westiemed – Page 30

Jamie (Formally Duggan)

September 1, 2006February 6, 2021 by westiemed in Stories

September 2006:

Duggan (Now renamed Jamie) comes to Westie Rescue from a local animal shelter where we were informed that they had a Westie who had been hit by a car. After a bit of a delay in getting him into the program, the Westie Rescue of Northern Texas (WRNT) veterinarians took the time to accurately diagnose his issues. Clearly, Duggan/Jamie was limping badly and had suffered some kind of traumatic injury – but what?

Several x-rays later and some of the best veterinary minds in Dallas, it was discovered that he had broken his pelvis, not his leg, as had been previously thought. Unfortunately, these kinds of pelvic injuries are exceptionally difficult to heal, are very expensive, and require significant rehabilitation.

While it is the ONLY goal of Westie Rescue to rehabilitate and place Westies, our finances are limited. The difficult pelvis repair surgery was beyond our resources and outside our ability to gain funding to support. Fortunately, an alternate procedure, called a femoral head osteoectomy was available to us. In this alternative surgery, the head of the leg bone is removed, permitting the pelvis to heal. For Westies, there is sufficient musculature to support the leg without the femoral head, and the procedure was within our limited budget.

Duggan/Jamie underwent the FHO surgery like a champ. Duggan/Jamie is using his “bum-leg” more and more each day and is now taking physical therapy at the pool of one of the WRNT Directors. Our little Duggan/Jamie may have caught a “bad break” recently, but he sure came out of this one smelling like a rose.

With Many Regards, John Workman WRNT – Director

Update January 2008: Duggan now called Jamie

Jamie continues to strive and is just a remarkable little Westie boy 🙂

As his mum Darrell says, he’s a very “naughty” boy but she adores him. His mom is so thrilled with him and they keep in close contact with Westie Rescue. Thank you so very much for all your hard work with Westie Rescue. Elizabeth Escobar

MacDuff

September 1, 2006February 6, 2021 by westiemed in Stories

September 2006

MacDuff and Duggan came to Westie Rescue of North Texas (WRNT) as an owner surrender. Their owners felt they were unable to devote the proper attention to these two sweeties and turned to Westie Rescue to find loving homes for their wee bairns.

MacDuff is a Senior Statesman. At a robust eleven years old, Big Mac (As we affectionately call him is as affable and genial a dog as you’ll ever meet. Content to watch the carryings-on of younger dogs, MacDuff is no couch potato. He’s mixed it up a bit – always in good fun – and always in a good temper. MacDuff has an endearing way of asking for affection: He puts his paw on your arm as if to say “Hey, bud, got a minute for me?” Of course, there’s ALWAYS time for Westie love!

As you can see, our MacDuff is a sick little man. He has completed his first round of surgery, to remove two very large tumors from his neck. Fortunately, these tumors were non-cancerous but were unsafe to leave as-is. When he was surrendered to us we were told that he had injured both rear legs in the past and those injuries “were just allowed to heal.” Unfortunately, with Westies, whenever there’s a ligament, tendon, or patella injury, they rarely heal well.

MacDuff came through his first ACL surgery with flying colors! He’s getting around pretty well, but still has problems at doorways and can’t yet do stairs. He’s getting the Pasha treatment and being carried a lot…..and he loves living the life of Riley! Based on the damage previously done to his other knee, we expect him to have to repeat the ACL surgery in a few months.

MacDuff has been a real sweetheart throughout the whole surgery ordeal. Even though he’s been in a lot of pain, he’s never snapped or barked. He does moan when he sits down or you pick him up wrong, but a sweeter disposition you’ll never find. (A quick story: MacDuff is called “Dr. Scrappy” by his Foster Family. You see, after his ACL surgery, the family came home to find that Dr. Scrappy had removed all but one of his stitches, as cleanly and carefully as if he had been a trained veterinarian. Talk about one smart little boy!)

Thank you once again, With Many Regards, John Workman WRNT – Director

Payten

September 1, 2006February 13, 2021 by westiemed in Stories

September 2006:

Little is known about Payten’s early life or even how old he is. The vet’s and I predict he is about two years old. I came to know Payten after my three-year-old Yorkie died of a herniated disk and I felt a burned desire to help dogs in need of love and attention. I searched the web looking for rescue organizations and decided on another Westie because I already had one and knew I loved the breed so much. Since we live in Kansas, I contacted Westie Rescue of Missouri, which sponsors MO, KS, AR, and IL. Once all the paperwork and home visits were completed, the rescue volunteer told me she knew of a lady in Arkansas that was a foster parent and she might have just the dog I was looking for. Since I am originally from the very area were Karen, the foster parent, lived it would not be a stretch for me to go visit and make a decision.

I had originally told the volunteer that I wanted a female and one that was younger than my current dog who was seven and a half at the time. When Karen contacted me she told me about the female she was fostering but she was actually older than I wanted but I was still considering it. During our conversation comparing notes about how we both loved Westies and how Karen knew the breeder that I had gotten my Westie from, she finally mentioned that she had just received a young male dog if I might be interested in a male instead of a female. I had read that you shouldn’t get two dogs of the same breed and same-sex because it could cause fighting if they both want to be the Alpha so I was reluctant. However, since I was going to Arkansas in a couple of weeks to visit my family, Karen and I decided to meet up so that my Westie, Baylea, and I could see Payten.

In that first conversation, Karen had told me that she had only had Payten, who she was calling Malco, a couple of days. A young woman who had found him in a Malco theatre parking lot brought him to her. The young woman thought he might get hit so she scooped him up and took him to her apartment for a couple of days while she asked around about his owner and placed fliers around the area. She also contacted several vets in the area and called the humane society to see if anyone had called asking about a missing Westie. Since she couldn’t have animals at her apartment, she knew about the Westie Rescue and turned him over to Karen with what little information she knew. Karen called the Humane Society as well and was told that another Westie was found in the same area and was brought to them. Karen asked what their plans were for that dog and they indicated that they would keep him for two weeks and if no owner came to claim him then he would be adopted out. They said there was already a woman who worked at the society that wanted theirs so he would be placed quickly. Karen stayed in contact with the society and when the two weeks passed with no word from an owner she and the humane society decided to find the dogs new homes.

Karen called me that Friday night in February and said since no one had come forward she would let me take Payten if I decided he would work for us. She said when he was found he had a collar on, looked like he had recently been groomed, and was already neutered so she couldn’t imagine what his story was. Since they didn’t know anything about his veterinary care she decided to give him a round of shots, have his teeth cleaned and give him a bath. She said he was such a good boy through all of it and was a very affectionate little guy. He seemed to get along well with her other dogs but he did have trouble with her cat. Other than that Payten seemed well mannered and was housebroken and knew some basic commands already. We kept wondering what could have been the problem for someone to dump such a wonderful dog.

When we finally meet Payten that cool day in mid-February, we fell in love with him and quickly decided we needed to help him. I told Karen that since it seemed someone had been caring for him, we should continue to look for the owner for a couple more months. But as each day went by with no word, it became clear whoever had been his family didn’t want him anymore so Karen said I could keep Payten if it was working out.

Payten and Baylea have adjusted to one another very well now. At first, it must have been confusing for both of them and they didn’t always agree. Payten was more aggressive than Baylea had ever been but I knew they just needed to work out their differences and since their bickering wasn’t violent I usually let them be. Baylea is more of a feet on the floor let me run type of guy whereas Payten is more of a let me sit beside you and you can pet me type of guy. That works perfectly for me. The most frustrating part of having Payten was the anxiety he was suffering during the transition which resulted in him marking territory in the house. We quickly made some adjustments to help him and bought a very good carpet cleaner and now he is much better. A few other things we have learned about Payten are that he has bad teeth and we have to clean them often and that he has a sensitive stomach so we have to be careful changing foods. Also, Payten is somewhat clumsy and was always running too fast and spraining his ankles. However, recently it has gotten worse and we have had him at the vet several times due to excessive weakness in his front limbs. Payten has also been experiencing seizures, which ended up landing us in the specialist’s office. The specialist thinks Payten may have inflation in his brain or spine causing the weakness and knuckling in his front paws. Payten is currently on Prednisone to help reduce the pressure and inflammation and will be re-evaluated in a couple of weeks to see if further testing is needed. It was suggested that he might have vertebral disk disease but that is yet unknown.

Many thanks to WestieMed for their financial support as we strive to give this abandoned little boy a better life.

Subrina, Baylea and Payten

Update as of November 8, 2006:

Payten underwent a spinal tap on October 17, 2006, which revealed an elevated nucleated cell count in the sample. According to the neurologist, this confirmed the presents of infection causing the inflammation in Payten’s spinal column and brain. The sample was sent off to a veterinary pathologist for further testing to determine the nature of the infection. The pathologist reported finding erythrocytes presents as well as 14% neutrophils, 60% lymphocytes, and 26% monocytes. The neurologists explained that the path report narrowed the problem down to a protozoa infection such as Toxoplasmosis or Neospora caninum. He suggested we start Payten on a four-week treatment of clindamycin along with the doses of prednisone. Payten has responded very well to the treatment and is almost back to normal. Again I would like to extend special thanks to WestieMed for their continued support for Payten.

Fergie (Formally Suds)

August 1, 2006February 6, 2021 by westiemed in Stories

August 2006:

My name is Suds. I have such a story to tell you. I was bought by a family to be a companion to their children when I was a wee puppy. I did not understand yet that people can be so cruel. The children had not been taught that I had feelings and felt pain when they pulled my hair and slung me around. Finally, they threw me off a washer and the pain in my leg was terrible. I hurt so bad and I couldn’t walk.

My family took me to the Anderson Animal Hospital and Dr. Pam Helm looked at me and told my family that she thought my hip may be dislocated, but probably my leg was fractured. The only way to be sure was to take something called x-rays to be sure. Everyone was shaking their heads. I didn’t know what was going to happen and I just couldn’t get away from the pain. Then I heard my family say they couldn’t afford to spend any money on me and wanted the doctor to euthanize me. I saw the look on the Doctor’s face and I knew that must be bad. I’m just a baby, I want my mom again. Dr. Helm told them she would take me into the hospital if they would sign papers to give me up. All I knew was I was scared and I didn’t know who I could trust. My family signed the papers and left me there. I was terrified of the smells and the sounds, but the doctor kept touching me, telling me it would be okay. Then the doctor gave me some medicine and my leg didn’t hurt so bad and I took a nap. Oh, it felt so good to rest!

On Monday, all these strange people came to the hospital. They petted me and called me by name, but I didn’t trust them. I was afraid they would hurt me too, so I huddled in the back of my cage to stay away from them. Stephanie and Patrice kept saying they would find me a home and that’s just what Stephanie did. My new parents came to see me and everyone was so happy. Then they took the x-rays of my leg. Oh my, everyone looked so sad and worried. I heard them say major orthopedic surgery, long aftercare, pretty expensive. Was this bad? Why won’t they explain it to me? Does my new family not want me? I heard Dr. Wooden say to my new mom, “We want you to take Suds and I will split the cost with you and we will keep him here till his leg is healed so your other Westies don’t hurt Suds.” Everyone smiled again and my new mom cuddled me up. I think I like her. My dad is kinda gruff and calls me his little man.

When I woke up from my surgery, Stephanie and Patrice were there to touch my face and tell me it was okay. They told me my leg was all fixed and they were going to take care of me till I went to my new home. Patrice told me that WestieMed was looking at my situation and wanted to help me be sure I found my forever home by helping Dr. Wooden and my new family pay for my surgery. I think that is a good thing!

It has been a week since my surgery and I feel GREAT! I’m not sad anymore and my new mom and dad visit me every day. They even brought my new Westie sister, Tsunami Sue to meet me yesterday. She kissed my nose and I wanted to play with her. They told me I would have to wait to do that. My mom feeds me treats. Life is good. I have so many people to thank. Dr. Wooden for his kindness and generosity. Dr. Helm for saving my life and all the staff at the hospital. But most of all I want to thank WestieMed for coming through and helping pay for my surgery. I know that all these people really love me and have made it possible for me to be exactly what I am, a wee Westie boy with the tenacity of a terrier and more spirit than can be contained.

Thank you all, Suds

Update January 2008: Suds now called Fergie

I am so happy to report that Suds AKA Fergie as he is now known, is doing WONDERFUL. He is a much-loved member of the Ost Family of Pineville. They dote on him and he has two Westie sisters that adore him also.

He is properly spoiled (in such a good way) and has just done remarkably. No evidence of pain or residual damage from his injury. He loves his mom and dad, but also loves us at the clinic and also his “beautician” who grooms him on a regular basis.

This is such a success story and I am so thankful to you all for stepping in and helping him. The Ost family also extends their gratitude! I will see if I can get Carol to email me some recent pictures of him with his sisters. They take regular photos for their album.

Your organization is phenomenal to work with.

Thanks so much,
Patrice Lasiter

Malki

June 1, 2006February 6, 2021 by westiemed in Stories

June 2006:

Hi! My name is Makii (pronounced Mackey). I am a Westie through and through, and today I would like to share with you my story. It all started quite normally. My owner adopted me when I was just a puppy. Life was good, and I was as healthy as can be with the energy and enthusiasm of the best of dogs. I had loving arms to hold me, and a very large fenced-in yard to run around in. Unfortunately, that all changed when my owner was diagnosed with some serious health problems early this year.

In March, after a hip replacement surgery, my owner was on her way to a rehab facility, but before she went she just had to see me. I was so excited, but as she left and was driven away, I forgot the very important rule never to try to break out of my back yard. All anyone can guess is that I ran out into the busy street to find my beloved owner. That’s when I was hit by an oncoming car. The driver paused but never stopped to see how badly I was hurt. The next car in line’s driver stopped and lifted me onto the side of the road, but then left me to suffer. Then, the third car’s driver, who had witnessed the whole accident, not only stopped her car but brought me immediately to the closest emergency veterinary hospital. She then went back to my neighborhood and rang all the doorbells until she found out where I lived. Then this guardian angel of mine blocked the fence where she thought I may have escaped. She then left a note saying who she was and where I had been taken. When my foster father came over a half-hour later to feed me, he found the note and my whole foster family came to the hospital to find me.

The veterinarian on duty said she didn’t have much hope for my survival without surgery and a very strong will to live on my part. Well, my foster family believed in the knowledge and dedication of the veterinary surgeon on staff and in me to be strong enough to make it through. Everyone wanted to make sure I would return to excellent health-giving me the quality of life I had always known. So, after the spleen and 50% of my small intestines removed, spinal surgery, and three fractures in my back leg pieced together, I survived. My surgeon performed miracles to save me. With the love from the doctors, staff, my foster family, my owner, and even strangers who had heard about me, I was able to stay strong throughout the three-month repair and recovery ordeal.

Today I can tell you is, indeed, a special day for me, because the last of my surgical procedures (to remove the outside fixator on my fractured leg) will take place. Best of all, I am leaving this evening to go to another state called Indiana to meet and live with my new adopted family. We have never met, but they know all about me because their son-in-law works at the emergency veterinary hospital that now knows me so very well, plus my foster family here in Illinois have kept them posted.

I have WestieMed to thank for helping my foster family through this amazingly eventful time of my life. I am now three years old and am looking forward to what many more years to come will bring. Thank you, again, to everyone who has ever touched my life, and to you who have just read my true life story!

Sincerely, Makii

Lucy

April 1, 2006February 6, 2021 by westiemed in Stories

April 2006:

My name is Lucy. I was born in a puppy mill but then was purchased by a very nice family who owned several other pets as well. Once it was discovered that I had Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, they felt it would be better for me to live with another family that could better afford the surgery.

Boy, did things work out for me, thanks to Westie Rescue and WestieMed! A family with an only child, Lainie, who really wanted a Westie, was looking for a female. This family had been on the Westie Rescue list for more than a year. The mom and dad (Anne & Jim) were determined to wait until just the right Westie needed a new home. Luckily Anne had previously owned a Westie so she knew how great Westies are and she also personally knew the Central New York Westie maven, Karol Woythal. When I became available in Western New York, Suzie Nowak, the Westie Rescue contact, phoned Karol to see if there was anyone who was looking for a dog. Thank you, Karol (you’re the best!) for recommending my family! Anne & Jim agreed to rescue me with the understanding that they could apply to WestieMed for financial help with the corrective surgery.

Westie Rescue and WestieMed, thank you so much for helping me! I’ll be able to run and jump without pain after my operation. My new family loves me and can’t imagine life without me.

Lucy

Yu-Gi

April 1, 2006February 6, 2021 by westiemed in Stories

April 2006:

Hi, I would like to introduce myself, my name, while I was up for adoption, was Nathan, and I was dropped off from my owners at the vet. I guess they didn’t want me anymore. I am a full Westie with a great attitude and was supposed to be ten months old. I went to a rescue agency and was up for adoption for only one day when they found the perfect family for me.

My new mom works with the Illinois-Missouri Westie Rescue so she knows first hand what to expect from a terrier. My family had lost a four-legged member, and the youngest boy was looking for someone to cuddle with at night – and the best part was SO WAS I!!

When I arrived at my new home I was so excited to see that I have two sisters that are Westies too!! My first morning I met my boys and they loved me right off the bat. How could they not? I know I’m cute. The boys decided to name me Yu-Gi after their favorite TV show. My boy is the youngest. His name is Tanner and we cuddled together my first night.

I adjusted well but started getting ill, I wasn’t eating and was throwing up. I couldn’t even keep water down and just felt awful, but I still continued to cuddle with my boy. By the beginning of the third day, my mom called the vet, and they wanted me to see the doctor immediately! My mom left her work on the spot and took me to the vet where they kept me to figure what was going on.

Mom then got the call from the vet – I had tested positive for parvo and was very dehydrated and tender to the touch on my belly. My doctor told my mom that I needed to stay at the vet’s until I was able to hold food down and that they were going to treat me aggressively because I was in pretty bad shape. They also found out that I was only four to six, not ten months. They had to keep me in quarantine also. I wasn’t scared though, I knew I was in good hands, but they didn’t understand, I just wanted my boy back.

The next day they found I had eaten through my IV. It hurt my leg, but they said it was ok, and they put another one in. My mom came to see me that day, and we had to sit together in a private room since they said I had “germs.” My mom also brought a squeaky toy from my boy, and I was SOOO excited about that.

The doctor called my mom at the end of that day and said I was such a strong puppy, was holding food down, and I could come home that night. My mom arrived, and the doctor said he couldn’t believe how tough of a pup I was and that I responded so quickly to everything. He just didn’t understand I needed to get back home to my boy Tanner!

Currently, I am doing fine. I go back for a check-up next week, but I play and chew up everything I can. I will cuddle with my boy and have learned to stand on my back legs and wave with my front paws for him. Life is great now. I don’t remember what my other home was like, but I do know that I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but here with my sisters and my boys.

Thanks to all that helped me find my home.

Love, Yu-Gi Ludwig and Family

Update March 2007:

HI, it’s Yu-Gi!

Wow, so much has gone on in the past year. Life here in Independence, Missouri, is GOOD. I love my two four-legged sisters. I kinda have to be the man of the house since, well, I am “the man.” My boy Tanner said I was named after his favorite show but informed me that Yu-Gi is the Pharaoh. WOW, I am royalty. But that is how I get treated around here.

I love my two boys Trey and Tanner. They spoil me rotten. I get to climb up in their bunk beds and sleep with them. They say I keep them warm since I am so fluffy. I have been told that I am very cute and different looking. I guess I am only half Westie and they think the other half is chow so that is why I am so fluffy, but it works for me. I have even gone on sleepovers with my mom’s friends cause they say I am so cute. WOW, sleepovers are cool.

I love to ride in the car and we all went to see the Christmas lights together that was way cool.

I am pretty smart too, I have learned how to sit on my backside and wave, I can give high-fives and I sneeze on command. The best one is I have to wake my mom up in the morning cause she is always hitting the snooze button so I have learned to pound my paw on her bed to wake her up when the alarm goes off. But then again I am the Pharaoh. The best part is I haven’t been sick ever again, and since I can learn some cool tricks to entertain my family I reckon I have no long-lasting problems. I have even been in charge of watching over some foster friends here at the house. My mom works for the Illinois-Missouri Westie Rescue and it is a tough job babysitting.

Well, to all the four-legged friends out there still waiting for help and new homes, hang in there and don’t give up. To those two-legged people out there, thanks for all the help and giving me the life we all deserve, best wishes, and keep up helping.

Peace out…. Yu-Gi Ludwig

Lily

February 1, 2006February 6, 2021 by westiemed in Stories

February 2006:

My name is Lilly. For the first seven years of my life, I was confined to a cage in Missouri and forced to produce many litters of puppies The summers were hot, the winters cold, and the barking of doggies constant.

One day, the greatest thing happened. The breeders decided to give me to a nice lady named Kathy from Scottish Terrier Rescue of Western Missouri. Kathy in turn gave me to some other nice people from Oklahoma Westie Rescue. Boy did my life change. I was given a bath, got all the food I wanted, and had a warm bed all to myself. The best part was the other happy westies that taught me to play.

One day, my new humans took me to the Vet. I got medicine for the first time in my life and found out why I had so much trouble breathing and gaining weight. It seems my heart has three leaking valves and, because of years of having puppies, I had hernias. The vets told my people to take me to Oklahoma State University (OSU) Vet School for a cardiac workup.

At OSU, the nice vets spent all day with me. I don’t know what a test is, but there were sure a lot of them. When the day was over, I got the news. My heart couldn’t be repaired, but with medication, my breathing wouldn’t be so hard. I could live with that, my life was already 100% better than it had ever been.

Just when I thought life couldn’t get any better, it did. In November of 2005 my new mommies, Beth and Pam, came to get me. They told me I would be theirs forever and promised to spoil me. They weren’t kidding. I got everything I wanted. My mommies were so easy to train.

One day in December, I started feeling bad. I couldn’t keep any food down and I was losing weight. My mommies rushed me to the vet and I was told I have an inguinal hernia and needed immediate surgery because my intestine had gone through the hernia and caused a blockage. My weak heart made the surgery risky, but my mommies wanted to save me and agreed to the procedure to repair the hernia and remove part of my intestine. Needless to say, I made it and feel better than ever. My health will never be perfect but I don’t care. I love my life and intend to enjoy it to the fullest. I even have an older sister to play with now.

I have been an expensive doggie so far and the bills were piling up. Mommies applied to WestieMed for some help and these good people agreed to pay some of our bills. Are these great humans or what?

I have so many wonderful people to thank for my life. Kathy from Scottish Rescue, Mike, Meredith, and Theresa from Oklahoma Westie Rescue, the many vets who healed me and WestieMed for helping my parents. My mommies and I will always be grateful and know we are truly blessed.

Love and Kisses, Lilly

Update, April 2006:

I am very saddened to report that Lilly died on April 27th. She succumbed to heart disease. We spent most of the late-night in the emergency center – the x-rays were frightening, her heart was so enlarged and most of her lungs were filled with fluid and very little air. She was severely struggling for air.

I must say that these last months of her life were very happy. She brought so much joy into our lives and seemed to really grab life with much gusto. She was feisty and sweet. She loved to stand with her front legs in her water bowl. We bought her a make-shift wading pool and she would stand in it with all four feet and drink water at the same time. She loved standing in her pool.

I am so sad and miss her greatly. Thank you for allowing me to have her for as long as I did.

Sincerely, Beth

Abbey

November 1, 2005February 6, 2021 by westiemed in Stories

November 2005:

We are a family of dog lovers and over the years have been blessed with two wonderful dogs – one a Pomeranian (Piper), the other a Husky/Retriever mix (Nicky). Nicky died four years ago and Piper a year ago May, so it was with much anticipation and excitement that we began looking for another dog to grace our family this summer.

We were interested in taking in a dog that needed a home and often visited the local (Fairfax County, VA) pound. We were particularly interested in a Westie based on their reputation – happy-go-lucky, boundless energy, and a wonderful family dog. At the pound, we put our name in several times, but no luck. Then we found PetFinders, which led us to Westie Rescue. That’s where we found Abbey.

Abbey was four years old, had been bred three times, and lived, for the bulk of her life, in a puppy mill. She had been purchased by a family, but after just two months, they relinquished her to Westie Rescue, saying that their other dog did not get along with her. Westie Rescue, however, believed that medical issues also may have been part of the reason that the family did not keep her. Apparently, Abbey had a history of urinary tract issues.

On July 22, 2005, we visited Abbey at the Greater Annapolis Veterinary Hospital in Annapolis, MD, about an hour drive from home. We connected immediately, and four days later we formally adopted her, with great anticipation and excitement. She was wonderful. We worried, however, about her health, because while the Veterinary Hospital basically gave her a clean bill of health, they also discussed and noted her urinary tract issues which forced her to urinate for excessively long periods of time. The doctor, at the time, prescribed dibenzyline to help with her urination. The medication seemed to help, and though the urinary issues were still present, we moved forward with the adoption.

At home, Abbey adjusted slowly the first week, but quickly became part of the family. At first, she was hesitant with people and somewhat nervous around young men. But she adjusted, and, week by week, became the fun-loving, playful dog that typifies Westies.

Unfortunately, her urination problems continued. When she goes to urinate, she squats for nearly two full minutes; for the last ninety seconds or so, it’s just single drops coming out. Clearly, something was not totally right. We took her back to the local vet (Pender Vet, in Fairfax County, VA) several times, but they said she was fine. However, on Tuesday, Oct. 18, she stopped eating and was totally lethargic, so we took her to the vet.

They admitted her, did some blood work, and concluded that she was in bad shape, leading them to decide to keep her overnight. That evening, at 11:45 pm, the doctor called to say that Abbey was in critical condition might not live through the night. At the time, the doctor said surgery might remedy the situation, but she cautioned that even with surgery, her chances for survival were 50/50. Fortunately, she survived the night and the next morning underwent surgery, to find out what was poisoning her body.

The doctors discovered that her bladder had ruptured, leading to her body shutting down. Over the next seven days, we stayed in constant touch with the doctors to see how she was doing, and, ever so slowly, she seemed to be recovering. We visited her several times in the hospital, and though she was listless for much of it, she did seem to perk up when we arrived.

A week after the surgery, on Oct. 24, she came home and we watched her improve every day. She ate very little at first and slept most of the time, but every morning she seemed to have a little more energy in her body, We were excited to watch her return.

After a week at home, we returned to the vet to remove the staples from the surgery and, after another series of tests, the vet declared that she was doing just fine, and could travel with us. Now, one month after surgery, she is doing exceptionally well, and we’re thrilled to have her with us.

Throughout the surgery and the vet visits, the vet told us that the bills would be high, but it was not until we picked her up on Oct. 24 that we learned exactly how high. Amid the joy of seeing her recover from surgery, we were devastated by the financial exposure. In just seven days at the vet, the total cost was over $4,500 and we tried to grapple with what to do.

That’s when we learned about WestieMed and immediately completed the necessary paperwork to seek financial aid. Two nights ago, when we heard that WestieMed had approved our application, and was going to reimburse us for $3,000 of the total bill, we were overwhelmed.

On behalf of Abbey, and our family, we want to express our deepest gratitude for your help and for your love of Westies. In the two days since we learned of your decision, we’ve told everyone about your generosity. Thank you so much for coming to OUR rescue as well.

Cordially, Roe Ferber, on behalf of Abbey and the Ferber Family

Miss Bossypants (Hurricane Katrine Survivor)

November 1, 2005February 6, 2021 by westiemed in Stories

November 2005:

Miss Bossypants survived Hurricane Katrina somehow and was brought to the Noah’s Wish Shelter in southern LA as a stray. The area she was found in was devastated…. Noah’s Wish was very concerned as she seemed even more stressed than what thought was usual so they contacted us. Louisiana Westie Rescue was happy to take her in and agreed to foster her for sixty days so her family would have a chance to find her. Her picture is posted on Petfinders and on the LWR website but no one has claimed her.

This little gal really gave her foster mom a run for her money the first couple of weeks! She was determined to escape and did once but not for long thank goodness! She now has a new micro-chip, her foster mom wasted no time getting that taken care of! Miss Bossypants was also quite snappy hence the name but now she has settled down, figured out no one is going to hurt her, and seems content to stay.

As if surviving a hurricane is not enough she has a bony lump on her head and thanks to Westiemed we will soon know if it is something serious or not! The vet wants to take some x-rays and do a biopsy to rule out anything that may need to be treated. Miss Bossypants is in a loving environment and I have a feeling her foster mom has fallen for her….. We of course hope her family does come forward and will leave her contact information on Petfinders for at least ninety days.

Thank you Westiemed and all those that contribute so these little ones can receive the care they need and deserve!

Laura Ardoin Louisiana Westie Rescue

Update: June 2006:

Miss Bossypants is getting better and better. When she first came to live with us if we did anything she didn’t approve of (like pick her up when SHE didn’t want to be..or put her down from the couch when SHE wasn’t ready), she’d bite us. Now I can actually see her restrain herself when she gets mad at us. She is still the boss around here. She keeps our four terriers in line at all times. It’s so funny because she’s the smallest. She’s become more and more affectionate and loves a good scratch/rub/hug. Her eye is still not blinking, so I’m putting a lubricant ointment in it several times a day, and at night, I put an antibiotic ointment in her eye. Since the operation, the eye is nonstop watering. I took her to two vets just to check it out and they tested the secretion and made sure the sinus cavity between the tear duct and nostril was ok, and they both say everything’s ok and it’s just a matter of her not blinking.

I so wish she could talk and tell us what she went through. She does NOT like to admit it, but I do think she’s a bit fearful of thunderstorms…who knows how she spent her time during the hurricane. The neighborhood where she was picked up was heavily damaged.

Thank you SOOO much for your help. I AM very grateful for your help. Life just isn’t the same around the Big Easy anymore…I don’t think it ever will be.

Marian

Update: February 2007:

Miss Bossypants crossed the bridge Tuesday night (January 30, 2007). Her kidney’s failed and despite the aggressive treatment, she had to leave her mom. Miss Bossy pants was very special and deeply loved. Thanks to WestieMed, Miss Bossypants was able to know that love for many months after being rescued.

Laura :***(