Affectionately known as “Double,” this eight-month-old puppy came to Maryland Westie Rescue (MWR) from a “backyard breeder” in southern Virginia who recognized that he had serious medical problems but surrendered him to MWR because she did not want to spend the money to treat his condition.
MWR brought Double to Greater Annapolis Veterinary Hospital (GAVH) where he was diagnosed with a extra hepatic shunt (a congenital bypass that prevents the liver from filtering toxins out of the bloodstream).
Double underwent surgery on August 13 at Chesapeake Veterinary Referral Center (CVRS) to repair the shunt. Following his successful surgery, Double returned to GAVH until he was well enough to go to his foster home. Double is currently in foster care as he awaits his (hopefully final) follow-up visit with his surgeon.
Despite his health issues, Double is a happy Westie who enjoys being around people of all ages and playing with other dogs. Though enjoying his foster families (and foster Westie siblings), Double is anxiously awaiting a clean bill of health from his surgeon so he can go to his “forever” home.
Double would also like to thank WestieMed for helping pay for his veterinary expenses.
Thanks, Phil
Update February 22, 2010
Double Trouble – WestieMed Recipient
Double goes to work with his Mom at Greater Annapolis Veterinary Hospital. He was examined by Dr. Kathleen Hersey who said he is doing great!!! He is the same ol’ great cuddler, and love bug he has always been.
He enjoys long walks on Lake Artemesia in Prince George’s County, MD, with his Mom and his sister Callie. He will be getting his haircut again on Thursday. Double is also a therapy dog (something rare for Westies) and goes to Sheppard Pratt Hospital once a week to volunteer with the kids.
Herman came to Little White Dog Rescue in June of 2008 from his owner whose adult children and grandchild were moving back into her home.
Herman was born on 2/1/2002 and was given to his owner by the breeder, as Herman was the runt of the litter and the breeder didn’t think she could sell the pup due to his size and the possibility that he may not live.
Herman was hand-fed and grew and thrived, and was loved and doted on. Unfortunately, Herman was never socialized to small children and acted very fearful whenever children were in close proximity to him. Therefore his owner felt she had no other choice, with a crawling infant moving into her home than to place Herman with our rescue organization.
When Herman was relinquished to our volunteer it was stated that he had previously suffered a fall down several steps and had developed a limp, which when x-rayed by the local vet did not reveal anything broken and he was diagnosed with a sprained ligament. It was also stated then when taken for walks, Herman did well walking on three legs as he simply picked up the leg that bothered him and hopped along on the other three! Our volunteer noticed immediately that even when standing on all fours, Herman was not bearing any weight on the left hind leg and was holding the leg approximately 1/2 inch off the ground.
Herman was taken to our vet for another x-ray, then referred to the specialty veterinary hospital, where he was diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament and surgery was recommended. Herman received the surgery on August 8th and is now resting comfortably at his foster mom’s home, where he again, is being hand-fed, loved and doted on! Herman will have two to three months of recuperation during which he is to have very limited activity beginning with only being allowed outdoors on a leash to potty, then gradually working up to slow walks. His foster mom states that Herman is a NUT about water coming out of the hose and bites the water and the hose, and barks when the water stops flowing! Of course, all activity is severely limited during his recuperation, but we expect Herman to make a complete recovery and be playing in the hose again in the spring!
Little White Dog Rescue would like to thank WestieMed, it’s Board of Directors, and the many kind, caring people who donate to this worthy cause for helping our group to help Herman. Because of what you do, we can continue to do what we do…save dogs!
Janeal Dominico, CPDT
Update September 24, 2009
From Janeal…
I have forwarded the reply from Herman’s new family. They are “empty-nesters” so Herman is their constant companion now. Thank you again for the funding to help with Herman’s surgery and for giving him a chance for a new, pain-free life. We feel very fortunate to have an excellent veterinary surgeon here in Omaha and have had amazing results with the two dogs we have taken to him!
Janeal Dominico, CPDT Little White Dog Rescue “Life is merrier with a terrier”
Herman – WestieMed Recipient
From Janet…
Herman is doing well. He seems to love it here, he really likes running around in our yard. We live right next to a park where there are soccer and football teams practicing all the time, so he loves looking out at the people coming and going. He also loves taking walks in our neighborhood and people always ask to pet him.
We went on a little vacation in July and he stayed at the PetSmart Pet Hotel and he loved it there.
I have attached a picture. It shows him when he has turned “green” from the grass when it’s just been cut. He loves to go out in the grass. The green wears off though, but it sure looks funny!
Gilley and Kenna were born on December 3, 2007, in a kennel in Kansas. Oklahoma Westie Rescue received them through another rescue group on June 28. It was readily apparent that there was something wrong. They were certainly frightened but were also more low key than most pups their age. When we picked them up, our fears were confirmed. When I placed my hand on Gilley’s chest, it felt like my hand was on a washing machine. He reached his little head up and gave me a kiss on the nose and I was instantly smitten. One of our volunteers, who is a paramedic, listened to their hearts and confirmed that both the pups and their mother, who was also released to us, had heart murmurs, though Mom’s was not near as bad as the pups.
Since my house was full, we sent Kenna to Edmond to be fostered by my co-president to lighten the load and hopefully to keep the pups calm. That Monday, we both took our respective pups to different vets and were both told that they highly suspected that they had PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriosus), or holes in their hearts that should have closed shortly after they were born.
Our vets referred us to Oklahoma State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. We made appointments for them and took them together for echocardiograms and a complete physical. The pups had lab work done, chest x-rays, to make sure that they didn’t have any other congenital anomalies. The echocardiograms confirmed that they had profound PDA, with no other congenital defects. We were also told that, without the surgery, they would likely not make it to their first birthday.
When we received that news Kenna was on Theresa’s lap and Gilley was on mine. Almost at once, they both looked up at us with adoring eyes and we knew that we had to try to save them.
They are undergoing surgery July 22 and, if all goes well, they will be in ICU for two to three and be released to come home to the loving care of one of ours retired volunteers, who can devote copious quantities of attention on them both and nurse them back to health.
Once recovered, their prognosis for a long and happy life is excellent.
Thank you, WestieMed for considering our application for aid and for helping these two adorable Little White Dogs!
Meredith Butcher and Theresa Stewart Co-Presidents Oklahoma Westie Rescue
Update July 23, 2008
A quick update on the pups. Meredith and I sat on pins and needles most of the day yesterday waiting to hear from the hospital. OSU finally contacted us twice, once at 2:30 p.m. to let us know that Kenna made it through her surgery and was in recovery and again at about 6:00 p.m. to let us know that Gilley had made it through his surgery. Both dogs are now recovering and if all goes well we hope to bring them home by the end of the week. They aren’t out of the woods yet but each day that goes by is a step in the right direction. We will keep you posted on their progress and we will take more pictures to send as they recover.
Update July 26, 2008
Kenne and Gilley – WestieMed Recipient
Good news everyone!
Kenna and Gilley are home from the hospital and recovering nicely. They will be confined to their crate for an entire month and that is going to be hard on them as they are already wanting to run and play. We have to keep them very still and not allow them to run, jump and play during their recovery. They are going to be two bored pups!!!! LOL
Attached is a picture of Kenna and Gilley and their surgical team. On the right is Kenna with her student vet, Hannah who took care of her in ICU and on left is Gilley with his student vet, Cara who took care of him in ICU, in the middle is the surgeon that performed their surgeries, Dr. Ricker and on the far left is Natalie, another one of the cardio dept vets who helped with their care.
Kenne and Gilley – WestieMed Recipient
This picture is Kenna and Gilley’s recovery crate at Maureen’s house, not their favorite place to be!! LOL
We will provide more updates next week!
Thanks, everyone for your support for these two little ones!!
Westie Hugs!
Theresa and Meredith Oklahoma Westie Rescue
Update July 31, 2008
Kenne and Gilley – WestieMed Recipient
Both pups are doing well. They are really bored so I had stopped by PetsMart and bought them Kongs and peanut butter to go in them. Hopefully, that will keep them occupied for a while.
Gilley wants desperately to be out and about and he loves to be held. While you hold him he loves to nibble on your ears!
Kenna is still somewhat subdued but coming around pretty quickly. She is still quiet but you can tell she is ready to be out of those crates as well. She too loves to be held. Picking them up and holding is somewhat tricky as you have to be very careful to avoid their incisions and they don’t exactly wait for you to get them in the proper places before they try to race off to go do something fun.
One week from tomorrow, their staples come out and two weeks after that they will no longer be crate confined. We are all counting down the days.
Above is a picture of Gilley and their foster Mom, Maureen.
Update August 27, 2008
As of last week, Kenna and Gilley were released from their crates. They haven’t stopped running yet!! Since they were so sick as pups they didn’t play much but NOW my goodness!! They have about eight months of their puppy life they are now trying to cram into their days. They run, play, jump in the kiddie pool and run and play some more.
Gilley is vocal, he would prefer to be inside with people and he barks to let you know what he wants in or to tell you that you aren’t paying enough attention to him. He will stand up on his hind legs to tell you that he wants to be picked up. As soon as you pick him up he immediately snuggles and licks your ears.
Kenna is a little bit more bashful, she prefers to play with Gilley and is forever jumping on him, grabbing his paws, biting his ears and whatever else she can do to annoy her brother. She too is loving but is rather bashful about it. She comes up to you quite shyly and is a little bit timid until you start petting her.
Their spay/neuter appointment is tomorrow and if all goes well they will be available for adoption next week. Both dogs will be adopted together as we won’t separate them at this point. They both should live normal happy lives just like any other Westie. Thanks, WestieMed for helping us give these little ones their lives back!
Theresa Stewart Meredith Butcher Oklahoma Westie Rescue
Update February 11, 2009
Kenna and Gilley now called Bonnie and Clyde “The Heartbreak Kids”
Kenne and Gilley – WestieMed Recipient
We have been thoroughly enjoying our new lives with these dogs. They are very engaging, active, and have distinct personalities. They have learned how to go up four steps, go through their dog door and then down four steps to go out to the backyard. Bonnie often goes down balanced on her front feet with her back feet in the air.
Bonnie definitely has a more independent personality and she is very intelligent. We have had to get a crate with a different type of latch because she figured out how to open the spring-loaded type and slip out. She also has learned to climb over a 20-inch freestanding gate and a 27-inch gate. Now, if I’m gone for several hours, I have to put the 20-inch gate inside the 27-inch and so far she hasn’t tried to go over them. With the gates up, they have access to our kitchen area, their food, and water, and can go outside at will.
Kenne and Gilley – WestieMed Recipient
At first, Bonnie did not want to walk. Now she will walk with Clyde if they are on a tandem leash. We go for two-mile walks some days. Bonnie definitely thinks of herself as a guard dog. At the least little noise, she is halfway out the dog door surveying the territory to make sure things are OK. Bonnie is very jealous when other dogs come to visit, but she is getting better at backing down quickly once she has let them know this is HER home.
Clyde is very mellow. He pretty much lets Bonnie do what she wants. He loves to play and they chase each other back and forth across our back yard at high speed. Clyde loves to meet new dogs and play. Our daughter has an 80-pound yellow lab and a 50-pound black lab. When they come into town, Clyde loves to play like he’s a big dog and they run for hours.
At night, if we are watching a movie, the dogs love to sit on our laps and nap. They enjoy a treat at bedtime when they go in their crate for the night. They still share a crate at night, though during the day they like their separate spaces. If I am working in my home office, Bonnie goes under the desk at my feet, and Clyde is right behind my chair. They are very good companions.
Though they have come to realize that Mom is their pack leader, they love to play on the floor with their Dad at night when he comes home from work.
They have been very healthy-we have only been to the vet for their initial welcome checkup. He was pleasantly surprised that he could not find evidence of a heart murmur in either of them after their surgeries.
We are very grateful to Oklahoma Westie Rescue and WestieMed for these little white dogs. They have enriched our empty nest in ways we did not anticipate.
My name is Lillie and my story (for my new family) begins around May 5, 2008. That’s the day I landed myself in the Warrenton County Mo pound. I was traveling with my beagle buddy and we wound up in some nice lady’s yard. She called Lori the ACO to come and get us so we wouldn’t get hurt. I was actually pretty lucky. Lori is a nice ACO and she does a great job of finding us new homes.
My mom saw me on Petfinder the third day at the pound. Lori said she had to wait two or three more days and if no one came for me she would be first on the list. The next Tuesday on July 11th mom drove the sixty-mile to and get me. She never told dad or the boys that I was coming home. It was a surprise. When she came to the pound she looked like an OK lady so I thought what the heck, I’ll give her a try.
I was on my best behavior. I acted like I had known her for twenty years. I jumped right in the car and sat in the front seat all the way home. When we got to my new house there was a great big obnoxious dog they called Del Fuego. He instantly loved me because of my fabulous personality and award-winning looks, however, I hated him. I tried to chew his face off. Lori had told mom that I was not dog aggressive – haha I just wanted out of there so, I pulled a fast one on her. Anyway, to make a long story short, that obnoxious Del Fuego would never take no for an answer and now we are best friends. He never leaves me for a minute
Life was pretty good here but after a few days, mom saw that I had a cough and she took me to the dogtor and they said kennel cough. They put me on medicine and it never got better. This is where my story becomes very scary. I started having very strange spells. I would start to eat and drink very fast and then I would throw up. My eyes would glaze over and I would start to fall down. My heart would beat so fast and I was so hot and then I would start to freeze and my heart would go so slow that I couldn’t breathe. Mom rushed me to the emergency room the first time and they told her pneumonia. They gave me fluids and antibiotics and I started to feel better. I was feeling good for about a week and then the big crash as mom calls it. I started coughing again on Monday but nothing too alarming. Colin stayed home with me (he’s my new boy) and I seemed fine. On Tuesday Colin had a ballgame so I had to go into the crate for a couple of hours. When mom came home two hours later she found me cold and barely breathing. She scooped me up and drove straight to the emergency room.
I was dying. The dogtor told mom my body was shutting down. My heartbeat was 41 and I wasn’t going to make it much longer. They started me on fluids and heart medication but nothing worked. Mom sat with me until 8 AM and then she took me to my regular vet. They kept me for three days. Fluids, heart meds, broncho-dilators I was full of tubes and I couldn’t eat. I was so tired. I didn’t even pay any attention to anyone around me until my dad came to see me. I rolled over and the techs got me out of the crate and dad carried me to out to go potty. They said it was a good sign. I came home after three long days. In the meantime mom was frantic. She sent out an SOS on a Westie Rescue site and the next thing you know nice people were letting her know that help was out there.
Ms. Bette from WestieMed contacted mom and told her to take me to see the Cardiologist at VSS in Manchester. Dr. Marshall was a very nice lady. She put me on a thirty-day event monitor to watch my heart. I am also now on Thyroid medication twice a day. My Thyroid panel came back as virtually nonfunctioning. Mom was so happy to hear Thyroid meds because this would be easy and now we were finally getting somewhere. After seven dogtors and all that poking and prodding, you would think they could figure it out.
My dogtor bills were over $2,000 dollars. My cardiologist’s visit was $747.00 all by itself. WestieMed came to the rescue and got me to the Cardiologist. Today I am feeling pretty good. I get a little better each day. Mom says I’m about 90%. I’m eating and drinking and I’m getting back my fabulous personality. Throughout all of this, Del Fuego never left my side. He slept by me and watched over every day. He was very anxious and depressed when I was in the hospital. Mom said she thought he would need Prozac. I will have a new Thyroid panel in another week and hopefully, all I will need is a couple of pills per day for the rest of my life. Mom says this is “no problem”.
Lillie continues to do a little better every day. Unfortunately, her thyroid panel showed that her Thyroid Stimulating Hormone was also nonexistent along with the other two factors. The two specialists at VSS feel that this could be due to a tumor growing on her Pituitary Gland and the pressure inside her head is causing her to have atypical seizures. This is only a guess and cannot be confirmed without a CT scan. If she indeed does have a tumor, nothing can be done about it.
We are giving her thyroid meds and pretending that the bad news email never came. If she has another spell it will most likely kill her but, at least she will be at home with us and not on some road or in a ditch somewhere.
No one ever came to look for her. She had no tags or collar. It was very apparent that she had been cared for. She was fed, groomed, potty trained and spayed. Maybe someone knew something wasn’t right and they chose not to deal with it. It doesn’t matter now. We love her and she’s ours forever. She now has a mom & dad two boys and her own dog Del Fuego. My son Colin named her Lillie Mc Gee after Willie Mc Gee the 80’s St. Louis Cardinal. He wasn’t very good looking but he was an awesome ballplayer. Well, our Lillie sure isn’t show quality but, she’s’ a heck of a dog!!!!! We call her GEE GEE.
Thanks to WestieMed and the IL MO Westie Rescue. I appreciate all of the support and Emails that I have received from everyone. It’s nice to know that you all are out there.
Sincerely, Stacy, Richard, Nick, Colin, Del Fuego, and the Fabulous Miss Lillie
Update September 21, 2008
I just wanted to let you know that Lillie is still hanging in there. She has been having shorter and less intense spells than before, but they are more frequent. She usually has one every Thursday or Friday. It’s very bizarre.
She goes to the vet on Monday for her retest on her t-4. They do this every three weeks to readjust her meds. She started at .4 and we are now at .2 hopefully they will lower it and she can level out. The vet thinks her spells could be caused by her thyroid still being out of whack. When she was tested at .4 her thyroid was a 9.4 instead of a 1.2-2.0 which is ideal. He said not to give up just yet. Otherwise, she is fine. She has a few bad hours a week and then sleeps it off and bounces back. It’s giving me a nervous breakdown but she seems to handle it fine.
She has two new friends, my sister in-law’s 2lb Maltipoo and my son’s friend’s three-pound Toy Pom, she finds them fascinating. I think she thinks they are varmints. She like to hunt them throughout the house and when they stop she rolls over in front of them. It’s pretty funny.
Sincerely, Stacy
Update November 16, 2008
Knock on wood!! Lillie has not had a spell in several weeks. her thyroid meds have been dropped to a .2 and this seems to be doing the trick. Her coat is coming in nicely. The wiry coat is also coming in and she is really starting to look good. She’s back to 100%. Hopefully, we will stay on course. So far no other problems have come up. I’m hopeful. Now if I could get her to sleep past 6:30 AM on a weekend we would really be making progress.
Thanks for everything and Happy Holidays. Stacy & Lillie
Update January 29, 2008
Lillie – WestieMed Recipient
Today is a good day. Lillie went for several weeks without any spells. Her meds were regulated at a .2 and she seemed to finally have leveled out. The first couple of weeks of January were rough. She has three spells and one of them lasted for two days. This was the first time that the Vet was able to see her in the middle of a full thrown spell. He feels that it is definitely neurological. He really feels that the spells are her form of a seizure and he would like to try and put her on seizure meds, however, he does not want to make anything worse. At this point, we have contacted U. of Mo. Vet school about having the CT scan and a visit with the Neurologist.
When she comes out of the spells she acts 100%. She is all Westie. She still has tons of spunk.
Here are a few pictures…her fresh summer haircut, her sunbathing (this is her morning routine in the summer) and her Christmas poncho.
Stacy & Lillie
Lillie – WestieMed Recipient
Lillie – WestieMed Recipient
Update April 21, 2009
So far so good. Lillie has been doing very well lately. No real spells, just a few upset tummy episodes.
I have contacted both the U of I and U of Mo and they both want $2,500.00 for a full MRI work up. They say that a CT scan is not good enough. They need to see soft brain tissue. It is a two to three-day process.
Good news, I did find a job. I work out of my home several days a week so I do get to spend a lot of time with her. She is not home alone for long periods of time. I can stagger my schedule around everyone else.
I am waiting for her insurance to process some info on her. The underwriter has it now. We will see what they say. I really want to encourage everyone to take out a shelter care policy with a pet care insurance co as soon as they take guardianship. If I had done this with Lillie within seven days of adopting her, I would not have had any of these issues. They would have covered 70%. I hope all is well with everyone at WestieMed.
We are looking forward to nicer weather. We have a new dog park and agility course in town. Lillie loves agility and the more she can run the better. A few days ago she took off after a goose at our pond (at least three football fields away) she is lightning fast.
There is hope for broken-down ol’ Westies. I will keep you posted.
The Fischer Clan
Update July 11, 2009
Lillie is still hanging in there. I have her on a holistic diet and we are working with a nutritionist and a natural pet food store. I came across an e-book on canine pancreatitis and the effect if prolonged and untreated. So we are back to the basics as dogs that have thyroid issues are predisposed to pancreatitis.
Stacy and Lillie
Update January 20, 2010
Update on Lillie. She is doing really well. She is on her holistic diet and has not had any spells in quite a long time. She has a new Westie sister Heidi from the HSMO in St. Louis, MO. Heidi has some leg issues due to being what I call a miller. They get along very well and they team up together against DelFuego. We will be moving to Santa Fe, NM this summer. They are looking forward to their new big fenced in back yard!!!!
On Christmas Day 2007, Angel, a seven to eight-year-old Westie, was found wandering in traffic near Louisa, Kentucky (close to the border of West Virginia), by a wonderful woman. Angel was “in very bad shape”. Angel had infections in both ears and one eye for which antibiotics were prescribed. The veterinarian believed Angel was very pregnant. Arrangements were made to place Angel into Westie/Cairn Terrier Rescue of SW Ohio in Williamsburg. Once in Williamsburg, Ohio, an ultrasound showed that Angel was not pregnant. Angel was spayed, further antibiotics were prescribed, and her teeth were cleaned with some removed. Further diagnostic testing showed Angel had an enlarged heart and cardiac medications were started. In addition, a mammary tumor was removed that fortunately was benign. Angel has given birth to multiple liters and is believed to have come from a puppy mill.
Angel remained unadopted for approximately three months. In browsing through the Westie Rescue, USA website, I found Carla Smith of Westie/Cairn Rescue of SW Ohio in Williamsburg and adopted Angel on 4/5/08. Angel was initially very timid and fearful. With minimal activity or after lying down, Angel would start coughing and had periods of labored breathing. Two days after adoption, Angel received medical treatment for what was believed to be congestive heart failure. However, Angel’s symptoms progressively became worse. Angel rarely barked and when she did, she would start coughing.
On 4/11/08, a cardiologist diagnosed Angel with Pulmonary Fibrosis, also known as Westie Lung Disease. It is chronic scarring of the lung tissue that is mostly seen in Westies. Angel receives three respiratory medications, including an inhaler, twice a day and her heart medications were discontinued. Within twelve hours, Angel’s activity level improved dramatically. Although seven to eight years old, Angel acted like a puppy, full of energy and getting into everything.
When Angel first arrived, she could only walk two to three house lengths without coughing and shortness of breath. Initially, the cardiologist said to restrict her activity; however, Angel was not going to comply with this prescription. Angel now briskly walks the entire block (twenty houses) several times a day and barks without coughing.
Angel has gained so much confidence, proudly walking down the street with that terrier prance and wagging her tail. The cardiologist is thrilled with her progress. In addition, she runs through the house with excitement, plays with toys, and is just as happy as she could be. Angel has also assumed a very important job, squirrel detective. Always on squirrel patrol, Angel is the fastest squirrel chaser around and if she could figure out how to climb a tree, she would. Her front paw goes up and her tail becomes straight when she senses a squirrel is on her turf. What a smart girl, if she can’t climb a tree, she will just chop the tree down with her teeth.
Angel loves other dogs and has several dog friends. Angel has become quite the neighborhood dog. Children on bicycles say, “Hi Angel” and people on porches always greet her. Angel looks in amazement, “Are they talking to me?” Although still a little people shy, Angel has just blossomed. Angel is the best little mommy helper around; she goes everywhere with Mommy including shopping, where she sits in the basket of the cart. Store clerks and shoppers always come up to her and two people have asked: “where they can get a dog just like her”. Such a sweet little Westie, Angel has provided much love, humor, and comfort to all of those who come across her path. Angel has been such a blessing!
Thank you so much to Westie Med, Inc. for providing the assistance for Angel to be able to live out the life that she deserves including the puppyhood that she missed. Angel and her mommy are so grateful for your kindness and generous support. Angel has truly been given another chance and she is taking every opportunity to live her new life to the fullest. Each day is a new adventure. Angel is truly an angel!
Update October 5, 2008
My life keeps getting better and better. Words cannot express my sincere gratitude to WESTIE MED for their concern over my well-being and their financial assistance.
I saw my cardiologist in September and got a very good report. I wasn’t surprised as I already knew because I feel so much better. My lung pressures are down, just borderline of the high end of normal. The doctor said, “that I still will always have pulmonary hypertension”, whatever that means. I still take my three medications, twice a day, no changes were made. I wish my doctor would stop that inhaler, I do not like that one, but Mommy waits until I am asleep to use it. The other two medicines I like because I get really good food with them. Mommy says, “Come on Angel, time for medicines” and I come running.
If I haven’t told you, I live in a palace! Boy, I am one lucky dog. I have my own couch and loveseat. Old carpet and furniture are a dog’s dream. I can do whatever I want. I sprawl out on my couch or loveseat, as big as I please. Mommy got me dog steps for the couch and I learned real quick how to climb them. I also have lots of toys. My toy squirrel is my favorite. In the palace, I can run all the way through the living room, dining room and kitchen in one swoop. I do this when I am really excited and happy. Also, at the palace, when you are hungry all you have to do is toss your food bowl and you get fed. On the weekends, it operates similar to a Bed and Breakfast. I get to sleep in and I get a little cream of wheat for breakfast, yum, yum.
Still busy chasing and barking at all those squirrels. I have my own backyard, I just love it. I run from one end to the other trying to get those squirrels. I do wish I had longer legs, so I could climb a tree or that fence. I can’t get away with much back there as Mommy is always watching; I tell her that she is too overprotective. I also watch the squirrels from my front door, I have a special mat there that has a beautiful picture of a Westie, just like me. In the mornings, sometimes I take a snooze on my mat as the sun shines on me.
I get to go on lots of walks, people around here say, “Hi Angel” as I walk by. My little legs just keep moving as quickly as they can and I wag my tail. Mommy says, “Good girl” as I prance down the street. I now potty all the time outside. After I “Potty Outside”, Mommy says, “Diggity, Dig, Diggity, Dog”, and I dig real fast. I also know what “Come, Come” means and “Stay”. Mommy says, “I am the smartest dog that she ever had”.
I have a Pet Nanny, my neighbor, Auntie DeAnna. She watches me all day when Mommy goes to work. Auntie DeAnna spoils me rotten. She bought a digital camera with video just to capture all of my best moments.
Good thing that the power went out for several days and I could not go to the groomer, as I discovered the palace also has a spa. I got a bath! I just loved it, lots of warm water, a massage with lather, I thought I was in heaven. Mommy said, “that I couldn’t go to the Cardiologist without a bath, as they might think I wasn’t well cared for”, boy, I would set the record straight if anyone ever said that.
I also have a sparkly new harness in pink and a matching leash with diamonds. Auntie DeAnna got me jewelry; doggy charms that go on my pink harness. I only wear this outfit on special occasions. And, I love to go “Bye, Bye”, that means a ride in the car.
Yep, I have a great life. Each day, I am so excited to get started that I help Mommy open the front door by scratching on it as she opens it, so I can be the first one to see outside. I am so, so happy!!! Thank you again for assisting with making my new life possible. I feel so much better now and in fact, I am able to hold a very important job and it’s in the career of my choice, squirrel detective.
Hugs and kisses, Angel
I hope you enjoyed reading Angel’s progress in her own words. I cannot believe that still each day, she gets better and better. Angel is so happy, full of life and more confident with each day. Quite a contrast from when she first came, so timid and fearful and then unable to do much with the shortness of breath and coughing. Angel now only coughs occasionally and only becomes short of breath when she overdoes it with those squirrels, but with a close eye, I can intervene before it gets to that point. Angel wakes up full of energy and ready to go. I have learned a great deal through adopting Angel. A ton of patience and love makes such a difference. I never would have dreamed that Angel would get to the point that she is. She is too cute and just the sweetest dog around, never growls or gets upset. Her next cardiologist appointment is now in five months. Also, her heart has not enlarged any further.
Thank you again. May God bless WestieMed for that work that you do.
Emma is a petite 5-month-old Westie girl who came to Canine Friends Foundation on 2/7/08 when she was eleven weeks old. She was relinquished to rescue by a commercial breeder who had taken her for a “well puppy” vet check where it was discovered she had a Grade II/VI heart murmur. Since she could not sell her, the breeder contacted me to see if I wanted to take her into rescue before she euthanized her. This breeder was aware that CFF rescued Robbie and Roy (both grateful Westie Med alumni) who were diagnosed with heart murmurs caused by pulmonic stenosis last year.
I picked Emma up the next day and was shocked by her small size and thin frame- she only weighed three pounds! Based on her poor condition, it was obvious that the breeder had just stuck her in a cage and neglected her after the diagnosis. However, that did nothing to stop this little girl’s sweet and spunky attitude and indomitable spirit! Upon her arrival at my house, she was welcomed with kisses and “let’s play” doggie bows by the resident Westies- Rowdy, Katie, Darby, and Robbie.
I immediately took Emma to my vet, Dr. Ted Foster, who agreed that a referral to VA Tech Veterinary Teaching Hospital’s Cardiology Dept headed up by Dr. Jonathan Abbott was in order. She was scheduled for a cardiac evaluation and echocardiogram for 4/7/08. Since the appointment w/Dr. Abbott was nearly two months into the future, we began working on Emma’s bodybuilding and weight gain program. Needless to say, she has certainly enjoyed all the playtime and scrumptious food and treats she has been allowed to have for the past several weeks, in addition to the countless hugs and kisses and constant attention!
Emma arrived at VA Tech VTH on 4/7/08 where she had a physical exam followed by an echocardiogram. It was found that her heart murmur had worsened to a Grade IV/VI and that she had pulmonic stenosis-narrowing of the outflow tract of the pulmonic valve on the right side of her heart caused by abnormal pulmonic valve development. Pulmonic stenosis makes her heart work too hard when it pushes blood from the right ventricle of her heart into her pulmonary artery. Her heart will gradually become enlarged from overuse and will progress into congestive heart failure and death without surgical intervention.
The severity of the pulmonic stenosis is determined by the pressure gradient between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery. Balloon valvuloplasty is recommended for dogs w/pressure gradients greater than 80 mmHg-Emma’s gradient was 85-90mmHg-thus she needs to have the procedure done as soon as possible. Balloon valvuloplasty involves dilating Emma’s narrow pulmonic valve with a balloon, which will stretch and open it up, reducing the pressure gradient between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery and decreasing the amount of stress on her heart. The procedure has a good success rate and I am hoping that with the surgery, Emma can continue to grow up like any other healthy Westie and lead a long and happy life.
I am deeply grateful to Westie Med for providing the financial support needed to proceed w/scheduling Emma’s surgery and giving her a chance. She is currently scheduled for June 23, however, Dr. Abbott is working on getting that date moved up since Emma’s pressure gradient is already so high.
Emma has touched everyone she has met w/her outgoing, bubbly personality–she is absolutely beautiful both inside and out and quite the little charmer! Hugh and Colleen Pettis, a retired couple from Staunton, VA, and lifelong Westie lovers/owners, fell head over heels in love with Emma when we stopped by their home to visit them and their eight yr old Westie girl, Silver Lining-adopted from CFF and who had been rescued along w/Emma. They want to adopt her (of course) and they are praying for the success of Emma’s surgery so she can soon join their family and become their beloved and totally spoiled little Westie girl.
With many thanks and deepest appreciation to Westie Med, Susie Branham, Cofounder, Canine Friends Foundation and Emma
Update June 1, 2008
Emma – WestieMed Recipient
Emma returned to VA Tech’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital for her recommended pulmonic valvuloplasty on 5/28/08 after I received a call from Dr. Jessica Gentile, cardiac resident, that they had a procedure cancellation for 5/29. I was very relieved, as Emma had started coughing when she awoke in the morning and I was concerned she was going into the early stages of congestive heart failure.
Upon arrival, Emma and I were met by her senior veterinary student, Michael Hickey, who would be in charge of her care for the next two days. Emma’s outgoing personality and charm quickly won him over and they became fast friends. Dr. Gentile joined us, advising they planned to do an echocardiogram that afternoon to determine if there had been any change in Emma’s pressure gradients since her 4/7/08 appointment. The results of the echocardiogram showed the pressure gradient between the right ventricle of Emma’s heart and her pulmonary artery had worsened from 85-90 mmHg to 100 mmHg over the past seven weeks. This information confirmed Emma’s pulmonic stenosis was worsening and that she would eventually develop congestive heart failure and die without surgical intervention.
Emma’s surgery started at 9 a.m. on Thursday morning, May 29. A catheter with a small inflatable balloon on the end was placed in Emma’s jugular vein through a small incision in her neck. The catheter was guided to the narrowed pulmonic valve and the balloon was then inflated several times, opening up the valve and decreasing the pressure gradient across it. This allows the oxygenated blood to pass more freely between the right ventricle of Emma’s heart and the pulmonary artery and means her heart no longer has to overwork itself to maintain the correct blood oxygen level for her to survive.
Emma – WestieMed Recipient
I waited all morning w/my heart in my throat, saying little prayers for Emma until Dr. Gentile called me at 11:40 a.m. to advise Emma’s surgery had been “textbook perfect” and she was just waking up. A call from Mike, senior vet student, later in the afternoon revealed Emma was awake, alert, hungry and ready to play!!
Emma’s post-surgical pressure gradient was evaluated Friday morning w/a repeat echocardiogram. Her pressure gradient was found to be 30mmHg and her heart murmur was reduced from Grade 4 to Grade 2-3/6, which is a dramatic improvement according to Dr. Gentile. Emma was her usual outgoing and happy self when she was discharged late that afternoon by Mike and Dr. Gentile, who was still elated by the overwhelming success of her surgery. Everyone who participated in her surgery came in to say goodbye before we departed and Emma distributed sweet Westie “thank you” kisses to all without reservation!
Emma must remain quiet while her neck incision heals. This is probably going to be the hardest part of the process since she feels so good. We will return to Blacksburg for another echocardiogram in three months to ensure the pulmonic valve remains open and her pressure gradient remains low since pulmonic stenosis can never be truly fixed, just reduced through stretching the narrowed valve with balloon valvuloplasty. Her chance at living a normal Westie lifespan has been dramatically increased w/this procedure. If her pressures are stable at her follow up appointment, she will be ready to go to her new adoptive home, where Hugh and Colleen Pettis and Silver Lining the Westie (now known as Cupcake) are eagerly anticipating her arrival.
Emma – WestieMed Recipient
Again, WestieMed has provided financial support and helped save the life of one of CFF’s precious rescued Westies. It is hard to believe that breeders routinely kill these little ones with heart murmurs without giving them a chance. Emma and her foster brother and best friend, Robbie, (Westie Med alumni March 2008), have brought much fun and laughter to this foster home and their antics and natural charm never cease to make me and all who meet them stop and smile!
I am deeply thankful to WestieMed and VA Tech’s cardiology department for their help in the effort to save the lives of sweet Emma and CFF’s other two pulmonic stenoses diagnosed Westies, Robbie, and Roy, this year. CFF would not have been able to fund these major surgeries without the assistance of WestieMed–THANK YOU for being there for these little ones!
Gratefully and joyfully from the bottom of our hearts, Susie Branham, Canine Friends Foundation, and Emma
Update March 1, 2010
Emma – WestieMed Recipient
Precious Ms. Emma has continued to do well since her pulmonic valvuloplasty which was done in late May 2008 (funded by WestieMed). She loves her life here at my house with the rest of the rescued K9 Friends dogs and has a special friend in Pup Pup, a miniature poodle who is usually her partner in crime!! (Emma loves to climb up my desk chair and grab anything she can off my desk including checkbooks, glasses, highlighters, dog collars).
Emma has been returning to VA Tech Veterinary Teaching Hospital every six months and visiting with her friends Dr. Jonathan Abbott and Dr. Jessica Gentile and whatever senior vet student that is currently doing cardiology rounds. Emma was noted to have possible endocarditis (infection at the site of her surgery) at her August 2009 visit to Tech. She was started on antibiotics and we all held our breath hoping it would not develop into a more serious problem, but we had to wait three LONG months to find out.
Emma returned to Tech on 11/4/09 for repeat echocardiogram and assessment of her pulmonic stenosis and pulmonic valve endocarditis. Emma’s pressures remain at 39 mmHg which indicates mild pulmonic stenosis (unchanged after her pulmonic valvuloplasty 18 months ago–YAY!!) She did still have a small, smooth abnormality on her pulmonic valve leaflets but it appeared to be inactive and did not require further treatment.
Emma – WestieMed Recipient
Emma will continue to return to Tech for six months follow-ups for the rest of her life but she could care less. She is having a ball here playing with her Westie and Poodle friends–right now in the snow–and living life like any other Westie.
I can never say it enough, many thanks to WestieMed for giving Emma the chance to live the life of a normal Westie….she is lovin’ every minute of it and I am enjoying every minute of it!!!
With deepest appreciation, Susie Branham Canine Friends Rescue
Maggie was misdiagnosed with allergies for two years. Her previous owner could no longer afford the vet bills to treat her and the stress of her not getting any better was too much. After giving Maggie up to rescue she was taken to a different vet and was soon diagnosed and properly treated for mange.
This poor dog had suffered for two years. The new vet said her skin was so badly damaged it will always be a black color. Once Maggie was given the proper treatment she started to heal.
Maggie – WestieMed Recipient
My son had always wanted a smaller dog of his own so I took him to meet Maggie and an instant connection was made. So for his 16th birthday present, Maggie came to live with us and continued to heal.
She has given us so much joy and love and we feel that we are the lucky ones to have found her.
Unfortunately, after four months the mange returned and three of her paws were again infected. She has had two dips and injections and another round of antibiotics so she is once again on the mend.
We are praying that this does not continue to reoccur.
Otherwise, Maggie is doing great and loves her new home. Julie White
Maggie – WestieMed Recipient
Update September 23, 2009
She is doing wonderful.
She is a great joy in our home and can’t imagine life without her
I have attached a new picture for you to see. Julie White
Update March 2, 2010
We have had Maggie two and a half years now and she is doing great. She is so loved in our home and we feel lucky she found us.
Millie is a precious little five-year-old former breeding female who came to WRT as part of a commercial breeder surrender transport. Even with all of the afflictions she came to us with (i.e., a severe ear infection, paw infection, skin infection, hook and whipworms, dental disease and severe yeast in her ears and paws), she still managed to wag her little tail and seemed instantly so grateful for being out of the hell she’d been subjected to for the first five years of her life. Of the four who came us to on this transport, she has socialized at her foster home the quickest and easiest.
She, along with the others, spent many days at the vet’s office, just getting enough daily meds into her system so she would be healthy enough to move on to a foster home.
Millicent – WestieMed Recipient
Her foster mom reports she is doing so very well, and they are happy to keep her as long as it takes for us to match her up with the best possible furever home. She interacts very well with the family’s other Westie (one of our adoptees) and the other Spaniel mix. She also gets along with the family cat, which is a plus! She loves to play in the yard with the other dogs and kids but is just as content to be held in one’s lap for hours-on-end.
The bottom line is that Westie Rescue of Tennessee, with the generous help of WestieMed, gave this precious little girl a second chance. We are so very grateful for WestieMed’s generosity.
Update March 4, 2010
Our sweet Millie is doing fine and we love her very much. George and Linda Driese
Izzy came to Westie Rescue of TN on a volunteer rescue transport in late January. It was freezing cold and the wind was howling the night she was taken out of the cargo van and put into my car. She was in a cage stacked ceiling-high in the cramped van. It was so full because the rescue angel was trying to get as many dogs as she could out of their horrible living conditions. She still had an all-night drive ahead of her to deliver the various breeds of little dogs that did not yet realize that their lives were about to change. They were off to different rescues in several cities.
Izzy was in my car with six other dogs, including three other Westies. They got as far back in the crates as they could. They backed into the corners and trembled when we would reach in to touch them. They didn’t understand what the warm blankets and soft towels in the crates were. None of them cried none of them fussed, none of them dared to complain about the bitter cold during the time it took us to locate them in the cargo rescue van and transfer to my car. It took a while because Izzy and the other Westies were almost unrecognizable as Westies. There are no words to describe the filthy, disgusting shape they were in. Even though the wind chill factor was in the teens, we drove the 225 miles back home with the back window vents on my SUV open. The urine that permeated the inside of the car burned our eyes so strongly that we had no choice. Windows down, heat blasting. The little dogs had lived in their own urine for so long, it had become a part of them. Each one of them had a blank look in their eyes that I will never forget. I had to look hard to find Izzy’s little eyes. They were covered by so much dirty, matted hair.
Isabella – WestieMed Recipient
I would later learn that she suffered from severe dry eyes that had never been treated. The worst-case the vet had ever seen. Imagine your eyes hurting and burning and scratching for four or five long years and not being able to tell anyone. Not that anyone, where she came from, would have cared. Because of not being treated, she suffered eye damage and will now have a vision impairment that can never be healed. She will need eye drops every day for the rest of her life to ease her discomfort. She also had infections in both eyes. Both of her dewclaws were so long that they had embedded into her skin. I can only imagine how it must have hurt to walk. She had infections and yeast on all of her feet and between her pads. She had an infection in both ears. Places on her skin were infected from pure filth more than likely. She had hook and whipworms. She had a urinary tract infection. Her little mouth was in horrible shape. She had severe dental disease and had to have teeth pulled. A week after arriving at the vet, Izzy had to have surgery for bladder stones. Izzy was so traumatized that I began to wonder if there was even a little Westie left in that tired and mistreated body. If only there were some way to show the people that go to the pet shops what is left behind when the puppy truck pulls out to make deliveries. All they see are the cute little clean puppies. They never see the broken, tired and dirty little bodies that make those puppies possible because they are forced to. They never look into the breeding dog’s face and see the pain and long-suffering.
Izzy stayed with the vet for two weeks. She received all kinds of medicine for her many infections throughout her little body. Imagine how wonderful it must have felt for her eyes not to itch and hurt. Even though it was uncomfortable for a little bit, it soon felt better to walk without the sharp nails grown into her skin. Her mouth began to heal and her appetite picked up. She had her spay surgery and was on her way to better health. Soon Izzy was off to her foster home. When we arrived there, Izzy stood perfectly still in the driveway. She didn’t dare move. She did not understand the open space, the feeling of not being confined. She was afraid of the unknown–freedom. Her little foster host Westie ran around her to welcome her to their home. Izzy just stared straight ahead and shook. Her sweet foster Mom walked over and took her into her arms and welcomed Izzy into a safe world for the first time in her life.
Isabella – WestieMed Recipient
Izzy continues to blossom and heal, both physically and mentally. She patiently waits at her wonderful foster home for the family that will take her into their home and makes her theirs forever.
Thanks to WestieMed, our rescue did not go into the red after taking in these four sweet Westies. We did not have to temporarily shut down our rescue while we paid off our over $3,000.00 debt and then try to start over. Thanks to WestieMed, we are able to continue to move forward with our determination stronger than ever. Bette Heidorn, WestieMed and all the wonderful people there are inspirations to us. It is their heart’s desire to help heal every little Westie that they possibly can. WestieMed makes a difference in countless little Westie lives every single day. The dogs they affect move on through life bringing joy and companionship for many, many people. If Westies could talk, I am sure they would sing the praises of this wonderful organization. I know a little girl named Izzy that would be in the front row of that choir!
Ian spent the first five years of his life in a small pen or cage except when he was needed for breeding purposes. He was used up and thrown away basically. When we got him he was so terrified of humans that he got in the back of the large crate and shook in the corner. The next morning at the vet, we literally had to turn the hard shell crate up on its end and shake him out of it. Ian stayed at the vet for days. He was immediately shaved and cleaned up with several baths that day. They were able to leave a little hair around his face. Ian had ear infections, skin infections, paw infections, worms and a urinary tract infection so severe that he was urinating blood. He also had severe dental problems. Ian was given several kinds of meds for his infections and other ailments. He was given a complete dental and had some teeth extracted. He was neutered. Ian now has a clean bill of health. His first real experience with freedom was when I picked him up. I brought him home in the large hard shell crate. We picked up the crate and took it in with him inside. When Ian saw a human, he saw mistreatment. He was terrified of me. It broke my heart. In order to gain his trust, I never reached in and snatched or forced him out, because that is what was probably done to him by his breeders. I would open the crate door and sit down in front of it and lean up against the wall about two feet away. I would speak softly to him and plead with him to come out. He stood in the center of the crate and shook so violently that the wire metal door on the front of the crate jingled from his shaking. His little eyes had a blankness to them that made me determined to find the little Westie that was in there somewhere. Every couple of minutes, I would slowly reach my hand in and touch the top of his head. He would cower and flinch each time. It took me about thirty minutes to get him to come to the edge of the crate door. He was afraid to step out because a lot of breeding dogs are punished severely forever trying to get out of their cages. It takes some of them a long time to be able to walk through a doorway in their new homes. I continued to touch his head and whisper to him. I could tell in his little eyes that he wanted so desperately to try out this new thing, but his fear would not allow him to. Finally, after petting his head and then retreating away from him over and over again, he saw that it wasn’t a trick to be able to get my hands on him and inflict some sort of pain. He began to trust me just a tiny bit and I knew that I had won the first battle. Each time it would take me about thirty minutes to get him to come to the edge and then I would pet him and praise him and offer him treats. He didn’t know what a treat was. I would put it up to his mouth and he didn’t know how to take food from my hand. If I laid it down in front of the crate, he would gingerly step out with one front paw, eat the treat off the floor and then wait to see what I did next. After about three days, I brought him up and introduced him to the three female Westies here. They got along beautifully. Ian began to watch them and do what they did. He would see them go to the always full food bowl and eat. After they finished, he would saunter over and look around as if to say “are you sure this is ok to do?”. He began to eat with them, he learned how to interact with them very quickly. It took about ten days for him to walk through the door to go out onto the deck. Before that, I would pick him up and take him out. He doesn’t like to be picked up just yet. He is still afraid. He doesn’t fuss or struggle, but his little body tenses up. I can tell he is afraid he is going to fall. He didn’t know what a toy was. The first time he walked up to a tennis ball on the deck and poked it with his nose, it rolled and scared him to death. I began to pick it up and gently roll it toward him and he would watch it and jump around so funny. Now he rips and tears up and down the deck chasing it. He gets it in his mouth and prances with it. He loves to be petted. He stays right at my feet. He now loves to wrestle and play with the other dogs and is a very loving little guy. He is like a stocky little linebacker and solid muscle. He has grown into a happy little Westie boy.
Ian – WestieMed Recipient
Ian has come a long way on his road towards understanding freedom and is a pleasure to have here. I will miss him very much when he is adopted. Ian is still very fragile as far as his ability to just take everyone at face value and relax and enjoy his life. He is getting there, but not there yet. He needs a loving owner to help him complete that journey. Ian is a one-person dog right now and I’m sure will grow into being around groups of people, but he needs his special person to cling to in this transitional stage of his life.
One reason Ian has progressed so well is his health. Thanks in part to WestieMed, his poor health issues were taken care of. Ian feels great for the first time in a long time is my guess. He is healthy and has a newfound desire to focus on learning how to be a pet and part of a family. It is such a day to day blessing to watch his little face as he discovers life outside of a cage. Ian is a work in progress and WestieMed is a large part of his progress. Thank you WestieMed for helping little Ian feel well enough to march into his new life!
Ian – WestieMed Recipient
Update March 29, 2008
I wanted to let you know that Ian went to his new home today.
I think Ian and his new owner are a great match.
But I am sure going to miss him. When I wasn’t looking, he stole my heart!
Thanks, Sherry
Update January 1, 2009: Ian now called Duffy
I thought you might be interested in an update on Duffy. It’s now been seven months since Duffy moved in with me. You would not believe the difference in this little guy. Completely gone is the hesitant, shaking terrified little furball. Duffy looks at each new adventure in his life with great interest and curiosity. He is completely over his fear of men and will greet and like the hand of a strange man with relish. He loves to ride in the car and often travels with me. He has been to the Big Apple twice and really enjoys hotel living. Suits him just fine.
It took several months for him to return the affection I lavished on him. Everything changed when I had to go to Colorado and Wyoming in late August for a two-week business trip. He stayed at home with someone taking care of him. Upon my return, he was visibly shocked to see me and hurled himself straight at me. Since then, he has decided he cannot stand being on the floor if I am on the couch; he wants to be on my lap or against my side or even on my chest. Each return home after a trip has knocked down more of his reserve until now he gets so excited he cannot contain himself. Of course, I can see in his expression that he wonders why he didn’t get to go along.
When I work on the weekends, Duffy comes with me. He has a special place in my office that he alone owns. For me, I have found the dog who loves squeak toys. Actually, he is beyond obsessive about them. I think this may be his one vice and I plan to consult with a behaviorist in the new year.
He has slimmed down and muscled up from long walks around the neighborhood and I let him choose the path each day. We began obedience training in the fall and he did remarkably well. I plan to continue with advanced training sometime in the spring.
He loves to chase squirrels and rabbits. Squirrels baffle him because he hasn’t figured out he should look UP in the tree to see where they’ve gone. He keeps racing around the base of the tree trying to find the little escape artist.
Honestly, this little pooch was the absolute best choice for me. It was worth the 1200 miles I drove that weekend to get him.
BTW, we did march in the Scottish Walk parade in Alexandria, VA. There were over 100 other Westies and all were rescues. He wasn’t the least bit bothered by the bagpipes, drums or black powder muskets being fired. I put a plaid scarf on him and he had a blast.
Happy New Year. Keep up the great work with Westies. Kate
