Westie Rescue and Placement

Kiki

September 1, 2018December 23, 2020 by westiemed in Stories

Kiki is a Westie female about 5 years old. She came from an East Bay (California) shelter on July 9, 2018, with a terrible skin condition and two diagnosed mammary tumors. She was not spayed and appeared to have had multiple litters of puppies. The shelter believed she was a breeding dog. She weighed in at a skinny sixteen pounds. She was picked up as a stray.

Kiki was placed in a foster home and baths were immediately started along with a vet appointment to get medications. Kiki responded to her new environment immediately with medication, diet, baths, lots of love and toys.

A consult was arranged to evaluate her tumors and a suspicious cyst on her side that appeared to be a sarcoma. Surgery was scheduled for August 2, 2018, in an effort to get her skin condition under better control before surgery. Her skin infection posed a risk of infection. Her surgery was fairly successful per her oncologist. She recovered quickly and without any infections but Kiki’s oncologist did not feel the margins were sufficient on the cyst (sarcoma) and follow-up treatment was needed.

After evaluation of the treatment options, it was decided the best option for Kiki and her long-term survival was a second surgery called a ‘scar revision’ on the sarcoma to get an adequate margin although it could do some muscle damage. The surgeon felt she would bounce back from the second surgery quickly. There is very little medical evidence to support radiation in the treatment of mammary tumors in dogs. A second opinion was sought from another oncologist who reviewed Kiki’s medical records. He also felt the scar revision surgery was Kiki’s best option.

A scar revision surgery was performed on August 30, 2018. The oncologist felt the news was excellent on the second surgery and there was “complete excision” and “no further treatment is needed for “the cancer”.

Barbara Mordy
Westie Rescue and Placement (WRAP)

Update July 2019

Kiki was adopted on October 4, 2018. Unfortunately, her cancer returned and her adopters paid for two additional surgeries before she passed away on June 3, 2019. Here is her obituary:

Kiki came to WRAP on July 9, 2018. She was found on the streets of an East Bay city in very rough shape. She had terrible skin issues and had obviously been used for breeding. She had two large mammary tumors- which we knew were probably cancer. Barbara did not have a foster home for her, but she was definitely a Westie, so my husband and I agreed to foster her. Kiki came into our home silent and depressed. Her first surgery was 2 weeks later. She had mammary cancer and a sarcoma. Her recovery went well and with each day we could see her spirit get brighter.

This spirit was simply amazing and we adopted her. She loved to play with toys; she always wanted to be on our lap….we even built a little box for her to get on the sofa herself.

Kiki was a godsend for us. She reminded us how we can take our health for granted. She was so happy each day, playing with toys and our other two Westies. My husband fell in love with Kiki, and they had a special bond. He got on the floor to play with her most mornings, and Kiki would bark at him when he did not. Kiki loved sitting on my husband’s lap when he read the paper in the morning. It was their routine.

She became the happiest little Westie we had ever seen, and we adored her!

Kiki made me laugh….I mean really laugh every day! Kiki had plenty of Westitude and oh, how she loved to boss me around! Especially when it was time to eat! I have many videos of her and I am so thankful for them.

We had to say goodbye to Kiki on June 3, 2019. We spent the morning holding Kiki, taking turns doing so. Even to the end, she was loving. She had stopped eating, though, and we know she was in pain. We had to let her go, but we miss her to this day. She died in my arms, resting on my shoulder. Eleven months with Kiki was not enough time. Eleven years would not have been enough time. That BITCH cancer took another sweet life. We have had a lot of Westies. They all ARE and WERE special and wonderful, but there was something extra special about Kiki. She was one of a kind. She reminded us to stay in the moment and to take each day as precious.

I know in time I will laugh again. And yes, we will foster again after our hearts have time to heal. Don’t be afraid to foster. You might get lucky enough to find a Kiki.

Christie

September 1, 2017December 23, 2020 by westiemed in Stories

Christie is a five-year-old breeding dog from the Central Valley of California. She was kept in a warehouse. When she failed to get pregnant the last time she was in heat the breeder handed her over to a lady that finds rescues to take former breeding dogs.

Christie came to Westie Rescue and Placement of Northern California (WRAP) on August 23rd, 2017. She was in heat. We kept her in a quiet environment for several weeks allowing her to adjust to life in a home. At first, she was reluctant to come out of her crate even with the door open. When her paws first touched grass she didn’t know what to do. We focused on housetraining, learning to go up and downstairs, walking on a leash and social skills with dogs and people. Christie is very bright and has picked up on these tasks very quickly. More focus continues to be needed on social skills and trust-building. She is timid and continues to shy away from touch.

Christie needed a full workup due to poor medical care. She visited the veterinarian on September 5th for shots and a general physical and blood work. On September 7th, 2017 she was spayed (no longer in heat), her teeth were cleaned, treated for hookworms, and she had six extractions due to bad or damaged teeth. She also received a microchip. On September 21. 2017 she made a follow-up visit to the Veterinarian. We are hopeful that Christie will be adopted by her foster in the not too distant future. Her progress has been remarkable and we anticipate she will go on to live a full and happy life. She is house trained, walks on a leash, seeks out her foster for petting and contact. She sleeps in the big bed with her foster Dad and Westie sister. She is starting to play with toys and her new sister, She is good in public with other dogs and people. She is becoming more trusting every day.

We are grateful to WestieMed for the support they provide to rescue organizations that enables us to help more dogs than we might otherwise be able to help. Christie thanks you too.

Barbara Mordy
Westie Rescue and Placement (WRAP)

Update June 2018

Remember Christie?

She’s the puppy-mill breeder girl, rescued last August by Westie Rescue and Placement of Northern California.

Christie was scared of everything and didn’t know even the most basic things about living indoors with people to love her.

Well, not anymore!

Now she loves to be petted and plays with toys enthusiastically. She even rolls over on her back sometimes while playing tug with her Dad and she’s a good fetcher too. She sleeps in the big bed with her Dad and older sister Terry. And, she even relaxes for a while in Dad’s lap when she’s in the mood to let him pick her up and put her there. She’s one smart cookie!

This is all thanks to WestieMed and their generosity in helping to get the medical care she needed

Bailey

June 1, 2017December 24, 2020 by westiemed in Stories

Bailey was born on 4/22/16. He came into rescue on 4/28/17 at a little over one year old. He was bought in Nevada at age eight weeks for an eleven-year-old girl to care for and train. That did not happen and the dog was kept in a crate most of the time while the girl was at school and in her bedroom the rest of the time. Finally, the parents and grandmother intervened and contacted Westie Rescue and Placement of Northern California (WRAP). Bailey came to WRAP dirty and with severe matting and bloody diarrhea. The family insisted there was no history of diarrhea. Bailey had not been to a veterinarian since getting his puppy shots. He was completely untrained but was social with people and dogs.

Westie Rescue and Placement of Northern California (WRAP) received Bailey on April 28, 2017, and that same day he was taken to the veterinarian who did an exam and routine blood work and a heartworm test. Blood work was essentially normal. The heartworm test was negative. He received Rabies and Bordetella vaccinations. Bailey was underweight at 11.8 pounds and was given Flagel for diarrhea. On April 29, 2017, he was treated prophylactically for worms. Bailey was microchipped on May 9, 2017, and tested for parasites (which was negative). Bailey’s diarrhea persisted. Bailey was moved to a home in the Sacramento area on May 15, 2017. He saw the veterinarian on May 17, 2017, for ongoing diarrhea. Another parasite test was done which was also negative. The exam was done and he was put on chicken and rice. He began throwing up along with diarrhea. He returns to the veterinarian on May 19, 2017, and was placed on a special hydrolyzed diet. Bailey was eating ravenously most of his time in rescue. However, diarrhea persisted even with the new diet. The home Bailey was in was unable to keep him so on May 20, 2017, he was moved to a foster-adopt home. Diarrhea persisted. He went to a veterinarian on 5/23/2017. He was removed from Flagel and placed on probiotics and another anti-diarrheal. He was put on a special diet of gastrointestinal food. Bailey returned to the veterinarian for a follow up 5/30/17. He received heartworm and flea medicine. On June 3, 2017, had formed stools for the first time. Baily’s gastro-intestinal problem appears to have finally stabilized. Veterinarian wanted to wait four weeks to neuter to ensure diarrhea was no longer an issue. He was able to be neutered on 6/19/2017. He had an undescended testicle.

Bailey has thrived in his foster-adoptive home. He is a very sweet and loving boy. Gets along well with people and dogs. He was professionally groomed (which was donated) and is a lovely, handsome boy. His adoption is pending on 6/29/2017. Bailey enjoys living on the coast and his daily beach walks.

The support of WestieMed will enable us to help other dogs like Bailey and find them wonderful care forever homes. Thank you for your consideration.

Barbara Mordy

Update January 24, 2018

Bailey was adopted by his foster parents who nursed him through most of his intestinal problems. He’s a very happy boy and is the apple of their eye.

He lives on the coast and takes daily trips to the dog park and to the beach. He gets along well with people and with other dogs.

Bailey continues on a special diet and takes probiotics to help maintain his digestive health. He recently had a short bout of diarrhea again but the Vet was able to quickly manager it.

Here is a photo of Bailey on New Year’s Eve this year.

WRAP and Bailey thank you as do his parents for WestieMed’s help in getting Bailey’s medical issues under control.

Barbara Mordy
Westie Rescue and Placement (WRAP)

Maggie

December 1, 2016December 24, 2020 by westiemed in Stories

Maggie is a six-year-old Westie girl whose family couldn’t take care of her anymore due to a change in life circumstances, in this case, because the grandchildren came to live with them. Maggie had been in this family since age eight weeks. She is a sweet, loving girl and was fine with the children but the owners felt it was better for her to find a new family. Not knowing what to do they gave Maggie to a “friend” to find her a home. The friend was well-meaning but did not have the resources to accomplish this. So for a month, Maggie lived in one home or another (there or four) that didn’t work out. Maggie was understandably upset and not understanding what was happening to her so she had a lot of accidents.

Westie Rescue and Placement of Northern California (WRAP) heard about Maggie’s plight and was finally able to get the release from the owners so they could find Maggie a fur-ever home.

After the owner’s release came in, the person with Maggie told WRAP Maggie had a limp. No one knew how it happens, naturally, but it appeared recent and the doctors agreed. WRAP took Maggie to the doctor right away for treatment and also found a patient understanding foster family. The foster family wants to adopt Maggie when her leg is better.

WRAP took Maggie to a specialist in San Francisco (after trying less invasive treatment) who said she needs surgery to repair the torn Cranial Cruciate ligament in her right rear leg. Maggie has thrived with her foster family and has had very few accidents. She enjoys her two Cairn foster sisters. There is a great yard that Maggie loves to explore and she loves the walks every day even though she has to use the stroller.

Maggie’s prognosis is excellent and thanks to WestieMed she will be getting her surgery sooner than later.

Barbara Mordy

Update July 24, 2017

Since Maggie’s leg surgery in December 2016 Maggie has fully recovered. She was adopted by her foster parents after the doctor gave the all-clear on her leg. That was March 21, 2017. Maggie’s dad says she has thrived and has had no
problems with her leg at all.

She enjoys her daily walks (sometimes up to two miles) and chasing squirrels in the back yard. She is a sweet, loving, and gentle girl who loves people and other dogs. She loves to cuddle with mom and dad on the couch in the evening and watch television.

Her Cairn terrier sisters are much older than she is (by seven and nine years) but there has never been the least problem. She can be stubborn and get a little Westitude on occasion if she doesn’t want to do something but with prodding she will finally agree.

Barbara Mordy
WRAP

Update November 22, 2017

Maggie’s leg surgery was in December 2016. She has fully recovered and been adopted. She loves her yard and chasing squirrels. In the good weather, she spends as much time as she can outside. She continues to enjoy her daily walks to the nearby park and down to the local college.

Maggie is an endearing girl who loves interacting with people and other dogs. She recently attended a Halloween Event with her Carin siblings the rescue hosted. She can be stubborn and get a little westitude on occasion if she doesn’t want to do something, but with a little coaxing, she will finally agree.

Maggie and her family are very grateful she was able to have the surgery which has given her a normal life.

Barbara Mordy
WRAP