Gus

by westiemed in Stories

Hi everyone! My name is Gus, and wow—do I have a story to share.

Early in March 2025, my life took a scary turn. My people brought me to the vet because my skin was really hurting me, and they thought my journey might be ending. But guess what? That vet looked at me and saw more than a sick little dog—he saw a life worth fighting for. Instead of saying goodbye, he asked if my owners would surrender me to him so he could give me the time, care, and love I needed to heal my broken skin. Because of his kindness—and because they said yes-I got a second chance at life.

For the next six months (March-November), the vet clinic became my home. I had the doctor and staff doting on me, helping my skin heal and making sure I felt safe, comfortable, and loved every single day. They didn’t just fix my outside—they helped my inside feel better too.

When my skin had healed and my tail started wagging again, my amazing vet friends knew I was finally ready for the next chapter of my life. They reached out to LSWR (Lone Star Westie Rescue) hoping to help me find the forever family I’ve always dreamed of—and that’s how I found my way here. I officially joined LSWR on November 1, 2025, and let me tell you…what a wonderful place to land. So many kind hearts, so much love, and a whole new world waiting just for me.

Let me tell you—I feel GREAT. Back in March 2025, I was just a tiny 16 pounds, worn down and not feeling like myself. Now? I’m a proud, strong 26‑pound Westie, full of muscle, confidence, and joy. My fur has grown back soft and thick, my skin feels healthy again, and for the first time in a long while, I feel like me. And if I’m being honest…I think I’m looking pretty stunning these days.

My foster family says that out of all the Westies they’ve opened their hearts to, I’m truly an exceptional Westie—and I carry that compliment proudly.

I’m potty trained, sleep nicely in my crate, and I really, really love food—let’s be honest, that’s basically a dog résumé right there. I’m truly grateful. Grateful for the humans who stepped in when I needed saving, cared for me when I was at my worst, and believed I deserved a happy life filled with good meals, cozy naps, and lots of love.

Thank you, WestieMed, for always helping pups in need like me and for reminding us that even in our hardest moments, we matter.

Love & Happy tail wags,

Gus 🐾

Curtis

by westiemed in Stories

While browsing online postings of dogs in shelters, I noticed a shaggy Westie in a small community shelter and reached out to the director. They told me that he was on hold for his owner, who was known to shelter staff because the dog had been in their care several times before. Ten days later, the director reached out to me to ask if we would still be able to help the dog… they had contacted his owner multiple times, but the owner never came to get him.

We wasted no time in sending a volunteer to pick him up and getting him started at our vet, where we learned he was heartworm positive and has a heart murmur. He badly needed a good grooming, although he was missing hair and had crusty skin due to infection and fleas, and his nails were so long that they curled up like the toes on an elf. Both of his ears were infected and sensitive to touch, and he had severe tartar buildup on his teeth.

Curtis took everything in stride… he has been very friendly to vet staff and volunteers and happily greets everyone with a wagging tail. We started treating his skin and ear infections and scheduled an appointment with the cardiologist before planning his neuter and dental cleaning. When the cardiologist gave the go-ahead, Curtis was neutered and had some masses removed as well as his teeth cleaned. We also started pretreatment for the heart worm and scheduled full adulticide treatment to get rid of them.

Now that he has finished heartworm treatment, Curtis is ready for adoption to his furever home. His fosters have fallen in love with him (and him with them!) so he will be finalizing his adoption and staying home for Christmas. Turns out his owner not reclaiming him was the start of the best life for him!

Thank you, WestieMed, for helping us make his new life possible.

Kind regards,

Westie and Scottie Rescue Houston

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read More “Curtis” →

Colleen

by westiemed in Stories

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Colleen’s former family reached out to Westie and Scottie Rescue Houston when they decided they had their hands full. They told us that they had been struggling with Colleen’s allergy issues, but now they had a new baby and were overwhelmed. They loved Colleen and wanted the best for her, and they realized that turning her over to someone else to help her would be the best thing to do.

When our volunteers picked Colleen up, they described her as stinky and scabby, with black crusty skin and missing hair. We immediately assessed everything she was being fed and all the medications she was taking. We initially changed Colleen’s diet to the grain-free, chicken-free formula we feed most of the Westies who come into our care and, along with frequent medicated baths, she began to improve over the next few months, but she still had itchy skin. Another visit to the vet included doing a skin culture to determine whether different medications were needed. The vet also recommended doing a diet trial with a hydrolyzed diet. We knew that her previous owners had fed her a traditional hydrolyzed diet made with soy and that her skin worsened on it, so we started Colleen on Hydrolyzed Salmon diet recommended by a veterinary dermatologist for another dog in our program. When the skin culture results came back, they showed that the bacteria on Colleen’s skin was resistant to the antibiotics she had been prescribed, so we started her on a course of a new antibiotic that the bacteria was sensitive to. Meanwhile, we scheduled an echocardiogram with a cardiologist because the vet had noted hearing an unusual heart murmur, and we had bloodwork done because she had been on some of the medications a long time and we wanted to make sure they were not causing damage to her organs. Both the echocardiogram and bloodwork showed normal results, so the vets said they had no issues resuming focus on treating Colleen’s skin.

Colleen has been on the Hydrolyzed Salmon diet for about a month now and is showing major improvements. Her skin is getting soft and pink and she is growing hair on her neck and legs, which previously had thick, black, scaly skin. The plan is to keep Colleen on this diet for the foreseeable future and reassess as needed. When she is adopted, her furever home will need to commit to maintaining her special diet.

Thank you for helping us help Colleen get comfortable in her own skin!

Kind regards,

Maggie

Volunteer, Intake Coordinator

Westie and Scottie Rescue Houston

Charlie

by westiemed in Stories

Hello friends, my name is Charlie. I know that you’re my friends, because I love everyone I meet. Here is my story.…..

I lived my whole life in the same home. In August 2024 without warning, I was dropped off at a shelter in Easton, CT. The Animal Control officer realized that I was older — and likely needing special care — he thoughtfully reached out to Westie Rescue of New England who immediately went into action.  The next day my foster mom Darlene arrived at the shelter to take me home.

I was confused with all of the changes but I knew I was in a good place. I received the first of many medicated baths to help heal my skin along with lots of good food and cuddle time. Two days later, I went to see the vet. They checked me from top to bottom, taking lots of blood tests.

I had two badly infected ears, skin problems, very bad teeth and they were most concerned about a large, painful mass I had on my foot.

They scheduled me for surgery and I came through it like a champ!  My bad teeth were removed, my ears have been treated and are so much better and best of all the scary tumor on my foot was benign!  My future is bright now and at 11 years young I am feeling great!

My foster moms, Darlene and Hester, could not resist my charm and are now “Failed Fosters”. I personally think that is the best kind of foster. Today, I live with my two, loving moms and my adorable and very busy one-year-old Westie sister, Agnes. I have already been on two, fun-filled family vacations. I love to travel, and I am living my best life — a life I could have only dreamed of!

Thank you, WestieMed, for all your support and for helping Westie Rescue of New England to help me. My golden years will surely be the best ever!

Update July 14, 2025:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is Me Now! 🐾

Woof! Charlie here, reporting for duty from my forever home!

Remember me? The sad pup who showed up at the shelter almost a year ago? Well, plot twist – I’m actually the HAPPIEST boy now! My foster moms were supposed to be temporary, but joke’s on them because I’m never leaving. Foster fail? More like foster WIN!

Turns out I’m not actually a grumpy old man – I’m a lovable goofball who just needed the right humans who could figure out my secret: I speak Russian! “Sidet” means sit, “lapa” means paw, and “idi syuda” means come here. My moms learned my language just for me. Talk about dedication!

Life is pretty sweet now. I’ve got my baby sister Agnes (she’s 2 and thinks she’s the boss – adorable), two amazing moms, and a passport practically! We’ve been to Colonial Williamsburg, Florida, the Carolinas, New York, and all over Connecticut. I’m basically a travel influencer now.

My daily schedule? Sleep till noon (obviously), demand breakfast (did I mention I LOVE food?), play with Agnes, go for adventures, swimming, car rides, more food, cuddles, and repeat. When I’m really happy, I do my signature play bow with my butt in the air – it’s my thing.

Sure, I bark like a German Shepherd trapped in a Westie body, and yes, I’m still stubborn as heck. But I’m healthy, happy, and living my best life as a 12-year-old who acts like a puppy again.

Thanks for not giving up on this old boy! 🥰❤️

Tail wags and happy wiggles, Charlie

Update December 1, 2025:

It is I—Sir Charles Gilbert Underfoot—reporting in with the utmost dignity, fluff, and enthusiasm to share my latest annual update.

What a tremendous year it has been! Since joining my wonderful rescue family, life has been nothing short of grand. I continue to thrive under the tender care of my mama, Hester, who manages my every need with elegance and devotion—especially now that I am navigating my recent diabetes diagnosis with the courage and poise befitting a true West Highland gentleman.

I am also delighted (and occasionally bewildered) to share my kingdom with my lively little sister, Agnes. She is exuberant, unpredictable, and entirely charming, and together we form quite the duo. She keeps me on my toes, and I keep her in line—mostly.

This year’s adventures have taken me near and far. I’ve traveled to several states to visit family and friends, greeting each new place with my trademark confidence and impeccable manners. I even had the pleasure of visiting a farm, where I met a remarkable array of animals—goats, chickens, cows, and more—each appropriately impressed by my presence.

At home, I maintain my rightful position stretched luxuriously across most of the king-size bed, securing optimal comfort at all times. Life is busy, joyful, and full of new experiences, and I am thriving every step (and nap) of the way.

Thank you for the gift of this beautiful life and the family who cherishes me. I remain, as always,

Your loyal correspondent,

Sir Charles Gilbert Underfoot