The first order of business was putting Monty on a diet and flea control. Over the next few weeks, his itching decreased dramatically, his hair started to grown in again, and he started losing weight. He eventually lost 15 pounds, but soon it became obvious why he was overweight. Monty is a chow hound, a food thief, a glutton. He excels at snatching food off the counter, no matter how well it is put out of reach. He's been known to get into the trash in search of a tasty morsel, and once he stole a chunk of cheese from the kitchen counter.
Monty came to visit whenever my ex was out of town, and sometimes "the kids"would come over for a weekend at my place. They all enjoyed seeing each other again. Last year, Monty and I proudly joined the Norcal contingent in the Los Gatos holiday parade. He loved it -- people thought it was cute because he barked so much. He looked so handsome in his red bow and bell. This year, my two dogs and I moved to Houston, so I haven't seen Monty or Daisy (the springer) since August. Last week, Monty had surgery to remove an enlarged spleen. My vet said it was the largest spleen she's ever seen -- 11 lbs., 4 oz.! She said Monty's abdomen after surgery looks like the Grand Canyon. Talk about quick weight loss! He came through the surgery with flying colors, especially for a dog his age. (An update a few days later . . .) Monty's pathology report indicates his tumor was benign. No further treatment required. That's the best Christmas present I could ever get! I love you, Monty.
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Monty
I adopted Monty in
September 1995. At the time he was about 8 years old, with a terrible flea allergy, large
patches of missing hair, and he was considerably overweight. My veterinarian also
discovered fairly bad arthritis in his right hip. She also learned he HATES to have his
nails trimmed, and screams like a banshee at the very thought of a nail trim. 
When
my marriage ended in late 1995, I reluctantly agreed to leave Monty and another dog with
my ex-husband; two other dogs moved with me. It wasn't because I didn't want Monty with
me; on the contrary. I agreed to leave him so my other dog, an elderly springer spaniel,
wouldn't have to live alone.