. One of her favorite toys is a wash-cloth I gave her. She shakes it and beats it up, throws it in the air and catches it.
Her physical condition improves daily. She should weigh about 40 pounds, and was very underweight at 32 pounds when we got her, with all ribs showing and protruding hip-bones. She is up to 36 pounds now, and gaining everyday. Despite the expense of "fixing" her, we love this little rascal to pieces.
UPDATE: Lulu has recovered from her post-spay infection, and continues to gain weight and muscle-tone. Now that the time is getting closer when she will be in good enough condition to handle the knee surgery, we started talking to the different specialty-vets (orthopedic surgeons) who do the procedure in our area. Unfortunately, even though the economy is depressed, and the art market has tanked, the prices in the vet profession have continued to rise, paricularly the specialists. The surgery that Lulu needs no longer costs $1000 (the amount our vet felt we should expect, based on the going rate a few years ago). It now will cost between $3000 and $4000!
Come on, art-lovers and dog-lovers.
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