Stories – Page 32

Malki

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

June 2006:

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

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

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

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

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

Sincerely, Makii

Yu-Gi

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

April 2006:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thanks to all that helped me find my home.

Love, Yu-Gi Ludwig and Family

Update March 2007:

HI, it’s Yu-Gi!

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

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

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

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

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

Peace out…. Yu-Gi Ludwig

Lucy

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

April 2006:

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

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

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

Lucy

Lily

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

February 2006:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Love and Kisses, Lilly

Update, April 2006:

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

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

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

Sincerely, Beth

Miss Bossypants (Hurricane Katrine Survivor)

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

November 2005:

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

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

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

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

Laura Ardoin Louisiana Westie Rescue

Update: June 2006:

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

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

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

Marian

Update: February 2007:

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

Laura :***(

Abbey

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

November 2005:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mac

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

October 2005:

Mac first came into our rescue network in January 2000 as a five-year-old owner- surrendered Westie. The family had adopted him in 1999 from the local shelter where he had been dumped by a former family due to snapping at a child who withheld a treat. The second family had him for a year, during which Mac developed aggression toward the husband, and also some allergy issues. That family surrendered him to me in January 2000. Mac settled in with me and my other rescues.

In Feb. 2000 I was contacted by a retired woman who was ready to adopt again after losing her previous westie in 1999 due to old age. She was given Mac’s history and was willing to give him a try, since she was a widow with only an adult son who came by infrequently. She felt she could deal with Mac’s allergies since her former Westie also had allergies.

Over the ensuing years, Mac continued to have allergies, especially ear infections, one right after another, which his loving adopter treated as best she could with the country doctors she had access to. Mac was even taken to Texas A & M for ear scoping and underwent two major surgeries to clear out the ear canal of infections and blockages during 2004.

But the problems have persisted, although only in one ear. The last surgery was abruptly ended when the vet encountered a “bleeder” and could not get beyond the blockage. It was recommended that Mac undergo a complete ear canal ablation, which meant removing the ear canal, and the tympanic membrane, and closing the ear completely so no further contamination or buildup of fluid would occur. The cost of the proposed surgery was far more than Mac’s adopter felt she could handle, so she contacted Westie Rescue/Austin and surrendered Mac back into our rescue program.

Mac is otherwise a healthy, affectionate 10-year-old Westie gentleman. While in the care of his surrendering owner, he got over his fear of men and became a curious, outgoing Westie again. Mac gets along great with the other rescues we currently are sheltering, although I can tell he misses his “Mommy” as he looks at the door she departed from.

On 10/21/2005, Mac’s ablation surgery was performed, and he is recovering nicely. He looks a bit funny with his one side all shaved, but hey, he’s cool with it! He did not like the E-collar but stoically endured it while his ear recovered. Mac and I are grateful to WestieMed for their assistance. The surgery did cost quite a bit, more than we normally can handle with our rescued Westies, but WestieMed came through to help this loving and affectionate Westie, who has been through a lot of changes over his life. He is now ready to settle down once and for all times in a final, loving home of his own.

Thank you so very much, Barbara Ott Westie Rescue/Austin, TX

Misty

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

September 2005:

Misty is eight years old and was owner surrendered to Westie Rescue/Austin when her former family felt they could no longer deal with her medical needs since she is an Addison’s disease dog. She was not receiving her medication on a regular basis and would “crash” before they remembered to get her back to her vet for her next shot. The costs of her shots were more than they wanted to absorb, too.

So the family contacted Laura in Shreveport (Louisiana Westie Rescue) asking for help. Laura was full, so she put out a request for a new rescue/foster home for Misty and the Austin, Texas, Westie Rescue program had space for Misty and a foster home that already has another Addison’s Disease Westie!! Misty had the perfect foster home just waiting for her.

A transport network of eight volunteers brought Misty from New Orleans, on Saturday, the 27th of August, just ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Katrina, to her new foster home in Austin, Texas. Misty arrived weary but ready for her new adventure.

Westie Rescue/Austin turned to WestieMed for help and assistance with Misty’s medical situation, and WestieMed has been wonderful to underwrite Misty’s health care as she is being treated and monitored for a stabilizing condition. Misty’s prognosis is positive.

Misty has now been evaluated by her new vet and is on a regular maintenance regime that will keep her at her peak of energy. Misty and her new foster sister, Nessie, are having the times of their lives playing together, under the watchful eye of Nessie’s mom, Linda. Soon Misty will be ready for a new forever home.

Update, March 2006:

Dear WestieMed,

I wanted to give you an update on Misty. I adopted her and she is doing great!! She adapted instantly to her new name, Christie.

Christie’s new Vet insisted on examining her the first day here and planned Addison’s treatment and appointments. Before Christie got her first scheduled shot, she began to crash and was rushed to the Vet. They acquired the Percorten injection from an emergency clinic and monitored her all day. Since October, Christie has been successfully treated for serious bladder and ear infections, cysts on her head, and Addison’s disease is under control. The Vet calls me regularly to remind me of appointments and just to check to see that all is well. The Vet’s being so talented, thorough, caring, and five minutes away has been the best I could hope for my new girl!! They have also given me a discount on Christie’s treatment because she was a Katrina dog.

As her medical condition has improved, Christie has become more and more playful, affectionate, and beautiful- her hair is thicker, softer, and whiter. And Christie is closer with my other three dogs- her two Westie sisters, Gracie and Maggie, and brother Nicholas. As of March 1st, Christie is very happy and loved!!!

Thank you so much, WestieMed and all of the people that came through for this wonderful girl!!!

Anne-Marie

Update March 13, 2011:

I adopted Misty in 2005 after her rescue from New Orleans and WestieMed’s care. Very, very sadly my Christie (Misty) died in December. I am grateful for the time that I had with her. She was very special and handled her Addisons, ACL surgery, cancer, and other medical problems with the best attitude and gave back every day. Thanks again for the care you gave her before I adopted her.

Anne-Marie

Breezy & Woody

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

September 2005:

Breezey and Woody are seven-month-old siblings Westies. Born in a puppy mill, they are from a litter of four …all of which were very sickly. Breezey and Woody are the only two that survived but have remained sickly since their birth. Of course, sickly puppies do not sell, and veterinarians cost a lot of money. Inasmuch as the breeder could not sell sick puppies and did not want to pay the vet costs needed to help them, the pups were released to rescue.

Breezey and Woody are tiny…less than half the size they should be at this age. Both suffer from stunted growth, respiratory disease, conjunctival discharge, a degree of lethargy and depression, anemia, marked leukocytosis (inflammation), mildly elevated serum globulins, and nucleated red blood cells.

Test after test after test has all come back negative for what could be causing their illness. Distemper, toxoplasmosis, Ehrlichia…all negative. No vomiting, diarrhea, or urination problems. No evidence of liver shunts.

It is possible that they could have been exposed to some sort of toxins early in their life. It is also possible that the combined effects of drastic malnutrition and some prior viral illness and possibly the use of steroids early in life could have caused these problems. Their symptoms best toxoplasmosis or similar type of organism…but so far, the things for which there are tests have all come back negative. There are disorders for which there are not adequate tests, such as sorcocystis. They are currently living at the hospital and being treated with antibiotics and vitamin supplements. They have good days and bad days. It is very frustrating.

These pups have fought to live for this long. They have a will to live, and we want to give them every chance possible to recover. The pups are still very ill, and more testing may be necessary to continue to try to determine a cause. We simply do not have the funds to continue medical care for these pups as it is costing a small fortune…and the vet bill is growing every day they remain at the hospital. Without question, if WestieMed had not agreed to help, these pups would not be alive today.

We are very grateful to WestieMed for enabling us to give these pups a chance at a healthy life. We also appreciate the public’s response upon hearing about the pups’ struggle to live. If anyone would like to help us help Breezey and Woody, please consider making a monetary contribution to WestieMed. WestieMed is Wonderful!

Thank you WestieMed and your supporters – From all of us at Westie Rescue of Greater Washington (D.C).

Update, September 25, 2005:

It is with great sadness that we share the news that Breezey passed away. Please keep Woody in your thoughts and prayers as he is still fighting for his life.

Update, September 30, 2005:

Sadly, Woody has joined his sister Breezey at the Rainbow Bridge.

We’d like to thank everyone at the Greater Annapolis Veterinary Hospital and the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Hospital for all of their efforts to save Breezey and Woody. We’d especially like to thank Veterinarian Dr. Daher and Vet Assistant Wendy Opel for their tireless efforts and personal commitment to the pups; and to WestieMed, without whose assistance the top-notch veterinary care would not have been possible.

And to everyone who donated toward Breezey and Woody’s vet bills, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We certainly encourage you to continue to support the efforts of WestieMed. WestieMed’s commitment to helping the most seriously ill rescue Westies may one day benefit the entire Westie community; for someday, treatment may be found for something which otherwise would have necessitated a Westie being euthanized because it would otherwise be too cost-prohibitive to diagnose and/or treat.

Rest in peace sweet Breezey and Woody….’till we meet again…

Tucker (Rainbow Bridge)

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

August 2005

We had a wonderful Westie girl named Kelsey for fifteen years. When she died we explored the idea of a rescue dog. We applied for a couple of dogs through Westie Rescue Missouri but did not hear anything. We eventually got another girl (Dixie) from a breeder.

Just after Dixie had her first birthday, WRM contacted us with the news that there was a three-year-old male named Tucker ready for adoption. His original owner died and he was placed with a shelter. The shelter then adopted him to a family with two small children. Well, we know what happens with Westies and small children… yes he bit them and he was surrendered to Westie Rescue Missouri. WRM placed him in a foster home. On the 4th of July weekend, we arranged to meet the foster family halfway and brought Tucker home.

Tucker was very quiet and slept most of the way home. Upon arrival home, he took an immediate dislike to Dixie. He snapped at her and growled. He was very un-Westie-like. He did not run, jump, bark or play with toys. He had difficulty getting up from a prone position. Our first thought was that he was a very old dog. Not the three-year-old we heard about. We contacted Angie at WRM and she indicated that this was the information given to them and the foster family did not notice anything amiss.

We made an appointment with our vet for a follow-up. He did not think he was old and could find nothing wrong on the surface, so took some x-rays. The news was not good. Tucker had severe hip dysplasia in both hips. No wonder he was crabby, his poor little bones were so misshapen and arthritic, it hurt just to look at them. We were referred to a specialist for an appointment the next week. I asked the vet for alternatives and he stated that some people choose euthanasia.

We again contacted Angie at WRM and they offered to take Tucker back, but we did not think another placement would do him any good. She also told us about WestieMed and what a wonderful organization it is.

We took Tucker to Veterinary Specialty Center in Buffalo Grove, IL. Dr. Claude Gendreau examined Tucker and stated he thought surgery was the only option. He could perform it that very day. We decided to go ahead as we had become too attached to Tucker to put him down or put off the inevitable. That evening Tucker had a Femoral Head Ostectomy on his right hip. The surgery went well and the Dr. indicated his prognosis was good and maybe the left hip would not have to be operated on if he heals well enough to compensate with his right. The procedure has been very successful in small breeds.

We thought it was too late to apply for aid as we went ahead with the surgery. Angie from WRM put us in touch with Bette from WestieMed and she assured us it was not too late. She helped with the application procedure and we just got the terrific news that the board of directors had approved his expenses.

We cannot begin to thank the generosity of WestieMed and the donors that made it possible to defray the huge expense incurred.

Tucker looks a little sad in his picture but is improving daily. He and Dixie are pals now and roll around together. He is even starting to play with some toys. It will be a long recovery but we think he is going to be every bit the happy Westie.

Thank you so much for the overwhelming generosity,

Julie, Tim, Dixie & Tucker

Update: June 2006:

Tucker is doing very well. He is a happy dog. We found out that he is much older than we were told (at least ten) and has the beginning of kidney disease. In spite of all that (he is on prescription food and being monitored) he has dramatically changed from the sad little rescue we picked up last July.

It has been a long road for Tucker, who knows what happened before we adopted him, but he has healed well after the surgery. He loves to go for walks, he loves to eat, and even loves his veggies for treats as traditional biscuits are out because of kidney disease. He has several beds around the house where he settles in as he doesn’t leave our side. He and his sister Dixie play often and he now initiates play which never happened before.

Thank you Westie Med for helping to make Tucker the happy dog he is. The generosity is still overwhelming.

Sincerely, Julie

Update: October 2006:

To all the kind people at Westie Med:

It is with a heavy heart that I must give you a sad update on Tucker. Tucker suddenly stopped eating one day in September but we weren’t immediately alarmed as we had just changed his food to a different prescription kidney diet. He would accept food from my hand and would occasionally eat treats. He stopped playing with his sister and then began vomiting and diarrhea. We took him to the vet and they kept him for tests as he had a high fever and all his blood tests were way off. We took him home the next day pending the results of further tests. The news was not good. He had pancreatic cancer. He was hardly able to stand and was degenerating quickly. We decided that poor Tucker had enough and made the difficult decision to put him down. We stayed with him and stroked him and told him how much he was loved.

WestieMed helped make the last year of his life the best one. Before the illness he had recovered from the surgery so well he was acting like a typical silly Westie, playing, loving his walks, meals, and enjoying tummy rubs. We really fell hard for Tucker in the short time we knew him and miss him terribly.

Thank you for giving dogs like Tucker a chance at happiness.

Julie, Tim & Dixie