Ke-ola can't get a break

Ke-ola had to visit Pet Hospital on Thursday as his scratching had opened up his neuter incision. His entire body was covered in large and small bumps and is shiny coat was bald in most places. 

When he was seen for his neuter incision Dr. Waitt also looked at his skin again. He decide to add a mange treatment to Ke-ola's recovery regimen. (Ke-ola tested negative for mange on Tuesday.) He gave him a dose of mediation in the clinic and I gave him his second dose on Friday. He has two more doses due in the next two weeks. We have quarantined him again as a precaution and are washing and disinfecting his bedding, collar, floors, furniture, etc.  

He is still on his antibiotics for his skin infection and we got a special shampoo to help with his scratching and medicate his skin. Ke-ola is no fan of the water hose but he is a trooper. He fusses for the first few minutes then he settles down and gives into his bath.

The weekend didn't bring him any relief to his itching. We have been keeping his cone on 24 hours a day except for his meals and going out to use the bathroom. It has helped keep him from biting at his skin or his neuter incision but his hind feet are non-stop scratching. 

I have spent hours these past few days reading about canine skin allergies, systemic yeast infections, mange and nutrition online. (Thank you Marie Brancaccio and Monica Aragon Guzman for your valuable information and suggestions) I've also spent hours in my own books about human physiology, holistic healing and herbal remedies. I found when cross-referencing human symptoms and treatments many coincided with the canine ones. 

I am not a MD or DVM, I'm just a mom that had a child born with a very rare birth anomaly called Total Colon Hirschberg's Disease. He was baptized under last rites at the hospital when he was 3 1/2 weeks old and was given a dire prognosis for his future health. While it was a terrifying time I was lucky to have my faith and a family of MD's wisdom to help me change the negative outcome predicted. I also learned a great deal about researching medical studies and data as well as holistic healing methods and nutrition. Through Grace, his doctors and nurses our family and education, my child is now 18 years old, a double black belt and a professional musician and composer. 

I hope and pray that Ke-ola can also find his place of health and balance. Thank you ICARE for your support and care throughout Ke-ola's journey. 

Wishing you and your pack peace today and everyday. Thank you for visiting.

You can find us on Facebook:
Page https://www.facebook.com/iloveshelterdogs
Our page hopes to encourage more people to adopt not shop by sharing stories of successful shelter/rescue dog adoptions & useful info for a healthy dog.
Group  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1405355683042930/
This group is an open group for rescues, fosters, shelter staff, volunteers to post dogs in need of adoption, transport or rescue. Our group’s admin is not affiliated with any posts or posters nor do we have any further information about a post. We are merely offing another place online to help get dogs seen, safe and in their forever homes. 
Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/109405533286226395235

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Ke-ola gets his neuter

Ke-ola had his neuter surgery at Pet Hospital on Tuesday and was able to come home that afternoon. He was quite groggy and visibly sore that evening but didn't complain. He rested in his crate and ate a light dinner. 

His neuter surgery went well. We were very grateful that he had no respiratory complications. It seems his previous treatments cleared his lungs of the pneumonia and kennel cough. He has been very good about not licking at his surgical area but we're worried that the movement from his itching might irritate it so we're doing what we can to help relive him.

Pet Hospital found that Ke-ola has a skin infection. They gave him an anti-inflamation shot and prescribed pain meds and antibiotics to treat his skin infection, his itching and for his recovery from surgery.  

We feel so bad for poor Ke-ola as he itches instantly. His newly emerged coat is now bald in most places and he has scratched some of his sores to the point of bleeding. He has a very strong musky smell and has large welts. We're hoping his meds will start helping him feel better soon. It's heartbreaking to see him regain his health and now need to deal with this.

We are trying to keep him as calm as possible but for a post surgery pup on pain meds he still has a great deal of energy. We won't let him go in the yard alone as we don't want him roll on the ground. He loves to crawl, roll and jump when he is outside. Those are all things he needs to avoid until he heals.

My family and I want to do our part to help Ke-ola get better. I've been doing research online and talking with friends that have experience with dog allergies and yeast. There is a great deal of information out there. I found some great websites and books. I also found that Blue Pit Bulls seem to be more sensitive to skin allergies. My first change will be our household cleaners and our laundry soap. I'm grateful that Ke-ola has inspired the need to further educate myself and for the kind people that so generously share their knowledge and experience helping me along the way. 

It was apparent Ke-ola hadn't had an easy life from his shelter video. My family and I have been working with him to hep socialize him to new environments and experiences. Poles, brooms, the hose and falling water are all things Ke-ola has learned will not hurt him. Whomever Ke-ola loves, he trusts unconditionally, making it easier to help him get over his fears. 

Here is Ke-ola bravely inspecting our pond and making sure the pond knows who's boss. 

Wishing you and your pack peace today and everyday. Thank you for visiting.

You can find us on Facebook:
Page https://www.facebook.com/iloveshelterdogs
Our page hopes to encourage more people to adopt not shop by sharing stories of successful shelter/rescue dog adoptions & useful info for a healthy dog.
Group  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1405355683042930/
This group is an open group for rescues, fosters, shelter staff, volunteers to post dogs in need of adoption, transport or rescue. Our group’s admin is not affiliated with any posts or posters nor do we have any further information about a post. We are merely offing another place online to help get dogs seen, safe and in their forever homes. 
Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/109405533286226395235

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It's Ke-ola Friday

Ke-ola is enjoying getting to roam freely in the backyard. He loves to run on our hill and to roll around on the grass. I was very happy to learn that Ke-ola loves the sun like the rest of our pack. I'm hopeful that one day soon I can include him in my Sunday pack sun meditations. My sons, Kadante and Roland, love to play with him. Kadante is teaching him to "drop it" when they play fetch. Ke-ola is still working on understanding the command but he is getting better at letting the ball go when we reach for it.


Chase is one of his favorite things to play. In this clip Kadante is chasing him on the hill. They make me smile every time.

We are also working with his socialization. It seems Ke-ola hasn't had much life experience to prepare him for suburban life. We are slowly giving him the opportunity to experience new things, environments and people. He loves my mom and dad. He does very well with them. He shows good manners, is friendly and is affectionate. We are also working with his fear of large bodies of water. We have a gated pool and we take him in and let him walk around the pool everyday for about 5 or 10 minutes. When it's my turn I sit by the steps and cup my hand with water and let him drink. It seems to sooth him and help him relax. On yesterday's pool excursion I heard lapping behind me and when I turned around I found Ke-ola drinking on his own. Yay!

Poor boy has been itching himself bald in places and his paw pads are red. We were applying coconut oil and giving him digestive enzymes and probiotics. They were great recommendations, thank you Lamb Lambert and Carolyn Luce Casifora! The coconut oil has been helping his skin. The little crusty soars he had given himself began to heal and the digestive enzymes and probiotics are helping with his digestion after so many antibiotics. But he is still itching terribly.

Corrie, from ICARE, looked at the picture and read his symptoms and thinks it could be a food allergy. His kibble is chicken based so we are switching him to a salmon based kibble and monitoring his paw pads and his itching. Joy reminded me that benadryl is very helpful in calming his allergy symptoms so I gave him some an hour ago. He has an appointment at Pet Hospital on Tues. for his neuter and Corrie will make sure they check his skin and paw pads.

Wishing you and your pack peace today and everyday. Thank you for visiting.

You can find us on Facebook:
Page https://www.facebook.com/iloveshelterdogs
Our page hopes to encourage more people to adopt not shop by sharing stories of successful shelter/rescue dog adoptions & useful info for a healthy dog.
Group  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1405355683042930/
This group is an open group for rescues, fosters, shelter staff, volunteers to post dogs in need of adoption, transport or rescue. Our group’s admin is not affiliated with any posts or posters nor do we have any further information about a post. We are merely offing another place online to help get dogs seen, safe and in their forever homes. 
Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/109405533286226395235

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Ke-ola and his first bath

Ke-ola's been so itchy, he's
scratched off patches.

The first thing I usually do when a pup comes from the shelter is to bath him/her. Sadly some of our shelters have nasty germs and most pups have a distinct "shelter dog" smell. Our boy was far too sick to be given a bath especially in the winter so we've had to wait. Ke-ola has been cough, fever and runny nose free for a couple of weeks now. Given that he has been so itchy we thought it was time to wash the shelter off. 

Clean Ke-ola. :)

Ke-ola was very good during his bath. He didn't like the hose much but he got over his fear of it by the end of his bath. 

While Ke-ola clearly didn't like the hose and the water he behaved like a gentleman. He let us lather and scrub his entire body without any protest. It was very heartwarming to see how much he trusts us.  

Roland toweled Ke-ola and then walked him in sun to help finish drying him off. We could see that his skin is bright blue under his fur. We also noticed that he had small bumps like a rash where he has been scratching. We're hoping that with his bath, Benadryl, and medicated spray his itching subsides.

While Ke-ola's health was in jeopardy, daily posts about him seemed warranted. Thankfully his health has improved dramatically so I'll now be posting updates about him on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays unless he has an important life event to share on another day. Thank you for following Ke-ola's journey.
Wishing you and your pack peace today and everyday. Thank you for visiting.

You can find us on Facebook:
Page https://www.facebook.com/iloveshelterdogs
Our page hopes to encourage more people to adopt not shop by sharing stories of successful shelter/rescue dog adoptions & useful info for a healthy dog.
Group  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1405355683042930/
This group is an open group for rescues, fosters, shelter staff, volunteers to post dogs in need of adoption, transport or rescue. Our group’s admin is not affiliated with any posts or posters nor do we have any further information about a post. We are merely offing another place online to help get dogs seen, safe and in their forever homes. 
Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/109405533286226395235

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Ke-ola worked with the Master, Lamb from All States K-9

Ke-ola loves Lamb and so do we!
Thank you All States K-9!

Ke-ola and grandpa.

Ke-ola had a big weekend. He had an opportunity to meet family and friends. Grandpa feel in love with him. Ke-ola didn't mind one bit, he loved all the attention. Ke-ola has a special gift of bringing smiles to those that need them most. Thank you Ke-ola for sharing your love with those we love and giving them a brighter day.

Ke-ola has been itching quite a bit once again. If the weather holds we'll give him a bath tomorrow and rub him with coconut oil. We hope it will help with his itching. 

Cesar Millan, "The Dog Whisperer"
during a production shoot at the
All States K-9 training facility, November 2009

We were lucky enough to meet with Lamb and Sharron from All States K-9 Detection & Dog Training. Lamb Lambert has been training, rehabilitating and helping dogs and their families for more than 43 years. He's been featured on show's like The Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan, A Beastmasters segment, "The Nose" filmed at the All States K-9 training facility for The History Channel's 'Stan Lee's Super Humans' show. Lamb and Sharron are some of the biggest-hearted dog lovers we know. They have dedicated themselves to giving back to people that have adopted a dog from the shelter or from a rescue. They offer free trainings once a month to help with socialization and to teach agility training. Check out the link at the end of this post to visit their website and find their next training day.

Just to show you Lamb has the biggest heart around here is a segment with Lamb and Daisy from the "What about Daisy? Show". Daisy was adopted by her mom from the shelter and is blind and deaf. Daisy's mom asked many trainers to help her train Daisy to do agility and they all said it couldn't be done...until she spoke with Lamb. Take a look at his segment starting at 2:12 minutes. Daisy's transformation his heartwarming. We love you Lamb!

In this clip Lamb is showing us how to properly work with Ke-ola on his basic commands.

After working with Ke-ola today Lamb gave him his stamp of approval. Just look at Ke-ola's face when Lamb says "he's a good dog". 

Here Lamb reminds us that while we need to be vigilant with his training we must be equally vigilant with our praising. Ke-ola wants to please but needs help learning manners and socialization. 

Lamb and Kadante working with
Ke-ola and Sky.

Lamb took Ke-ola out with the girls for their first encounter today. The dogs were excited but unsure of each other. Ke-ola jumped at Sky and Lamb showed us how to correct both of them. He gave us group lessons on leash to start practicing with them. 

By the time he was done showing us what we needed to do to help Ke-ola, Sky and River learn to relax around each other all three dogs were sitting calmly on leash. We tried to have them smell each other but no one seemed interested so we didn't push. Lamb said that with patients and consistency the three should integrate well. 

We will keep practicing what we learned today and most of all remember to be patient with their progress. 

After corrections pups are more relaxed.

For more information about All Sates K-9 Detection & Dog Training you can visit their website at http://www.allstates-k9.com. You can also find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/All.States.K9

Wishing you and your pack peace today and everyday. Thank you for visiting.

You can find us on Facebook:
Page https://www.facebook.com/iloveshelterdogs
Our page hopes to encourage more people to adopt not shop by sharing stories of successful shelter/rescue dog adoptions & useful info for a healthy dog.
Group  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1405355683042930/
This group is an open group for rescues, fosters, shelter staff, volunteers to post dogs in need of adoption, transport or rescue. Our group’s admin is not affiliated with any posts or posters nor do we have any further information about a post. We are merely offing another place online to help get dogs seen, safe and in their forever homes. 
Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/109405533286226395235

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Ke-ola is learning there is nothing to fear

It was a busy day as our family is preparing for our youngest's 18th Birthday celebration tomorrow. Roland assigned Ke-ola as his pool helper. Cleaning a pool is a noisy business and it can be overwhelming for a dog that has never experienced it. There are long hoses and net handles. The pool's filter also makes a great deal of noise. 

Ke-ola had gotten comfortable around the pool this week so we decided he could handle the commotion associated with cleaning the pool. The more we expose him to, the fewer things he'll be afraid of. 

He wasn't liking all the noise and the pool cleaning equipment at first. He was very standoffish. But Roland was patient with him and took his time letting Ke-ola realize there was nothing to fear. 

It was very inspiring to see Ke-ola get over his apprehensions and follow Roland around the pool as he cleaned. 

Ke-ola is learning about much of our world for the first time. He was on the streets for so long that it takes him time to trust his environment. The beautiful thing is that dogs are resilient creatures and because of their capacity to love and to trust their humans they can overcome many an adversity. 

Ke-ola also got to inspect the hill in the back of our yard today. He roamed around sniffing and marking. He wanted to make sure everyone knows he's been there. It was wonderful to see him in an outdoor setting free and safe to be a dog. 

Wishing you and your pack peace today and everyday. Thank you for visiting.

You can find us on Facebook:
Page https://www.facebook.com/iloveshelterdogs
Our page hopes to encourage more people to adopt not shop by sharing stories of successful shelter/rescue dog adoptions & useful info for a healthy dog.
Group  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1405355683042930/
This group is an open group for rescues, fosters, shelter staff, volunteers to post dogs in need of adoption, transport or rescue. Our group’s admin is not affiliated with any posts or posters nor do we have any further information about a post. We are merely offing another place online to help get dogs seen, safe and in their forever homes. 
Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/109405533286226395235

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Ke-ola's two day wrap up...milestones and new firsts

Ball! Ball! Ball!

Sorry for missing Ke-ola's post yesterday but I'm combining his two days worth of adventures here. As always Ke-ola always bring the kid out in my husband Roland. They love to play indoors and out. Roland says Ke-ola is a great stress-reliever so it's not uncommon to hear commotion downstairs only to find them both playing. I need to admit they make me laugh. Ke-ola is happy to interact and play all day long. He is also very silly and joyful it's hard not to smile when your with him.  In this clip Ke-ola and Roland are "playing" fetch. I loved watching them but I am easily amused.

Today we decided Ke-ola was familiar enough with the yard and healthy enough to play on his own. It was his first leash free outdoor adventure. It was wonderful to see him run and jump and wag and smile. He attacked pinecones and played with branches. He sniffed and sniffed and marked and marked. Once he settled down I began doing yard work. He was never more than 8 to 10 feet away. He played independently but stayed close. It was very heartwarming to experience that even in his joyous freedom he wanted to stay connected. 

Here Ke-ola is off leash for the first time free to roam and investigate on his own. He's a very happy pup indeed!

After he had enjoyed plenty of playtime I decided to bring him to our pool. It is gated so he's never been close to the edge. I want to help him get over his fear of large bodies of water. Today we spent 20 minutes just sitting close to the steps. I let him smell the water and look at it. When I thought he was ready I put my hand in the water and let him drink. He really liked it! He is over his hesitation and is relaxed walking around the pool. I think he may even be a water dog one day.

I'm grateful for such a beautiful day getting to watch a wonderful soul run free and gain courage. Thank you Ke-ola you're an inspiration and a joy.
Wishing you and your pack peace today and everyday. Thank you for visiting.

You can find us on Facebook:
Page https://www.facebook.com/iloveshelterdogs
Our page hopes to encourage more people to adopt not shop by sharing stories of successful shelter/rescue dog adoptions & useful info for a healthy dog.
Group  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1405355683042930/
This group is an open group for rescues, fosters, shelter staff, volunteers to post dogs in need of adoption, transport or rescue. Our group’s admin is not affiliated with any posts or posters nor do we have any further information about a post. We are merely offing another place online to help get dogs seen, safe and in their forever homes. 
Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/109405533286226395235

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Ke-ola is learning his manners

Stop?! But it's fun to chew
 and slobber on your lap.

I am so proud of Ke-ola. As I've written so many times before, Ke-ola is a very good boy. He really wants to please his humans. Unfortunately not having had positive human interaction in a long time, if ever, makes his manners almost nonexistent. I had been trying my old training methods and failing with them miserably. 

Toss the pretzel mama!

We are trying the new training methods Gabby Alvarado suggested.  He is well worth the time needed for his rehabilitation. Ke-ola didn't fail humans humans failed him. With love, patients and constancy I hope he learns that while no human is perfect some of us are worth the trouble.

Roland came home very excited from the store this morning. He found Ke-ola the perfect doggy toy. (All of the doggy toys we've gotten him have not lasted more than a day) Roland proclaimed that this was an indestructible doggy pretzel and that this fine toy should last Ke-ola for quite sometime. Roland is still teaching as I am writing this blog but he always reads it at the studio before heading home. Just take a look at the "indestructible pretzel" now. It's already begun to show signs of battle. Better luck next time.

Wishing you and your pack peace today and everyday. Thank you for visiting.

You can find us on Facebook:
Page https://www.facebook.com/iloveshelterdogs
Our page hopes to encourage more people to adopt not shop by sharing stories of successful shelter/rescue dog adoptions & useful info for a healthy dog.
Group  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1405355683042930/
This group is an open group for rescues, fosters, shelter staff, volunteers to post dogs in need of adoption, transport or rescue. Our group’s admin is not affiliated with any posts or posters nor do we have any further information about a post. We are merely offing another place online to help get dogs seen, safe and in their forever homes. 
Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/109405533286226395235

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Roland Ferrer expanding his artistic horizons

Most people know Roland Ferrer for his music. He is a professional harpist, composer and performer. Some people may know him for his martial arts. He is a double black belt instructor and principle member of PaaMano Eskrima Performing Arts. But only a select few know him as a sculptor and three-dimensional artist until now.

Roland is showing two of his original pieces "Stone Dragon" and "Meridian Man" at the Community Art Competition and Scholarship Program March 13-15, Tues. - Friday from 3:00pm - 7:00pm and Sat. from 11:00am to 3:00pm. "Stone Dragon" is entered in the contest. If you are in the area we encourage you to please stop by and support the arts and our community.

About CPRS AWARD OF EXCELLENCE 
“Artastic”/Community Art Competition & Scholarship Program
Saturday, March 15 • 1:00-5:00 p.m. - Art Exhibit Dates: March 13-15
Cost: Free- For more information, please call the Cultural Arts Center at 929-5521.

For more information about Roland H. Ferrer music:
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RolandHFerrer

For more information about In the Flow Studios Arts:
Website http://intheflowstudios.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/InTheFlowStudioArts
Instagram http://instagram.com/speakyourart

For more information about the City of Norwalk's programs visit their Recreation and Park Services Department at https://www.ci.norwalk.ca.us/parksandrec2.asp

Wishing you artistic inspirations today and everyday. Thank you visiting the blog.

Kahlil Gibran's wisdom is timeless

Image from the Mana Keepers website.

Kahlil Gibran's work has been an inspiration in my life for decades. His artwork has an other-wordly quality that stirs the soul. His books and poetry heal, guide, comfort and enlighten. The Prophet has been a lifelong friend. This blog post is a tribute to his work and a thank you to those that continue to share it. I hope you enjoy it and find your own inspiration. 
About: Khalil Gibran (1883–1931) was a Lebanese artist, poet, and writer. Gibran is the third best-selling poet of all time, behind Shakespeare and Lao-Tzu. His best-known work, The Prophet (1923), has been translated into more than forty languages.

Biography: Born in 1883 in the town of Bsharri, in modern-day Lebanon, Khalil Gibran spent his youth in relative poverty, and thus received little formal education. After his Father was imprisoned for embezzlement, the rest of his family moved to America in 1895. 
While living in Boston,Gibran enrolled in an art school, where he met the avant-garde artist, photographer and publisher Fred Holland-Day, who encouraged Gibran to pursue his artisitc endeavours. 

In 1904, Gibran held his first art exhibition in Boston's Day Studio, where he met Mary Haskell and thus formed a great friendship that was to span the rest of his life. In 1908, Gibran went to Paris and studied with Auguste Rodin for two years.
Before 1918, most of Gibran's writing had been in Arabic, but after he published 'The Madman' with Alfred A. Knopf in 1918, he began to publish in English. Gibran subsequently published his best-known novel, 'The Prophet,' a collection of twenty six poetic essays. Typically, Gibran's writing focuses on Chrisitanity, and the theme of spiritual love. 
The immensity of Gibran's talent is reflected in his status as the worlds third best-selling poet of all time, behind Lao-Tzu and Shakespeare.

Description: Khalil (also spelled Kahlil) Gibran (1883–1931) was a Lebanese artist, poet, and writer. His book, The Prophet, is an early example of inspirational fiction including a series of philosophical essays. Gibran is the third best-selling poet of all time, behind Shakespeare and Lao-Tzu. The paintings on this page are works by Gibran himself. 

The description, images and quotes are from Khalil Gibran page on Facebook. We are very grateful for their commitment and dedication in sharing the wisdom and inspiration of Gibran. You can find them at https://www.facebook.com/KhalilGibranAuthor

Thank you for visiting. Wishing you Peace today and everyday.

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