Lucy was a puppy mill dog for about the first seven years of her life and was in an “off the ground” cage north of Buffalo, NY. When she was about seven she was rescued, along with several other dogs by someone with enough money to get them. This person apparently placed Lucy with someone that bred her again. The story goes, that Lucy ignored her last litter. She was probably very tired and was then placed in another new home.
I was contacted by a woman that lives about an hour from me and said she got my name from the Beverly Rescue Group. Her name is Linda. This rescue group works with all kinds of dogs and cats and I gave them my name and number several years ago.
Linda explained that she had a friend that was in and out of the hospital and would be permanently in the hospital. She said that Lucy had been living alone in a mobile home since last February (ten months) and the owner was in the hospital more than home. There were also two cats in the trailer.
The SPCA was contacted and they would throw a bag of cheap food in the trailer every week, one for Lucy and one for the cats. Linda lived about twenty minutes away and was going over every two to three days to check on Lucy and give them water. Linda has five dogs of her own and was truly concerned about the situation. I made arrangements for the release of Lucy through Linda and went to the trailer to pick her up and give her foster care.
Immediately when I walked into the mobile home I could not believe the conditions this dog and two cats had been living in. The bags of food were broken open on the floor and there had been no one cleaning this place. Lucy was infested with fleas, no hair on her hindquarters and the top of her head. I broke open an Advantix that I brought with me (Pam and I have two male Westies) and put it on Lucy. I thanked Linda for her perseverance and drove Lucy directly to our Veterinarian, where she was diagnosed with a flea infestation, worms, bad bronchitis, and ear infections. With medication, she is now doing very well.
Additionally, she will be spayed and has a tumor on her mammary gland that will be removed and also needs extensive dental work.
It is a joy to see her progress and she actually goes up and downstairs now, she could not two weeks ago. She sleeps well and is not scratching herself anymore. Lucy gets excited and hops up and down …it’s the craziest thing.
It is so good to see her progress and how happy she is now. We have a few qualified families that may adopt her after she is through her medical issues. Her life will be great now and she deserves it.
Thanks to WestieMed. Thanks again for your help with Lucy. She is a perfect little girl.
John
Update December 31, 2009
WestieMed, thank you very much for your help with Lucy!
We “all” very much appreciate everything you have done. Lucy is now going to physical therapy to learn stairs and she is a lot better…she would not have made it through winter without all of us.
You guys are great, John and Pam Peck
Update June 28, 2010
Lucy is doing terrific and now looks like a normal Westie since her hair grew back in. She can even run now despite COPD from living with cats in the trailer! My wife has photos to send you when she returns from a trip next week. Lucy lives in a great home with our niece and her family. They love her and attend to the Queen’s every need. Please stay in touch and thank you for the financial help again, it was put to good use! John
Update April 13, 2011
Lucy had the best last year of her life with our niece Annie. Lucy was doing very well and then succumbed to cancer, without pain, dying in her “moms” lap. When she was buried, they placed a little crown on her head. She was a very sweet little dog with many medical problems including COPD. The whole family is still very sad. I also asked Anna to send you a message, I am sure she can tell you more about Lucy.
Thanks for your interest and I am sorry to be the bearer of the sad news. John
Update April 18, 2011
This is Anna Wing (John Peck’s niece and Lucy’s owner). I am writing to update you with the sad news that Lucy is no longer with us.
Around the beginning of October, we noticed that Lucy was seeming to regress in progress. Up to that point, she had been doing amazingly well; she was going on mile-long walks, climbing full flights of stairs, and running around in the backyard like a puppy– all of which she was nowhere near able to do after she was first rescued. After some tests, the vet diagnosed Lucy with liver cancer, which she may have had the beginnings of when we got her, only there was no way to know until symptoms started showing up. Lucy only lasted a few weeks from the diagnosis, but she went very peacefully surrounded by her family.
I am glad to say that Lucy lived the last year of her life as the ultimate princess in our house. She enjoyed sleeping on her pink, fluffy “princess bed” in front of our fireplace, getting as many treats as she wanted, and getting to actually run around free in a real backyard. One of her favorite things to do was go exploring along the beach at our camp on the lake, where she could get into all kinds of new smells. Her instincts from being neglected were always still prevalent, and she was notorious for getting into and eating almost ANYTHING, especially the garbage!
I cannot thank WestieMed enough for allowing Lucy this final year to experience life as a loved dog should. Without your help, she never would have been able to overcome the terrible condition that she was in when John first rescued her from that trailer she was living in. We will always remember her as one of the sweetest and most appreciative dogs we have ever known.
Lilly is a one-year-old, unspayed, Westie who was born in a puppy mill situation (we believe) in a town called Sudbury, which is in northern Ontario.
She was originally going to be used for breeding however she got ill so the “breeder” advertised her in a local paper as “take her or we will put her down” A young girl, approximately 25 years old, and her father answered the ad and took Lilly when she was approximately four to five months old. The young girl was, we suspect, mentally challenged so was very unprepared and unequipped for the financial and emotional responsibility of taking care of an ill Westie, and felt the best solution was to keep her crated all day, for about six months and did not get her any Veterinary care.
Lilly’s skin and condition got worse and worse until the young girl could no longer cope and placed an ad on a website with her pitiful picture, offering her to anyone who wanted her. Very luckily, one of our Westie lovers saw the ad, contacted us and Westies in Need called the owner right away and offered assistance.
A Westies in Need family who have adopted two of our Westies (one puppy mill girl named Molly and a blind Westie named Tara) offered to make the four and half hour drive (one way) to get her for us and then turned around and drove right back to our waiting arms. We took her to our Vet that same day and her treatments began.
She is a tiny, sweet, fragile, sick little girl who has had a hard start to life, but we will make sure she gets the very best care possible from this moment on.
Westies in Need would like to thank WestieMed for all they do and for their very generous donation for Lilly’s care.
With love and thanks, Corrie Yeoman Kim McLean Directors, Westies in Need
Update January 6, 2010
To all of the wonderful folks at WestieMed, Just a quick e-mail to say thanks and thanks again for the generous donation you made to our rescue for our girl Lilly! It is so very much appreciated…we will keep you updated on her progress. Thanks!!
Corrie Director, Westies in Need
Update February 4, 2010
Well, it has been about six weeks now since our Lilly came into our Westies in Need rescue program and I wanted to send you all a follow-up picture and update.
When Lilly arrived she was so very sick and she was about seven pounds At the next Vet visit she went up to about seven and a half and at her last visit she was now almost eight pounds…slow but steady and we would love to see her gain a bit more.
Her fur is coming along…again slow…but a bit more every day! She was bathed three times a day for the first two weeks, then twice a day, then once a day and is now down to a bath every other day. The first few weeks she just stood there and did not move when you bathed her…now she hears the water run and she is gone!!! Too funny!!!
The biggest change we have seen (and I mean HUGE!!!!) is in her attitude. When I first got Lilly she slept about eighteen hours a day, would not run or play at all and had no life her eyes at all….well…she is now a little spitball!
This young lady has Westie-tude to spare! She barks at me if I am not quick enough with her supper, runs up and down our hall chasing my Charlotte like she is in the Indy 500, eats like there is no tomorrow, plays for hours on end with toys and is an absolute joy!
She is the sweetest, most loving and cuddly Westie I have ever known…if you let her she would live her life snuggled on your lap playing with your fingers or trying to chase your eyelashes!!! What a joy she is!
I will keep you all updated on her progress. I want to thank you all once again for your love, your support and your donations for this little girl. She had a rough start to life, but she is certainly making up for it now.
With love and thanks, Corrie Westies in Need
Update June 25, 2010
Lilly, as you know, came into the rescue on December 10th and at that time she was a mess, but she became stronger and stronger as the months went on and was even starting to grow some hair and not smelling as bad.!
THEN…April came and she had a small sore on her head one day (the size of my little fingernail) …in two and half days it covered almost half of her head (picture is attached) and was oozing and pussy. I thought for a moment she had flesh-eating disease….needless to say, we were off to the Vet in a minute and she was diagnosed with a severe bacterial infection that her current antibiotic was doing nothing for and Demodex Mange.
So from April till now it has been a long haul and we have kinda had to start at the beginning…she lost all her hair (damn!!!) and had, I would say, sixty small, open sores on her body from the mange.
She is now seeing her regular Vet as well as Steven Waisglass, a Canine Dermatologist. She went immediately on a different antibiotic and is now also on Ivermectin for the mange. She was also found to have a problem with her Thyroid (I sent all her blood work off to Jean Dodds) so she is currently on Thyroid medication as well.
I have attached some pictures for you to see…I need to take some more of her now as she is starting to improve. She is back to wearing little clothes all the time and she has to wear her back boots again as well so she does not rip her skin when she scratches.
We are back to a bath every other day with the Dermabens shampoo and then another shampoo with the Nizoral and then an oatmeal rinse and I have a Derma cool spray that I can spray on her in bad, itch spots.
Through all this, she is still eating and pooping well and is still the sweetest little thing. In April when she was VERY sick she was back to sleeping most of the day and very lethargic, but she has improved since then…does not sleep too much during the day and is back to playing with toys and trying very hard to play with my Charlotte, who still wants absolutely NOTHING to do with her. So funny!!! She was only 3.4 kg when she arrived in our rescue and is currently 5.6 KG now, so a good and steady improvement with her weight.
We appreciate WestieMed more than you know. Corrie and her little Westies, Charlotte and Miss Lilly
Update April 12, 2011
My Lilly is doing better…still not 100% which is disappointing but she is looking better. Her skin is still an issue and will probably be for all her life.
She is now seeing a holistic Vet in Toronto…she saw the canine dermatologist for months but I was unhappy as he just wanted to continue her treatment with additional drugs, so I am now on the holistic approach.
She has been on a RAW diet for a month now as well, but I have seen no improvement at all as far as her skin. Here is a picture I took of her in December! Corrie
Update January 9, 2012
I want to send you a follow-up regarding our Lilly. She was a little Westie who WestieMed helped over two years ago now. You helped me so much as well as Bette, answering all my questions – you are so knowledgeable and I could not begin to thank you enough!
Lilly continues to do well, not 100% but I doubt that she will ever be…but she is happy and a whole lot better than she was when she arrived in our rescue.
Last month we had 19 Westies come into our rescue – a very busy month but all are doing great!
A few days before Thanksgiving 2009, I received an email asking if I could help a stray that had shown up on a porch in southern Missouri. The woman requesting the help was 100% positive the dog was a wheaten Scottie but in very bad shape. She was concerned he might not make it through the night.
I requested pictures to help identity and upon receipt, I still wasn’t sure it was a Scottie but thought it was possible. One of our foster moms and I made the two-hour trip to pick up the dog, and upon arrival found an emaciated and matted Westie boy. He could barely walk; he had no upper front teeth and his front bottom teeth were worn down to loose nubs. He was scratching and underneath the mats, his skin was almost completely bare. The mats on his hind legs were so huge and barely attached that it looked like he was wearing “chaps”. With heavy hearts, we put him in the car, thinking that we were bringing him home to be euthanized.
Back in St. Louis, I backed out of the driveway after dropping the foster mom at home and looked in my rearview mirror where I saw Ralph (we had named him during the trip back) standing up, wagging his tail. With tears in my eyes, I headed to the vet’s office, dreading what might come next.
Ralph’s examination determined that he had a major bacterial infection, a possible heart murmur, luxating patellas in both back legs, slight cloudiness in both eyes, and the sweetest disposition. As the vet looked in Ralph’s eyes, Ralph rested his chin in the vet’s hand…I knew we had to do everything possible to get him healthy again.
The mats were removed, antibiotics started, shot given to control the itchiness, and Ralph went to his new foster home. On the vet’s recommendation, the heartworm testing was delayed until Ralph had some time to recuperate.
It didn’t take long to find out that Ralph had been someone’s pet at some time. He is housebroken, loves car rides, begs for food, and has decided the best place to sleep is on top of the back of the couch. He enjoys walks with his foster Scottie sister. He has gained weight, his hair is growing back, and since he was showing overall improvement, he went back to the vet’s office for his heartworm test. To our dismay, he tested positive for heartworms.
After considering the alternatives, it was decided to wait a month for Ralph to get in better health and then begin the preliminary testing to see if he could withstand the heartworm treatment. We hope to begin his treatment in January 2010.
Ralph has snuck his way into our hearts. His name has changed to Ralph Henry. We call him RH for short but then refer to him as HRH (His Royal Highness). His age is estimated at nine to ten years old and he deserves to live the rest of his life in a loving home.
He will remain in foster care until the treatment is done, and we are hoping that a door will open to a perfect “furever” home.
Many thanks to WestieMed for their help with Ralph’s veterinary bills! Vicki Frazier St. Louis Scottish Terrier Rescue
Update January 7, 2010
I wanted to give a quick update on Ralph. Took him in today for blood work. We will find out tomorrow or Friday if we can proceed with the heartworm treatment. His hair is growing in pretty well. He still has an aggravated spot at the base of his tail but the vet was overall pleased with his progress. We were able to get him trimmed up (especially on his head) today and think he looks very dapper. Thanks again for your assistance,
Vicki Frazier St. Louis Scottish Terrier Rescue
Update June 26, 2010
We lost Ralph Henry on 3/9/2010. I had been to the foster mom’s home that morning and he greeted me as usual – happy and smiling. He was fine in the afternoon and greeted his foster mom the same way when she got back home from running errands. Just a little later, he threw up blood, etc……his foster mom grabbed him in her arms and ran a block up the street to her vet’s office. He passed shortly after.
He had finished the worst part of the HW treatment; received the final treatment for the baby heartworms and we thought we were home free. We were both devastated. When the foster mom called me hysterically, I drove to the vet’s office and said my goodbyes.
He truly enriched our lives and we are grateful to WestieMed for the financial aid. We console ourselves in the knowledge that he was happy and loved in the too-short time he was with us.
I received a call asking for help in fostering a group of Westies arriving from a puppy mill auction in northeast Ohio. I agreed to take one of the females. I already had two Westies at home, Tyler, eight, and Nikko, eight, also a rescue from a puppy mill in Missouri about three years ago.
As traumatized and almost catatonic as Nikko was upon his arrival three years ago, in comparison, Misty seemed alert and frightened but overall in better shape. She soon proved me wrong. I do not know what they do to these dogs in the puppy mills but it goes far beyond neglect and poor living conditions. Misty was terrified of everything and most of all people. Food was not a motivator, only safety, which can be a hard thing to use for training. Misty had delivered numerous litters and was not even four years old. She was very skinny and shaved to resemble a rat. She slowly began to relax but it has been and still is a very slow road. She is the most damaged little dog I have ever met. She always felt safest when she was up high, like on the couch or the bed. For some reason, the floor was a very terrifying place to be. With very slow and quiet movements on my part, Misty has finally begun to relax a bit. She has the cutest little run which appears more and more all the time. She runs somewhat stiff-legged as if she is a newborn colt. It is a joy to see her bounce about with that tail finally up in the air!
In October she vomited three days in a row. I was keeping a very close eye on her as their little systems dehydrate so quickly. She was still eating and drinking so I was just vigilant at that point. On the third day, I came home from work to discover she had vomited whole food again. That was followed quickly by clear liquid. Upon wiping that up I saw specks of blood. I immediately got her to my vet where he gave her something for the upset stomach and re-hydrated her. I then placed her on a bland diet. Three days later on a Saturday morning, I woke up and she vomited four times in a row, all containing blood. As my vet was out of town I went to Eastgate Animal Hospital. They were wonderful there and recommended she be admitted to their on-site hospital so they could monitor her. She only weighed eighteen pounds and had lost a whole pound in three days, very concerning.
They gave her fluids, x-rayed her and ended up doing an endoscopy and a biopsy on her. They discovered a somewhat healed over spot in her bowels that was the source of the blood. Their concern was they would find cancer or pancreatic issues. After several long days, Misty’s biopsy results came back. Everything seemed to be OK in that it appeared to be just an extremely sensitive system. Misty is now on a special, very bland diet without any other food or treats. She has regained her weight and other than an upset stomach twice seems to be doing well. She lives with only myself and my two other Westies so it is a pretty quiet and dog-friendly environment. My hope is that if it is partly nerves she will continue to relax and stay healthy!
I am so grateful to the WestieMed organization for their assistance in her medical bills. She has been a very expensive foster to rehabilitate and while I wish I could do more my resources are limited. I have never met a sweeter, more gentle soul in Misty. Westie Med has helped to ease the burden of caring for her. Thank you WestieMed for all the wonderful things you do to support the Westies out there who need us all so much!
Sincerely, Anne Huddleston
Update February 15, 2010
Misty is doing great and has gained weight and seems to be maintaining very well (she had bleeding in her intestines). Thanks again for all you do!
Anne Huddleston
Update March 5, 2010
Misty is doing great! She is thriving on her food, has packed on a few pounds and is really starting to enjoy life! She still seems to be quite damaged psychologically but is slowly learning to trust. For instance, the sofa and the bed are safe but the living room floor is a scary place and only used as a necessary and evidentially very dangerous means of travel from the sofa to my bed. So much so that she can work herself into a real panic scrambling for the sofa. If she should miss the jump the first time up onto the sofa she kind of freaks out and you would think alligators are nipping at her butt! Slow and steady wins the race… It is OK if I am on the floor but otherwise it is just a very scary place. Who knows…
She has reached that stage where she is getting a tiny bit cocky outside…sort of testing the waters. She now runs out in front of me (we are in a gated dog park) with my other little girl Tyler. They run side by side like the wind and with such abandon! My little boy Nikko slowly brings up the rear (can’t miss sniffing a thing!). It is so much fun to watch them run and play.
Anne Huddleston
Update June 30, 2010
Misty is great! I have decided to adopt her (another foster failure!). She is coming along beautifully but still a very scared little girl (she was a severe casualty of a puppy mill). She finally held my eyes while wagging her tail the other day…great progress! (We were getting ready for a walk).
She is occasionally playing with my other two and is starting to act just a little bit like a normal, trusting, content dog. It is getting better all the time, slowly but surely.
She is such a sweet, tender little soul. Just adorable little girl. She is still not ready to be adopted out (still way too scared and afraid to trust) and I think it would set her back a great deal. Since I have fallen in love with her she is now joining my pack. Heaven help me. Is this how it starts? How these rescuers end up with 14 or more???? : )
She has to stay on a special diet of horribly expensive dry and wet food ($76.00 for an #18 bag!!!) but she is responding well and has not had any more vomiting issues so fingers crossed.
I will send pics as soon as I can. She is blossoming a bit more every day. Thank you so much for your kind assistance and for caring enough to check on her.
Anne
Update April 18, 2011
It has been a long road for Misty, mostly psychologically but she is turning the bend. She remains on her very expensive diet which seems to keep her intestinal issues at peace. She eats more than the other two of my Westies yet is the skinniest, but not overly so. She has finally reached a point where she can look me in the eyes, if only for a few seconds, and has almost rolled all the way over – still not quite onto her back – for a belly rub. Trust is a very big issue with her. She becomes more secure every day and she loves nothing better than to run free in a field of grass –preferably when no one else is around but her immediate family. I believe she finally has accepted that this is her furever home and she is safe – at least with me and her brother and sister. I am still working on her feeling secure with other people although she gets lots of socialization, women remain the easiest for her to accept but a few men have actually been able to approach and pet her. She has tracheal collapse which we are controlling for the present but it worries me. She is the sweetest little girl and a joy to love!
My name is now Linnie because I am loved. I used to be just a number and the only love I got was from my puppies. Despite the fact that I have always lived in a small cage, I loved people and attention. I am a licker and a tail-wagger and when my jailers in Missouri decided I had to go, my rescuers from Westie Rescue Indiana brought me and a lot of my friends here to live a normal life.
My trip to the vet discovered a number of things wrong with me but the most major thing was that I had a bladder stone the size of a hen’s egg that was blocking my urethra so that I was miserable and peeing small amounts of blood mixed with urine. I also got an x-ray to see if I was pregnant. I wasn’t so I got spayed along with my bladder surgery and antibiotics to keep me from getting an infection. I have to always eat special urinary food so I don’t ever get these bladder stones again.
Well, that is about it except that I am waiting for my forever home. Thank you WestieMed for helping with some of my medical bills.
Linnie
Update April 29, 2010: Linnie is now named Lynn.
Linnie, or Lynn as she is now called, has a great home with her new owner. She is well-loved. I will try to get some pictures.
Carla
Update October 22, 2010
Linnie has a perfect home with a wonderful nurse named Judy for her mother. She even has her own nanny who walks her during the day so she never has to be alone.
She loves chasing squirrels and birds (even caught one once), taking walks around the neighborhood and even cons her mom to carry her when she gets “tired”.
She has lost all the ugly brown stains from the cage that she called home for so many years in the puppy mill in Missouri.
She has a light in her eyes that weren’t there before and she lives life to the fullest thanks to WestieMed’s help.
We received a call from the Olympia Animal Shelter in June 2009. An elderly woman surrendered her Westie because she had sadly lost her home in a spring flood and she had never been able to recover after the insurance and the FEMA assistance and she had to give up her dog. She could not feed herself let alone feed or vet her dog, so she left it at the shelter. Sugar had an ear infection and some fleas, and the shelter asked for us to come and get her. We took her to the vet, and lo and behold poor “Sug” had a plethora of medical issues. She had a heart arrhythmia, heart murmur, she had arthritis in both back legs and her hip, she had a bad disk in her spine and an infection in her ears. We did x-rays, sonograms, called in a cardiologist, and cha-ching our bill hit $900 and that was ½ off for rescue price (original bill was $1800). Alas we sent her to foster care, where she was a bit grumpy, not too affectionate, and her mission in life was hunting and her goal was to kill a cat. Unfortunately, the foster mom had six cats, and Sugar had to be relocated.
We eventually found an adopter for her. Nice elderly lady who loved Westies. Sugar lasted fourteen days and they returned her because she wasn’t affectionate, felt bored, wouldn’t listen, she was very stubborn and very unmanageable and cranky… so off she went back to foster home to chase cats. In August we found another adopter and she kept Sugar for about four days, and found her to be difficult, unaffectionate, stubborn, and as she politely put it … challenging! Off she went off to yet another foster care.
At this point I was worried and the new foster mom called and said she seems to have something wrong with her vulva, and she is now peeing in the house and poo-ing in the house and licking nonstop. Off we went back to the Vet. This time we had to go to a new Vet as the original Vet stopped giving us a discount and was 100 miles the other direction. The new vet said she had an infection but it seemed she had been on and off antibiotics and she wanted to do a culture to see what this infection was resistant to. Her urine was too dilute to get a reading for any kind of bacteria. The Vet also voiced her concern that she could have kidney stones or bladder stones.
The culture came back with E-Coli infection, she was prescribed antibiotics, and she had to come back in three weeks for a recheck. After the three weeks, she returned to uncover an underlying Staph infection and off again was the culture (at this point we are at another $800) and she was prescribed antibiotics again and we did a radiograph for stones. We found none.
By October we were teetering at $1600 worth of bills (after the discount) and a dog who was challenging and no one was “enamored with“ as an adoption option. Sugar was not very affectionate, she liked to be with other dogs, she didn’t engage with them. No one was interested in adopting an eight-year old Westie with a heart condition, bad legs, arthritis and a disk problem, and to boot, not an overly affectionate dog. Sugar’s idea of humans was mostly that they were put on this earth to serve her food, and she loved to be naughty. She did have a great sense of humor if you liked a smarty pants attitude. Numerous times her new foster mom just burst out laughing. Sugar liked mischief, and if you tried to get her stuff, she would challenge you like the “she-devil”. She would also like to grab your stuff, and run with gay abandon through the house on a wonderful gleeful chase.
Five months into rescue I thought – now what? I have adopters who only want a dog as a companion who will play with their dog, like kids, go for walks, or is a cuddle bug and wants to be loved. Sugar met none of the qualifications. Five months later, and $1800 worth of bills I was very stressed and asked WestieMed for help to offset our cost. They graciously helped us.
The sun finally shined through the clouds and Sugar is now adopted out on a temporary basis with a former applicant of ours who has adopted a Scottie and two Westies from us over the years. She has three other dogs, and Sugar is in heaven. She is in the group, does her own thing, and the owner has a lot of fun chuckling with her humorous escapades. Her comment is that she keeps the yard free from cats, and squirrels and she takes her job seriously. Our adopter graciously took Sugar into her home at no adoption fee, to give her a chance at life. We have no idea how long Sugar’s heart will hold out, but at last, she has found a place to land, and is having a bang up time patrolling the back yard. Here is a photo of Sugar and her new Mom taken November 2009
Karin Parish Seattle Rescue Rep. Seattle, WA
Update April 14, 2010
Sugar is just fine and happy! She lives in a cottage by the sea with wonderful gardens. She has 2 brothers and a little sister. The attached photo is, left to right: Ferguson, AnnieBelle, Sugar and Henry, on one of their weekly bath days!
When I acquired Sugar, I was told she was a “special needs dog”, but no one ever told her that! Despite her arthritic hips, she chases Ferguson around the house until HE gives up, and he’s several years younger. Suggie has quite a personality, and she’s actually quite funny, although grumpy in the morning when she doesn’t want to get out of bed and I have to go to work.
Suggie is currently on no medications (she did have her teeth cleaned last week tho).
Thanks for doing what you do, helping these little lost souls to have a better chance in life.
Suzanne
Update September 29, 2010
Suggie is just fine. She’s got Ferguson, Henry & Annie as mates. She has a wonderful life: food, mates, a safe dry, warm house, a beautiful garden to play in and a Mommie who loves her!
Although Ferguson is about five years her junior, she chases him around and tuckers him out. He entices a match, she goes for it, he gets tired first.
Suggie may walk funny & have a lop ear, but she doesn’t believe she has any special needs! I get a kick out of her and I wish she could speak to me, because I also think she’s a very funny dog.
Morgan, age seven years, was surrendered to Westie Rescue of Austin because the family had just been told he was diabetic and would need lifelong care, insulin shots, and careful diet. With two small children in the family to deal with, the mother felt she could not handle the added stress, so they contacted us and brought him to our program. We got him to our vet the following Monday and started the insulin injections, working gradually to establish the dosage level most appropriate.
Morgan had dropped from 26 pounds to 19 pounds in the three months before we got him. He was in serious condition, but with the implementation of the insulin, he responded quickly and became stable. However, within the first two weeks, he developed cataracts in both eyes and literally went blind over a weekend. I finally realized what had happened because he kept bumping into me to follow me – he could not see!!
Our vet referred us to an animal ophthalmologist who said Morgan was a good candidate for cataract surgery. His cataracts were well-formed and should be easy to remove. But the surgery was going to run approximately $1500 per eye. A new lens would be inserted to allow for better depth perception and restore his sight to almost normal.
His first cataract, in the left eye, was removed in early June and the change was dramatic! For the first couple of days, Morgan was not sure that he could really see, but once the eye settled, he was thrilled! We had to restrain him from jumping for a week, but he did not mind, and the healing went smoothly.
We are planning on having the other cataract remove in the fall, so he can see again with both eyes and have better depth perception. Morgan is such a loving and delightful Westie! He is a big gun but thinks he is still lap-dog size. He has bonded nicely to his foster family and will make a wonderful companion for a new family.
We are grateful for the assistance that WestieMed is providing so that Morgan can have normal vision again.
Update September 30, 2009
Morgan’s surgery is scheduled for October 16th for the removal of the second cataract, and he should come through with flying colors the vet said. I will send you another update after he recovers.
Thank you again so very much for WestieMed’s wonderful assistance for Morgan!!
Barbara Ott Westie Rescue, Austin
Update March 2, 2010
Morgan is doing fine. He had his second lens replacement in Oct. and it also was a success. He can see beautifully. We had a set back toward the end of the year when we were notified that Vetsulin was no longer available, and that is what he was on. So we made the transition over to human insulin, went through several more glucose curves until we could establish a level of units that seem to stabilize him. Now that he is on Humulin N, he actually has better curves than he did on Vetsulin.
Due to his diabetes, he got a few inquiries, but no serious potential adopters, even though his eyes were seeing again, and he was fairly stable on his insulin. I was also preparing to retire from my day job at the end of December and making plans to move to Tennesse in February. I felt that sending him to another foster home would be stressful for him, so I decided to bring him with me along with my own two Westies to our new home in Tenn.
Morgan has made the adjustment to our new home very well. He was confused the first couple of weeks, and would not let me out of his sight. Now that we have been here a month, he has relaxed and is settling in with our new routines. I am home nearly all day now, and he still stays close but is content to lie on a doggie bed near me. My own two Westies have also gone through the same adjustments, and my husband laughs now – he can find me anywhere as there are three little white dogs with their noses pointing to the closed bathroom door……
It looks like Morgan is now a member of our family. He is happy and playful, and stable on twelve units twice a day. I am still unpacking boxes, and as soon as I find my camera (it’s in a box somewhere….) I will send you some current photos.
My heartfelt thanks to the assistance we received from WestieMed for Morgan’s care and eye surgery. He is such a happy Westie and very comfortable with us. I love him to pieces.
Barb Ott Retired from Westie Rescue Austin
PS – Westie Rescue/Austin is still alive and well. One of my foster moms, Linda Duncan, stepped up to take the reins and has been busy rescuing and adopting Westies already. She is doing a great job.
Update July 29, 2010
Morgan is doing great. He can see about as much as 85% as a normal dog, being restricted only because he cannot focus all that well with his artificial lens in each eye. But he gets along great and is a happy camper.
I retired from rescue work after the first of the year and we moved from Texas to Tennesse. During that time Morgan never got any interest in being adopted, primarily due to being diabetic and his age, so we adopted him and he came to Tennesse with our three other dogs, and he has adapted beautifully to his new home, here with us. He will turn ten on Christmas Day, and I cannot imagine not ever having him as part of our family now.
Morgan’s diabetes is stable and he has regained his lost weight. He is a sweet, gentle loving Westie, and so eager to please. He is my shadow, lying at my feet right now as I type and sleeping beside my side of the bed at night. His eyes have healed beautifully and the new lens has given him back his life. We are eternally grateful for the help WestieMed gave Morgan toward the huge cost of his cataract surgeries, which came to nearly $3500 with the follow-ups and meds.
I have attached a photo taken of Morgan in our new home in Lawrenceburg, TN. Isn’t he handsome!!
Annie was found as a stray living on the streets of Columbus Ohio by the local dog warden. The shelter estimated her age to be six years. Shortly after she was picked up they called to let us know that if she was not claimed by the end of their three day waiting period, she could be released to us. As most rescue groups know, when you go to pick up a dog you never know what you will come face to face with. Questions run through your mind; will the dog be healthy, friendly, somewhat trained (or at least trainable), and lastly will she be adoptable….
When I checked in at the front desk of the shelter I told the volunteer behind the window I was with Westie Rescue and was there to pick up a dog they were holding for us. She gave me a serious look and said: “Do you want to see her first?”. My stomach sank. Just what condition could this Westie be in for her to ask such a question? I told the lady I would take her regardless of her condition and started preparing myself for the worst.
When Annie came out into the lobby, she looked as if she had been on the streets for months. She was filthy, matted, and just looked pitiful — but she seemed happy! She walked out the door on the leash, went potty as soon as we reached the grass and continued with me to the truck as if we had been doing this together for years. I was thinking “This is too good to be true”. She jumped right up into the truck and sat there looking at me as if to say “Come on, we need to get home”. Before I could get situated, she was in my lap and kissing my face. This… was a wonderful dog! She sat in the seatbelt next to me as I started home, continuing to kiss the parts of me she could reach. It was non-stop kissing. This little girl was used to sharing affection. As I drove I couldn’t help thinking that this dog must have been loved and well taken care of by someone.
When we arrived home I introduced her to Jean and the other eight Westies in the house and she immediately blended right in and gave Jean the kissing treatment I had been getting in the truck. Most of the dogs we take in are, at least at first, more comfortable around other dogs because typically they have been neglected or mistreated by humans before coming to us. Annie, however, was the exception. She loved us and wanted to follow our every move, and for the most part, ignored the other dogs. When we would leave the room she would cry and not just a normal whimper, I mean really cry. She was craving human companionship. By the time we got her cleaned up a bit and settled in, it was time for bed. I put her in a crate and took my DannyBoy and Mary up to bed with me.
The crying began as soon as we were out of her sight. I thought, as I usually do, that it would stop after a short time but it didn’t and it was breaking my heart. So I went and got her, took her upstairs with me and put her in bed. She immediately laid on one of the pillows and promptly went to sleep. Another sign that she had been used to this arrangement and like a good Westie, wasn’t going to settle for anything less. When I awoke in the morning she was in the same spot. She jumped out of bed with Danny and Mary, followed me downstairs and went right outside. I walked out with her and when I told her to go potty she did so almost immediately. Someone had spent significant time training this dog. We soon found out that Annie loved getting tummy rubs because every time we sat down or stood still, she would walk up to us, roll over on her back and give us that “look”. Annie got lots of tummy rubs over the next few days. This, I thought, was going to be one of those “easy” rescues.
I had picked Annie up on Sunday and immediately Monday morning called and scheduled a vet appointment for the following Saturday morning. By Wednesday, we noticed Annie was coughing and assumed it was the typical kennel cough that so many of the dogs from the shelter have when we get them. It wasn’t until Friday night that she started going downhill. Within a short time, she became lethargic, developed a temperature and started shaking. That was when I decided she couldn’t wait until morning to see a vet and needed to go to the emergency room right away. Jean took her because I had a big day ahead of me with an early rescue delivery to Pennsylvania the next day. It was late when she called to say that the emergency room vet thought Annie had pneumonia and wanted to keep her overnight, give her IV antibiotics and do more testing the next day. She also felt Annie needed to see an internal specialist to determine the cause of the pneumonia. Her treatment plan would depend on the outcome of those tests. The next day they ran tests and determined that she had severe onset pneumonia and started her on a regiment of two potent antibiotics plus pain meds. She also had a urinary tract infection which they felt the antibiotics she was taking for the pneumonia would take care of. Over the next two days at the hospital, she started feeling much better and by Sunday afternoon they released her into our care.
Annie was still a sick little girl when I picked her up but according to the MedVet staff, she never lost the desire to share her love with someone. They all knew about Annie and several made a point of telling me how special and loving they thought she was. As soon as I sat her in my lap, she was back to kissing me non-stop.
The picture to the left is of Annie shortly after she came home from the hospital. She spent a lot of time over the next few days resting in her favorite spot on the sofa and getting lots of love and tummy rubs.
Annie is expected to make a full recovery and we are so thankful for that. Her expenses for that weekend, however, were over $1,900 and nearly drained our bank account. Without the help of WestieMed, we would have had to think twice before taking in another rescue. Because of their generosity, we are in a position to continue helping needy Westies in the Central Ohio area.
Thanks, WestieMed! Beverly Ressler Central Ohio Westie Rescue
Update September 6, 2009
Annie is doing great. She went to our vet last week and we received great news. She has recovered fully from her pneumonia. I even have a family interested in adopting Annie. She is scheduled to be spayed and have a dental on 9-23 so it could be that they come to adopt and pick her up at the Westie Walk! Bev
Update February 2, 2010
The only way to start this story is at the beginning – – “our” beginning with Annie. Having loved and enjoyed many four-legged family members over 42 years of marriage, my wife Lee and I have become Westie lovers. Annie is our fourth West Highland White Terrier. Life with Annie started with our second visit to Beverly Ressler’s home following an adoption of a puppy mill rescue Westie (Angel) earlier in the year. When we met Annie she seemed full of affection as she apparently loved human touch. I had one major concern. My wife made the commitment to give our rescue Westie Angel a loving home for the rest of her life even if she could not adapt to a social environment. That meant Angel was the priority. I needed some assurance from Beverly. If Annie could not co-exist with our first adopted Westie, could we bring Annie back? Beverly’s answer, of course, was yes.
By the end of Annie’s second day with us, I told Lee that “Annie was going NOWHERE”! OH-My-Gosh what a love. I should have known that fact within the first thirty miles north of Beverly’s house on I-77 heading home with Annie two nights earlier. “Why” you should ask. Because Annie had all of Lee’s make-up off her face. Lee’s cheeks were virtually red and there was no stopping Annie as long as Lee held her on her lap – the alternative was a cage in the car and that was not going to happen. It was so FUNNY watching Annie get acquainted with Lee – Annie would have been all over me had I not been driving. We laughed all the way home. Annie spent her first day surveying our house and that was it. Day two, “ANNIE” was home. Oh, do we love this little girl – or maybe “LITTLE” is inappropriate. Annie is not little by any Westie standard and we love every pound and ripple of her. She greets us with a wonderful level of energy when we come home. There are also these wonderful little sounds she makes when she wants a hand to touch her. We have benefited greatly from Annie’s presence and so has Angel. Yes, Angel has benefited. Annie seems to have helped Angel understand how to become a dog versus a creature used to produce new puppies.
We now have two GREAT babies that will be loved and live a terrific, safe, healthy and “spoiled” life. In the truest sense, “A DOG’s LIFE”. Thank you to Beverly and a huge thanks to my bride of 42+ years who simply has a wonderful heart full of love for all animals – and some of it has rubbed off on me.
Bob Meisch, Angel and Annie’s permanent Papa.
Update July 30, 2010
I am sending this to some family and friends that have loving four-legged family members. Yesterday, Lee and I held Annie in our arms as she went to sleep. This is so painful. I buried her next to KD and Muffin in our backyard. Above is Annie’s Story that I had the great pleasure of writing for WestieMed’s web site right after we adopted her. That is only a tiny part of Annie’s story but none of you would likely read the thousands of words that it would take for me to describe this wonderful baby.
After a few days in the Vet hospital with what initially appeared to be an improvement, Annie took a turn for the worse very quickly after we brought her home. No need to detail that pain.
I thought I would never experience pain as severe as when we lost KD our last Westie. This is much worse. Lee and I (don’t know exactly why) feel the same – -all our babies were terrific but Annie – – eight months with us after being rescued by Beverly Ressler was enough for us to fall in love with this girl. She was large (not fat) for a Westie so Lee nicknamed her “Hunka Hunka” and she had burning love for us (remember the song). Annie talked to me with this high pitched little sweet bark. She seemed to know how to make all the right sounds and expressions (she could do that) to get into our hearts.
Yesterday, we both wrote some things on her casket before I placed her into the grave. Sounds dumb maybe but it was part of our grieving. I took a marker and outlined my hand on the casket as she always loved my hand on her belly. It goes with her. Lee told her to wait for her at the Rainbow Bridge. This is so very painful for me – what a loving baby. I have to stop now – I can’t go on (really difficult) but for all of you that love these members of your family, PLEASE cherish them every day.
One last thing: To Beverly – thank you so much for allowing Annie into our lives. I could never repay you for that. You more than anyone else knows how very special she was. God bless you for your kindness.
In August of 2008, my husband of 26½ years passed away from cancer. He became ill and was gone in three weeks. For the previous five years prior to his passing, he was home every day with our seven-year-old Peek-a-Poo, Bernie. Following his death Bernie suffered from severe separation anxiety, manifested by self-mutilating behaviors of scratching and chewing herself raw, resulting in three months of treatment with Anafranil. I began considering the possibility of acquiring a companion pet for Bernie; however, was hesitant as I was still trying to figure out how I was going to manage with my now limited income. My husband’s military pension and Social Security retirement was greater than my working income.
A co-worker who knew I was considering a companion pet asked if I would be interested in accepting Hallie, a fourteen-month-old Westie. She informed me that Hallie was left with her in hopes of finding her a new home. The individual that gave Hallie to my co-worker told her that she had taken Hallie from her daughter as she was being abused and neglected, to include being housed outside and fed only every other day. She chose my co-worker as my co-worker had taken Hallie’s sister the year before under the same circumstances. My co-worker was informed that although Hallie was healthy except for allergies if she could not find her a new home the owner was going to “put her down”.
After two days of consideration, I brought Hallie home; I could not stand the thought of having a healthy fourteen-month-old pup being put down for no good reason. Fortunately, although Bernie was apprehensive about this energetic ball of fur the two were playful and seemed to enjoy each other’s company almost immediately. However, on that first night, I noticed that the more active Hallie became, the more she coughed. They continued playing, but when Hallie began coughing Bernie would back off. When Hallie stopped coughing she again would initiate play and Bernie would oblige. At one point Hallie began coughing and gagging, and her breathing was obviously labored. As I was massaging her throat and rubbing her chest to calm her, I soon realized that she was suffering from more than allergies. I could actually feel and hear fluid moving in her lungs. In spite of this, once the gagging and coughing stopped, she returned to play. The following day I took Hallie to my vet where chest x-rays revealed she had pneumonia. She was started on antibiotics and Lasix. As a precaution, Bernie received a vaccine for kennel cough.
On Hallie’s first day alone at her new home, I confined her to the kitchen as her kennel was too small to accommodate her, and she needed to have the water available to her because of the Lasix. The floor was covered with “pee pads”, and I said goodbye to “my girls” as I left for work. Upon my return from work, I was shocked. This loving little girl had “peed and poohed” ALL OVER the place; not only were the “pee pads” torn up, so was my kitchen rug, as well as the chairs and TV, stand to be out of place. It looked like a tornado had struck. It took me the next six hours to clean the kitchen, which included pulling the carpeting up. Hence, her new name”TAZ” (Tasmanian Devil). I also acquired an oversized kennel that same night from my nephew.
Although Taz’s condition seemed to improve somewhat, on her follow up visit to the vet the x-rays showed limited improvement with her lung congestion and antibiotics were continued. Throughout it, all Taz continued her playfulness and showed her winning personality. She never hesitated to go into the vet’s office, always prancing right in with her tail wagging.
On the next visit to the local vet, plans were to discuss a “tracheal wash” in an attempt to identify the cause of the infection. Instead, our vet recommended that Taz be scheduled for an appointment at the Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Clinic (PVS-EC) and I agreed. The antibiotics were discontinued so as to not compromise any tests that the clinic might want to do. Our vet made the referral, and our appointment was scheduled.
However, with the antibiotics discontinued, Taz’s condition began to deteriorate. Her appetite lessened, she became lethargic, her playfulness disappeared, breathing became increasingly labored, and she eventually developed two large open draining sores on her right shoulder area. Unable to get an earlier appointment at the specialty clinic, I took Taz to the Emergency Clinic. Following the initial exam, to include x-rays and blood work, the emergency room vet informed me that test results indicated Taz was “showing many interesting pathologies” and recommended that she be kept overnight so that she could undergo additional testing and palliative care to keep her comfortable; again I agreed. I informed the vet that I wanted to give Taz every chance possible, but I did not want her to suffer needlessly. Taz spent two nights at PVS-EC. She was diagnosed with “blastomycosis”, a systemic fungal infection, endemic to the Missouri, Mississippi, and Tennessee Valley areas, which was affecting the lungs, skin, and possibly beginning in the bone. Her prognosis was “fair” as with significant lung involvement, additional inflammation in the lung tissue may develop as the fungal organisms began to die within the first two weeks of treatment, which could cause significant breathing problems that would require hospitalization with oxygen therapy and can sometimes be life-threatening. Antifungal medications are typically needed for months to successfully treat blastomycosis.
I took Taz home not only with the hopes that we could successfully treat this precious pup but also with a sense of anger and frustration. Although information regarding this loveable and loving pup was limited, one piece of documentation I received with her was from an emergency vet clinic in Knoxville, TN. It noted she was bought to this clinic due to wheezing, coughing, gagging, thick green nasal discharge, and decreased appetite. The same symptoms I noted almost eleven months later. At the visit in Knoxville, the vet discussed with the owner his desire to rule out kennel cough, pneumonia, etc., but the owner declined to agree to any work-up to include x-rays and blood work. So it seems this poor pup had been fighting this infection for almost a year without treatment. The idea of her suffering for so long broke my heart, and although I was told treatment was long term, expensive, and without a guaranteed outcome, I was more determined than ever to give this little girl a chance for a happy and healthy life, one that she apparently had yet to experience in her short life.
It was obvious that she was a fighter with a spunk. In spite of her health problems she remained adorable and loving, and all she wanted was for someone to love her. It’s obvious she thinks everyone she meets should love her as she greets them with a wagging tail. She has won my heart and has stolen the hearts of all she meets. I now understand the true meaning of the phrase “for the love of Westies”.
Due to my limited income and anticipated cost of Taz’s care, I sought out the assistance of another co-worker in an attempt to locate an organization that could help offset the expenses; WestieMed was found. I held off in submitting an application for assistance, hoping for the best.
Taz’s response to treatment for blastomycosis was mixed. The first three weeks were tough; she remained lethargic and had to be encouraged to eat, most often needing to be hand-fed, along with a nutritional supplement. She again began wagging her little “carrot-shaped” tail, but energy levels waxed and waned, and she would occasionally initiate play with Bernie. All the while she continued to give and seek out love.
After the first three weeks, she seemed to be well on her way to a slow but sure recovery. We had a couple more follow up visits with the vet, indicating a mild improvement in her condition, and her liver was tolerating the medication. She was again playing with Bernie on a regular basis, with increased appetite and energy levels.
Then Taz experienced a rapid onset of open-mouthed breathing. I rushed her to the local vet hospital where she was hospitalized for two days and treated with oxygen therapy. She was discharged with additional medication, a bronchodilator. Again she was playing and showing few signs of her illness, but for the occasional cough.
However, Taz again experienced a sudden onset of open-mouth breathing and was rushed to the local vet hospital and admitted for oxygen therapy. Within an hour of returning home, I received a call from our vet informing me that an appointment was available at PVS-EC the following day. I immediately accepted this appointment and submitted an application to WestieMed requesting financial assistance.
Before I picked Taz up the next morning to take her to our appointment at PVS-EC she received a breathing treatment from the local vet. Following her exam. at PVS-EC, it was believed that her recent episode of respiratory distress was due to aspiration of vomit and an antibiotic was added. Additionally, because Taz’s lungs had not significantly improved, her antifungal medication was changed, and a second antifungal med was added.
Today, Taz’s prognosis has been upgraded to “good”; her quality of life is described as good also.
Although treatment is expected to last for at least another six months, with regular follow-ups, Taz has shown considerable improvement. She and Bernie play each day, sometimes for hours at a time. They growl at each other and chase each other around the house, and Taz doesn’t always play fair. Taz is coughing very little now, and it is usually Bernie that ends up panting with her tongue hanging out.
Taz is finally learning to be a puppy. She is fascinated with daddy long legs, she barks at fireflies, tries to catch moths, and is starting to get into things she shouldn’t. Her terrier personality is starting to come through.
With continued treatment and the assistance from WestieMed, I am very optimistic that Taz will enjoy a full recovery and enjoy a happy and healthy life in a loving home that she deserves.
On behalf of Taz, Bernie and myself, we extend our thanks and appreciation to the wonderful folks at WestieMed.
For the Love of Westies, Janine L. Jackson
Update August 18, 2009
Bernie and I took Taz for a check-up today at the Pittsburgh specialty clinic. Good news and bad. Chest x-rays were performed along with blood work to check liver function. Lab results are forthcoming but I anticipate those results to be satisfactory. There is a “continued increase in lung sounds but improved from the last exam”. X-rays show “Diffuse interstitial infiltrates have improved since the last exam. Alveolar pattern/atelectasis of right cranial lung lobe persists relatively unchanged”.
We are to schedule a recheck of radiographs and blood work in three months. “The majority of Taz’s lung fields have improved. She continues to have a consolidation of one lobe on the right side. If this area fails to improve, despite normalization of other lung lobes, we may have to consider removing this lung lobe at some point in the future”. It was explained to me that this lung lobe was similar to being “collapsed” The fear is that if all other lung lobes improve but for this one, that some infection may remain in this lobe, that it will cause a relapse and we will then have to start over from the beginning. So, we continue to hope and pray.
Thanks again to WestieMed for your kindness and support.
For the Love of Westies, Janine
Update September 21, 2009
We went to the vet specialty clinic today for follow up on TAZ’s elevated liver enzyme level. Won’t know the results until tomorrow. However, no signs of jaundice yet, so I guess that’s good. It’s been a tough month with TAZ though. She developed an ear infection with several bacteria involved- we’re now on an antibiotic for that. We need to follow up with our regular vet in three weeks for that. She also went into heat. And her energy levels have been pitifully low as has her appetite. So she is also now taking a high-calorie nutritional supplement. She needs a lot of encouragement to eat, even snacks and people food. But she still is weighing in at eighteen pounds. Tonight she and Bernie played for the first time in a month, only lasted about five minutes, but she showed some life. She’s wearing me out. The next appointment with the clinic is in two months. We’ll let you know of the lab results tomorrow.
May God Bless you and yours. Janine
Update September 23, 2009
Good news! Lab results for Liver enzymes came back as normal. Next appointment for x-rays and complete blood work scheduled for 11/16. Appetite still not what it should be, but improving with hand feeding. Activity levels still low but showing some improvement. Unless there is a significant change, I’ll send the next update in November. Thanks again for your assistance.
Greatly appreciated. Janine
Update November 17, 2009
Well, I took TAZ to the vet yesterday for her check-up. X-rays showed that most of her lungs are clear – all except that one lobe, which is still collapsed from lack of air. And her blood work showed that one of her liver enzymes is again slightly elevated, along with her white blood count. We go back in six weeks for more blood tests to check the levels again. The plan now is to continue her meds for three months. Then try to discontinue them. If her infection returns, as it might because some infection may be lingering in that collapsed lung portion, we have two options. Continue her on meds for life, with regular lab work to check her liver enzymes, or have that collapsed portion of her lung removed. I guess that is probably the route we’ll take. They say it’s only about 1/4 of her lungs, and she really only uses about 1/2. So removal of that lobe really won’t affect her much at all. It will save her liver and in the long run. it will be less costly. So that’s the update. I wish I had better news.
Janine
Update January 20, 2010
Bernie and I took TAZ to the specialty clinic on 12/30 to follow up on her liver enzymes. They came back as normal. TAZ is doing really well over-all. She and Bernie are playing on a daily basis: chasing each other inside and out, growling and wrestling and teasing each other. TAZ is really learning to play by herself as well. She really likes playing with the tennis balls, tossing them into the air, chasing after them and sometimes even tripping over them. She has become my shadow, following me wherever I go. And if I take a nap on the recliner, she generally sleeps right on top of me. She and Bernie can also occasionally be found snuggling together on the recliner. The hunter terrier comes out in her when she is outside. She will bark like crazy and scratch at the fence trying to get at the squirrels, rabbits, deer, and even the birds. Good thing she is not a digger! And these small animals that she sees and barks at are usually a good 30-40 yards away. She doesn’t often listen to me when I tell her “no bark”, so sometimes Bernie will go out after her and it’s like Bernie tells she had better come in as TAZ will suddenly become quiet, turn around and come running into the house with Bernie. They really have become friends.
Our next appointment is Feb 19th. I’m still concerned with her outcome. She is scheduled for x-rays and full blood work. At the last appointment, the vet suggested that if her x-rays were the same, we would try to discontinue the meds and see if the infection returns. I’m afraid it will as her one lobe remained essentially collapsed, likely still harboring an infection. And then I will have to make that difficult decision of continuing her meds for life or electing surgery to remove that portion of her lung lobe. She still has congestion, sometimes worse than others, but her wonderful spirit still prevails. She is such a fighter.
For the Love of Westies, Janine (and Bernie)
Update March 9, 2010
Well, Taz’s appointment was moved up as she had an episode of vomiting and the local vet put her on Lasix to again clear her lungs. Had a blasto antigen urine test completed. Came back as moderate-high. Which means the blasto is still fairly heavily concentrated. I called today and we have a surgery consult scheduled for 3/22 to discuss possible removal of her lung lobe that is collapsed. There is no guarantee that the surgery will allow her to eliminate the blasto infection, but we are sure that she will not be able to eliminate the infection without the lung removal. I was so hoping the meds alone would heal her. Please pray for her. She is such a wonderful little pup and she has been thru so much in her short 28 months.
Janine
Update May 3, 2010
Well, folks, TAZ had her surgery on 4/2/10 to remove the portion of her lung that did not seem to respond to treatment. The surgery was a little more extensive than the vet or surgeon had anticipated. She was in surgery for a little over two hours. Apparently there were some lesions on the lung that had connected to a major blood vessel and to the lining around her heart. However, in spite of that, the lung reportedly separated without difficulty. She ended up staying at the hospital for five days instead of the three they originally planned. Biopsy of the removed lobe indicated old and new inflammation, no evidence of Blasto or micro-organisms were found, but did show moderate chronic neutrophilic bronchopneumonia.
On the 15th Bernie and I took her in for a follow up with the surgeon. He removed her staples and pronounced the surgery to be a success. He did mention that little TAZ was a fighter and had won the hearts of everyone in surgery and the hospital. OF course, that was no surprise- she’s a Westie after all.
TAZ seems to have been doing OK over the past four weeks. Her appetite is up and down. She has lost two pounds since her surgery. She continues to show her spunk and spirit. Over the last week or so, she has made several attempts to play with Bernie. The play periods, however, only last a few minutes before TAZ starts to cough and her breathing becomes labored.
Today, Bernie and I took TAZ into the clinic for a follow-up appointment with the internist. X-rays indicated that her lungs to be “the best they have ever been.” There was no indication of any lymph node enlargement or progression/development of any new lung changes. Follow up will depend on results of the blasto urine antigen titers. We are hoping to be able to change to a less expensive anti-fungal med.
It has been a long road for us. I often wonder if I chose the right course for all of us. But, every time I look at that cute little, white fluffy pup, that is always wanting to give and receive love, no matter how bad she seems to be doing, I know I am doing the right thing. There may not be a place in Heaven for me, but there will definitely be a place in Doggie heaven for me.
As always, For the Love of Westies, Janine and Bernie
Update July 1, 2010
As you know, TAZ had her surgery to remove a right lung lobe in April. She recovered quite nicely. A month later her blasto levels went from 8.9 to 2.19!! This month her liver values were checked and were good. As she was doing so well, we switched her anti-fungal meds to Fluconazole, a med significantly less expensive than the Itraconazole.
All seemed to be going well, but TAZ was started on an antibiotic in early May due to an upper respiratory infection. Shortly after, due to limited response, a second antibiotic was added. She was on this regimen for five weeks and the infection seemed to clear up and little TAZ was doing great! She was back to being my shadow. And she and Bernie were playing again: wrestling and chasing each other around the house several times a day. It was such a pleasure seeing her activity levels increase and the two girls again playing with gusto.
And last weekend, we all went on a camping trip with my brother and his family, to include two Boston terrier pups. TAZ went on three walks without any problems and she and Bernie even romped with the two pups in the pet run area. I was so proud of my girls, especially TAZ. She also took it upon herself to introduce herself to her campsite neighbor, a Burmese Mountain dog.
Unfortunately, TAZ woke me Wednesday at 3:15 AM with heavy abdominal breathing. This was followed by occasional open-mouth breathing and three episodes of vomiting. Needless to say, it was off to the hospital at 4:00 AM. TAZ was admitted, remains at the hospital, being treated for pneumonia, thought to be from aspiration. Spent about 24 hrs in the oxygen kennel with IV antibiotics.
Bernie and I visited with TAZ last night and tonight. She has been without the oxygen therapy for the last 24 hours, has begun eating, barking at the other patients, and wagging her carrot tail at the staff. They are going to try to switch her to oral meds tomorrow, and hopefully, we can bring her home over the weekend.
They are suggesting that since she seems to be experiencing so many apparent episodes of aspirated pneumonia, it might be a good idea to explore the possibility of a bronchoscopy to see if her trachea is working as it should when she swallows. If that is the recommendation, I suppose that is what we will do. In spite of the multiple setbacks, the vets still feel she has a good quality of life and is not suffering needlessly.
Still, we ask for your prayers and positive thoughts for TAZ. Thanks much.
For the Love of Westies, Janine and Bernie
Update August 29, 2010
I hope we have finally turned the corner on TAZ. She may have to be on some meds for life, time will tell. She has been on her anti-fungal meds since April ’09 and antibiotics for most of that time, continuously since her lobectomy in April ’10.
She was released from the hospital on 7/3. She still had some congestion at that time. But the good news… They did a blasto urine antigen test during her stay and it came back as a .09!!!, which is essentially considered to be blasto free!!!
Bernie and I took her to PVS&EC for a scheduled follow-up on 7/12. As she has experienced several episodes of aspiration pneumonia, it was recommended that we try a hypoallergenic diet to see if food allergies might be a component of her recurrent vomiting problems. Otherwise, lab results were unremarkable and there was a continued slight improvement with her chest x-rays. We were allowed to switch over the anti-fungal med Fluconazole, about $220 less a month than the Itraconazole. We then went to our local vet, Rainbow Vet, for a supply of hypo-allergenic foods- dry food, wet food, and snacks. TAZ wanted nothing to do with it, But Bernie sure liked it! When PVS&EC called to check on TAZ’s condition several days later, I informed them that we were back on her regular diet.
TAZ’s condition continued to seem to improve; however, she did continue to have episodes of vomiting. I truly believed that her vomiting was related to all the meds she was taking- 5 in the A.M. and 6 in the P.M. I chose to discontinue the Lamisil, as it was one med that warned that it may cause stomach upset.
We followed up again with PVS&EC for a scheduled appointment on 8/9. Again lab work was unremarkable and chest x-rays again showed some improvement although she continued with a lot of congestion, which apparently was limited to her upper respiratory function. All meds were continued, the next follow up has to be scheduled for November, when her chest x-rays will be repeated and another blasto urine antigen lab will be done.
I am happy to say that TAZ has not vomited since we discontinued the Lamisil. Well, there was the night she tried to eat a toad. Vomited at least 12 times in a 1 1/2 hr time period, poor thing. BUT, she did not aspirate and did not develop pneumonia!!!
She continues with upper respiratory congestion off and on. On 8/17 she did start with abdominal breathing, which again went into open-mouth breathing and a run to the local vet. However, once we arrived, her breathing was pretty much back to normal. We are wondering if she experienced an asthma attack…..
She continues to be my shadow, her appetite remains good, as well as her water intake, she is beginning to cough more when congested-which is good, and she is playing with Bernie several times a day. And after 18 months of daily meds, she is finally taking them w/o a fight. She still enjoys going to the vets, walking in with head held high and tail wagging, but she is now barking at the other dogs that are there. I guess that’s a good thing. And every time I let her out at night, I always have to search for the “toady”. If she sees it before I do, she will back off when I tell her “NO”.
We continue to ask for positive thoughts and prayers for her. Thanks.
For the Love of Westies, Bernie and Janine
Update November 18, 2010
Bernie and I took TAZ to the Pittsburgh Specialty Clinic on 11/1. I do believe there is finally light at the end of the tunnel! Chest radiographs were unchanged. Visible alterations at this time are most consistent with chronic scarring from related to chronic Blasto and lung lobectomy rather than aspiration pneumonia.
She does seem to have chronic upper respiratory congestion, also like a result of her lung scarring and lung lobectomy, but does seem to clear considerably when she is on antibiotics. However, the vet does not wish to continue these meds as she has been on them for so long, we do not want her to become resistant to them. So, I will have to keep a close eye on her nasal discharge. Obviously, if the discharge becomes yellow-green, then we will have to look at restarting the antibiotics.
I also received the results of the Blasto urine lab work. Her Titer levels came back at .061!!!!! Yippeee!!! The vet wants to continue with anti-fungal meds for another 6-8 weeks. But we did get the go-ahead to have her spayed!
I talked to the local vet today. She is scheduled for spaying on 11/23. Initially, they wanted me to bring her in at 7:45 A.M. However, after talking with the staff and consulting with the vet, I am will be taking her in at 10:00 A.M. I will have the opportunity to give her a kiss and a hug and tell her I love her before they prep her for surgery. I will then wait until after she starts to come out of the anesthesia before I leave her to allow the staff to do what they do. Hoping before I leave, I will get another chance to see her and give her another kiss and again tell her I love her. I am happy to be able to finally have her spayed, but at the same time, due to her chronic congestion and impaired lung function, I am also very nervous and worried. We have been thru so much, I would hate to lose her over a “routine” procedure. Of course, she is a fighter and did well with her two hour plus lung lobectomy. Still…
Please pray for her. Thank you so much!
For the Love of Westies, Janine and Bernie
Update November 24, 2010
TAZ had her surgery, but not without complications. She will be spending the night at the hospital as “she is not out of the woods, yet”. First, we had to consult with the internist because she had a rather high WBC count. It was decided it was ok to go ahead with IV antibiotics during the surgery, as her WBC generally does run high. And I guess as is common, since she had recently come out of a heat cycle, things were said to “be gooey and messy” inside. Two vets were doing the surgery, and after they sewed her up inside, there was still some seepage, the further exam showed they had snipped a small section of her spleen. So they closed that up. And finally, when they removed the breathing tube, they noted some slimy substance.. discolored with specks of blood. They are sending that off to a lab for analysis. Hoping with that we may find a reason for her chronic upper respiratory congestion. I was able to see her after her surgery, she was awake but obviously groggy. From the beginning of surgery till I got to see her afterward, it was about an hour. They will call tomorrow with an update, sooner if any problems are encountered. I am pretty much exhausted at this time. Continued prayers will be greatly appreciated. Thanks for all of your support! I will post any updates as I receive them.
Just called the vet. Was told is “doing ok” and they “just took her out to pee and she did ok”. So hopefully, the plan to bring her home tomorrow is on schedule. Expecting a call from the vet tomorrow sometime after 8:00 A.M.
Janine
Update November 25, 2010
TAZ IS HOME! Vet says she is doing great. Still seems a bit lethargic, but I guess that is to be expected. She does not seem to be in any pain or discomfort, is not paying any attention to her incision, so no collar of shame at this time. They said this morning she was up and wagging her tail at everyone. When the techs changed shifts, they let her out of her kennel and she played with them a little. Gave them all kissies. Of course, they said she was a sweetheart and a good patient. When they brought her out for me, she was prancing, head high, and tail a-wagging! But of course, no kissies for mommy…:( Follow up appointment scheduled for 12/2, although she does have self-dissolving sutures. Hopefully, they will have the results of the culture of the goo they got from her breathing tube and we can put her on some meds that may help to eliminate her chronic upper respiratory congestion.
Janine
Update January 10, 2011
After TAZ was spayed on 11/24/10, we got the results back from the analysis of the gunk that was recovered from her breathing tube. It came back identifying the presence of three different bacteria. The vet switched her off the Clavamox and we started her on Keflex and Erythromycin in an effort to defeat the bacteria, as she had been on the prior for ages and we were thinking that maybe the bacteria were becoming resistant to the Clavamox. At present, she is finishing up on the Erythromycin.
Bernie and I then followed up with a scheduled appointment at PVS-EC in Pittsburgh on 1/3/11. We had blood work done along with another Blasto urine test. Unfortunately, her WBC remains high. The good news is that after three weeks of being off her anti-fungal meds, her blasto antigen titer level remains at .061, which is considered to be negative for blasto. The vet wants to check her blasto levels again in three months. If her titer levels remain in the negative range, we will be done with monitoring for blasto unless she develops new symptoms to suggest a relapse.
The vet feels she will always have a high WBC, with infection being caused by chronic inflammation due to the lung scarring from the blasto and her lobectomy. Continued treatment with antibiotics is not recommended due to concerns of her developing resistance and then the antibiotics not working when really needed. So we will be back to monitoring her nasal discharge, food intake, and energy levels to determine if and when antibiotics are needed.
So, all in all, I guess the good news with regard to her blasto is tempered with the fact that she will always be battling the infection.
However, she has proven to be a fighter through it all. Her overall quality of life is good. She continues to give Bernie a run for her money. She has started to play with toys, sometimes with Bernie, sometimes with her self, and sometimes even with me. She and Bernie continue to have wrestling matches and she chases Bernie around the house- often with Bernie crawling under the love seat with TAZ sitting atop the seat, watching like a vulture for Bernie to come out. She has even on occasion given Bernie a few warning growls. She continues to show unabashed enthusiasm when she meets others or it’s time to go for a ride. Even when going to the vets or the groomer. She is definitely a sweetheart, wanting to give kissies to all but me… Maybe someday I will get that kiss from her…
For the Love of Westies, Janine and Bernie
Update April 15, 2011
Feb 26: Hey folks, for those of you following TAZ’s status, we took a step back today. She had been doing really good for some time now, all things considered. Well in the last couple of days, she began to develop quite a bit of congestion along with her little snotty nose. Energy levels were down a bit, but her appetite remained good. she was very congested this A.M., I tried several times to get her to cough by coupaging her chest without success. After breakfast, took her and Bernie in for scheduled grooming.
Well, when I went to pick them up, I noted TAZ was experiencing heavy abdominal breathing and open mouth breathing. I called the local vet and informed them we were on the way. The vet that saw her was new to the practice and unfamiliar with TAZ’s history. Took x-rays and blood work along with oxygen therapy. Blood work ok but WBC high, nothing really unusual, they say her WBC will always be high due to the inflammation from the scarring in her lungs. On the x-rays, the left lung looked very clear, but right lung cloudy. He also suggested the heart looked a little enlarged. He wanted me to take her to the specialists at PVS-EC to determine if an echo was needed of her heart. However, because he did not see any signs of CHF, and a vet once before mentioned an enlarged heart and other vets, to include the internist at PVS-EC, discounted this, I opted to keep her at the local vet to be treated in oxygen kennel with antibiotics and whatever else they feel appropriate for the moment, to include possible consult with PVS-EC.
Of course, if they call later and strongly recommend taking her to PVS-EC ER, I will take her. My plan right now is to talk to the local vet who is most familiar with her history, ask her to review the x-rays and possibly consult with PVS-EC and go from there. I imagine an echo will be done at some time in the future.
I do hope I made the right decision today in leaving her at the local vet.
Update March 1, 2011
TAZ is home!!!! She spent three nights in the oxygen kennel. They say when they brought her out this morning, she was ready and rarin’ to go. They always say she is a sweetheart, one of their best patients, and a happy puppy. “Sweetheart” and “Happy puppy”- two of the many reasons I will continue to do all I can for her. Poor thing has had such a hard life. Without checking records, I think this is the fifth time in two years I have had to rush her to the vet for respiratory distress. So that is five hospitalizations, at least, for respiratory distress, one at the time she was diagnosed with blasto, another when she had her lobectomy and an overnight stay after her spaying. And that doesn’t count all the vet visits in between. In spite all of this, she remains a sweetheart, a happy pup, and shows no fear of going to the vet, always walking in with head held high and tail a waggin’.
They still don’t know what caused the recent episode of respiratory distress. We are awaiting the lab report to determine if she has had a relapse of the blasto. She had been doing so well, down to 4 meds twice a day. She is now back up to 7 meds twice a day. In addition to the theophylline, Pepcid, cough tabs and Benedryl, Lasix, Baytril, and Keflix have now been added to her regimen.
She still has a lot of wet upper respiratory congestion, but she is now coughing, which is good. She was definitely happy when she saw me and Bernie tonight, and happy to come home. Since dinner and meds, she has been sleeping. Which sounds like a good idea to me.
Between work over the last couple of weeks, TAZ’s hospitalization and other issues, if I had a tail I’d be chasing it!
Oh, and the vet most familiar with her case reviewed her x-rays. She did not feel that there was any enlargement of the heart. She did mention that it appeared “something” was “pushing” her trachea up a bit. Unable to see anything on the x-rays that would cause this.
Update March 3, 2011
Blasto titer levels: NEGATIVE!
Update April 14, 2011
Well, folks, another set back for my TAZ. Another episode of respiratory distress tonight. At 9 P.M. she suddenly developed abdominal and open mouth breathing. I gave her her meds and she soon showed some improvement in that the open mouth breathing resolved but the abdominal breathing continued. I was hoping that too would resolve itself. Unfortunately, that was not to be. Instead, the open mouth breathing resumed. Another trip to Rainbow Veterinary Hospital-Mobile Vet, our local vet. The left lung sounded clear, no airflow heard in the right lung. As they did not want to stress her anymore, it was decided to place her into the oxygen kennel immediately and given some meds. They will do x-rays in the morning. I will let you know additional info as it is received. Once again , thoughts and prayers are requested and appreciated. Thank you.
Janine
Update June 9, 2011
I just want to let you know that I had to TAZ to vet yesterday morning due to another episode of respiratory distress. So far she is not showing any signs of improvement.
I’ve been on the phone today with vets from Rainbow Veterinary Hospital & Mobile Vet and Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center. Rainbow is recommending I take TAZ to Pittsburgh, where the plan would be to evaluate her to see if she is a candidate to be anesthetized for a bronchoscopy and biopsy of the lung tissue, to see if whatever is causing this particular episode can be treated. To take her there, we would have to set up an oxygen kennel in my car. And due to her lung condition, there is no guarantee that she would survive the surgery. There is nothing that can cure her condition, except for perhaps a miracle, it is all scarring from the blasto, which was successfully treated. And with each episode of respiratory distress, there is likely additional scarring. And due to the scarring and chronic inflammation that it causes, these episodes will continue until one day her little body will no longer be able to handle the strain. I am afraid it is coming close to making the decision to send her on her way to Rainbow Bridge. I am hoping they can get her well enough so I can bring her home for a while and send her off from here, as our vet does house calls. Of course, if they can turn this episode around completely, we will just wait for the next one. I will keep you posted. Bernie and I are going to go visit TAZ now.
For the Love of Westies, Janine L. Jackson and Bernie
Update June 21, 2011
Please send positive thoughts and prayers for TAZ. I just spoke to the vet. She will be here in approximately 1/2 hour to send TAZ off to Rainbow Bridge. Godspeed little one! I will surely miss you but I can no longer justify watching you suffer. You will have a great time at The Bridge. I love you, sweetheart!
Scrappy came to Oklahoma Westie Rescue (OWR) in rather sad shape. Scrappy came to us as a result of the diligence of some of our great OWR volunteers. We have several volunteers who are always watching, the newspapers, the internet, etc. for Westies. One of them notified me that she had seen an ad for a FOUND Westie. I immediately went to the ad which stated that a male Westie had been found injured on the side of the road. He needed medical care and the lady who found him was trying to find his owner. I called the lady and told her who we were and what we do. She reported that, sadly, after two weeks no one had called to claim this little guy. She had taken him to the vet for some preliminary first aid care but indicated that his leg was badly broken and would need further care. I told her we would gladly take him and get it taken care of if she wanted us to. She wanted to wait one more week to see if a family called to claim him if not, she would turn him over to us.
A week later I went to pick up Scrappy. What a sad sight! He had head wounds, body wounds, and a green cast on his front leg. He had been shaved so they could treat his wounds and was named Scrappy because of the condition of his body. Little scraps of wounds everywhere! He was a happy guy and had already begun to run around with his cast. He was very affectionate and loved people! He was sad to leave this wonderful lady who had saved him but he went along with me anyway. He soon took to me and followed me everywhere. We scheduled an appointment with a veterinary orthopedic surgeon to have his leg examined. Sadly, the surgeon said that while the one bone was healing the second bone was fragmented and would not heal without surgery. With the help of WestieMed we were able to do surgery immediately and took Scrappy home the next day. A long plate and six screws were needed to hold the bone back together. Scrappy was an excellent patient and was quickly on his way to recovery. He never seemed to mind being crated while he recovered and he was ever so grateful for the love and care. He soon was up and around running and trying to chase the kitty, not much kept him down.
We believe Scrappy to be about two to four years old. He is very alpha and loves to boss around the dogs in his foster home. He is very much a people person and he loves to give kisses and sit in your lap. Scrappy met an approved couple last week and paws are crossed that he will be adopted by that family next Monday. He will be in hog heaven as the lady wants a dog that will sit with her and take car rides with her. Scrappy certainly fits the bill!
OWR tries hard to cover its own expenses without outside assistance however we have had MANY sick and injured dogs this dump season and we just have not been able to cover all the vet costs. Thanks to WestieMed we were able to get Scrappy’s little leg fixed up!
We are also happy to report that on Monday Scrappy is being adopted by a lovely couple, the wife says she is looking for a lap dog, the boy has she found the right boy!! LOL
Thanks, WestieMed!
Update August 7, 2009: Scrappy has been adopted!
Little Scrappy is showing more of his personality with each new experience!! He is so precious. He loves to play fetch with his toys, and sleep on our laps. He isn’t sure about the car rides yet, but we are working on it slowly. He has nicely put our other two dogs in their place, only took a bark or two with a couple of growls and they got the message! Rix, the German Shepard, had decided he would like to be a little lap dog also!!
We took him to our vet to get his heartworm/flea and tick pills. He said he looks great, and his son, Dr. Jeff, told us why he loves little Westies. He loves their stubbornness and their spunk! He did tell us that usually, an adopted Westie will give you a couple of months honeymoon period and then you will see more of his personality every day! We already love what we have!! A little more will just make it more interesting!! He doesn’t play with Rix yet, so I would like to see that. I think that only takes time. Do you know he sits for treats!!?? Like he’s begging?? He just started that yesterday for Glenn! Without prompting.
He lays on the bed and watches me get ready for work. Pepsi isn’t doing very well, the medication is wearing off. The vet told us he was glad we got little Scrappy because we wouldn’t have her much longer.
Oh, we did take him for a walk with Rix and he loved it! It wore him out, and we didn’t go the three miles we usually do! When it cools down, it will be ritual for him, but we will have to build him up!
I will keep you updated! MJ and Scrappy
Update March 3, 2010
I wanted to give you guys a Scrappy update! He is doing sooooooooo good! I am so in love as is Glenn! He is the most lovable dog! He plays with Rix, and our daughter is living with us on her move from New York to Texas, for about two months, with her Australian Shepherd and her two years old. Her husband is a Border Patrol Agent in Texas. Scrappy loves the Australian Shepherd, and loves being a part of a “pack”!!
He did have a biting incident. He bit Caleb, our youngest son who has the Westie himself!! Our daughter in law was petting Scrappy on her lap and Caleb reached over to pet him and Scrappy growled! (He did warn him after all!!) Caleb tried again and Scrappy BIT him!! Caleb should have paid attention to the warning!
Scrappy talks to us, as you know. But he is getting more and more vocal. He growls a friendly growl, howls, and makes all kinds of communicative noises! He loves to play tug of war with the other dogs, he still loves his little mouse. He is such a perfect fit!! He walks really well on a leash, and his endurance is building as we go. He is learning to love riding in the car and isn’t scared anymore. HE IS THE PERFECT PUPPY!!
We did have some dog food issues, however. We were feeding him the Wellness Whitefish and Sweet Potato, and he had the most awful gas!! A lot of it and it stunk so bad!! He only gets really healthy natural, no wheat treats, and it was just terrible!! So, our son and his wife shared with us that they had tried several brands on their Westie and they use Eagle Pack brand from Britton Feed and Seed. We got that, and we feed him the fish-flavored. He absolutely loves it and has no more gas. His hair looks better too. It has flaxseed in it. The other two dogs love it too, so they are on it. Just a side note, Britton Feed, and Seed said that Wellness just bought out Eagle Pack, so it has a new package. I guess that is a good thing, but I hope Wellness doesn’t change the recipe!
(Aren’t we on the learning curve?)
Sorry, we missed the roundup, too many other obligations! We will check for other activities and try to get a family pic with the three of us together!
Thank you all so much for our precious puppy. My dad and his wife love him too!! I am encouraging my dad to adopt a Westie, so we’ll see!