Wobble Mania The Sequel: Smokey and Charlie
Just in case anyone thought there couldn't be any more wobbliness here than there already is, may we introduce ... Smokey and Charlie! These two young pups just arrived from a humane society in Lima, Ohio. They are little things -- each is about 20 pounds, with small frames and long necks. The shelter cautioned us that they are quite skinny, despite their efforts to put weight on the two brothers ... and skinny they are. We think they may be a Whippet mix, perhaps.
They have cerebellar hypoplasia, the neurological condition that occurs when the momma gets distemper when she's pregnant. The babies are born with underdeveloped cerebellums, which is the part of the brain that controls balance and fine motor skills. Not every baby is affected equally ... and some, oddly, not at all. In the litter of six puppies that was turned into the shelter, three were unaffected and one had the condition but was adopted and then, unfortunately, promptly euthanized. The shelter contacted us to see if we could take the two remaining boys.
Like all cerebellar hypoplasias, they are at their most uncoordinated when excited ... especially with people around. Add into the mix the natural exuberance of puppies, and it's true wobble mania with these two. Charlie is the tan one, Smokey is the dark one.
Yesterday afternoon I sneaked around to the isolation yard and quietly videotaped them over the fence, while they were lying on their cot together. Once they saw me, they tumbled off the cot and Smokey did two backflips. (I did not include that part!) Then Alayne and I carried them out to the area around our welcome center, and after they settled down a bit, I shot some more video. Here's about a minute of the video I put together:
What sweet babies! They are so full of life! I'm so sorry about what happened to their sibling...what is WRONG with people? Rest well, little one. Enjoy your life, Charlie and Smokey! Such beautiful boys!
Posted by: Sherrie | November 11, 2007 at 02:58 PM
They are so sweet! I'm glad they found a good home with you. They looked like baby giraffes when they were laying on the cot, especially Charlie! Thanks for all you do.
Posted by: Dawn Hartman | November 07, 2007 at 01:57 PM
They are so sweet! I'm glad they found a good home with you. They looked like baby giraffes when they were laying on the cot, especially Charlie! Thanks for all you do.
Posted by: Dawn Hartman | November 07, 2007 at 01:56 PM
I look forward to your newsletters and I'm so happy that there's a place for our special friends! It's so heartwarming to read the stories and know that there's a safe place out there for them! Yeah!!
Posted by: Kim | November 07, 2007 at 12:00 PM
Sonya,
I'm so glad you get to know and see where your babies have gone.
Posted by: Janet | October 21, 2007 at 05:37 PM
I'm very glad that those two have found a home. While at the shelter, they stayed in the recieving area where I was able to spend time with them (as the animal care techcian for that room).
Despite their disability and confinment in their kennel, it was hard to watch them have such a zest and not be able to play about like any other animal.
It brings joy to me to see them in that vid, actually on grass, in wide open spaces with nothing but their whole lives ahead of them.
Praise for Rolling Dog Ranch!
Posted by: Jessica | October 20, 2007 at 06:49 PM
Why are they wobbly?
Posted by: Lyra | October 20, 2007 at 06:22 PM
I was Smokey & Charlie's MaMa at the Humane Society. I worked with them all the time and took them to Xenia, OH for acupucture which did help them. They are both great dogs and don't know that they are any different. It was hard letting them go, but I was happy to see them in such a nice place. They are both really happy puppies. Smokey is a love-bug and likes to be held. Charlie is an adventurer and doesn't want to sit still long enough to get hugged much. If they get to rowdy, just stoop beside them, put your arm around them and say," Calm, Calm" and they will usually settle right down. You do great work. I'm glad we found you. Take good care of my "Babies". I know you will.
Posted by: Sonya Brooks | October 17, 2007 at 06:16 PM
Welcome to the ranch, handsome puppies! You two are adorable! Enjoyed the video....they certainly are quite a happy pair!
Posted by: Nina | October 17, 2007 at 02:45 PM
They are absolutely adorable... :)
Posted by: Jennifer | October 17, 2007 at 11:35 AM
Welcome home, Charlie & Smokey!!
I wish I had your energy!! You are going to be surrounded by so much love and have lots and lots of wonderful playmates !!
Big hugs and kisses to you!!
Posted by: Beverly & the fur babies | October 17, 2007 at 10:50 AM
That video cracked me up! What a couple of goofballs! Welcome to the Ranch Charlie and Smokey!
Posted by: KCBORRS | October 17, 2007 at 09:25 AM
Oh what a wobble mania day it will be when these brothers meet the sisters, Noodle and Soba! :]
Posted by: Kathy Goog | October 17, 2007 at 07:15 AM
Welcome Smokey and Charlie!
You guys hit life's jackpot; being cared for by RDR.
They are darling and look quite happy. It will be fun seeing them grow up together.
Posted by: Boundforglory | October 17, 2007 at 07:12 AM
Aren't these some sweet boys! And after watching their video, they are so happy, just like the girls. And they listen well also. When Steve called them back, they turned and headed for him.
Posted by: Jennie | October 17, 2007 at 07:05 AM
These two tickled my heart and I thank you for becoming their guardians. One of these days/months/years, I am determined to make the trek out to you all to lend a helping hand and a loving heart. (Of course during visiting times!)
Posted by: Sasha | October 16, 2007 at 08:39 PM
Hey, maybe they can double date with Soba and Noodle!
Posted by: Heidi & the kitties | October 16, 2007 at 07:48 PM
WELCOME TO YOUR NEW HOME, Charlie and Smokey!! You don't know it yet, BUT you could not be in a better place. You are both very handsome and will be even more so with a little bit more weight on those bones. May you have a long and happy life at RDR. Steve: please keep us posted on the progress of these two beauties.
Posted by: Judy and Joe Taylor | October 16, 2007 at 05:44 PM
I keep reading and watching everything you do. I wish I had a lot of money so I could send it to you. The wobbles are one of your specialties, the excitement they show is like what a million dogs would like to show, but can't. They have real joy in their step.....
Please keep doing what you do, when I get my money, and I will, you will get some, to fulfill your dreams, and our dreams, the dreams of all of us who love animals and see each one as a child of God. Thanks, Jo
Posted by: Joanne | October 16, 2007 at 04:47 PM
Hurray for Smokey and Charlie! We're so glad they found their way to the Ranch. Sweet Pea, the East Coast CH dog, sends her best wishes for a long and happy life there.
The video just breaks my heart! Charlie looks just like Sweet Pea when he moves his head to look around. It's so sweet and sad all at once. Perhaps the wobbly boys will like playing with their new sisters Noodle and Soba!
Posted by: Becca & Sweet Pea | October 16, 2007 at 04:01 PM
Welcome Charlie & Smokey! You two are just adorable! I wish I could be there to give you hugs. You both have tons of energy & have arrived at the best place on the planet! The fantastic RDR is just so wonderful & you two are going to love it there.
Sending you big welcome hugs,
ginger & the critters
Posted by: ginger & Tobias (the greythound) | October 16, 2007 at 02:30 PM
Such cute babies! Dogs are such good role models for us - they accept that life is what it is, and go about their business in contentment and joy when they are safely looked after.
- Katy :-)
Posted by: CJ (Katy) Crittenden | October 16, 2007 at 02:21 PM
What sweet little boys they are. Smokey looks like he's dancing.
Posted by: danielle | October 16, 2007 at 12:31 PM
I think this is why I love animals so much. Despite the results of cerebellar hypoplasia, they are still the happiest dogs on the planet.
I hope someone finds them a great home, and hopefully the two of them will go together.
Posted by: Scott | October 16, 2007 at 11:25 AM
My first thought on seeing them was "what a testament to the indomitability of the human spirit." But they're not human, but isn't it the same? The indomitability of spirit or life itself.
These hypoplasia guys tug at my heart strings. I'm so glad you took them!
Nancy
Posted by: Nancy | October 16, 2007 at 10:20 AM