Stories – Page 31

Canny

December 1, 2006February 5, 2021 by westiemed in Stories

December 2006:

Hi, my name is Canny, it was Cannon but I didn’t even know I had a name. I didn’t know humans did anything for dogs, except give food and water. This is my story of how I got rescued from a puppy mill and found my forever home. You see, I was in this puppy mill all my life and I am eight now. I lived and slept on cement, and was given food and water but I had no idea there was anything else.

One day this wonderful lady with a warm heart and sweet eyes picked me up from where I lived; her name was Judi. There were 4 of us that left that day. Judi took 2 of us and her friend Denise took the other 2. Judi put me in a crate but there was something warm and soft to lay on, wow that was different. Judi was a rescuer. I didn’t know that I needed to be rescued and I didn’t fully understand what being rescued would mean to me.

Judi was shocked when she saw where I lived and said it looked like “the Walmart of Dogs”. She said the “pens” were 4 X 6 and each pen had twenty dogs in them. I just thought that was normal. We went for a ride. Judi was so kind, she gently petted me, talked to me softly, and told me everything was going to be all right. The next day we went to Dr. Zimmer. He made me feel very sleepy. I felt different when I left there but it was still nicer than where I had been. Before Judi got me I had never been to a house. I just stood close to the wall so scared. Then some humans came and took away the little girl that was with me. This made me even more frightened. Then another set of humans came and they were looking at me for a long time while Judi talked to them. Then the female human came over, bent down, put her hand out, and started talking to me. Her name was Jacque and she seemed nice too. She picked me up and we left Judi’s. I can’t tell you how frightened I was.

We went to Jacque and Bill’s house. There were 2 other dogs there but they didn’t look like me, they were shelties. We all got along pretty well and there were a lot of things to sniff. The shelties, Heidi and Colby showed me things we were supposed to do. They showed me where the food was, that there was a special place outside where you go to the bathroom, and where you sleep. Jacque and Bill just kept talking to me and petting me. I was starting to like this place. A couple of weeks later, Jacque called Judi and said she had some concerns about my health. She said we were going to Dr. Zimmer again. Dr. Zimmer looked at me very closely and said I had some very serious problems. I have crusty, yucky eyes with tumors on the upper eyelids, I itch everywhere constantly and my skin is very smelly, my ears are nasty inside and sometimes I bump into things because I can’t see with the crusty stuff that is in my eyes plus I had lost weight. Dr. Zimmer and Jacque looked very concerned. Jacque told me it was going to be all right.

Now I come to the part of my story where Jacque finds Carol Sanger (Indiana Westie Rescue) and WestieMed. Jacque told them we needed help. She did all the things she was asked to do. Then one day I saw Jacque crying really hard at her computer. I didn’t understand but she said WestieMed is going to help plus Carol, a wonderful, kind lady, was going to help us too. Jacque says were are going back to Dr. Zimmer on January 8th and we are going to start with testing. In the meantime, she keeps bathing me every 4 days with this soap that does help the itching and the smell. But I have learned so many things. I get to sleep on very soft blankets, I am starting to learn how to play, and I even get to sleep on her bed when Bill is gone. I have even learned when you smell food, if you stand beside them long enough and stare at them, they might give you a bite! It’s pretty fun here. But the very best part, is I am going to get well. Jacque (I guess I can call her Mom now) says she didn’t know there were people out there that cared so much. When she talks about WestieMed and Carol she always gets tears in her eyes. That’s when Colby, Heidi and me, Canny (I know my name now) go over and make sure she is okay. She loves on us and says everything is going to be all right. I will let you know how things go and thank you WestieMed and Carol for being so generous.

Canny

Update May 15, 2008:

Hello All in Westie Land!

It has been a while since I last wrote but so many things have happened, I almost don’t know where to start. Mom and Doc. Zimmer got together and figured out a plan. It is amazing how much better I feel. I can see better, all the nasty tumors on my eyelids are gone and I don’t have that crusty junk in my eyes. My ears don’t make that squishy noise, the pain and the smell is gone. My teeth are clean and I look like a Westie again. I have learned so many new things. I know the word come means to run as fast as you can to Mom. Sit, means to lay my carrot tail on the floor. Wait means to sit longer but eventually, you get to move. If I do these things when I am told….Mom gives me a treat, that’s the best part!

Mom and Dad tell me all the time I am the funniest dog they have ever had. I discovered that rolling on your back, wiggling back and forth feels really good. Mom said she must be missing out on something good since I roll all the time. Someday I will get Mom to try that too, but she said that she would be more careful where she rolls! When I come inside, Mom always says, “Why do they call you WHITE Terriers?” when my back has grass stains and other things I won’t mention.

I found out this white stuff comes out of the sky, I don’t like it, so I scratch the back door and Mom appears. My sister, Heidi, makes the path to go around the back yard when the snow is there and I follow her. Colby, my brother, runs back and forth, jumping and barking. Mom started laughing at me one day and I didn’t know why. She said it was because I kept going around the path that Heidi made when the snow wasn’t there! When I figured that out, I started rolling again.

Some sad things have happened too. In November ’07, my sister started to feel bad. Mom took her to the vet and the tests came back fine. One night, Mom was sitting on the floor with Heidi. Mom had bought big fluffy pillows for us to sleep on. Heidi was laying on hers but she didn’t look good. Mom took Heidi’s collar off so she could breathe easier. Mom and Dad picked her up with the pillow and laid her on their bed. Mom laid down beside her. Mom was just sobbing, but kept petting her and said it was okay to go to Heaven. Then we all knew Heidi was gone. Mom gave Heidi’s pillow to me. I felt sad too. Her collar was on the floor; I went over, picked it up, laid it on her pillow, and then laid on top of it. Mom really cried and said that was the most touching moment she had ever seen. I am sending you a picture, so you can see how I will remember beautiful Heidi.

Mom is sending her favorite picture of me; she takes them all the time and makes videos of me. The picture here was when I had my first official grooming. I do look pretty cute. Mom says I am getting more playful and I come out to greet people when they come inside. Plus I stand up at the side of the bed and I get loved on all the time. Dad tells me I am a popcorn freak. As soon as I hear it pop, I run to the microwave and then follow whoever gets the bag. She always says that we have all been smitten by the Westietude!

Mom found this article on the internet. She wanted to include it because she wants others to know that animals bring so much joy to humans lives. She says she is so lucky to have me and I am her little angel.

Ten Commandments for a Responsible Pet Owner

Dictated by the pet. 1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful. 2. Give me time to understand what you want of me. 3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being. 4. Don’t be angry with me for long and don’t lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment. But I have only you. 5. Talk to me. Even if I don’t understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me. 6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it. 7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I have teeth that could easily crush the bones in your hand, and yet I choose not to bite you. 8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I’m not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long or my heart might be getting old or weak. 9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too will grow old. 10. On the difficult journey, on the ultimate difficult journey, go with me, please. Never say you can’t bear to watch. Don’t make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there. Because I love you so.

Well that’s what has been happening in CannyLand. I will write more when I can and let you know how exciting my life is now that someone really loves me.

Canny

Update August 3, 2010:

I was the forever Mom for Canny in 2006. I will be writing Canny’s final chapter as I had to put him to sleep on July 7th. I will send you the rest of Canny’s story.

Jacque

Shadow

December 1, 2006February 5, 2021 by westiemed in Stories

December 2006:

Shadow’s journey.

How do we know that God exists? One way to tell is if you have ever seen a small child wandering in a department store or on a busy city street without an adult right next to them holding their hand. If you look around you will see virtually every eye of every adult in the area will be fixed on the child and many of them starting to move forward to help…until of course the child’s adult companion shows up and everyone relaxes…I think that is one way that God acts in this world… through the eyes, hands, and hearts of good people here on earth who step forward and do what is good and right for those that can’t help themselves. And that is precisely what has happened to Shadow. It started with Westie Rescue of Missouri when Angie Jamison heard there was a Westie at a shelter in Northern Illinois. She then called Debbie Kolze who lived nearby to see if she could help.

Here is Debbie’s story of the rescue and her and her husband’s excellent and heroic foster care:

“Angie at Westie Rescue told me that there was a shelter in Seneca, IL that had a Westie. He was turned in to them by another rescue transport. When they got him he was full of fleas, ticks, was filthy, and literally nothing but skin and bones and missing large patches of fur. The shelter was very full, and Shadow did not do well there. So after a few days, they shipped him off to a woman named “Lee” who will take in the overflow animals at the shelter since she apparently has a farm or lots of land or something and is willing to help if the shelter needs assistance. Anyway, Lee gave him flea baths and wormed him. She said he wasn’t housebroken when she got him, but she trained him. She said he ate okay but everything he ate was just running out of him.
“On May 16th, 2006 I went to pick him up. I met Lee outside of Seneca, IL off I-88 at a convenience store parking lot. She handed “Duffy” to me as she had nicknamed him, and gave me a bag with some gravy pouches and some dry dog food. She said I could keep the collar and leash, then she signed the makeshift release form I gave her and drove away.
“Duffy” stood most of the way home in the front seat of my car. I thought he might be a Westie mix, maybe part Collie or Sheltie because he wasn’t very white and his face looked more like a Collie than a Westie. After a while, he laid down but just for a few minutes only to stand up again. I sensed that his back hurt. When I touched his back it was arched up high and I could feel every vertebra from his neck down to his tail. I didn’t like touching him at all, he was just a skeleton, and he smelled. But when he looked at me with the one lone round star in his right eye (he has cataracts that have blinded him), I said to him, “I think you are going to break my heart.” Because I didn’t think he would live another week since he was such a mess.
“I had called my vet before picking him up and had an appointment for later that afternoon. He weighed in at under 13 pounds. The vet said he was full of infections, his teeth, his ears, and suspected internally too. He was given an antibiotic shot and put on a couple of prescriptions for the infections and the obvious pain in his back or hind legs. I was told to bring him back in a week. He went back before that for severe diarrhea.
“After having him one week we took him to the groomer and he surprisingly did look like a Westie, a very very skinny Westie. I hate to say how much I disliked touching him other than his face those early days. When he started to gain weight, I’d touch his face and neck, and as he filled out I could touch his shoulders. He was just so skinny he felt awful. When he finally got to his optimum weight only the very end of the spine could be felt, and a little of his hips.
“I put him on a diet of dry food, that I’d moisten and microwave soft so that he could eat it with his badly infected teeth. I introduced different foods slowly and one at a time to see how he handled them. I knew I had to put weight on him, but slowly, I wanted him to build muscle. I fed him 4 times a day. The dry dog food mix soon was mixed with canned food in the morning and evening, and a snack of something like cottage cheese or a hard-boiled egg at lunch and again at bedtime, usually mixed with more dog food. The canned dog food was a turkey-based Adult Science Diet rather than beef or something else. Once he had his dental in June I no longer softened his dry food, and once he got up to eighteen pounds he only ate twice a day. It took him about three months to gain the six pounds. Then it was easy to pet him, pick him up and hold him and love him and not feel like I was hurting him.
“Around the same time he had the dental done, he got a one-year Rabies shot and started his heartworm meds. That was also when he seemed to developed allergies. He was scratching and itching and biting, so he got put on Advantage for fleas, just in case. He has bitten himself till he has bled, “hot spots” they call them, so he went on Benadryl. At one time he was getting three to four different pills a day. He was on Baytril for eight weeks, he was on Rimadyl for pain for at least that long, as well as the Benadryl, and other things along the way. Like things for his ears, he had a couple of ear infections while with us, it seemed to clear up and then come back. Just a note, the Rimadyl made it easier for him to go for long walks and he appeared to be more comfortable while on it. It’s a drug that is not good for long-term use I am told.
“Since he liked to follow us around wherever we went we decided to name him “Shadow” as in me and my shadow.
“That’s Shadow’s story until he was adopted by you on November 6, 2006.” Debbie

Debbie did such great work with Shadow that all my vet could find wrong with him was a couple of remaining skin hot spots and his severe difficulty with cataracts which have essentially made him blind. Shadow has that classic walk of a blind dog in that he walks with his head down and in a very halting, hesitant, and stiff-legged fashion…tail between his legs. Well, we have gone to two of the leading veterinary ophthalmologists in the Chicago area for their opinions and they both have identified a hyper-mature cataract in the right eye blocking 100% of his vision and a mature cataract that blocks perhaps 90-95% vision in his left eye.

Since Shadow has not been neutered, the vets have theorized that Shadow was used as a puppy mill stud and when he could not perform any more he was “thrown away”. From the age of cataracts and their configuration, one of the eye doctors said that the right eye could have formed its cataract from a blow or trauma to that eye as the one on the left seems to be a naturally formed one due to age. So it is easy to see that Shadow was not a pet and was just caged and used for years by his unscrupulous keepers.

I see some further evidence of his background in his behavior around the house now. He doesn’t know how to play, nor is he at all socialized to how humans pet or hold dogs. His world at the puppy mill was one of being used until he was no longer useful with no love or care for any of his needs.

Well, Angie, Lee, Debbie, and I have each in our way tried to shower him with enough care to try to make up for his years of imprisonment. He is much better now, his skin has cleared up, his ears are clean and healthy and he even gets excited and gives lots of tail wags when I come home from work. He’s even striding more bravely on walks and is showing more confidence and poise around the house. He’s a gentle little guy who never barks and never puts up a fuss when he gets his eye drops or is examined at the vets…it’s all new to him.

Now, thanks to WestieMed’s grant, he will be able to have a chance at opening up his world and having his sight restored with cataract surgery. For however much time he has left it is wonderful to think that it won’t be spent alone in the dark, anymore. Now he has friends reaching out to help him and care for him…finally. On behalf of Shadow and all of us who have helped him along the way, thank you very, very much.

Sincerely, George Kase, Shadow’s new dad.

Update January 2008:

t is with an enormous amount of sadness that I must tell you of the passing of my boy Shadow on this past Monday morning, January 28th at the Veterinary Specialty Hospital in Buffalo Grove. From internal bleeding caused by complications of his Kidney disease.

Shadow was truly a lionhearted being. Courageous in everything he did, he never let his blindness nor his weakened muscles stop him in any way. He enjoyed his walks and sniffing as well as just exploring for the fun of it. He liked to lay on his blankie and particularly after a good meal, he really liked to roll around on it with abandon. One hobby he developed in recent months was a particular affection for finding one of the other dog’s bowls during mealtimes for a quick snack before being caught. I can’t say enough about him and how much richer he made my life for the brief time he lived here.

He’ll be missed very, very much.

George

Pirate

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

November 2006:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Finn

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

November 2006:

My name is Finn. I am a rough and tumble puppy. I was rescued from a puppy mill in western Pennsylvania in October 2007. The mill owners, who never gave me a name, indicated I was fourteen weeks old and that they were giving me up due to skin problems. The rescue people were worried because I was half the size and weight a fourteen-week-old Westie should be. I spent a few days at the Greater Annapolis Veterinary Hospital (GAVH) until my foster parents Ann and Phil came to care for me. All the ladies at GAVH were sad to see me go (one of the veterinarians called me a “puppy rock star.”)

At my foster home, I was VERY hungry and ate everything in sight. I was lively and cute, and enjoyed running and playing with the adult dogs, but got tired often. After a few days, I started having a little trouble breathing and stopped being active. Ann got really worried after I stopped BITING and started limping. She was petting me and found that my jaw was very painful at the joint and immediately took me back to GAVH. They found that I had pneumonia, signs of Craniomandibular Osteopathy (CMO), and a strained knee. I was given medication and sent home.

Several days later, when my condition did not improve, I was admitted into the hospital and given antibiotics through a nebulizer several times a day. My foster parents called to check on me EVERY day. I had a few rough days but eventually, I started to improve. I came home and Ann and Phil thought everything was going well. A week later, though, after my first Parade of Rescues (I got a ribbon!), I started acting very tired and wheezy again. Everyone was very worried. I went back to GAVH for another week, where my vets, Dr. Daher, and her colleagues, figured out that one of my antibiotics was no longer working, and put me on doxycycline. After a week of observation (three days I which I was feeling so good I was bouncing off the walls), I got to go back to my foster home. Ann and Phil, and the “big dogs,” Jasmine and Arie, take good care of me. Phil and Jasmine get up early every day to get me breakfast and my medicine (yucky medicine in a big syringe they stick in my mouth). I also have to take my antibiotics at night. I take Pepcid for tummy aches (the medicines I take are strong) and prednisone for my CMO. I like to go outside on walks and romp around in the backyard (but not without my coat!). Because of the prednisone, I am still having some trouble with housebreaking, but my foster parents are very patient.

These days I love to eat, look out the windows, bark, and nibble on fingers (my big dog teeth are still coming in). I play tug with my foster brother Arie and chase with my foster sister Jasmine, and bark at dogs, people, and squirrels passing by. I am learning to be a Westie. Someday I hope to be placed in a loving forever home with other dogs I can play with.

Finn

Update January 2008:

I found the best forever home a pup could ever hope for! I have two older Border Collie brothers that let me chew on them, a cool fenced in yard to explore, and a great mommy and daddy who love me to death. I even have other pup friends in the neighborhood that I get to play with on a regular basis.

I’m the picture of health, with no skin issues and I seem to have grown out of my CMO. (I love to play tug with my brothers!) I also have a Westie sister named Dory. She is a 3-year-old rescue from a puppy mill we got a few months ago. She’s my best friend. I’m teaching her all about Westie-tude and how to play.

I am quite the handful and very entertaining. I always seem to be in some sort of mischief. I started agility classes this Fall and have picked up on it really quickly cause I’m very smart and a fast learner.

Woof! Finn

Pearl

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

October 2003:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Update: October 2006:

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

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

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

Update November 2006:

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

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

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

All my best, Lucy

Update November 17, 2008:

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

Andrea Borden

Max

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

October 2006:

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

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

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

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

Tere Hogan and Rod Earnest

Payten

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

September 2006:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Subrina, Baylea and Payten

Update as of November 8, 2006:

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

MacDuff

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

September 2006

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jamie (Formally Duggan)

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

September 2006:

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

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

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

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

With Many Regards, John Workman WRNT – Director

Update January 2008: Duggan now called Jamie

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

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

Fergie (Formally Suds)

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

August 2006:

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

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

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

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

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

Thank you all, Suds

Update January 2008: Suds now called Fergie

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

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

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

Your organization is phenomenal to work with.

Thanks so much,
Patrice Lasiter