In Memory of BONNIE BLUE Rainbow Bridge, June 2001
Bonnie Blue is a little girl who came into rescue with severe skin problems, possibly aggravated by a thyroid problem. Bonnie Blue will be in treatment for a minimum of 6 months with a maximum unknown. While there is an excellent chance of her successful placement in a loving home in the future, her medical care leading up to that point will be expensive. WestieMed was contacted and thereafter agreed to provide funds for Bonnie Blue’s treatment.
June 2001: It is with a heavy heart that I bring you the sad news that Bonnie Blue has gone to the Rainbow Bridge. During the past 9 months, Bonnie Blue had her ups and downs in treatment, but overall, it looked like she was going to make it. Then she developed a digestive problem…and her health steadily went downhill and she continued to lose weight.
WestieMed would like to thank Dr. Becky Coleman and the entire staff of All Pets Animal Hospital in Stillwater, Oklahoma, for their untiring efforts to help Bonnie Blue. We would also like to thank all of you who generously contributed toward Bonnie Blue’s care and gave her a second chance at leading a normal, healthy life. Please know that Bonnie Blue was happy, loved, and well cared for up to the very last moment when she passed away in Dr. Becky’s arms.
Lexus, a product of a pet shop supplied by a puppy mill, is a ten-month-old pup who came into rescue with a twisted and fused jaw, unable to open her mouth more than an inch. Despite her circumstances, Lexus is full of life, has a wonderful Westie attitude, and loves to give kisses out of the side of her mouth as best she can.
Lexus – WestieMed Recipient
Lexus’s condition is an inherited disease known as Craniomandibular Osteopathy (CMO) or osteoarthropathy, noncancerous growth of bone on the lower jaw bone or over the angle of the mandible and tympanic bulla. The disease is painful to the puppy and is usually first recognized when a puppy shows discomfort while chewing or when his mouth is being examined. The disease is most often recognized between the ages of four and seven months, but can occur as early as three to four weeks, and rarely as late as nine to ten months. Experienced breeders and veterinarians usually recognize it earlier than four months of age by clinical signs or by palpation.
WestieMed believes Lexus deserves a chance to live a full, normal life, and has approved the funding of her medical costs including emergency surgery to correct this deformity if appropriate.
Update: Dr. Padgett, the Radiology Department and two different surgeons from Michigan State University, (as well as surgeons from a number of other renowned hospitals) all looked at the CAT scans and they agree that surgery cannot be done. The musclature from the whole right side of the face would have to be removed to get to the hinge and then that also might have to be removed. This would leave the jaw hanging so there would be no real jaw function or jaw control.
Lexus will continue on prednisone treatment in the hopes that the boney growth will receed on its own. All of us at WestieMed are pulling for Lexus, and we are pleased to be able to help defray her medical costs associated with her medical care.
Lexus is adopted!
Update October 28, 2000: Well, it seems that we have been blessed again. Our new little girl has blended in beautifully with nary a hitch or harsh word. A seamless integration would be another way of saying it. She is a joy! What an inquisitive soul with boundless energy. Within a half hour of arrival she had explored every square foot of the house, both upstairs and down, that was not closed off by a gate or door. Today, I opened the dish washer and took out the lower basket to do some repairs on it. She jumped right into the washer to look around. She also inspects the refgrigerator whenever we open it.
She began adopting us on the way home, and completed the process within one day. Chowder and she found a playmate in each other immediately. Already she snuggles and snoozes on the couch with either Fay or me. The rest of the pack has accepted her without any problem. She guards the house against those pesky squirrels and chipmunks with keen eyesight and nose (a real hunter). We found out today that she has a very loud bark when she sees anything amiss. Last night she fussed a little when put her into the crate in the family room, so we covered the crate and said goodnight. She settled down immediately and didn’t stir until this morning. Amazing.
Today, she had two walks up and down our dead end street and several around the yard on the lead, with praise when she attended to her piddling. This evening, she went to the family room door and barked to go out so she could piddle! I fell asleep on the couch at about 10:30 with her on my lap. I woke up after about a half hour and found her at the other end of the couch, asleep and snuggled up to a blanket. Right above her on top of a rear cushion, also asleep, was Chowder with one leg draped over her. I grabbed the camera and took a picture. It should be priceless.
She certainly has a mind of her own. We were out on the deck this morning with all of the dogs, and her on a lead. I told her it was time to go back into the house and started to take her in. She strongly objected until we also went in. I think she is a tomboy, very strong and eager to roughhouse if we let her. She really enjoys playing peekaboo.
She had done very well with her eating. This morning, we gave her some softened food while the rest of the pack had its usual breakfast snack fruit from my cereal and toast with jelly). She finished her own and joined the rest of us looking for more. I tried her on a small piece of banana, and she inhaled it. She also made a lightning-fast pass at Barney and grabbed a piece of toast out of his mouth, somewhat to his displeasure. She had it broken up and swallowed in no time.
That’s about it. Will keep you posted.
A Message from Lexus’s rescuer…
This has sure made my week! Only possible because WestieMed was willing to give this little girl a chance at life! I must tell you.. if my hands weren’t so full right now, I almost wanted to keep her myself.. She is soo full of herself. She doesn’t have a clue that she has a handicap. I swore she was chewing on my hand. she was digging her teeth into my hand. She “chewed” on a toy the same way. Its amazing how she has adapted. She found a piece of kibble and was flipping it into the air and playing with it until she decided she should eat it.
As Sandy (a WestieMed Board member) once said.. she’s proud to be part of this group. So am I. Without it, Lexus wouldn’t have had a chance. How ever long her life may be, at least she will be happy, loved and well cared for.
Update August 2002
Background: My wife, Fay, and I first heard of Lexus through Nancy Schoch and Lucy Ryley in the summer of 2000. I logged on to the WestieMed web site and downloaded her photos and history. It was obvious that she needed some tender, loving care if she were to have a meaningful life. We decided that we would help if given the opportunity. Word came that Lexus was to be introduced at the Montgomery County, PA Westie show in early October, and that we would be able to adopt her after she returned to Massachusetts. Fay, Lucy and I drove to Nancy’s home on Cape Cod to meet our new little lady and bring her back to Connecticut. Lexus had a few scratches about the face and head, apparently arising from some disagreements with Nancy’s dogs. Nancy advised us that Lexus had aspirations of being an alpha dog, and that we would need to keep a tight rein in order to maintain peace in our pack. It was sage advice indeed!
We were not new to helping dogs in need. Twenty years ago, we adopted a young female Cairn terrier from the Groton, CT animal pound the day before she was to be put down. At about the same time, we adopted a female Westie from a private shelter in Granby, CT. They joined our existing pack consisting of a male Scottish terrier that we had purchased from a well-known breeder on Long Island, NY, and a male Westie that we had purchased at a local pet shop (before we became aware of the evils of the puppy mill trade). Soon after, we adopted a young female Westie that was given up by a Rhode Island family due to their unfounded fear that she was a danger to their toddler son (their unnecessary loss, our wonderful gain), and a young male Westie whose owner had retired from the U.S. Navy in Groton, CT and was moving to Florida. Whenever possible, we have retained an adopted dog’s original name.
At present, our pack consists of the following in addition to Lexus:
Barney – a twenty-two-pound male Cairn terrier mixed breed; not overweight, just large frame. He was abandoned at a veterinarian’s office in Rhode Island in 1994. A friend and former Westie breeder in Rhode Island took him home to her pack of fourteen Westies, rather than see him put down, then presented him to us. We know neither his lineage nor true age (the best guess is approximately fourteen years). Cataracts in both eyes have left him almost blind, but he is still an avid hunter of things that crawl (usually earthworms that surface when we do the gardening). He can make it upstairs but needs to be carried down. He always wears pants in the house due to some incontinence and his habit of leg lifting.
Katharine – a sixteen-pound, ten-year-old female Westie. She came to us in 1995 when our friend in Rhode Island, the one who brought Barney to us, had to give up her breeding activity. Katharine suffers from cataracts, and recently had a new lens implanted in one eye. It has made a remarkable improvement in her quality of life. She was named after Katharine Hayward, the legendary New England Westie breeder, and mentor.
Chowder – a twenty-five-pound, five-year-old male Westie. With a large frame and muscular build, he can easily clear a twenty-four-inch high hurdle. He came to us in 2000 when his owner in East Haddam, CT could no longer give him adequate time and affection. She provided his unusual name.
Lexus – WestieMed Recipient
On with the Update…
Lexus can best be described as a lovable character, a scamp with a sense of humor. She is very independent and opinionated. There is rarely a dull moment when she is up and about. She continues to be very inquisitive, knows everything that goes on both indoors and out, and is extremely vocal on every subject that comes up. In other words, she is a busybody. Although she cannot use her teeth in the usual way, she is fearless in defending that which she considers hers. She craves the company of both dogs and people. Like any respectable Westie, Lexus likes to snuggle on pillows, especially if there is another pack member or pack leader with whom to share them. She sleeps on the bed with Mom and Katharine, and is usually the first up to greet the new day. Our vet, who viewed her year 2000 CAT scans while on a trip to Boston, tells us that she has no hearing capability on the right side, but she does very well with what exists on the left. What we have is a well-adjusted Westie bitch in excellent health that ignores her disability and enjoys life to the fullest. What a loss it would have been if the “experts” had succeeded in putting her down. Although she tries our patience at times, we feel fortunate in being able to offer her our affection and a chance to live up to her potential.
Lexus – WestieMed Recipient
She loves to play in water. Above the waterfall at the garden pond are two shallow pools through which the recirculated water flows. She thinks they were made just for her to bathe in. We also keep a small plastic wading pool by the upper terrace garden with a few inches of water for her use on hot days. She is in and out of it constantly. Recently, she discovered that when we put on our swimsuits it means some fun in the swimming pool. Just try to get to the pool without including her!
She loves to smell and roll in flowers, and the gardens often show the result. She stands up, wraps her front legs around the stalks, and pulls the plants to the ground. Raccoons and woodchucks do this, but who ever heard of a dog following the same procedure.
She loves games, whether wrestling with soul mate Chowder as they play keep-away or with me as I play with Chowder and his tug toy. Since she cannot grip anything with her teeth, she has developed the procedure of wrapping her front legs around the target and holding on with surprising strength. If I happen to have a drink in my hand when she decides to arm wrestle me, the result can sometimes be very wet clothing. In the absence of a biting and chewing capability, she mashes things with her very sharp teeth: food, my hand when she wrestles, or toes that are not protected by shoes. Shoelaces can be untied very quickly when she intentionally snags them with her canine teeth. She and Chowder have a racetrack of sorts in the back yard: up and down the ledge, through the mountain laurel, and around the garden pond and lower terrace garden as they play tag. Naturally, they have to stop and bark when the swans come up the bank from the brook looking for a handout. Chasing squirrels and chipmunks and digging up voles are also considered exciting games.
Lexus – WestieMed Recipient
She loves food of any kind, including some that smell very bad. Yes, she is a connoisseur of fine, fresh dung, her only major vice. This necessitates a constant watch for any tempting morsels and their prompt removal from temptation. She has not yet agreed with us that functions involving body waste should occur only in the grass. Consequently, the deck across the back of the house is not so affectionately referred to as the poop deck. Our only concessions to her disability occur at mealtime. To minimize the chance of choking, her dry food is small kibble only (softened) and we check for bones as we mince whatever meat augments her diet. Choking is a constant worry, as we would be unable to clear her airway due to her disability. Her dish is placed in a crate in the family room and the door is locked behind her to prevent the other dogs from harassing her during the approximately 30 minutes required to mash and lick up her food. During that time, she lets others know that they should not even approach the crate. When Lexus came to live with us, she weighed 14 pounds and had a very sparse coat. Slipping through the four-inch-wide space between the bars in the fence around the swimming pool was a problem that required installation of a temporary barricade. She has thrived on beef, chicken and venison, now has a thick coat, and weighs sixteen very firm, muscular pounds. As a result of her growth and weight gain, she can no longer slip through the swimming pool fence.
Lexus – WestieMed Recipient
Our most heartfelt thanks to WestieMed for helping Lexus become a cherished member of our pack.
Bogey is a two year old, fifteen pound, male Westie that we received on July 3, 2000. He was supposed to be a stud dog in a puppy mill, when the breeder decided that he was not needed and released him to us.
When we received Bogey, his paws were splayed from standing on wire and he had a hole all the way through his left front paw. But, more seriously, he had a raging ear infection that had completely closed his ear canals. We were not even able to get medicine down his ears to treat the infection and there was no way to perform a limited surgery to open those ear canals. So, we decided to go forward with ear resections. An ear resection is the removal of the cartilage in the ear that is closing the ear canal.
When our vet performed the ear resections, he found that the infection had caused the ear canals and the ear drums to rupture. Can you imagine how much torment this little guy must have suffered?
Bogey – WestieMed Recipient
The ear resections were completely successful. After two weeks of twice daily cleanings and strong antibiodics, the infection is gone. Bogey is feeling good and his hearing has been restored.
Bogey is going home to his new family tonight. They are so excited! A few months ago they lost their first little rescue Westie, DeeDee, to kidney failure. Bogey won’t be able to replace DeeDee, but he will make his own mark on their family. He has turned into a happy, healthy little Westie — and he has escaped the horrors of the puppy mill.
Thank you, WestieMed, for helping us turn this little guy’s life around.
Luann Johnson Westie Rescue of Missouri, Inc. Smithville, Missouri
Update July 2002:
We are the adoptive family for Bogey. In August, we will have had him two years. He is now a happy, healthy, active Westie. By the time we brought him home, Luann had him on a recovery mode from his ear surgery. We haven’t had any medical problems with him whatsoever. Bogey has been pretty smart and has been a family project to train. He is now able to: sit, stay, fetch, speak, dance, shake, and lay down on command. The biggest “quirk” is that you can’t turn him over on his back. He totally throws a fit and almost hyperventilates. –Maybe past left-overs from ear infections!!
Bogey – WestieMed Recipient
We have three girls, so Bogey rarely goes without attention. He is spoiled rotten, but loved immensely. We needed him as much as he needed a home, as we had just lost a previous Westie to heart failure.
Thanks for the work you do–It does make a difference!
Maggie was the 15th dog that we rescued this year. She is approximately two and a half years old. We picked her up on June 1, 2000, from Akita Rescue in Kansas. Akita Rescue got Maggie from a backyard breeder. Although Maggie had been purchased as a breeding dog, she never had any puppies.
She was taken to the vet on June 2nd and vaccinations and preliminary vet work was done. She was scheduled to be spayed on June 6, 2000. When Maggie returned to the vet on the 6th, we discovered a large hernia. It was not an emergency surgery, but it was something that needed to be repaired and we chose to have the repair done at the same time as the spay, so Maggie would not have to undergo multiple surgeries.
Maggie came through the surgery well, but the additional surgery created a large surgical scar and a drain was necessary to aid in the healing. Maggie had to wear an Elizabethian collar for almost a week to protect the surgery site. She was also treated with a course of antibiotics.
Maggie has continued to progress well. She did develop an allergic reaction to the internal stitches and was placed on additional antibiotics to prevent infection. That problem has now cleared up. Her external stitches have been removed and every thing looks good for complete healing.
Thank you very much for this wonderful service that you provide.
Luann Johnson Westie Rescue of Missouri Smithville, Missouri
Update September 2000:
Maggie – WestieMed Recipient
Hi all! Maggie is doing wonderful! I adopted Maggie on June 11th, 2000. She has settled in very well to her new home and gets along with her Westie Brother, Winston. Maggie won her Junior Earthdog title from AKC on Labor Day Weekend in Roscoe, IL. We are in obedience classes and agility classes. She loves going to the nursing home with Winston to visit the residents there. She is a wonderful addition to my life! She is so sweet and I love her very much. Thank you for helping to fund her hernia surgery. Here are some updated pictures of her. One of the pictures is when we celebrated her 3rd birthday on 09/14/00 at my obedience club. You can see her Earthdog ribbons she won also in the picture.
Thanks again! Pam Groves, Maggie and Winston
Update July 2002:
Maggie – WestieMed Recipient
Update July 2002:
Maggie is doing just wonderful. She just earned her AKC Senior Earthdog title on June 1, 2002. We are training in obedience and agility also. We have entered a few agility trials but the “zoomies” have gotten the best of her! I am thinking we might do better at indoor agility trials than ones held outdoors! I am planning to show in Obedience Novice B this fall.
Maggie participated in the West Highland White Terrier Club of America’s Parade of Rescues during their National Specialty in Oct. of 2001 in PA. It was an honor to participate in this event and we both enjoyed it.
Maggie – WestieMed Recipient
Here is a picture of Me, Maggie on the day she earned her last qualifying leg towards her Senior Earthdog title and the Judge Liz Battista.
Thanks so much for all of Westie Med’s help with Maggie when she needed it.
Pam Groves, Maggie and Winston
Update November 2003
Former Westie rescue, Maggie, my rescue girl earned her Master Earthdog title this past weekend in Iowa. In just three short years and 7 earthdog test weekends, Maggie has soared through the earthdog program! She earned her Junior Earthdog title just 3 months after I adopted her in September 2000! She earned her Senior Earthdog title in 2002 and we just started Master earthdog tests in June of 2003 and now has her ME title!! We really don’t train either, just work on whistle recalls that worked like a charm in Senior and we also used the whistle for the field work in Masters. The last two test weekends the field was tall grass, in September it was 4 feet tall, and this past weekend it was about 2 1/2 feet tall. Maggie just hopped right through those fields like the huntress she is!!!
Maggie will now receive the Versatile Westie Award the West Highland White Terrier Club of America gives out yearly!!! I am so proud of my little Maggie Mae!!!
Pam Groves U-AGI,U-CD Sir Winston Roscoe Groves CGC,TDI,CD,NA,NAJ Maggie Mae Beason CGC,TDI,CD,ME
I took Clovis into foster care on April 22, 2000. Prior to coming to me, he had been in several ‘temporary homes’ in a very short time span. So, he was feeling very insecure. Disoriented and scared, he endured the long ride home snarling and crying. Looking back, I’m not too sure who was more scared – Clovis or me!
Once home, I thought the best way to help Clovis feel more secure was to get him used to his surroundings and into the ‘routine’ of things as soon as possible. Unfortunately, things did not go as smoothly as I had hoped. As those long hours turned into days, it became very apparent that Clovis was suffering from more than just the stress and anxiety associated with his recent change in homes — he had some serious medical problems!
Within a day, I observed increased problems with his skin, the hot spot on his tail, and the ear infections — All of which were already being treated. In addition, he was drinking water excessively, gorging his food, vomiting, had gas & bloating, diarrhea, was dripping urine, had difficulty defecating, sensitivity to the back and tail, and was limping. As the symptoms worsened and his back & leg pain became more prominent, I knew this little guy required some immediate medical attention.
A visit to the veterinarian, with a thorough examination and x-rays, revealed that Clovis was suffering from many ailments. He had severe arthritis and some damaged ligaments — The result of injury/trauma to the back legs, hips and spine many years prior. Since the injury went untreated, Clovis had compensated for the pain by manipulating his spine (he often stood in the shape of a C), and shifting his weight to one side. The manipulation had also caused muscle loss in his left hind leg, which he would hold up or drag at times. Unfortunately, surgery was not a feasible option at that point in time – only long-term maintenance for the pain. The exam further revealed that Clovis was around 10 years old (not 6 or 7 as originally thought), and he had cataracts which had caused some vision loss. As if that wasn’t enough, he also had acute atopic dermatitis, epidermal dysplasia on his belly, legs and throughout his back, and yeast infections in both ears. Although blood tests were required to confirm a diagnosis, the vet believed the urine dripping was possibly related to an infection, and the excessive water drinking was indicative of diabetes or something more serious. Fortunately, those tests confirmed no infection, diabetes or serious diseases! So, this lead the vet to believe that the excessive water drinking and food gorging/vomiting was stress related, and he hoped those symptoms would disappear as Clovis became more comfortable in his surroundings.
Needless to say, all that news was quite overwhelming, as well as the cost of the medication and veterinarian bills incurred. And, Clovis would require further follow-up visits and blood tests to make sure he was responding to the treatments.
Even though I was able to give Clovis the love, attention and care needed to help him heal, I was not in a position to personally cover his overwhelming medical expenses. Fortunately, WESTIEMED stepped in and covered most of Clovis’ medical expenses — giving him a second chance at a healthier and happier life, and adoption!
Since that first visit, Clovis has had several follow-up exams and tests, as well as an emergency visit for an aggravated old head/neck injury. However, I am happy to report that he is doing remarkably well! He is very happy, and he is looking and feeling better each and every day! Although, he will require a life-long maintenance program for his arthritis and allergies, all of his other symptoms have either disappeared or they are currently under control with a good diet and medication.
Thanks to WESTIEMED, and a lot of TLC, Clovis was able to receive the necessary treatment to help him heal, adjust to a pain maintenance program, and have a chance to live out his golden years happy, healthy, and as ‘pain free’ as possible.
Thank you WESTIEMED!
Editor’s note: We are happy to report that Clovis’s wonderful foster Mom in Richmond, Virginia, is adopting him and making him a permanent part of her family. Clovis is one lucky boy!
Update – October 2000:
It has been six months since Clovis joined the family, and I am happy to report that he is thriving and adjusting to his new home, surroundings, and sister Chloe (a seven year old Westie) remarkably well! While the road to recovery has been long and bumpy, Clovis has made tremendous progress both medically and socially.
Clovis’ skin has completely healed, and his coat has finally grown out. In fact, he just got his first “Westie Cut” and looks marvelous! We continue to battle the perpetual ear infection, yet we are making progress. With persistence, the vet believes that we will beat this too! Unfortunately, there is no “fix” for Clovis’ past injuries and the arthritis he suffers with. However, the long walks, daily exercise, massages (his favorite part), and playing with Chloe help to keep him limber and on all four paws! He has not had any arthritis medicine for over 3 months – now that’s great news!
Equally gratifying to watching Clovis heal medically has been watching his social skills change and a new personality evolve. He has learned how to play instead of being a bully, and often shares his toys and food with Chloe. He is not as gracious with his treats — they remain under close surveillance and guarded until every morsel is consumed. Clovis says that he has to “draw the bone” on some things. Even though he continues to struggle with some jealousy – he would be most happy as the only Westie in the family – he is learning that there is enough love and affection to go around!
When everyone says that Clovis is lucky to have found me, I always reply that I am lucky to have found Clovis! He is a very special Westie, and I am grateful to have him in my life every day! Thanks to WestieMed, and all of the other people who have been instrumental in Clovis’ healing!
Clovis – WestieMed Recipient
Update – September 2002:
Clovis could have ended up in another ‘good home’ – One that also provides shelter, nourishment, love, affection, exercise and medical care…but, I like to think that Clovis found the ‘perfect home’ when he came to stay with me and his big sister Chloe.
It has been over two years since Clovis first touched our hearts, and I’m happy to report that he continues to thrive and brings joy to our lives every day. We can’t imagine not having him around!
Today, Clovis is a well-adjusted and happy little man. However, every day continues to be a challenge as I battle his perpetual ear and skin infections, as well as arthritis from his prior injuries. I’m thankful for the times when things are ‘under control’ and when they aren’t…well, I just deal with it. Clovis makes it easy to care for him — He’s very accepting of the grueling routine. Even with very little hearing and sight capability left, Clovis continues to enjoy life like most Westies…playing with his sister, taking long walks, chewing the mail, protecting his food & biscuits, barking at trucks and digging!
I know that Clovis will require ongoing medical care for the rest of his life, but I remain forever grateful to WestieMed for their assistance in helping Clovis with the initial veterinarian care/treatment to get his problems under control. With WestieMed’s assistance, the initial medical care that Clovis received was instrumental in helping to make his ongoing medical maintenance needs more manageable today. Thanks again WestieMed!
Teresa, Clovis & Chloe Showalter
Update – February 16, 2003: – CLOVIS April 20, 2000 – January 21, 2003
It is with great sadness I report that Clovis went to Rainbow Bridge on January 21, 2003. In late November, Clovis began coughing and it was determined that he had a collapsed esophagus and bronchitis. Soon after, the bronchitis turned to pneumonia. Since his heart and lungs were strong, we were optimistic that he could beat the pneumonia with antibiotics and we would be able to treat the collapsed esophagus with long-term maintenance. In the weeks that followed, Clovis’ health deteriorated but he never lost his true spirit and will — He was a fighter to the end.
While Clovis’ time with me was short, he gave me a lifetime’s worth of love, joy, laughter and so many wonderful memories that will live on forever.
Although Madeline’s medical attention was not directly funded through WestieMed, she is nevertheless a WestieMed success story.
In April of 2000, Madeline’s owners contacted WestieMed to inquire if there was any assistance available for their very sick Westie. She desperately needed a very expensive surgery or she would die. Madeline’s owners simply could not afford this surgery.
WestieMed could not be of direct assistance in this case inasmuch as Madeline was an established pet and not a rescue dog. However, she was referred to IMOM (In Memory of Magic), a wonderful organization whose mission is to better the lives of sick, injured, and abused companion animals.
Once IMOM approved Madeline’s case, it was through the efforts of the WestieMed Board of Directors and WestieMed supporters that we were able to spread the word to Westie lovers across the World that a Westie was in need!
Westie lovers responded, and in May of 2000, Madeline had the surgery to save her life! We are very happy to report that she is recovering nicely.
Scamper was born and raised on a Michigan farm. He and his siblings grew up in an outdoor “barn/kennel” and have never known the inside of a house. Recently his owner became sick and was unable to give them even the basic care that was given before. A local Clinic took in Scamper and three others (one Cairn and three Westies).
The original owner thought that Scamper had allergies and had been treating him that way; however, the Clinic discovered that he had mange. As a result of this, he had lost almost all of his hair.
The original Scamper was at the clinic for over a month while his mange was being treated, and while there, he was neutered, received all of his shots, and received all other necessary care.
Scamper – WestieMed Recipient
Scamper’s sister, Katie (who was at the same clinic), found a home quickly. But the clinic was finding that Scamper was hard to place – either because he simply was not very pretty (even though his hair was coming in nicely), or no one wanted to pay his accumulting vet bills. So, WESTIEMED was called upon, and provided funds to help with Scamper’s vet bills. Soon after, Scamper (as well as his brother, Scooter) were released to Westie Rescue.
Scamper – WestieMed Recipient
Scamper thrived in his foster home and was fully housebroken immediately (very smart boy!). Although shy around people until having the chance to warm up to them, he loves to play, and his Westietude is emerging more and more each day.
May 2000 update:
Scamper went to his forever home in a very short time. His new family came to meet him and were greeted by a very “insecure” little boy who barked and growled. But they sat down on the floor and talked to him and gave him treats. His family also met his brother and were charmed by him but they chose Scamper because “he needs us more”. Scamper now has a new little Westie brother who admires and adores him. He is growing more confident every day.
Update July 2002:
When we got Scamp, we had just lost our six year old Angus due to a really freakish situation that came from my giving him a large cooked soup bone. I tell that story often even though it’s painful because I find there’s a lot of people who are as uninformed as we were on the dangers of giving dogs bones.
Scamps physical health has been excellent. But in the beginning, I was quite paranoid and I noticed that he drank copious amounts of water. Beth assured me that it often happened with rescues but I needed to be sure so our vet did a lot of testing and really found nothing, except that his urine was too concentrated when we regulated the amount of water we gave him. I just let it drop. He tapered off on his water consumption after maybe a year, but he still drinks more than normal. He had a check-up about three weeks ago and he lost about 4 or 5 pounds from his previous visit – about a year – but he was a bit chunky then so I’m not worried. Beth had wanted him to gain more since he’d probably been deprived before and he went up to about twenty-three pounds and is now about 18.
He still has some behavior problems. He’s so much better than he was: he was very insecure around strangers and would often growl. He would really snarl when we picked him up and we wondered about him pain but he was selective enough (no growling when HE wanted to get somewhere) that I think he had been dropped or squeezed.
That said, we love him dearly. He’s traveled with us frequently and is usually very good. He has a Westie brother named McDuff and they have a pretty typical sibling relationship. Scamp is cuddly – on his terms – and quite affectionate. When you consider what he’s been through, he’s pretty remarkable. The groomer says he has a gorgeous coat and after only 3 trips to the groomer does quite well. He hates having his nails done so we usually do it.
I know I probably gave you more info than you wanted. Thank you for the work you do. We spread the word about Westie Rescue far and wide.
Scooter came from the same farm and conditions as Scamper did. However, he didn’t lose much hair at all before the mange was stopped. So his coat looks quite good except for some brown staining which should grow out. He is healthy….maybe a little too healthy since the vet wants him to lose a couple of pounds! He was the dominant dog of the pack and took his job seriously. That is causing him a bit of a problem now, but he is adjusting to a human pack.
May 2000 Update:
Scooter finally went to his “forever” home. Because he has a tendency to be overprotective of his home and family, he was placed with a single lady who doesn’t have a lot of traffic in and out of her home. Scooter has learned that it is ok for people to visit and he seems to understand that it is no longer his “job” to protect. She knows that she should introduce Scooter to guests and to let him see her greet them before allowing him to greet them. Now Scooter greets with a wagging tail! Scooter also has a Westie brother and seems to be adjusting to his new life very well.
Scooter – Westiemed Recipient
August 2002 Update:
Scooter is living happily with two other rescued westies and is my best buddy. Since he never really had any toys before he was rescued, he just loves to play with them. As you can see in the attached photos, he falls asleep playing all the time. Scooter has also discovered that he is really not a land lover, but prefers the water which has earned him the nickname “Aqua Dog.” He just loves to swim and I think he would live as a duck if he could!! He is a healthy, wonderful westie who couldn’t be any sweeter then he already is. He has come to trust people and although he really does not like to be held, he will allow you to cuddle him. He has come so far in a couple of years and I am so thankful that he came into my life.
Scooter – Westiemed Recipient
Thanks to all of you at WestieMed since I know I would not have my Scooter without all that you do!
I went online looking for a Westie to rescue. I had just purchased my computer and was new to the Internet. After I found the message board for different breeds, someone told me about petfinder.com. Then, I scrolled through that site and found some information about Katie and her brothers. Hanna, a medical technician at Hound Haven in Ovid, Michigan, had posted information about a number of Westies who had been turned over to the Clinic after being kept in poor living conditions for many years, and she was seeking adoptive homes for these dogs. The Westies all had little or no veterinary care during their lifetimes. My husband and I talked it over and then I called her. We made arrangements to drive from our home in Belleville, Illinois, a distance of about 550 miles, to bring her home. One weekend we made the trip with our whole family. This included me, my husband, our three-year-old daughter, and our other Westie, Emily. We were all stuffed into our little Mitsubishi Eclipse.
When we arrived, we saw Katie in a small cage. Her brothers were in adjacent cages. According to Hannah, Katie and her brothers had contracted mange. One or two had heartworm. They were all older dogs, about eight and a half years old. Obviously, it would be hard to find homes for them. In addition, they were not housebroken. When I first saw Katie with her black nose and big brown eyes, I knew we would be taking her back with us. Those big brown eyes looked at me with longing. It saddened me that we would not be able to take her brothers as well.
Although a bit tough in the beginning, Katie has adjusted to her new family quite well, and we have made tremendous progress with her housetraining. As you can imagine, Katie’s vet bills, combined with our travel costs to get her, were considerable. We are glad to have found WESTIEMED and are grateful for the financial assistance which this organization provided.
If Katie could speak, she would certainly thank you too!
PITO’S FUND – His name was Pito. Abandoned at a shelter, he was a small lad, weighing about thirteen pounds, perhaps six or seven years old and filthy from where he obviously had been laying in his own urine. The Shelter contacted Westie Rescue to help save Pito. The rescuer was told that Pito has seizures, but wanted him to have a second chance. The rescuer promptly went to get Pito. Pito was picked up on a Sunday morning and was taken directly to the vet’s office for a complete check up. He seemed to enjoy the ride and snuggling in the nice towel in his carrier.
At the vet’s office, it became apparent that Pito had been abused…possibly used as bait for dog fights. His right rear leg had a ligature mark about half an inch wide like something had been tied around it for quite a while. It was thought that some of his toes may also have to be removed. There were also some marks around which may have been healing cuts, punctures, or bruises.
It was also believed that he may have had some trauma to the head. His vision in one eye was gone, and it was thought that he could only see shadows in the other. To get to the bottom of what was causing the seizures, Pito was going to need some extensive and expensive medical tests, which the independent rescuer simply could not have afforded on her own.
WESTIEMED jumped right in and started Pito’s Fund. As Pito was undergoing a series of tests, messages went out on the internet, and the public generously responded!
At the vet’s office, Pito was given lots of attention and was bathed and cleaned up. His seizures were stabilized, and the vet felt that we should wait a couple of days to see how he did.
On Wednesday, things took a turn for the worse. Pito’s behavior became very erratic and aggressive. This lasted the night and continued into the next morning. His condition worsened…and with heavy hearts, the decision was made to euthanize.
Although Pito did not make it, the last few days of his life were spent in loving hands.
WESTIEMED paid Pito’s bills in full. Unfortunately, Pito was never captured in any photograph during his short stay in rescue. Nevertheless, WESTIEMED is glad to have been able to help give Pito the second chance he deserved.
