More Good and Bad News About my Ohio Rescue!
I wanted to get him home as soon as possible to get this looked at, not only because it was causing this sweet dog all this pain, but it was really tough to look at for us. He was an angel for the 4 1/2 hour drive back. He couldn't sit down for longer than a minute at a time because of his swelling so he stood almost the whole way back, happily looking out the window and sticking his head in the front to give us kisses. I couldn't believe how good natured he was. We went home first to let Clyde and Lucy out and brought him in for introductions. He and Lucy got along right away. He creepily looks like her twin brother-- they have identical faces. The only difference is the shape of his ear but I think it's just the haircut. Clyde seemed confused about what another dog was doing in the house. Because of the pain, the new dog, was not interested in the play that Clyde was initiating so Clyde, in his normal fashion, just tried to be more and more obnoxious to get attention from him. The new guy hadn't eaten yet so I made the mistake of feeding him in a similar bowl to Clyde's. Clyde freaked out because he's very food protective. Guess what? So is the new guy, but even more so. He even eats in that protective stance around the bowl. They had a quick "this is mine" fight and then backed off. James's mom called all excited, asking us to bring him over, so we called the vet on the way, who said to bring him in. James's mom loved him immediately and he was great with our 2 year old niece too. James's sister, who's a nurse, took a look at his wound and said it looked like the stitches were actually separating. James's mom looked at him and proclaimed that his name was Buddy after trying out an entire list of names. He answered to Buddy so that one won! So, we packed him into the car again and went to the emergency vet. All 3 of us fell asleep in the waiting room! The vet was really nice-- turned out he lived only a few streets away from James and me. Buddy has a hematoma that is causing his entire empty scrotum to fill with blood and swell. The vet said it happens sometimes to older dogs and should go down on its own in a few days. He gave us antibiotics for him so the wound won't get infected and said to do some hot compresses on the swollen area. Man, the things we do for dogs! So, we took him back to James's mom's house. He paced for about 45 minutes after we left because he couldn't sit down well from the swelling. Finally, he found a way to lie on his back with his legs open and James's mom rolled up a towel to keep his legs from closing on the swollen area. She reported to me this morning that he slept peacefully through the night and he even met the cats this morning. One went nose to nose with him and then just walked away. The other one took a swat and was answered with a bark in the face! James's mom said he woke up with a healthy appetite and he seems to be walking better too. We'll be addressing the heartworm problem next week. I've made one appointment but I also want to make some phone calls and get other opinions. He's got a bit of a cough that could be kennel cough or it coud be related to the heartworms. I'll find out more after he's been to the vet and I'll keep everyone posted. After meeting Buddy and bringing him home, I couldn't ask for a nicer dog. He's just so good-natured and such a sweetie. He reminds me so much of Lucy when I first got her. He so eager to please and he's starving for attention, which he's getting plenty of right now! I'm not at all sorry about making the choise to adopt him despite his problems. We're going to go check on him later this afternoon. James's mom left him alone for a few hours while she went to work with full run of the house. She already seems to trust him-- I hope she's right! Once he gets settled in and healthy, we'll take the dogs over to play since he's only about 10-15 minutes away. Then we'll take lots of pictures! Jill |
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| Whew, what a day. I'm glad Buddy is home and seems comfortable with his new surroundings.
Good thoughts are being sent his way (yours too) towards a healthy recovery from ALL his ailments! Can't wait for pictures. Don't get me started on the conditions you found him in . . . . |
floofdog wrote: Don't get me started on the conditions you found him in . . . .
Me too. Notice how I didn't rant for a few pages about that? I almost flew off the handle when the woman said his wound looked bad. All I said was, "I don't think lying in feces helps." She just seemed clueless so it wasn't going to help. I couldn't even look at the other dogs there. |
Wow.... how awful that he was neglected so badly, but he sounds like an amazing dog, and it sounds like he has found a great new home. I hope he gets well soon!  |
Wow Jill, you and Buddy have been through the mill. You have heart of gold for doing all this  I'm glad the swelling was nothing too serious, he'll be better soon. Clyde was only looking out for himself, that cute little devil  About the heartworm, that's a tough one but I know you'll make an informed decision.
I can't believe he was sweet for all he's been through. Do you think he'll have a forever home with James's Mom? I hope so, then you can see him whenever you want. THREE CHEERS FOR JILL!!!!!  |
| Jill,
Glad to hear that Buddy has a very loving and caring forever home. Looking forward to meeting all of you when we have a get together. Good wishes going your way for a speedy recovery for Buddy. |
What an ordeal! I'm disgusted with the conditions the poor guy was in when you found him.  But what a sheepie angel you are rescuing him!!
Poor fellow, in all that pain, and still with a sweet disposition. I just thank God he's got a new home with James' mom and will be well cared for. Thanks for all you're doing for him and please do keep us posted on his progress.
~Tammy (Beaureguard's Mom) |
| Hi,
It just breaks my heart hearing about Buddy and his previous life and living conditions. It's hard not to feel for those left behind too. Despite that, even with all the invaluable advice all of us get from this forum - The rescue forum is one of the most important, I feel. It's educating all of us responsible pet owners and making us aware of those out there that aren't as lucky. Thanks to this forum and all the wonderful people like you, many are being saved!!! Thanks for sharing Buddy's story with us!!! Poor guy deserves a life of happiness to the end of his days!! Thanks for being so kind hearted and saving him and going through so much to make his life better. You've got your angel wings!!! Sometimes, even if we can save one even at financial expense to ourselves - these guys pay it back tenfold with their love and devotion they show us. I'm absolutely convinced of that!! Rescues once they get over any of their "issues" and not really their fault as they've had the unfortunate circumstance to have suffered at the hands of irresponsible owners, puppy mills or abusive owners. Once they learn to trust us..the bond is so much stronger than any dog you've ever owned. Of course I'm already preaching to the converted so I'll step off my soap box....just letting other readers consider getting a rescue themselves perhaps? Lots of work and although they are extremely grateful to find themselves in a lovinghome - sometimes - months or weeks later will exhibit a behavior that may suprise you. Just be patient as it does go away and shower them with love. Buddy is one of the lucky ones, thanks to Jill!!!! Jill, thanks for posting this wonderful rescue story that has touched us all. Yeah Buddy!!! Yeah Jill!!! Yeah Jame's mom!!! We want pics!!! Marianne and the boys |
| I just got back from visiting Buddy and if it's possible, he looks 100% better than yesterday. His face and tail were still a little matted so James's mom and sister clipped him down. He's so confused by his new hairless tail! He sees it move and he turns around like, "Hey, what's that?" I came in and he was just all about giving kisses. He's such a sweetie.
The swelling is going down from the neutering and some of the places that were black with bruising yesterday are a healthy pink today. My only concern now is the coughing he gets when excited but I think that might go along with the heartworm. Now I just can't wait to get to the vet to get him all the way healthy and get rid of those worms. He's such a great little guy. He deserves a good life! |
| What a great ending to a sad start in life for Buddy!! You and James' mom are indeed angels - thank you!
How did you hear about him? And you said she had OTHER dogs?? Those poor things!! Buddy seems to know when he's found a good home. I'm sure he'll be just fine after all the medicals situations are taken care of. Can't wait to see pics!! Chris |
| YEAH JILL!!!!
and Congratulations to Buddy for getting his forever home! If he had an embedded collar at one point he could have some problems with his esophagus so just make sure that the vet is aware of that piece of his medical history. (Just in case the big ring of scarring wasn't enough!) There are also a couple of other 'simple' reasons that he could be coughing, like tonsillitis. Great Job!!!!! |
| Jill, I am so happy for you..and so glad Buddy is with you...I just can't imagine....................Im sure He is equally as glad to have found you!! |
| Hi Jill .
I always call sheepies "little angels" for the smiles and the happiness that they bring us but I think that we have all just met a 2 legged Angel in you. Glad to hear that you finally got him home. Poor little guy has been through a lot but I think he's found his forever home and with people that care about him. I know what you mean about the kisses, if I don't keep my mouth a safe distance from Dallas when I talked to her, then I get french-kissed!! I'm sure that's his way of expressing his love for you guys and to show how happy he is that you came and got him - wish I could of been there to help out. I think he'll turn out to be a very happy camper .
Again, job well done, my hat goes off to you and hope to see some pics. Uncle Pete |
| Kennel cough is a dry sounding cough. While the cough from heartworms sounds like they are trying to cough something up. If my recollection is correct. Also I think you are supposed to pick up and dispose of the poo. |
Rogers Dad wrote: Kennel cough is a dry sounding cough. While the cough from heartworms sounds like they are trying to cough something up. If my recollection is correct. Also I think you are supposed to pick up and dispose of the poo.
I'm not sure. Clyde had kennel cough and it sounded very similar to this but I notice Buddy's cough worsens when he's excited, very similar to someone with congestive heart failure. The vet said that it isn't passable to other animals through stool but James's mom is picking it up immediately anyway. For anyone who did put their dog through a heartworm treatment, did the cough disappear fairly soon? |
| I am so choked up! I am so happy that Buddy has found you! I am looking forward to seeing the pictures! Shame on that woman for letting the sweet sheepie soul live in those kind of conditions! |
| I have had two dogs that have been through heartworm treatment. Puddy was one of them. He had never developed a cough, as the vet thinks he only had them for a little while when we got him. I want to say that with the Aussie we had treated, that the cough lasted for a week or so after the first portion of the treatment. I don't know what type of treatment the vet will use, but chances are you will have your hands full for a while. We had to keep the Pud Monster from getting overly excited or active for 30 days, until the body had time to absorb the dead worms. Sounds appetizing doesn't it? The challenge is worth the end result when you get to see them once again doing the happy sheepie dance in the yard. If you have any questions, I will be happy to answer them. I'm not a pro, but I have been there.
We wish you the best of luck and send sheepie kisses your way. Oh, and Puddy says thanks for taking Buddy and making him all well again. |
| Thanks for the info Betsy. Supposedly, Buddy is only in the early stages too so I'm hoping it'll be easier on him. He'll have much better time keeping calm over at James's mom's house than he ever would with me. Clyde would see to that! |
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