Dog of the Month: October 2016

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Our Dog of the Month program works like this: Each staff member provides a nomination for the distinguished honor, and then we vote. The highest vote wins! Any pup who visits us during the prior month is eligible. Our October 2016 winner is a mellow mastiff who loves cheese.

Patronus

Almost 3½ years old, Patronus is an English Mastiff who’s such a—no pun intended—big part of her family. “We have seven people in our house from 3 years up,” explains Patronus’ mom, Tami Mannhalt. “She’s pretty mellow. Not real active unless UPS or the milkman come to the door, then she’s on it!”

Her previous owners were fans of Harry Potter and gave Patronus her name—but also because it means guardian. Unfortunately, the owners were serving in the military and lost their housing on base that had a yard, and Patronus needed a new home. That was August 2014, and Tami was happy to oblige.

Patronus also answers to nicknames like Big Girl, Puppy, and Pretty Girl—“she loves the girly reference names best,” Tami says, remarking that despite being such a big dog, Patronus is not a huge eater. That is until sticks of string cheese come into the picture. “Cheese sticks are the cure all for everything. You want her to do something or take her medications, cheese sticks are the go-to. No matter how quiet we try to be, she can hear us opening the cheese from a mile away!”

In September, Tami thought that Patronus might be pregnant. But when the doctors at Rainier Vet examined her, they found that she wasn’t pregnant and, in fact, had pyometra, which is a very serious infection in her uterus. Doctors performed an emergency spay with IV fluids and antibiotic treatment.

Although Tami had taken other pets to Rainier Veterinary Hospital before, this experience was Patronus’ first. “I’m so glad I went to Rainier Vet,” Tami says. “I felt comfortable leaving her in such good hands. I was worried about her, but they had her for two days and kept me very informed.”

Since surgery, Patronus is recovering well, finally getting her energy back and is more like herself. And what is Patronus like? She’s not a big toy or play dog; in fact, she’ll only fetch three times. “On the fourth time, you have to go get the ball,” Tami says. “She’s pretty good around other dogs, but she doesn’t really get the concept of the dog park. She just walks around. And cats? They’re no big deal to her. But she’s great with little kids. Apparently, the previous owners had started her in service training, and we think that’s why she’s so easy going.”