westiemed – Page 30

Pirate

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

November 2006:

We got Pirate when my husband and I were fostering Westies for Westie Rescue. It was the end of September when I went to pick him up. He was the cutest little thing, but oh so skinny. He came from a puppy mill in Missouri and was about eight months old. That is about all we knew about him. Anyway, we quickly decided on the name Pirate and he started to settle into our home. He played so well with our resident Cairn Terrier, Pedro, that we started to worry about how these two would handle being separated. Pedro had seen other dogs come and go, but he really seemed to take to Pirate. It seemed like the two worked in concert. Anyway, after about two weeks, we realized that we couldn’t let this little guy go, so we went ahead and adopted him.

About a month later, my husband noticed a bloody spot on the bottom of Pirates neck. We didn’t know what it was, so we took him to the vet. She looked him over and decided it was a hot spot. She shaved the area, which is standard procedure for hot spots, but a “Hot Spot” is NOT what this was. When they shaved the area, they razor burned Pirate, and the next day the darn thing grew in size and had scabbed over. I read on the internet that this can happen with hot spots, so I just kept on giving him his antibiotic and spraying the thing with hydrocortison.

It continued to grow, and since I live in a university town with a great vet teaching hospital, I decided that I needed to get him into seeing a dermatologist. Problem was, I couldn’t get an appointment for another two weeks. In the meantime, Pirates “hot spot” continued to grow. It got so awful and HUGE! I was getting desperate and was searching the internet for anything I could find to help me deal with this problem.

That is when I came across the WestieMed site. They have pictures of a dog named Millie who had severe Malazessia and it looked so similar to what I was seeing on Pirate. I started taking pictures of Pirate and sending them out to WestieMed, and just for good measure, also to Westie Rescue. Both organizations came to my aid, but I couldn’t believe the response that WestieMed gave me. They said it was the worst “hot spot” they had ever seen! My heart sank. What was going to happen to my poor little Pirate?

Then Westie Rescue responded and wanted me to see the vet that they use. I had to drive about 50 miles, but it was totally worth it because this vet found the REAL problem. Pirate has Demodex Mange! It was never a hot spot, to begin with! I was given a stronger antibiotic and was supposed to start dipping in Mitaban as soon as some of his oozing sores healed up.

I waited two days and felt that I just couldn’t take it anymore. I tried the vet teaching hospital again and was begging them to move up my appointment, but they didn’t think they could do it. All they said I could do was to bring him to their emergency room and perhaps if I got lucky, there would be a dermatologist on duty who might be able to look at him. Well, I took my chances and brought him in.

This next part just blows my mind! As I was walking Pirate in, Pedro got away from me and was running all around the parking lot. I was trying to catch him when this nice man started helping me and calling for Pedro. He finally caught him and when I went to get Pedro, he told me that he was my neighbor and that he recognized Pedro from seeing us walk him around the block. He also told me that he works at the Vet hospital and that he is a Dermatologist! Oh my Gosh, this had to be from the Lord because I couldn’t have hoped for anything better. I told him that I was here to get someone to see Pirate and he agreed to see him right away.

Well, he confirmed the diagnosis of Demodex Mange, and also that the bacterial infection was causing major havoc too. The good news was that they have another form of treating Demodex that doesn’t involve dipping or waiting for wounds to heal. I could start Pirate on it right away. The only thing was that some dogs don’t tolerate it well, so it would take a while of increasing the doses to see how Pirate is going to handle it. Well, it has been about ten days now, and Pirate is taking the full dosage, and so far, tolerating it just fine. He is back to being a bouncy little puppy. His ears still flop down though, because he has some demodex sores on them that weigh them down. He also has to wear a collar sometimes to keep from scratching, and he has lost a lot of hair. That doesn’t matter to us though, because we would love him even if he was bald.

Our journey isn’t over yet. Demodex is largely a disease of the immune system. See, all animals and even people have these little mites living in their hair follicles. It’s just that for most of us, our immune systems keep them in check. For some reason, Pirates immune system either was compromised briefly or just isn’t super strong, probably as a result of poor breeding habits at the puppy mill. Anyway, he will have to take this medicine for a couple of months and have repeated skin scrapings to see if the mites have been eliminated. Hopefully, we will also find a way to boost his immune responses for the rest of his life, but right now getting rid of the mites is the first priority. It isn’t going to be the easiest thing to deal with, but I think we are going to get through it.

I couldn’t imagine how I would be dealing with this if WestieMed hadn’t been around to help. Not only would I be worried sick about Pirate, but I would also be worried sick about how to pay for all his vet expenses. Some people have had to put their dogs down because they couldn’t afford the vet bills. Demodex can be expensive because it takes so long to treat, and some dogs may need help for the rest of their lives. WestieMed is giving Pirate a fighting chance, and they are saving Pirates life. He isn’t even a year old yet. The people at WestieMed have also been a huge moral support. Best of all, Pirate is getting better! He is a great little dog and totally worth saving. I wish everyone who has contributed to WestieMed could meet Pirate because I am sure they would be reassured that their money, time, and talents are being put to good use. We are all so thankful for WestieMed. It reminds me of a story I heard about a little boy who was walking along the beach one day and throwing the beached starfish back in the ocean so they wouldn’t die. A man came along and said, “son, what you are doing is fruitless. This is just one little beach, and there are thousands of beaches full of starfish who are dying. It just doesn’t really matter if you throw these back and save their lives.” The little boy thought awhile, and picked up another starfish and threw it back into the sea. Then he said, “Well, it matters to that one.” Thanks again Westie Med!

Max

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

October 2006:

Max was an owner release to Oklahoma Westie Rescue (OWR). I think Max was given up out of love, not because his owner didn’t want him anymore. Max lived the last five years with his first mom and dad, but when they got a divorce, Max and his mom went to live at her mother’s house. Max’s owner’s mother said that he smelled bad and wouldn’t let him into the house, so Max was chained up outside to the tree. Max started losing his hair and itching all the time. Max’s mom took him to the vet and then to the dermatologist where she spent a large amount of money getting him tested. They diagnosed Max with being allergic to almost everything outdoors and many foods. The doctor suggested he be allowed inside and that his diet is changed to a food that doesn’t contain any of the allergens. But Max still went home and was still chained to the tree in the backyard, unable to chase the squirrels or have a soft comfy bed to lay on. And he continued to eat the same food. His condition worsened and his mom finally realized that she couldn’t give him the proper home he needed. She gave him up to OkWR so he could find a new home.

My fiance, Rod, and I decided that we needed another Westie in our lives. We had had our first Westie, Piper, whom we adopted through the humane society, for a year and believed that she needs a companion. After looking at many dogs thru OWR, we saw Max and thought he might be a perfect fit. On Max’s first home visit, he searched the house and finally found the toy box, dug through it until he found a chewy bone. He settled himself down on the floor and went to town chewing and knawing on his new find, just like it was made for him. Max had found his forever home.

A couple of weeks after adopting Max, he became sick. Rod came home from work and Max didn’t greet him at the door. Max wouldn’t go outside or eat. When Rod showed Max the cat and he didn’t chase him, he knew something was wrong. Being the over-concerned parent, I took him to the emergency room where they evaluated him and gave him some fluids and meds so he could sleep. The next day, we took Max to the vet where she diagnosed him with some sort of gastritis. She kept him all day and gave him fluids thru an IV. When I picked him up he had a pep in his step and a gleam in his eye. We took him home and he was back to his normal self, chasing Piper and protecting us from the squirrels. We are so happy that Max came into our lives. He has brought out the puppy in Piper. Rod and I both work full time and go to school. You have no idea how much you have helped us out. We would do anything for our dogs and we are so happy that you guys are willing to help us out.

Thank you from the bottom of our puppy lovin’ hearts!

Tere Hogan and Rod Earnest

Pearl

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

October 2003:

Hello everyone my name is Pearl. I feel lucky to be telling my story. My birthday is March 15, 2001. I am just over two and a half years old. I was sold from a Petstore when I was twelve weeks old. Lots of people wanted to buy me as I pranced and played in my cage.

My new family said I was adorable they called me Sara. I lived with them for exactly three months. I was a frisky puppy but one day my front legs became hot and stiff and my jaw felt heavy and my head seemed bigger. One morning I woke up and could not eat my kibble anymore but my family did not notice. I tried to tell them…they finally figured out something was wrong when I stopped growing. They took me to the Vet and did all sorts of tests and the Doctor shook his head. I felt tired and weak and worn out.

I fell asleep after my appointment and woke up back at the Petstore. My new family had returned me! My feelings were so hurt. They did not want me and somehow I was not cute anymore. I overheard the people there saying that I could not be sold again. I was sick and alone.

I had not waited too long in my cage when a woman came for me. She was a stranger but I was glad to go. I said good-bye to my puppy friends and we left. I was weak. I only weighed six pounds and I was six months old. My new person took me to the Vet but she later told me that I was sick and nobody was quite sure how to help me. She made me feel special. She made homemade chicken and rice in the blender with tasty puppy milk for me. I ate six times a day. When I was too sick to eat she would encourage me with steak and hamburger bits. I had to learn how to eat without opening my mouth. You see I have a disease that won’t allow my jaw to open. It also made my legs burn and ache and my head swell.

My person would soak in the tub with me with special salts and talk quietly to me. She gave me baby aspirin and cortisone tablets. I never wanted to give up and she knew it. She called me her little fighter. She phoned lots of Veterinarians and talked about me and my problem a lot. She named me Pearl in honor of a well known local animal rescuer. I felt proud of my new name and my new place. I had been rescued by Friends Forever and I felt loved.

After one solid year of special care and baby food, I finally felt better. I was bigger and stronger and started to play. I remember the first hole I dug in the yard. My person seemed thrilled. I am embarrassed to admit how much I want to bite my cat friends. They know I can’t and they tease me. I have been spayed which was a big deal because my mouth still does not open but 1/8 of an inch. I made out fine. I have had shots and seen many Vets but nobody has been able to help me open my mouth. My person thinks this is a real benefit when clipping my nails. I don’t.

My person has found a Vet who can help me. I am so excited. She is very kind to me. Her name is Dr. Hunt. She has made me feel better with her magic machine that she puts on my jaw. I am hoping to be a Westie that can deliver a swift nip or two to my cat buddies before long!

Pearl has Craniomandibular Osteodystrophy (CMO) which is a devastating inherited disease. She is currently undergoing therapeutic Ultrasound treatments at University Animal Hospital in Greensboro, North Carolina under the care of Dr. Christine Hunt. This innovative treatment using sound waves may result in Pearl being able to open her mouth. Pearl is fostered by the President and Founder of Friends Forever, Lucy Boette. Pearl’s treatment is being funded by a grant from WestieMed.

Update: October 2006:

Hi. My name is Pearl. Maybe some of you remember me. WestieMed helped me a few years ago. You see I have Craniomandibular Osteodystrophy (CMO). Basically, I can’t open my mouth very much. Westie Med provided me the opportunity to receive therapeutic ultrasound and acupuncture to see if my mouth could open. And it worked, a little. I was so happy, I stuck my tongue out all of the time, and boy, did I enjoy my food.

Lately, I haven’t been feeling well. I’ve lost some weight and just don’t feel like running around. All I want to do is stay in my cuddler, my teeth hurt. The vet says I have severe tooth decay and it’s causing all sorts of problems. My doctor has me on antibiotics and wants to do a major dental invasion as soon as I can gain some weight. My people have been feeding me several times a day and I think that I have put on a pound or two. If this keeps up, I may lose my girlish figure!

WestieMed is going to help me get my mouth cleaned up. I am so grateful for WestieMed. I can’t wait to feel good again. Thank you WestieMed.

Update November 2006:

Pearl is such a sweet fighter! She had 18 diseased teeth removed. It was a long-drawn-out deal and her mouth and tongue were very swollen. She had to be on morphine but is now a million times better. She can put her tongue out of her mouth and lap her food for the first time ever. Her poor tongue was worn down from pushing on her front teeth for all these years. Dr. Hunt advises that the remaining teeth will continue to decay and have to be removed over time but everything is very stable and good after the recent dental work.

She will be able to continue gaining weight. She has gained over two pounds since I first wrote to you all. She yips and barks and generally happy now. I am so grateful for all you have done to help us with her. She has a new lease on life now for sure!

THANK YOU so very much on behalf of Pearl. WestieMed has made a world of difference in her life…in fact, I think she is poster pup material!

All my best, Lucy

Update November 17, 2008:

My name is Andrea Borden and I adopted Pearl in December of 2007 from Friends Forever and you helped Pearl in 2003. I just wanted to thank you for helping Pearl and giving her the opportunity to live. She is my heart and I truly believe without your help she may not have been here today. I also wanted to thank you for all the Westies that you have helped. You are truly an amazing agency that stands for a wonderful cause.

Andrea Borden

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