Droobie is a beautiful, male pomeranian, approximately 2 years old. A woman and her daughter came in one evening with Droobie wrapped in a sheet. He was seizuring violently. The woman put him down on the floor and Droobie ran and hid in the corner. He was seizuring, but very aware of his surroundings. I put him in a small crate so he couldn't hurt himself while thrashing around and headed off to Rothman Animal Hospital where he was given medication to slow down or stop a seizure. It had almost no effect. The doctor waited an appropriate amount of time and gave him another dose. Still nothing. She repeated this a couple more times with basically the same result. I went to CVS and purchased a home drug test kit (the ones parents purchase to test their teenagers). Droobie tested for cocaine. Droobie had either been given cocaine or possibly swiped somebody's stash that was left on the coffee table. So, Droobie was set-up with an IV of fluids for the night and we just hoped for the best. In the morning, Droobie was still trembling, but not seizuring like he was the night before. We brought him back to the shelter and continued to treat him with fluids for several more hours. He continued to improve. It took several days for Droobie to return to normal. Just as soon as he got his balance back and was returning to normal, a very nice couple who had adopted a beuatiful little chihuahua mix from a few months before stopped in looking for a frined for their dog. They became best friends almost instantly and went home together the next day.
In July of last year we received a call about a small dog running in the street that needed help. When Steve arived he found a black, white, extremely dirty and very matted little shih tzu. Buddy's coat was so long and matted that it was difficult to tell what kind of dog it was. Buddy would try and bite if he turned to the right or left. Just bite at the air because the matts were so tight and pulled on his skin and he thought someone was pinching or pulling at him. It was his own hair. Mild sedation was required in order to completely and safely groom Buddy. Buddy had eye infections in both eyes, as well as irritation on his skin from the matts being so tight and pulling on his skin. Once they were better, he was ready for a home. Buddy was adopted shortly after his grooming.
In August, Ziggy became a part of our office staff. Ziggy stole my heart the moment he came in the front door on a control stick. Ziggy was also so matted and dirty, he thought someone was hurting him every time he moved so he was snapping at anything or anyone who got close to him. We wanted to make him comfortable as soon as we could, so four of us worked on him, to hold him still so he couldn't bite anyone and a couple people cutting and shaving different areas to get the job done quickly. Ziggy had whole pieces of poop stuck in his hind fur. He smelled just lovely!!! Once we got him shaved and comfortable, he turned into such a nice little man...eventually. Although, he became so accustomed to being hurt when he was touched, he would scream every time we tried to pet him or pick him up. It was just a matter of being patient and knowing that he was being hurt even though he was screaming. The more we touched him and picked him up, he began to become desensitized and soon learned being hugged and up on someone's lap was wonderful and felt good! His open wounds, urine burns on his skin and eye infections cleared up, Ziggy was a little gentleman.
Ziggy was very afraid of meeting new people, especially men. But, a man that worked at the business next door greeted him every morning when I took him outside. Ziggy began looking for Frank every day and they became great friends. Frank talked his girlfriend into stopping in to meet Ziggy with their dog. They all became friends rather quickly. Two days later, Ziggy went home with Frank and is now a very loved member of the family.
Carlos was hit by a car on Route 130 in June. When I picked him up I wasn't sure he was going to make it. the very kind and efficient staff at Rothman Animal Hospital went right to work on him. Carlos did lose the one eye, but the other the other eye returned to normal. Carlos' medical bill was about $800 and that is with us providing the anticbiotics and some other things he needed. Carlos was adopted by a client at Rothman Animal Hospital who's chihuahua mix had just passed away. Carlos is doing very well in his new home.
These are just a few of our "boo-boo" babies in 2010.
In April of 2010, we received several calls about a chocolate lab running around in a neighborhood. Every time we went out there, the dog was nowhere to be found. Finally, one late Friday night I got the call that the dog was in someone's house. When I arrived "Madison" greeted me at the door, like she was the dog of the house. The woman who had her said she was great. She let her in the house and she kept her for several hours, thinking the owner might come by looking for her. The owner has unfortunately never called for her. We believe Madison was just dropped in the neighborhood by her owner who no longer wanted her or couldn't care for her.
Madison is approximately 3 years old, friendly, loving and playful. She walks extremely well on a leash and learns very quickly. Madison is also housebroken. Madison prefers to be the only pet in the house. She does not like cats and is very dominant with other dogs. She is one of the most affectionate dogs in the shelter
Unfortunately, Madison is heartworm positive. She needs an expensive treatment to rid her of the heartworms. We can provide the treatment, but she needs to have a home (or foster home) so she can get the treatment. Here's why: The first treatment is an injection of Immiticide. This can have several side effects, especially if the dog is allowed to be active. Madison will need one month of cage rest. No running around even in the yard. She will have to be on a leash to go out to the bathroom and then right back in the crate. (Or, she can be on a leash with you, as long as she is calm.) The reason for this is that if she becomes active and excited, her blood pressure goes up and this may cause too many heartworms to dislodge and die at one time, which could be catastrophic for Madison.
Then, thirty days after the first treatment she gets a second treatment, then 24 hours after that she gets a final injection of Immiticide and then 30 more days of rest. Once that 30 days is over, Madison will be a normal, well dog again. We have done this treatment many times and it generally goes very well. Every one of our cases has been a great success. If you, or someone you know, is looking for a great dog and they don't have any other dogs or cats, Madison could be the perfect one. They must be willing to help her through the treatment. Please let us know if you are interested.
Once of my many goals for 2011 is fundraising to insure we can continue to take care of the dogs and cats who come to us in "not-so-perfect" condition. Many times these are the most loving and appreciative pets we have the privilege to care for. They bring so much to our lives. Even when they are hurt, abused, neglected and sick they love us unconditionally. Even if you can't foster or adopt Madison or any other dog or cat, we could use everybody's help to plan and implement as many fundraising activities as we can. I have lots of ideas but I need help to complete them. Get in touch with me if you can help too! The shelter phone number is (856) 663-3058 and our e mail is almosthomeshelter@comcast.net.
Thanks for reading this blog and helping our animals.
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Oh dear, such sad stories. I'm glad most of them have happy endings. Hope Madison will be ok too.
ReplyDeleteWe need help for her, but we will make sure she is taken care of. Not to worry.
ReplyDeleteThank you for all that you do at Almost Home Nancy.
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