Happy 2011 and Just One More Thing...Or Maybe Two...
Jamie Sprague
Warning: We’re about to launch into a donation/foster plea, BUT BUT BUT…before we do, we are looking to build a fundraising/planning committee who’ll help with more fun events – like the happy hour – as a means to address ‘surprise’ expenses. We’d love the help, so please let us know if you’re interested.
T
And so, on with the plea...
Some of you may have seen the e-mail from Douglas Co for five seniors who found themselves on ‘deathrow’ the week of Christmas. The 10+ y/o Jack could have been a twin to my 13 y/o (see attached). My heart just wouldn’t listen to my head (per usual) and I sprung her on Christmas Eve – hence her name, Evie. Thankfully, four others came to the rescue of her co-elders – and, all were safe by the new year!
A TN rescue agreed to take Evie after the holidays, so easy-peasy right? She spends a few days in my spare room and then hops on a doggie transport. Not so much. Poor little Evie had kennel cough symptoms shortly after arrival. We went straight to the vet where we learned she had mammary tumors, heartworm disease and a mouth full of bad teeth – on top of the kennel cough. Her poor little body was so stretched out in all directions – presumably from multiple litters – that we also had a reasonable concern for Pyometra, an infectious disease in the uterus of unspayed females. We started by treating for kennel cough.
Even on meds, her illness escalated into a return vet visit for x-rays and a diagnosis of pneumonia. So, home we went with IV fluids and stronger meds. I really thought we’d lose this little lady over New Years – she wasn’t eating (refused chicken, turkey, baby food, canned foods, cheese, peanut butter, pumpkin, etc.), she spit out her pills so many times I had to force them down, and she did nothing more than sleep under a blanket, only rousing to dutifully pee each time I set her down in the grass.
Needless to say, I was thrilled on Sunday to see her eat and actually vocally protest when I put her back in little crate. She showed more signs of wellness while outside – tail-wagging, rolling in the leaves, and running. There is no greater reward than to see life return to a little body so worn down by the cruelness of humans and to optimistically hope she might land a better life – even if only for a few years.
But alas, with two holiday vet visits, Evie’s bills have quickly mounted. We would love to be able to cover these preliminary expenses to get her well – especially, given that her receiving rescuers face extended treatment for heartworm, mammary tumor removal, dental care and immediate spay (to eliminate risk of Pyometra).
If you find yourself in possession of a few extra dollars, we’d be so very appreciative if you’d direct them toward Evie – by PayPal to don...@doggieharmony.org or mail to P.O. Box 191362, Atlanta, GA 31119. Any excess will be directed to her future vet needs. Sadly, out-of-state rescues often step up to Georgia’s aid, as we ‘locals’ struggle to find just one more spot for one of our abandoned (unfixed and usually HW+) animals, so we try to provide as much gratitude and support as possible.
Secondarily, if anyone could provide a short-term foster home to Evie, it would enable us to arrange a free-spay through Village Vets’ Rescue Relief program. So, why can’t I just keep her a couple more weeks? Well, now that she’s feeling spunkier, she’s shown a defense mechanism of charging other dogs if they get too close to her. I have four dogs at my house – three are fear-aggressive – so I’m walking on eggshells in fear that one clever dog will figure out a way to get to her (or vice versa). She eventually relaxes with other dogs that are non-reactive, but I’m only blessed with a couple of those. The alternative is for me to drive her to TN this weekend to her rescue group.
Thanks, as always for your support – we couldn’t do it without you!
Jamie & Liz
Doggie Harmony