Buck came into Jo and Rudy Hovey’s lives when their roommate
found him on the streets of north Dallas, in an industrial area
known for dog fighting.
“He had fireworks tied to him, his fur burned off, and a very bad
flea infestation,” Jo said.
When they arrived at the veterinarian, they learned not only that
Buck was just 6 weeks old, but also
that he had Parvo and poisoning. The vet didn’t think he would
make it.“Rudy took his vacation time and nursed Buck back to
health,” Jo said. “Buck turned out to have a very joyful nature
and loved to play with toys and us. So much so we got another
puppy at a shelter for him to play with.”
Enter Bear.
Bear as a puppy
When Buck was about 5 years old, Jo and her husband moved to live
with her mother on 5 acres of farmland. There was plenty of room
to run and play, and they thought it was the perfect time to
bring another dog into the family.“We found Bear at the shelter,”
Jo said. “They had a Lab mix mother give birth at the shelter,
and all [of the puppies] were tan except one. He looked like a
little German Shepherd mix. He was a little bit aggressive in the
litter, and since Rudy has such extensive experience with all
sorts of dogs, he knew this puppy would be trouble for the wrong
family, so we brought him home.”
Paying For A Pet’s Unexpected Illness While Dealing With Your Own
Everything was going great for the new family. Jo and Rudy set a
lot of boundaries for Bear, but also gave him lots of affection.
Soon, he came to love people and cuddling, and he and Buck were
fast friends.
Unfortunately, things didn’t remain so perfect. Around Bear’s
third birthday, he developed epilepsy, and began having seizures every 6 weeks. A few visits to the
vet and some medication later, the seizures dropped to around 2
per month.
“Now we never know when he will have a seizure, but we had to add
another medication because they started increasing again,” Jo
said. “Because he is fairly large (German Shepherd mix) it is a
harder balancing act with medications, vet visits, and lab tests
to make sure his liver is
okay.”
Paying for Bear’s epilepsy treatment hasn’t been easy. Jo and
Rudy didn’t know about pet health insurance until it was too late
and Bear already had a pre-existing condition, making it
difficult for him to qualify for coverage.
“We pay out of pocket - on my disability,” Jo said.
Jo has a heart condition and chronic migraines. Rudy, her
husband, is severely diabetic and also has a heart condition, as
well as several other health issues.
Jo and Rudy often save up a few months in advance if they know
the dogs will need to go in for lab testing. In the case of
surprise large vet bills, Jo’s mother sometimes has to help out.
And once in a while, Jo and Rudy just eat less in order to afford
treatments.
“We have made a commitment that they rely on us to take care of
them,” Jo said. “We can go without on occasion if we have to.”
Because of their disabilities, Jo says that it can sometimes be
hard for her or her husband to find the energy or strength to
take the dogs out or give them their medications. But even on the
most difficult days, they continue to offer the care and support
that their dogs need.
“For us it is the day to day, just trying to take care of them -
some days are good, some are not so good,” Jo said. “Would we
trade Buck or Bear for anything? Heck no. They are the reason I
get up. I look at Bear’s face and he makes me glad I can do stuff
with him. Buck just wags his whole body. They are joy. Even when
it is really hard, it is totally worth every minute.”
We really applaud Jo and Rudy for their love and commitment under
such challenging circumstances, and to show our appreciation, we
offered the family a free year of PetPlus
coverage. PetPlus covers all pets regardless of pre-existing
conditions, and with coverage Jo and Rudy will save up to 75% on
their dog’s medications and receive discounts on boarding,
supplies, and more.
We’ll check back in with Jo and Rudy to see how they are enjoying
PetPlus. For now, take a look at some of the adorable and
creative videos Jo has created of her dogs (and their friend
Murphy, a Swiss Mountain
Dog!): “Legendary
Buck”“Bear The Spy
2”“Where Is The
Ball?”“Squirrel!”“Playtime
In The Yard”
--
How to Exercise Your Dog When You're Sick
Waking up with a headache, sore throat, and stuffy nose is no
fun, and the last thing most people want to do when they’re
feeling under the weather is take their dog out for some
exercise. But your dog depends on you to provide them with mental
and physical stimulation as well as bathroom breaks (unless you
have a doggie
door), and it’s up to you to find a way to give your dog
those things even when you’re unwell. Here we’ll present some
alternative ways to exercise your dog when you’re sick.
Note: Remember that forcing yourself to take your dog out for
their regular exercise could make your illness worse. Consult
your doctor if you are feeling out of sorts and you’re not sure
how much activity is appropriate.
Indoor Games
Indoor games are a great way to get your dog active when you’re
feeling sick. Many games can even be played right from the
comfort of your own bed. Here are some examples:
Laser Pointer Chase:
Buy an inexpensive laser pointer and shine it back and forth
across the floor. Your dog will delight in chasing the moving
light, and will wear themselves out in the process. Remember not
to shine the laser pointer into your dogs eyes as it could damage
their retinas. Read these other tips
for playing laser pointer chase for your dog without driving them
crazy.
Indoor Fetch:
If you have a long hallway or other large indoor space, you can
play fetch indoors. You
may even be able to play it from the sofa or your bed.
Tug-of-War: Another
stimulating game that you can play while laid up is tug-of-war.
Many dogs love to play this game with a rope
toy, but remember that it can bring out your dog’s
competitive side, and you should make sure that you have a solid
relationship in which you are the pack leader before engaging in this
type of game. Many trainers also recommend ending games
of tug-of-war with you successfully winning the toy.
Puzzle
Toys: Puzzle
toys require your dog to problem solve in order to
release food or treats that you stuff inside. There are many
different types of puzzle and food-dispensing toys,
and a variety could occupy your dog for hours while you get some
rest.
RELATED STORY: The Benefits of an Active Dog
Low-Impact Outdoor Exercises
If you’re feeling well enough to go outside but still not 100%,
you can engage in some outdoor activities while still taking it
easy.Cut Your Walk in
Half: If you usually take your dog for a half-hour
walk, take them for a 15 minute walk instead. Choose an area
with easy terrain (no hiking !) and a time of day when the
weather won’t be unpleasant (e.g., in the summer, walk in the early morning or late
evening to avoid high
heat). Then, give your dog the rest of their exercise by
playing some indoor games or offering them a puzzle toy.
Yard Fetch:
Take your dog out to the yard and throw a ball or frisbee.
If you’re tired, you could even play fetch while sitting in a
lawn chair or reclining in a hammock. Ensure that your yard is
secure and all gates are closed and locked so that you won’t have
to worry about chasing after your dog when you’re feeling low.
RELATED STORY: 3 Ways to Be Safer Walking a Dog at Night
Ask For Help
If you’re really ill, you may not be able to exercise your dog at
all. If this is the case, consider taking your dog
to dog day care or
a boarding
facility while you recover. Alternatively, you could
hire a dog
walker to stop by once or twice a day to relieve you
from your duties.
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deserving of a free trial of PetPlus? Contact the Pet Savvy
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