Bulldogs World

Karon asked me to return here, to give everyone an update of the going ons with Hershey and Gizmo and of course me.   I'm not sure how many of yo follow me on Facebook, if you do, then you know what has been going on with me.

Long story short.  Memorial Day, I became paralyzed from the waist down, its called Transverse Mylites, its a 2 in 1,000,000 diease/illness  With a full recovery rate of 33%, a partial recovery, where you can walk some, but will need a wheelchair for distances, 33%, and finally no recovery, perminately in a wheelchair, 33%. If you gain back some feeling rather quickly (less than 1 month) your chances of recovery are very good, the longer it goes, tje less likely  there will be a recovery..   3 months and no feeling, and well, as my Doctors keep telling me 'There is always hope'  My six month         CRAP-iversary was Thanksgiving day. Right now, I am in a hospital bed, in my living room, unalble to walk, nor to go to the bathroom, nor to go upstairs or to do very much at all.  My wife has been an angel, she takes care of her 49 year old helpless baby. from bathing me, to changing my diaper.  I can physically get into my wheelchair, and I can do somethings like make a sandwich when she is at work, but my days of cooking a full meal for us, in this house, is overwith.   I say in this house, because there is some good news to relate, we are building a full handicap accessible 1 floor house. WIth wide doorways, hardwood floors (Carpet really SUCKS for someone in a wheelchair) a modified kitchen (with a cooktop vice stove/oven combo, so I can roll under it to cook) and a modified bathroom. I've had 2 showeres in 6 months, and how I miss the water running over me.

Right now, Dottie is taking care of the inside of the house, like she used to, the outside of the house, yardwork etc that I used to, and taking care of me, and working full time.

That brings me to Gizmo and Hershey.  Unfortuately we could not keep my beloved babies. It was just too much for Dottie to take care of me, and to add the 2 bullies on top of that. Not only the time, but the cost too. You see, my disabilty check is only 50% of my pay. They LOVED being up in my lap (especially Gizmo) and she would paw at my legs for me to let her up in my lap, or to give her a scratch or lovings.  Unfortuately I can not feel that, so there was a very high danger of injury, and being that I am immoblie, and I can't move my legs, I do not heal like normal people do anymore.  I heal even slower than a Diabetic heals.

With the help of englishbulldognews.com we found 2 loving homes for them. Gizmo was always a primadonna, and only ever tolerated Hershey, she is better off being an only dog in the family. She lives in Massachuttes where she is spoiled by a family that tragically lost there bulldog to a sudden and unexpected death at the age of 2.  Ironically,  Gizmo could be a spitting Image of their beloved Lucy. It was ment to be. But I will never see her again, and that is why I am in tears even writting this, she was my baby, daddy's girl.

Hershey, is up in Long Island, with a retired police officer, who has a bully named "Chumley"  they get along so great, playing and goofing around, that we had hoped Gizmo and Hershey would of done together. He gets alot of out door time, as its cooler there than down in Delaware, and Jim's wife runs a Home Daycare, and the kids LOVE Hershey, as Chumley is more of a 'Ho Hum, been there done that with these little people'  I get pictures and video's of him, a couple of times a week. Hopefully, we'll get to see him someday. But we dont want to confuse him. 'Mommuy and Daddy are leaving me AGAIN???'  or maybe it will be us.. Look how happy he is, he isnt even interested in us.  They were both brought into the hospital before they went on their journies to their new homes, I had been away for 3 months, I was hoping for a reunion like they show on TV... but..it was the 'ho hum.. oh hi dad... where's dinner, c ya later' attitude..

I can be found on facebook if you have Karon friended -- Im a bit hidden, I'm sure if you will find me by my name or email...but you an try... Rick Rettinger (Delaware there are actually a few other Rick Rettingers)   or my email   Rettinger@yahoo.com, I must warn you though, how painful it is talking about them, I'm ok attitude and outlook for live wise, until I talk about the babies, then my heart is pulled from my chest and I cry (like now)  I have removed alot of bulldog people, rescues, meetups, fund raisers etc from my Facebook site, as it is just too hard to be flooded with bulldog pictures 24/7 .  I'm sure you can undestand that.     

Oh, I'm not looking for pity, just understanding of why we had to give up our babies, I was surely ripped apart by some people who didnt realize the severity of my illness is, for giving them up.  It wasnt our choice, it would of NEVER been our choice, the choice was made for us :( :(

I'll be signing off now, and you never know when I might peek my head in.... if ever

Love, Rick and Dottie, human companions of Gizmo and Hershey