Quote: Michele McAtee

Spinning. Is this just when she is about to lay down? Is she at all leaning her head down or sideways a bit when she is doing this? My first dog once had an inner ear thing which caused her balance to be off, she also twitched in her eyeball (had to have close up inspection to notice it) a bit if I remember correctly. (15 or so years ago) Fully treatable with meds, but don't recall what it was called.

Yes ... was that an infection, Michele?

I forgot to mention the tilted head. Good catch!

I think there are several inner ear problems that can be treated pretty easily.

I would definitely make a vet appointment. Maybe you could call the vet ahead of time, or mention at the beginning of the visit, that this is a Good Samaritan thing, that she was alone and abandoned (apparently), that she is in need.

Sometimes the vet will help out with a break, to help you help her.

This fits in with the food refusal, Rebekah, if the poor girl has pain radiating from her ear into her jaw.

Of course, that's nothing but off-the-wall speculation.

I'm so glad she has a chance.

I dont think a name is going to matter.. I think she may of been dumped because she is deaf...
The circles I believe are because she was caged for most of her life. And she spins like she is just walking in circles- for 45 mins at a time.

She is pretty normal, wanting to play with the other dogs- but she just walks in circles, like she was in a 4x6 kennel her whole life- as she walks about that radius for a long time and lays down.

I just took her out on a walk, on a long line and tried to call her name.. any name- make noise.. not even an ear twitch. She's going to the vet on saturday, hopefull he'll be able to tell me more.

 Quote: rebekah schwartz

She is pretty normal, wanting to play with the other dogs- but she just walks in circles, like she was in a 4x6 kennel her whole life- as she walks about that radius for a long time and lays down.

I just took her out on a walk, on a long line and tried to call her name.. any name- make noise.. not even an ear twitch. She's going to the vet on saturday, hopefull he'll be able to tell me more.

Of course you may be correct about why she's circling, but it sure does sound like an ear problem.

I hope you'll let us know.

Also, I want to tell you that the dog "love of my life," Luna, who died 11/11/05, was deaf. (She came to me deaf, because of repeated ear infections, secondary to allergies, which had eventually just closed her ear canals. Luna was the dog who set me on the path of learning all I could about canine allergies and nutrition, and she ended up going from almost zero quality of life, bleeding and smelly, not even able to sleep the night because of the itching, to beautiful and almost itch-free. )

I just want to say that her deafness was a pretty minor thing. It was definitely less of a challenge than the allergies.

Anyone would understand, though, if you found out that this new girl was deaf and had other problems, if you decided that it was too much to deal with (for you and for her). You'll know better after she sees the vet and you have a good eval. But if it's just deafness, I didn't find that to be a huge challenge. Of course, at that time she was the only dog in the house, and that makes a difference in how much time one as to devote to the dog.

No matter what, you can feel very good that this girl got to experience a home and a family and care.

How about Jade or Amethyst. They both are for the healing of body, mind and spirit.

How about Spot :-)

My aunt owned a little dog that would spin in circles. She guessed that it was kept in a very small cage its whole life. The dog seemed normal, except for the spinning. She would run in a series of loops top get everywhere.

Hmm... Akira?

I like Fehya, because it sounds so pretty in english, but uh- it means ugly in spanish, and that just doesnt work.
I also like Dutchess.

The other half came home, and didnt know she was here.. LOL- first thing was 'shes not staying'... Then I gave him the limping, deaf and skinny, covered in fleas ( i found a few ticks) and he's laying on the floor cuddly with her. How lucky am I?

How about Hobo? Not a girls name but the dog doesn't care :-)

John