NEW!!  January 2006 weigh-in was 63 pounds!!  Jordan has lost *38* pounds since he came to rescue!!! 

Jordan, ARPH #5908

 Jordan, aka Jordo, Jor-Jor, Jordie, Jordaman, Jordanamana, is a 11 year old neutered black tri male, bought by an older couple as a three month old puppy in August of 1996 from Petland in West Virginia. This Aussie, who should weigh probably 50-55 pounds, weighed *101* pounds in August of 2003 and at least that much when he arrived in PA to be fostered in late October. His widowed owner had doted on him, cooking meals and feeding him ice cream.  The poor thing could barely move. His teeth were a mess, and his breath was horrendous. According to his vet records, Jordan was 71 pounds at one year of age and steadily gained from there. But I suspected that lurking inside that body was a really cool dog.

On January 5, 2004, Jordan spent the day at my vet's for some diagnostic work to find out what was causing his problems with moving and getting up and down. Great news was that he had dropped 5 more pounds, down to 83.6. The knee x-rays were fine, but the hip x-rays show mild to moderate HD with degenerative changes in the left hip. When the other two views didn't show a reason for his symptoms, they x-rayed his back. Sure enough, that's where the problem was. Jordan has spondylosis deformans.  http://www.dogstuff.info/spondylosis_deformans_lanting.html  Dr. Johnson said that he definitely has pain, but he's probably lived with it so long that he doesn't know any other way to be.  It didn't happen overnight; she thought it's been progressing for years and could be the result of an injury. 

He's a pretty easy dog, perfectly content wherever he is. He picks up toys more often now, if Phoebe will let him. The more he loses, the better he feels, and the more personality he has.  He's got a wiggle, and he'll sometimes initiate play with Trey or Phoebe. He grabs the leash and carries it along when we walk and gets all frisky when it's time to go out. Thanks to hemostats, bones and eating kibble, his teeth look much  better.

Obviously, since he's got his own web page, you know what's coming. :) Jordan became an official member of our family on January 21, 2004. Many thanks to all of the ARPH volunteers who had a part in rescuing Jordan and getting him to Pennsylvania.

Early October 2003 in WV

Late October in PA

Down to 88.6 pounds in November!!

Still a big boy, but he's getting there! These pictures were taken in early June at around 73.5 pounds.

September 18, 2004, an almost svelte Jordan enjoyed the Northeast Rescue Fun Day to the max!