Meet Oz

This is Oz, our Buddhist Temple Lion dog. Oz adopted us by plopping down in the yard some time in November and he's been hanging out ever since. Our relationship with Oz started slowly. First we tried to shoo him away. Then, secretly at first and then openly, Elaine began to feed him as did our friend Mary and a few other dog-loving people who come by.

We think someone dumped him on the side of the road here, but he seems to have made a home for himself. Mostly he lays around in front of the bar. For a while, when we're open, he would hang out on the edges. If it got too busy for his comfort zone, he made himself a little den around on the side and he'd go there.

He's really sweet, especially for a chow. Chow's aren't known for their kind gentle dispositions. We think he was probably abused as a puppy because for a long time he wouldn't let anyone approach him or touch him. He got comfortable enough with us to take food from our hands but if we made any move to pet him, he moved away. The good news is he is very timid but not passive-aggressive. He didn't move away and growl; he just moved away.

Elaine, with the help of a couple of friends, finally caught him him and put him on a rope so we could get him to the vet. Good thing! In addition to needing shots and grooming, we found out he has heartworm. The good news is it's still in the early stages and hasn't yet damaged any organs. So he's getting treated for that. As most satos (street dogs) do, he has other parasites that he's being treated for. And, after an initial 3-day stay at the vet, he had to return 2 days later for another 24 hours for some sort of infection that he's now getting antibiotics for. (Once again proving that adopting an animal is NOT - contrary to many preconceived notions - an inexpensive way to acquire a pet.)


He's become very comfortable with us. He let's us approach and sometimes even comes to us. He'll let us pet him and Elaine now brushes him every day. He even stood quietly while Elaine gave him a bath! He stays on the rope, mostly so we know we can catch him. He's still on medications and next week goes back to the vet for another treatment for heartworm and to get neutered. When we're open we move him around back as a precaution. He's still pretty docile but as he feels better there is always the possibility he'll start acting more like a chow.