Butters was adopted by myself in December of 2007 from a rescue group in central Pennsylvania. His background is not completely known, but the rescue informed me he had come from a breeder with a group of other Westies.
Butters is approximately three years old. Many of the dogs that came with Butters were in poor shape and were very timid. I become fond of Butters because of his outgoing personality.
Prior to adopting Butters, I noticed his ears had a growth in them, but the rescue informed me their vet had stated they were ear polyps that probably would not respond to treatment. They stated if I was concerned, I could consult a specialist. After adopting Butters I took him to the University of Pennsylvania’s Vet Hospital only to find out he needed surgery which would cost over $5,000.
Knowing Butters needed the surgery because of the constant pain he displayed from his ears, I knew I had to find a way for Butters to get the surgery.
Butters – WestieMed Recipient
Thankfully, I found WestieMed over the internet and Butters was sent to Ohio to receive surgery. One of WestieMed’s generous members has kept Butters throughout the surgery recovery process and has kept me posted on his recovery. Butters has gone from a low energy dog who was constantly scratching his ears to a happy, playful, and affectionate dog.
I know he will be happy living with myself and my two Labradors. Despite his size, Butters is definitely the top dog and will not let the other dogs try to boss him around, even if they are 5 times his size!
I will be getting Butters back on February 18, 2008, and I am so happy to know he can finally live without the pain he has gone through for the first three years of his life. Butters can now begin to live the happy life he should have always been able to live if only his previous owners had taken proper care of him.
I am so thankful that WestieMed has made it possible for Butters now to have the life he always has deserved.
Thanks for all of your help, Jennifer Boddorf & Butters
Update February 26, 2008
I just wanted to let you know Butters is doing great. He now has a lot more energy & likes to play with both of my dogs. However, he gives my male lab a hard time about getting into bed at night. I guess he doesn’t want another male in the bed! He’ll growl until my other dog gives up and sleeps in the spare bedroom. Haha–never would have thought a little dog would have so much power! Other than that though, he gets along with them great & loves to chase them around.
He’s also very good about letting me put them medicine in his ears & seems to love his new food.
Thanks again for all of your help, Jennifer Boddorf
Update March 5, 2010
Butters is doing great! His ear problems are much better now and are controlled by him being placed on a special diet and using occasional medications.
Despite his small size, he is still the pack leader of the dogs in the house. It has taken some time and assistance from my boyfriend, but he has finally accepted me as the leader in the house. He no longer tries to mark things in the house or bark when he is put in his crate. It just took a simple “be quite” from my boyfriend when Butters barked in his crate and he’s good ever since! And to think he had been ignoring my commands all this time! I guess I had always just been spoiling him too much! He is still the “baby” of the family though.
Roy is a fourteen-month-old Westie boy who was rescued (along w/his brother, Robbie) by Canine Friends Foundation (CFF) from a small commercial and show breeder in on 5/11/07. The breeder had called me the day before advising that she had two six-month-old male Westie puppies that her vet had diagnosed with Grade III heart murmurs. She said she would not be able to sell them and was planning to euthanize them if I did not want to take them into rescue. Of course, I told her I would be there first thing in the morning!!!
“The Boys” went straight to my vet for further evaluation where they were diagnosed with Grade V (not Grade III) heart murmurs. Dr. Byrne and I decided to send them directly to VA Tech Veterinary Teaching Hospital’s Dept. of Cardiology in Blacksburg, Virginia for evaluation and echocardiograms to determine the cause of the murmurs. Roy’s diagnosis was severe pulmonic stenosis (a deformity of the pulmonic valve leaflets which control blood flow from the right ventricle of the heart into the pulmonary artery). Pulmonic stenosis makes the heart work too hard and enlarge and it eventually progresses to congestive heart failure and death without intervention.
Dr. Abbott (our wonderful cardiologist) recommended waiting for Roy to finish growing before we decided to proceed with any medical intervention since he was showing no signs of congestive heart failure at the time. Upon his return from Blacksburg, Roy went to live with one of CFF’s foster families, The Skelton’s, and their little dachshund, Frankie for the next seven months, where he learned how to be a member of a family.
Roy returned to VA Tech on 12/17/07 for repeat evaluation and echocardiogram which showed that his pulmonic stenosis had become more severe since his last visit in May. Dr. Abbott is recommending proceeding with balloon valvuloplasty which should “open up” the stenosis, decreasing the pressure across the pulmonary valve and preventing congestive heart failure and death. Roy is now back in my home, part of my small “herd” of foster and forever Westies and Westie mixes. With the help of WestieMed, we are looking forward to having his surgery done and helping sweet Roy on his way to finding a wonderful forever home and life!!!
Roy and Robbie were the only two puppies in their mom’s first litter. Dr. Abbott advised me to tell the breeder that she should spay the mom as pulmonic stenosis is a genetic problem. I am happy to say that the breeder did indeed spay the mom and place her in a (hopefully) loving pet home.
Thanks, Susie Branham and Roy Westie Co-founder, Canine Friends Foundation Small Dog Rescue
In a very loving memory of Duffy, CFF’s first rescued Westie puppy who died unexpectedly 2/1/06 while waiting to grow big enough for his heart surgery.
Update February 20, 2008
Roy – WestieMed Recipient
Roy Westie and I left home early this morning for the 85 mile trip to the VA Tech Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Blacksburg, VA in preparation for his balloon valvuloplasty which is scheduled for early tomorrow morning (2/21/08). The pictures show him checking out the car and then settling down for a snooze during the trip.
Roy was met by his “team”, Anna Barnes, senior vet student; Dr. Jessica Gentile, cardiology resident; and Dr. Jonathan Abbott, cardiologist. He greeted them with his usual sweet Westie kisses accompanied by plenty of tail wags. He had blood work and an echocardiogram done, followed by playtime, dinner, and an early bedtime. When I left, he was busy getting some serious belly rubs from Anna and Dr. Gentile.
Roy – WestieMed Recipient
Many thanks to Westie Med for providing the financial assistance needed for Roy to proceed with his surgery and have the chance for a long, healthy life with his own family. We could not have gotten there without your help!!!
With deep appreciation,
Susie Branham, Co-Founder, Canine Friends Foundation Small Dog Rescue, and Roy Westie
Update February 25, 2008
Roy went into surgery early last Thursday morning (2/21/08) with the hope of having his narrow heart valve (pulmonic stenosis) dilated by balloon valvuloplasty. Prior to surgery, an EKG detected an atrial septal defect in his heart that was allowing oxygen-depleted blood to bypass his lungs and be recycled, which results in keeping his oxygen levels lower than normal all the time. When the catheter was inserted for the ballooning, Roy’s blood pressure and oxygen levels dropped dangerously low and the catheter was removed. Roy’s blood pressure remained low and Dr. Abbott decided to halt the procedure rather than risk Roy’s life.
Roy spent the next twenty-four hours recovering and being coddled by his Senior vet student, Anna, and the hospital staff at VA Tech VTH. He was his lively self when I picked him up on Friday afternoon, where he was discharged to home amid lots of kisses and a few tears. One of his caretakers, Robin, was so touched by sweet Roy that she gave him a St Francis of Assisi medallion to wear on his collar for protection.
I am sad that Roy was unable to have the surgery that could have extended his life, however, I am very grateful to WestieMed for giving us the opportunity to try. Roy’s foster family is committed to loving and caring for him for the rest of his life and Canine Friends Foundation will continue to oversee his care and ensure he receives any and all medical care needed.
Roy was overjoyed to see his family and Doxie buddy, Frankie, on Saturday morning when they came to pick him up. For now, he is living life like any other happy fifteen-month-old Westie boy and we are going to do everything we can to make that last as long as possible…
Again, many thanks to Westie Med for caring about this wonderful little Westie!!
Gratefully,
Susie Branham, Co-Founder, Canine Friends Foundation and Roy Westie
Update July 7, 2008
I just spoke w/Jamie, Roy’s foster mom, and he is doing great! He is happy and playful w/no clinical signs of heart failure. They just returned from a ten-day camping trip to VA Beach where Roy was introduced to the ocean and loved the game called “Let’s Dig Up the Beach”! The Skeletons always thank me for “allowing” them to foster Roy and I always thank them for “allowing” him to become a beloved member of their family. They are a very special family and he is a very lucky boy!
I pray that Roy continues to do well and has many more days like the ones he is having this summer…sounds like he is having a blast! I will send pictures next time I stop by for a visit…
A big THANK YOU to Westie Med for caring about and helping Sweet Roy and the other CFF rescued Westies.
Susie Branham, Canine Friends Foundation Rescue, and Roy
He thinks he can fly! It’s true with most Westies, but especially true with Jack. He’s adventurous, curious and loveable.
In June of 2007, we lost Maggie, our fourteen-year-old Scottish terrier to liver cancer. She had been with us since we adopted her from a shelter at one year old. She was truly a member of the family. After a few months, we agreed it was time to begin to look for another dog – one that could help fill the hole Maggie left in our hearts and our home. Since Maggie had come through adoption, our first thought was not a breeder, but a rescue agency to find our new pet.
Jack is one year old today and has been with our family for only two weeks. He came to us through the Illinois chapter Westie Rescue Mission of Missouri. While his original family loved him deeply, they ultimately surrendered him to WRM because Jack’s high energy made caring for him and their two special-needs kids very difficult.
We were so excited from the moment we met Jack. He is curious, high energy and loveable. From the moment he arrived, he began exploring and investigating our home – one room at a time. He didn’t slow down for two solid hours! Shortly after midnight, we thought it was time to try to get our boy to sleep.
We took Jack to our room with his familiar blanket and bed. Still curious, still exploring, undeterred, Jack tried to jump up on our bed and missed. We watched in what seemed like slow motion as he fell. He never winced, never yelped, but when he got up, he refused to use his leg. We were heart-broken that our boy hurt himself and we hardly slept all night.
Jack – WestieMed Recipient
A visit to the vet the next day gave the bad news – he had broken his leg. A second opinion confirmed the diagnosis and course of treatment. So less than two days after arriving in our home, Jack had orthopedic surgery to repair his leg.
He is healing well, bonding with our family and is an amazing dog. We are so glad to have him in our home. He’s had quite an adventure in the last month – he’d have an amazing story to tell!
We are thankful to WestieMed for assisting with part of Jack’s surgery bill. We are grateful that resources are out there to help families that rescue loving, wonderful Westies like Jack.
Update February 2008
Just a quick update. Jack had his six-week checkup with the surgeon yesterday. He is healing but not healed.
So it’s six more weeks of restricted activity.
Jack is doing great – walking without a limp, fully using the leg. I would highly recommend the group we used as caring and cost-efficient. Great Practice – Animal Emergency in Skokie. Well worth the hour drive to get there.
The biggest challenge is keeping him down. He continues to believe he is invincible! He’s getting more attached to us and we to him. He’s a loving, wonderful dog – we are glad we have him in spite of all the chaos and challenges. We are learning some of his quirks – he is very skittish around loud noises, fire, and anything around his head. Makes us wish we could talk to him to hear his story in his original family…over time I am sure he will forget and change. Our last dog was nervous around shoes for the first year – my son reminded us of that this morning.
Update July 1, 2008
Jack – WestieMed Recipient
Jack is doing well. He is adjusting emotionally. When we received him he had huge issues – every noise scared him, he would not take food or treats from human hands, would not obey even simple commands, and was a bit reclusive.
Today, he knows some basic obedience commands – sit, stay, shake, no (a big one for high-energy Westies!). He loves to play fetch with his favorite toys. He trusts us enough to take food from our hands. He is a much calmer dog and a great pet. We really love having him.
Healthwise, the leg is fully healed. He is one of the fastest dogs I have ever seen – loves to run in the back yard. On humid or cold days he will still, on occasion, limp on the leg that was broken. The Vet says this is normal and may just be a life-long side effect.
I thought I would send some pictures of Jack. Sorry ~ he is a little scruffy in these pictures ~ we don’t ever seem to get them right after he is trimmed up ~ but he is cute anyway.
Jack is sitting up on my lap as I type. He has to be on my lap or near me when I’m sitting down. He is such good company.
He absolutely loves our granddaughter. We keep her on the weekends for our daughter and Jack is very protective of her. He goes into the room where she sleeps and stays by her bed until she wakes up. When we sit in the rocking chair with her ~ he has to be there too and she just laughs and reaches over and pets him. Our biggest problem is keeping their toys separate. They both want what the other one has…just like siblings. They are going to be very good friends growing up!
We just love Jack and are having so much fun with him being part of our family.
Blessings, Greg and Connie
Update September 27, 2008
Jack had surgery – again – two weeks ago.
His pins were coming loose from the previous surgery. The surgeon said that his broken bone healed perfectly and he should have no more problems. Pins and wires were all removed and should eliminate the periodic limping and swelling that had been happening over the summer.
He has become a very expensive dog – but make no mistake that we love him and would not give him up for anything. He is full of life and character. He makes us laugh on a daily basis. And he is back to being the fearless dog with lightning speed.
After the death of my Westie Mr. Magoo at age 17 years, 2 months, swore I would never get another Westie to add to the two I still have. And then it happened! This beautiful little Princess caught my eye and I had to have her for my own.
Westie Rescue of Missouri (WRM) stated that Dutchess was turned in by an elderly woman in her 80s who could no longer care for her. The woman said her grand-daughter owned Dutchess. However, when the girl went to medical school, she gave Dutchess to her grandmother. We know the woman also had a male Westie who recently died. After his death, Dutchess had to leave. Perhaps it was out of grief…but, nonetheless, she was surrendered to rescue.
Everyone at WRM who met Dutchess LOVED HER. Her foster home was very smitten with her and said Dutchess was going to be awesome pet for someone. Dutchess works the pack like a grand, seasoned matriarch with gentleness and accuracy through looks and playfulness. Her foster mom, Lynne Black said Dutchess is perfect.
After dealing with stormy weather trying to transport her to me, Dutchess finally arrived on Thanksgiving Day via airplane thanks to the Farris family and their “Pet Taxi” as well as WRM.
Dutchess – WestieMed Recipient
The next day I took Dutchess to the Vet for a check-up. I found out she had hookworms and a urinary tract infection (UTI). She also had numerous cysts and tumors on her body. The Vet treated the UTI and hookworms right then and there. We were to return in a week for cyst and tumor removal.
This photo shows Dutchess barking to go ‘bye-bye’. Little did she know she was going to have her cysts and tumors removed. After a week of nail biting and stress, the Vet reported her tumors were benign and her blood work was perfect. The Vet also stated Dutchess was “OLD” – very old! He estimated that she is at least 13 years or older. She appears to be very young and acts as a pup. Who cares about age? Not us!
Dutchess – WestieMed Recipient
Miss D. is adjusting well to our home and my other two Westies. She gets along just fine with her brother Rocky MacDuff:
However, her sister Miss Sophie Rose is another story. Sophie is our resident Alpha Diva and thinks she rules the world. Slowly, the girls have come to a truce and are learning to get along.
Thanks to WestieMed and their generosity, Dutchess now has a clean bill of health. She a fine old lady and we love her dearly!
Thanks again WestieMed for all you do to assure the health of these little Westies!
Update June 14, 2008:
Hi all! It’s me the Divine Miss D. Boy, did I ever hit the Jackpot! My Mom thinks I am the Cutest Thing that hit Harrison. She tells me I am a female Mr. Magoo. (That was my 17 year old Bubby that went to the Bridge.) I am so Sassy, Bossy and Demanding! I tell my Mom when I want to go outside and I don’t stop barking until she opens the door. I bark for my meals and again I don’t shut up until I get them and Mom is always on time believe me. I even bark until Mom gets up and gives me her chair.
Dutchess – WestieMed Recipient
have a clean bill of health and Mom just had the last of my Booboos removed. Big old thing on the back of my neck. It didn’t bother me but Mom is always doing a search looking for stuff. And of course, it has to go! I’m perfect and Mom helps me to stay that way. Not bad for a 14 year old.
My Sister Sophie Rose is acting better but not perfect. Sometimes she forgets and plays with me. My Brother Rocky is a gentle Giant. He’s good to me! My Bestest Friends Winnie and Elvis come to visit all the time. We get along GRAND.
Thanks to WestieMed I have a wonderful healthy life and thanks to WestieMed I have my friends Winnie and Elvis. Life is great! And I am so very happy!
Hello everyone. My name is Chloe and this is my story. Compared to a lot of the other Westies that you are reading about on the WestieMed website, my story is not very terrible. I spent the first 5 years of my life in a home with a family who loved me and took care of me – not one of those horrible puppy mills places.
My story is not all happy though. One day, something very sad happened in my family, and they could no longer take care of me. They took me to a place called a shelter. I was there for a while, and I did not like it there. It was hard to find a home for me because you see; I have something called Addison’s disease. I don’t know what that means, but I know that I get sick kind of easy. I’ve had it since I was a little puppy, and although I am doing well now, I was sick for a lot of my life, and I guess a lot of people don’t want to have to deal with a doggy like me who needs special care. I got lucky again though because the people from the Westie Rescue found me in the shelter. They came and rescued me and I lived for a little while with a foster family who was very nice and took good care of me.
One day my foster Mommy told me that some nice people had seen my picture on the Westie Rescue website and they had read my story. Those people thought I was adorable and were not afraid of my special needs and wanted me to come and live with them and have a forever home. We went on a car ride and met my new Mommy and Daddy, and I got to go home with them that very day!! I was a little scared, but I sat in my Mommy’s lap and she petted me and talked to me and pretty soon I fell asleep. The next thing I knew, I was in my forever home.
I love my forever home. When it’s warm outside, I go out with Daddy and help him in the yard, and I love to greet everybody who walks by. There are lots of nice dogs in my neighborhood, but Jack is my favorite one. Daddy says he’s my boyfriend. I don’t know what that means, but I really get excited when Jack walks by with his Mommy and Daddy. I LOVE my toys and have a big basket full of them. I don’t like them in the basket, though, I prefer them scattered all over the house! Mommy and I play a game – she picks them up and puts them in the basket, and quick as I can, I go get them and scatter them all over the house again! I think it’s more fun than Mommy does, but she doesn’t get mad at me.
We’ve had a few struggles with my Addison’s disease, and are very grateful to the WestieMeds people for helping us. You see, I need very special care. I have to get a shot each month (ouch!) and I have to take pills to make sure I don’t get sick. Mommy and Daddy took me to a vet nearby, but it didn’t work out so well. He didn’t know a lot about my disease and he changed my medicine. Well, I ended up getting really, really sick and I almost died. I had to stay in the hospital for a few days while they got me feeling better, and it was very expensive. Things got much better after that though, because Mom and Dad found a new vet who really likes me a lot and she fixed my medicine and has me feeling great!! She even studied about Addison’s disease and contacted some other vets to find out the best way to take care of me. I like her, and I’m doing much better now.
Mommy and Daddy say that I’m a “princess”. I think that means I’m spoiled, but Mommy says I deserve to be spoiled because I’m so wonderful and I’ve been through so much. For Christmas this year, I went to the salon and got a pretty new haircut and we went visiting family all over. I even got my very own stocking with toys and treats inside! I love Christmas!! I was a good girl (mostly), and got to meet lots of other dogs in our family. I love to go on car rides and meet new people, but mostly I’m happiest just snuggling on the couch with Mommy and Daddy. Daddy says that I’m his “cuddlebug” because I love to snuggle with him, but I don’t ever let Mommy out of my sight for a minute. She says that I am her little shadow.
Anyway, that’s my story up until now. I hope to have lots more years with my forever family and am so happy that the wonderful rescue people found me and helped me find my forever home.
With love and gratitude, Chloe, John and Rebecca
Update June 19, 2008:
I am pleased to report that Chloe is doing great!! Ever since we got her through her last crisis, and got a new vet, and learned the signs of her medical condition, she is like a new dog. We have switched her over to the Kumpi dog food, which seems to suit her very well. As long as she gets her shot on time each month, and we continue with the prednisone therapy, she is doing great. She does seem to have some ongoing dental problems, but we can deal with those. She is in need of another cleaning, which is going to be around $200. The vet told us that some dogs just have worse teeth than others. Her’s are pretty bad, so she will have another cleaning in a month or so, but she is otherwise healthy. John and I (and Chloe of course) moved to a new home at the beginning of May. She LOVES it here!!! She has a fenced backyard, which is a big relief for us, and it’s full of squirrels and chipmunks and all the neighbor dogs come by to visit. She has a new friend – Mikey – who is a Chihuahua, and he comes over to play in the yard. They run around like maniacs until they’re worn out. There is also another Westie right across the street. Her name is Roxie, and they like each other a lot. I will send some pictures soon. Thanks for checking up on our girl. We love her to pieces!!!
Love, John & Rebecca (& Chloe)
Chloe – WestieMed Recipient
Update January 20, 2010:
Chloe was abandoned by her family because she suffers from Addison’s disease. In the beginning, her disease seemed to be difficult, and at one point we nearly lost her due to a vet who did not treat her disease properly. Her “new” vet, Dr. Stopfer, spent time researching her disease and learning how to treat her, and for the last year or more, she has been stable and healthy, and happy due to proper care. Her monthly regimen is a little costly, but she is such a love, she is totally worth it. Seeing her happy little face and bright eyes is a joy every day. She loves to run around in her yard, tormenting the neighborhood squirrels, and is friends with all the neighborhood dogs, including two other Westies who come over to play. Over time, we have learned how to recognize when she is not feeling well, and the know-how to medicate her to keep her stable. Thanks to WestieMed for getting her through the crisis that nearly took her from us a year and a half ago.
She is a pampered and loved little girl and a success story for your organization. If I can ever be of any help to the WestieMed organization, please call on me.
Blessings, Rebecca Pigeon
Update August 4, 2010:
I need to notify you that Chloe passed away today.
I am still in shock, as she seemed fine this morning, but when I returned home from work she was curled up in her bed and she was gone.
Suzi came to live with me as a foster dog in March 2007 after the sudden death of her 86-year old Master. She originally went to live with the man’s daughter who had a six-month-old Westie puppy. After a month’s stay with the family, the daughter’s husband was sincerely ready to put Suzi to sleep if I had not taken her in as a foster dog. I believe Suzi was going through extreme mourning at the passing of her Master and then the loss of companionship with the puppy. I was happy to bring her into my home in order to give her the individual attention she obviously needed.
Over Thanksgiving, I had a friend staying with me. He put Suzi on his bed and when she jumped off, she hit her hind leg on a speaker and tore her ACL.
Now THANKS to WestieMed her surgery is being covered in full and she’ll soon be back to her old very playful self.
Thank you for all of the help you have given to Suzi.
I was contacted regarding a four-year-old, unspayed, Westie in dire need of medical attention. The callers conveyed to me that they commented on a photo of a Westie at a business location and the owner said that she didn’t look like that anymore. She said she was allergic to cats, and she needed a new home. She would be happy to let them have her.
On approximately October 24th, the above persons met the owner in a parking lot and found this poor female unsprayed Westie filthy and severe ear infection, loss of hair. They were horrified at her state. The owner cried and said she could no longer afford the dog and signed the dog over complete with vet bills and AKC papers. The owner sent her with a volume of vet bills up until May 2007
The good Samaritans looked through the vet bills and found that Sophie had cost about $2500 to date in vet bills. None of the bills dealt with her skin problems, but she was billed for a ton of unnecessary work which was covered under “pet insurance.”
The finder wrote: The woman told me Sophie’s health was okay until about a year ago when they got two Persian cats. She says the vet thinks she is allergic to cats and that her health would not improve until she was removed from that environment. True or not, the woman was obviously desperate so I brought Sophie home to try to find help. The paperwork she gave me from the vet doesn’t tell me a lot but does seem reasonably consistent with the timeframe.
October 29th – Contacted rescue – They kept her for two days and were very enchanted with her, but her health was so diminished that they felt with their jobs they had no time for her, and wanted her to have a good life, made a Vet appointment and the Vet shook his head and said – she is going to be a “major project”. (at that time this Vet also didn’t give Sophie any meds, this was apparently a “consultation” visit. He told the ‘Finders” the cost and dedication would be off the charts, and how much did they want to do this? After the consultation, they decided to turn her over to rescue. We made arrangements for the transfer.
October 30th a.m. – Transport: In the fog @ 8:30 am Mary Scott drove out to Coupeville and boarded the Keystone Ferry to Port Townsend. She was armed with a crate, and leash and she also had the release forms and was going to meet the “husband” at 11:30 at the ferry dock and do a turnaround and come and drop Sophie off at my house. Mary called me from the Ferry at noon and said “I’m heading back, and you aren’t going to believe it. She is worse than Shannon was. She is bleeding out of crevices of her skin, she is biting and itching and I think I am going to cry. “ I said, “MARY, don’t cry now, she is on the road to recovery, I have to call the vet and see if I can get her in today.” Mary said – “She’s a mess, a poor pitiful mess”. It was a four transport.
October 30th – I transferred Sophie from Mary’s car to my car crate, and she itched and bled in my crate as I drove down to the Bothell Animal Hospital. I was on the cell phone ten times with their staff, they probably were sick of hearing me. I left Sophie for the night so she could get bathed and all her testing done and do something about her comfort. She had to have massive steroid shots. I also wanted them to bathe her and medicate her as she was in a sorry state, and very cranky. I didn’t want her first day with me to be unpleasant, and I needed time to prepare my home for her and an introduction to my dogs.
Dr. Shannon Smith called at sevem pm and said they injected her with steroids to stop the itching, she is getting a medicated bath two times tonight and she has had her ears flushed, her eyes flushed, antibiotics, and starts her Ketoconozole when she gets home. I will also be stopping on the way down tomorrow to pick her up – and get some doggie PJs. She has several infections going on and Dr. Smith found flea dirt which just adds to the whole mess. We didn’t want to treat her for fleas until she heals more, the cracks and dry skin are not good. It’s going to be a long haul and she said we can’t spay her until her skin heals or else the incision can get a horrible infection. We are closing off the evening with Sophie safe and warm and not in pain, me exhausted, Mary exhausted and me playing musical chairs with the other fosters and working on getting funding for Sophie’s meds. Blood was drawn to see what caused all these allergies.
November 3, 2007 – Sophie is responding to the medicated baths and exfoliation. Her ears are finally returning to normal, and she is still very cold and shivering. She is wrapped in baby blankets, and pjs. She has baby blankets and receiving blankets lining her crate and she prefers being in front of the fire place. She is slowly responding. She seems to be a one owner dog, and has never really been socialized. She has deemed me her HUMAN, and so we have some jealousy issues to work on. Other than that, she is a very sweet dog and thankfully perfectly potty trained and crate trained.
Sophies Delight – WestieMed Recipient
November 9, 2007 – Daily baths with Malaseb are really making a difference. Her clothing is changed two times a day to keep her clean. I wipe her feet off w/baby wipes when she comes inside. She finally started playing with toys and is very affectionate. Her hair is growing back on her face and body, but her legs are still in disarray. She has stopped itching which I contribute to the bathing. Sophie also allowed me to scrape her teeth with a dentist metal scraper and she let me brush her teeth also. Her back teeth are in bad shape and she will need her teeth cleaned. She is currently on non-grain dry food only with yogurt and grain-free dog biscuits or apples.
November 14, 2007 – Vet appointment showed that her yeast is subsiding but she still has a raging Staph infection. Her allergy tests came back and the only thing she was allergic to on the food/airborne side was: lamb! She showed a level two on fleas. The outcome seemed to be that this minor allergy was neglected and caused her to get into this state. Fortunately for us, we can solve this issue with flea meds and a change of diet. It was sad to know all this was caused by something so preventable. We discussed her spaying and Dr. Smith said another month until her Staph infection is cleared up. Also to put her back on more antibiotics.
November 16, 2007 – I have decided to put Sophie in another foster home because she is getting to attached to me. I find that rotating the fosters out, help them evolve in their personality, teach them manners in other homes, and just open up a new experience in their life. It also helps the foster moms experience all the different rescue dogs we come across.
November 20, 2007 – Foster mom reported she is doing well. She is getting along with the other Westie. She is still cold and prefers sitting in front of the fireplace. She is eating well and is a stellar house guest. We anticipate her staying in this foster home for three more weeks and then we will make arrangements for spaying and dental care.
Our outlook is that Sophie will have a great life, and not a life of allergies. She has been a joy to foster, and cute as a button. I suspect she will be in foster care for another two months.
Karin Parish – Seattle Dog Rescue – Westies
Sophies Delight – WestieMed Recipient
December 2007:
Glad Tidings to all!
Sophie has made a come-back and full recovery. (two months in our great care!)
She is scheduled for spaying and dental on December 27th.
We want to thank you for making it possible to help save her.
Karin Parish – Westie Rescue
Sophies Delight – WestieMed Recipient
Update May 7, 2008:
Sophie was adopted to a first time Westie owner single woman in a condo, and its a great match.
She was in foster care four and half months. (It was a long HAUL).
Both the owner and Sophie have the same temperament. Sophie is the Diva and her owner treats her as a diva with a complete wardrobe and such.
They are both stay at home “gals” so they bring each other much comfort.
Sophie rides wonderfully in a car, so she is a joy to take places.
She is happier being an only dog, as she has more room to store her TIARA.
My name is Penny, well now it is. Let me start from the beginning. I was owned by a breeder in Oklahoma. I had several litters before I was five years old. When I was pregnant with my last batch of puppies the breeder discovered I had a heart condition and sent me to an auction where I sold for $500 to a person that didn’t want me, they just wanted my puppies. Once my puppies were old enough to be away from me, I was sold to a rescue shelter for $50. Lucky for me the rescue shelter that bought me put my picture on petfinder.com for my new mommy to find.
This is where my story really gets good. My mom applied to Westie Rescue and was approved to take me home. At that time my name was Misty, but I didn’t know that was my name since no one had ever talked to me before. Since I responded better to names that started with a “P” my mom named me Penny.
At first, I was unsure of my new surroundings at my new home. I was shy and just tried to be on my best behavior. I really liked my new mom from the minute I met her and I stay right by her side whenever I can. I have a new sister that looks a lot like me. She wants to play with me, but since I had spent all my life in a small pen, I didn’t know how to play. I had no idea what to do with these things called toys. Thanks to my mom and sister, I am learning how much fun playing can be. The only problem is that my mom gets nervous to let me play too much because of my heart condition.
The nice doctor told my mom that my heart rate is too slow (48 bpm) but they aren’t sure why. I have gone to a new doctor that specializes in hearts. He has done a lot of tests on me. I was then sent to Purdue University where another doctor ran more tests on me to see if I needed to have a pacemaker. I had to wear a heart monitor for 24 hours to see what my heart rate does all day. Thanks to WestieMed my mom was able to afford to do these tests that cost so much. Now I’m just waiting for results and hopefully, I don’t have to have a pacemaker but WestieMed is helping me and my mom all the way!
I sure am lucky to have such a great home now. That is why I am always on my best behavior. I am very friendly and never know a stranger. I will let just about anyone hug me or pet me. I never chew on anything and always try to go to the bathroom outside. Thank you for helping me so that I can get better and run and play with my new sister!
Update December 17, 2007:
Penny is doing great today. She did have her surgery and she had a dual pacemaker put in. After the surgery, she started having a little trouble with her diaphragm beating to the pace of her heart. They found out that it was the atrial lead communicating with the diaphragmic nerve so they had to turn off the atrial lead. I have to take her back to Purdue in one month for a check-up which will consist of two chest x-rays and another echo to check for the lead placements and to see how the pacemaker is functioning and they hope with the tissue growing around the lead that they will be able to turn the atrial lead back on. Right now the ventricular lead is the only one pacing and it is pacing 80% of the time since Penny’s heart rate was so slow. Now it’s just waiting for another month and trying to keep her from feeling too good so she doesn’t dislodge a lead!
Update January 30, 2008:
I just thought I would let you know that we took Penny back to Purdue for her check-up yesterday. She is doing great. They still were not able to turn her atrial lead on yet because of the thumping in her diaphragm and they turned up the voltage to her lead in the ventricle. Overall was that she was doing great and they took x-rays to check the lead placement and they were still where they had put them. (Don’t mind telling you I had my doubts!) Penny would fly off the couch before you could catch her and that was a no-no. We take her back in again in six months and hopefully then they will be able to turn the atrial lead on then. Hope everything is going well with you and again I thank WestieMed from the bottom of my heart for helping Penny. I’ll keep in touch.
Update April 21, 2008:
Penny is doing fantastic! She is running with Chrissy outside like a maniac. She loves to just take off running as fast as her little legs will carry her! We have to take her back to Purdue this summer to try again to see if they can turn on the atrial lead. I guess if Penny still has the same reaction that she had the last two times then the atrial lead is worthless. I have faith that it will work this time! I will let you know the outcome. We take her back in July. Thanks and sorry again for being so tardy with a reply.
Penny – WestieMed Recipient
Update March 3, 2010:
Penny is doing well. She no longer has a pacemaker due to infection. She just couldn’t leave it alone and so I made the decision that if it bothered her that much that I would not have a new one inserted. After all, I did not rescue her to make her miserable! She seems to be doing fine without it.
A couple of months ago she had her teeth cleaned. The Vet nor I really wanted to have her put under an anesthetic because she has such a low heart rate. Turns out she kept her heart rate up to 130 bpm during the entire cleaning!
I think she loves the life she has right now if she could only find a way to get rid of Chrissy (the other Westie in the house)! She is, of course, spoiled…I’m not sure who did that to her, looks forward to eating (big eater) and I have to watch her diet or she will just go on her own See food diet! She thanks everyone from WestieMed for where she is today (alive and healthy).
Lynn Locklear
Update April 20, 2010:
This is my last update to you about Penny. I just wanted to let you know that I had to put Penny to sleep yesterday. I am so heartbroken and I wish they could have figured out what was going on. Last Tuesday she wouldn’t eat and was acting very strange. That little girl never missed a meal. I took her to my Vet and the to a specialty vet up north and they sent me home with prednisone and antibiotics. I could get her to eat a little of her human food favorites but every day she would drop another one of those off her list. I felt by Friday that if the vet couldn’t help anymore that I would have to have her put to sleep. (I have been crying for a week and as I type this to you) They gave me some hope on Friday and gave me some other medications for her stomach and then some a/d food. I had to force her to eat on Friday and then on Saturday when I came at her with the syringe she wanted to eat it herself so I put it on a plate. I was feeling better until I later looked at her gums and they were white. She was bleeding internally somewhere, most likely into her abdomen. There wasn’t anything else I could do. I am so sad and I miss her so much. Penny is now an Angel as I always knew she was.
Age of Dog: Two years Rescue State: Georgia Medical Condition: Degenerative Joint Disease and Legg-Perthes
Synopsis: Sammi was encouraged to be surrendered by a good Samaritan who knew the owner was handling the dog irresponsibly in that she would let the dog run loose and it was frequently being lost. She wasn’t getting any attention and had been neglected in the sense of any grooming or hygiene. One of our members worked with one of the wonderful regular vets of the West Highland White Terrier Club of Greater Atlanta (WHWTCGA). WHWTCGA took Sammi into the rescue program called upon this vet to assist us and Sammi. She was a scruffy mess that desperately needed cleaning up. She was given a general physical and was treated for hookworms and spayed. She was anemic and not very playful at that point. She was then placed in foster to recover and be evaluated. When she became comfortable in her foster home, she started snapping and biting particularly when approached from the back or picking her up. It was initially thought that she needed behavior training by the club’s trainer, but prior to sending her there, we thought it was best to have a vet re-check her for any other medical issues. It was determined that she was in pain from her left hip because she had extreme degenerative joint disease (Legg-Perthes) and possible spine problems. The treatment of choice was an FHO — femoral head ostectomy — which was successfully performed. But the surgery would have to be followed by several weeks of therapy to get her to exercise and use her leg.
Sammi has made great strides thanks to our loving foster home. From what we can tell the pain is gone! She will let you pick her up although she reverts back to her alpha habits occasionally so we have continued her in a foster home that has another Westie and an older cat. She goes on walks daily and uses her leg more each day. After two surgeries, multiple x-rays, some medications for the pain, and physical therapy she has now participating in some training classes to assist in the bad behavior habits she has developed through her medical issues. If it hadn’t been for the good Samaritan’s knowledge of Westie Rescue and the lady surrendering her neglected Westie who knows how long poor Sammi would have suffered leading to an inevitable biting incident.
From her picture you can also see what basic grooming, proper hygiene, and diet with a little TLC will do for the looks too – isn’t she adorable? It will be several weeks before she will be ready for any forever home placement, but she is definitely on the right road to a great Westie life thanks to our volunteers, caring vets, and the support of WestieMed!
–WHWTC of Greater Atlanta
Update March 1, 2010:
We have not heard anything since early 2009 from the forever home. At that time Sammi had well recovered from her surgery and was enjoying life healthy and happy. She won’t set any land speed records but her mobility was excellent.
We will call her again just to see. The adoption home had not renewed her membership with the club for 2010 and we didn’t see her at meetings in 2009.
Hi-My name is Iris and I want to tell you a story.
It was summer and I was so hot. I had long, matted hair. I didn’t realize that I was actually a white dog. I heard some people that came up to my fence one day say that it made them sad because I was so dirty. The lady said that she wished she could put me in a nice, cool bubble bath, whatever that is. I knew that I was covered in ticks and that my feet hurt so bad I could hardly walk. But I didn’t know that I was dirty. But then I heard her say that we were all dirty. I didn’t know if that was a good thing or a bad thing, but I knew I was like all my friends that I lived with. We were all dirty! But when I saw the lady get water in her eyes and then grit her teeth like she was upset, I decided that dirty was a bad thing. But she leaned down and told us that we were all beautiful under that dirty hair and most important–we all had a beautiful Westie spirit!
One day she came back and put me and all my friends in her car. She still had water in her eyes, but I also saw something they call determination in her eyes. I soon learned that determination is a good thing! The lady and the man drove us straight to a place called “The Vet”. I heard them talking about the vet being on standby and open late just to see all of us. They seemed concerned about how they, along with some special ladies, were ever going to get the vet paid off. They had to pay to rescue me–whatever that means. I heard them say that the vet was going to give them a rescue discount, but they knew it was still going to cost a lot to get us in healthy Westie shape. They were very happy because the vet lady had a lot of “vet techs” waiting for us to arrive. I soon learned that vet techs like to cut the mats out of Westie hair and also shave them if they must. They were mad at someone though. His name was the breeder. They were mad because he had let me become covered in ticks and have kook-a-burros between the pads of my feet. They said things like “How can you even walk-poor baby?” I guess that is why my feet hurt so badly and I didn’t want to move along when I was told to. After they cut my hair with scissors and shaved a lot of me, they got those nasty ticks off. There were three people at one time trying to help me. I felt so special for the first time ever. But what came next was a little scary. They put me in a big sink and sprayed water all over me and rubbed me. It was all new to me, but I behaved the best I could. I heard them say “now you’re a white dog!” It wasn’t hot in the place they let me rest until my turn with the vet lady. It was cool plus they had soft towels to lie on. One by one they put my friends in the doggie suite with me after baths. I was the last one to go see the special lady called “Dr. Franks”. My buddies gave me good and bad reviews as they returned one at a time after seeing her and her helpers. They all said that she was very nice, gave hugs, and spoke so softly and kind to them, but she also poked them and put things in places they didn’t like. I understood what they meant after my turn. Her voice was the kindest voice I had ever heard. She helped me relax and I did pretty well until she started removing those things from between the pads on my feet. I had been giving all kinds of kisses until then. It hurt so much. I wanted to tell them that I had been hurting for so long, but that I had to walk if I wanted to eat or drink any of the hot water that sat in the sun. They told me that I had severe dental tarter, two kinds of worms, lots of tick bites, and pododermatitis with yeast on all four feet. Dr. Franks wrote on my paper that she thought I seemed older than two and half years. I wanted to tell her that I sure felt older than that! I think she decided it was because no one had ever taken good care of me. She also wrote on my paper that I had a beautiful, soft hair coat. I’m glad everyone can see it now. Her helpers gave me lots of shots including one called rabies. Yikes–it hurt! But only for a moment. They gave me antibiotics and some pasty worm medicine that made my mouth feel yucky. She also sent some to my foster Mom for me to take again in September. Maybe my new Mom will forget. I hope so! She also put special shampoo and some spray stuff in my bag of medicine.
I stayed in the doggie suite for a few days and then the rescue lady came back to take me to a place called foster home. She took one of my friends along also. My foster Mom, Michele, was so kind to us. She loves all animals and has big ones called horses. It was like going to Doggie Club Med. There was a big house with a fenced yard to run in, a fountain with water to splash my sore paws in, a beautiful covered porch with my very own crate on it to rest in whenever I wanted! I worked out an arrangement with a mother duck and her babies. I wouldn’t chase them if they let my buddy and I get in their baby pool filled with water in the back yard. It was great. We learned to share. I will include a photo of the Mommy duck asking me to share it with her babies. I got along great with P-Nut and Jake, two of the dogs that live there all the time.
Then one day, two of the nice rescue ladies came to take me to my furever family. They live in Mississippi. They have a Westie older than me named Sugar Baby. My new name is Lucy. I think it fits me perfectly! I still have to go to the vet for my left paw and take antibiotics. I love hanging out in the kitchen at my new home. I have a doggie door and my own crate that I can go in and out of any time I want. One of my favorite things to do here is follow “Tiny” the cat. Tiny likes me a lot! It’s great! Tiny, Sugar Baby, and I have full run of the house when Mom and Dad are home. My human sister has 2 large dogs and I get along great with them when they visit. Life is wonderful and I am so happy. Thank you WestieMed for helping me get healthy so I could move on to my new life. It was well worth the road I traveled to end up in such a great place. I am so thankful that you love Westies so, so much–cause now I’m a Westie girl with the world on a string!
Love, Lucy
Iris is one of seven Westies rescued from a puppy mill in Nashville, Tennessee.
Update January 2008: Iris now called Lucy
Lucy – WestieMed Recipient
Update March 3, 2010:
Lucy is wonderful, she is loving and spoiled. She sleeps with us every night. She and her sister Lilly are the loves of our lives. Both of these rescue dogs are happy, lovable, and spoiled. They have a big back yard and have a doggie door where they come and go every day. We are so GRATEFUL for them. They make me whole.
