Our new family member...
I'm new to post but have been following the forums for quite a while now. We have been (sometimes impatiently) watching the rescue sites and everywhere else in a five state area waiting for an OES to show up that we could help. A "free to a good home" ad showed up on Craigslist yesterday, I emailed for pictures and knew I had to go get him. So we drove about an hour and half last night and brought him home. He was in worse condition than the original photos showed and we have an appt with the doctor this afternoon. I am really hoping it's not anything serious and his skin issues minor. (They don't look or smell minor though)  My heart just breaks for him. They called him Tatonka but I'm thinking of something else for him. He hasn't caught glimpse of the rest of the pack yet, everyone is in their own area of the house for now.
Here are some pics if anyone is interested. There are lots of duplicates, it was late and I was tired.  (You can adjust the slideshow speed at the bottom)
http://thebratpack.zenfolio.com/p573029096/?slideshow=1 He has a wonderful personality and seems starved for attention. He had been living in the pen shown in the photos for a couple years I believe. He's not neutered and has a MAJOR humping issue with me that we're working on. I'm hoping his heartworm test today is negative and we'll get the neuter scheduled ASAP. Cross your fingers for a good vet report and that he heals quickly. Any ideas or advice to help him settle in will be great. (I am an OES newbie although my SO isn't) Maryann |
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| Oh Maryanne, that poor boy needs a good vet, a good grooming, and TONS OF LOVE. What a sweetie you are to take him in. Be patient with him, and he will repay your kindness with years of joys. Thank you for giving him a home. |
| Thank you for rescuing this baby. He may take a lot of work, but you will be repaid thousands! Please let us know what the vet says. |
| What a sad, sad boy he is! I hope you get positive news from the vet. You can tell from the pics that he is starved for love and attention. Good luck with him. |
thebratpack wrote: Hi Everyone
A "free to a good home" ad showed up on Craigslist yesterday, I emailed for pictures and knew I had to go get him. So we drove about an hour and half last night and brought him home. He was in worse condition than the original photos showed and we have an appt with the doctor this afternoon. I am really hoping it's not anything serious and his skin issues minor. (They don't look or smell minor though) My heart just breaks for him. They called him Tatonka but I'm thinking of something else for him. He hasn't caught glimpse of the rest of the pack yet, everyone is in their own area of the house for now.Here are some pics if anyone is interested. Terrible! What in gods name were the former owners thinking keeping a dog in that horrible condition. After a good groom, bath, and medication he will feel so much better. Thank you for taking this poor soul in to cure his ails and giving him a good home - like someone said you will be rewarded 1000 times for helping him. Please keep us updated on his condition. This is Sheepie2, can't log in for some reason. |
| He looks like such a happy boy, even with all the maladies he's facing. A shave down is definitely the way to go, along with meds for whatever is ailing him. Also, please have him neutered, especially since you have more in your "pack."
Bless you for taking this neglected boy in. Please keep us updated! |
Drezzie's Mom wrote: Also, please have him neutered, especially since you have more in your "pack."
Believe me, this is the first order as long as he's medically clear to do it now. I cringed when they told me they "didn't have the heart" to neuter him before. |
| MaryAnn....You are an angel for rescueing this poor boy...I can't wait to see pics after about a month...There is a swan lurking in there somewhere, and I know you will find him!!!!
Good luck and please keep on posted on your progress with this sweetie... |
| I think you are wonderful for giving this sheepie the loving home he deserves. I hope all goes well at the vet. Please let us know. |
| Bless. those photos are so awful and then you see this wonderful sheepie face...I am sure he knows he now has a chance of a good life...he looks happy!
Thank you for caring..  |
| Oh, poor little boy! So glad you rescued him... keep us posted with lots of pics showing his progress.
Donna |
He has a stunningly perfect Sheepie nose.  |
| Bless you and your family for the wonderful thing you did by rescuing this boy.
It breaks my heart to see this precious boy in that condition. No matter what lies ahead, be patience and love him dearly. Brenda Dudley and Murphy |
| What a wonderful person you must be! I hope the medical issues are minor and there are many happy years ahead for you. |
| Yes, thank you so much for getting him, now he can live in a wonderful home.
Please make sure your vet does a good test on his skin for parasites before introducing him to the rest of the pack. |
OMG, that poor dog! 
He desperately needs some serious medical care and TLC. Please keep us posted on his status. Hugs and best wishes to this poor boy. Bless your family for taking this poor boy in. |
| Thank you for the well wishes and advice, I really appreciate it. We just got back from the vet.
He tested positive for heartworms which we will need to address immediately. The stray Lab I took in last year went through the process and I just hated it for him.
He also has hookworms and tapeworms for which he was treated. He is infested with fleas so we started on Capstar as well. The hair/skin issue is a flea allergy. The majority of his front teeth are nubs or completely gone from biting, it's very sad to see. I am more concerned about some behavior issues. I can't keep him off of me, he literally does anything he can to crawl up me, on me, etc to hump. I'm covered in scratches and bruises and it takes ALL of my strength to get him off/hold him back. A crate will not fit in my car, on the way home he tried to do this while I was in the front seat. We stopped and secured his leash in the back so he was held in place. WELL...get home and park in the garage, unhook the leash and he refuses to get out. Treats, talking, nothing helps. I reached in to unhook the leash from his collar to see if that would help and he snapped at my hand. At that point Larry just sat outside the car talking softly to him while I went out of sight but nada. He was literally shaking all over. Probably 30 mins later I went and sat down in the front seat, finally getting him to crawl up front and then out of the car. SO my guess is something with being tethered down freaked him out?! He has been fine every other time getting out of the vehicle. I had no idea and felt horrible afterwards. He acted like he was afraid of being beaten to be honest. He is separate from the pack of course and will continue to be so until he's cleared. I feel badly for him being isolated and would like to spend more time with him but unless I'm somewhere he can't reach me in the room I can't sit in there. He doesn't do this hardly at all with Larry and when we talked it over tonight we remembered the man who had him saying that he would listen to Larry more than me. He then proceeded to hit his face when he jumped up so now I'm really wondering what he was subjected to. I'm sorry to vent and ramble on here, I feel over my head I guess. Any advice/ideas would be great. Thank you all... Maryann |
| Oh my you do have your hands full! Let me know if you need any help as I am nearby. |
| You indeed have a difficult case. Don't give up. It took Jack a long time to come around for us. He remains a growly but now just to show displeasure whereas most dogs remain quiet, he has to comment on everything. We didn't understand this at first. So keep an open mind, I hope he'll let you walk him on leash as that's an excellent way for him to recognize you are the leader and lover. Remember calm assertive, respectful.....as well as the babying I know you will give him. |
 Poor guy! Those people should be shot!!! 
They didn't have the heart to neuter him, yet didn't care enough to take care of him. I would report them to Animal Control for cruelty!!! I hope he responds to all the treatments. THANK YOU FOR RESCUING HIM!!! As for grabbing by the collar... I would say that is a No no! It will scare him even more. I know my rescue feels very threatened if grabbed by the collar. If you have the same problem in the car again, pull on the leash, don't go anywhere near the collar as he may snap. I would definitely change his name ASAP. New name for a new life. |
| I really think you should check into reporting these people. |
| Those pics made me cry. I see a very sweet face in there.
Thank you. |
| Welcome to the forum!
This little boy is in a terrible state and I hope that he heals fast. He has a lovely face and will reward your kindness in buckets. I am looking forward to the after photos. Good Luck with him |
Poor baby. He's been kept in awful conditions and treated Lord knows how for years. 
It's going to take him time to realize that his circumstances are better and that people can be trusted and kind. Thank you for taking him in and being patient with him. Bless you & your husband.  |
| you are his hero and mine too |
| Through tears I watched the video.....I can't believe anyone would treat another living being that way. Thank you Maryann and Larry for giving your special boy a new life!
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| This is a clear case of criminal neglect and maybe abuse by the previous owner. You didn't say how old the poor guy is but if his teeth are noticeably worn, I would guess that he is at least middle aged and has been living under those conditions for years.
Heartbreaking. Your efforts to bring him back to health and let him live out his remaining years in some comfort is deeply appreciated by me and the others on this forum. I hope you get through the heartworm treatments as easily as possible and can begin to work on the behavioral issues. You have my vote for OES rescue hero of the year for making this kind of sacrifice. |
| So sad for your new little boy (the photos are sickening), but so happy you rescued him! You and Larry are special people! There is so much information and knowledge from all the members on this site, welcome! Please, keep us posted! |
| Thank you so much for rescuing this sweet little sheepie boy. I am stunded by his condition. As he starts to get better, I am sure you will find a wonderful boy under all of that neglect. As you know, you do have your hands full....those pics of him make me so angry.
He is in a safe place now, and it is time for him to blossom. I agree with Elissa, he needs a new name to start a new life. Best of luck to you....please keep us updated with his progress...you and your hubby are truely angels. |
| I viewed all the photos, they were hard to look at, and I think rescue is an understatement for what you are doing for this dog. You have saved his life.
The previous owners were nothing short of criminal, in how they must have treated this poor dog. It is going to take time but I know with your love care and attention he will bloom into a beautiful friend. Thank you for what you are doing for him. |
| Maryann,
How's your poor guy's recovery coming? What a life-saver you are. Of all the rescued dogs on this forum, your fellow is the one I hope is making a real turn-around for you. Does he have a new name? |
| Hi everyone
I just wanted to post a quick update...his new name is Walter and he seems to like it. (By that I mean he responds at least!)
He has shown aggression a couple times since I posted last but has been doing better these past few days for sure. I emailed the woman who had him to ask if she knew anything about his aggression issues as nothing was ever mentioned to me before. Her response: As far as the aggression, seems that if he is not sure of a situation, you can see it in his face right before he acts out.. Generally he is not aggressive, especially towards his family.. Hopefully that will work itself out the more at ease he is with you guys.. I guess it's a moot point now but I'm really irked she didn't disclose this to me, especially since they knew he would be around children. I'm hoping for the best for him and am trying to be overly-cautious. I did muzzle him for a bath which he did great, he LOVES the bathtub. I haven't gotten to groom him anymore or deal with his nails because he does get so unhappy and unpredictable. I'm not sure how to handle that yet so we still have matting around his ears and such. I'm going to search the Grooming threads to see if I can find advice. He's been off leash with the other dogs a bit last night and did well. I have my fingers crossed. He's a complete goober and loves attention, I've posted his bath pictures and a short video of him on my dog blog if anyone is interested. He's still not looking grand but his skin is SO much better since his arrival. http://fivehappyhounds.blogspot.com/2008/03/bwwaaaahahahaha.html http://fivehappyhounds.blogspot.com/2008/03/further-proof.html Thanks again for all the help and support. This last week was tough but I'm hoping it gets better. |
| walter looks so happy love the bath scene!1 take it slow with him you don't really know what happen to him!! he is one lucky dog to found you |
| I would hazard a quess that Walter (love the name btw) is in a lot of discomfort and has been for awhile.....I know I'm pretty cranky when I don't feel well.
Hopefully has Walter heals, the agression issues will go away.... |
| thank you for rescuing and loving Walter, what a terrible life he must have had. |
| He sure looks a lot better than those first photos and he looks very happy to have found a new home. As far as the aggression goes, he is probably not fully secure in his new surroundings as well as still feeling discomfort form his condition--although looking at that video of him playing on the floor, he seems pretty at ease. You might want to ask your vet about neutering. Once the testosterone wears off, it can help with aggression.
I like the name Walter too. Did you ever figure out how old he is? My guess is 3-4 years old by his flexibility. |
| I just can't get over that air bicycle maneuver!
Kudos to you for helping this guy out. |
rfloch wrote: He sure looks a lot better than those first photos and he looks very happy to have found a new home. As far as the aggression goes, he is probably not fully secure in his new surroundings as well as still feeling discomfort form his condition--although looking at that video of him playing on the floor, he seems pretty at ease. You might want to ask your vet about neutering. Once the testosterone wears off, it can help with aggression.
I like the name Walter too. Did you ever figure out how old he is? My guess is 3-4 years old by his flexibility. He's about 6 if the paperwork she has is to believed. She had the newspaper ad from when she bought him in 2002. I tried to track back to the breeder but have had no luck, she had the paperwork for his parents. Who knows, I'm not believing much of what she's told me really. He's definitely getting neutered, but I also need to address his heartworm issue. I guess the hardest part for me is that he does seem at ease and happy, when he gets grumpy there is little warning and that's what worries me. I'm trying to be super careful with him and watch all signs though. |
| Will you go ahead and have the heartworm treatment done while he seems "healthy"?
Love your blog BTW, it is really great. Not too many people would take on the responsibilities of a heartworm + dog! |
| How is Walter doing? |
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