Here is my newest foster dog, Hallie. She's believed to be a shih-tsu, or at least a high mix. I was asked to pull her by the rescue I help out last Wednesday, August 19th, from an animal control in a neighboring county. She was absolutely pitiful - the worst shape I've seen in a long while. SHE was listed as a MALE by the shelter - that's how bad her matting was; they couldn't tell (a mammary tumor was mistaken for "boy parts") - so "Harvey" became Hallie! She cried and snapped at people when she moved or was handled, because the mats were so tight and hurt her terribly. The shelter worker carried her out to me wrapped in a towel. She was so nasty, the worker didn't want to touch her. She looked and smelled AWFUL!! I drove the hour home with all of the windows down... :E
Once home, I spent three hours cutting out the mats, shaving her down and giving her a medicated bath. I cut out the mats first, to salvage as much viable hair as possible (takes a lot longer, but it helps speed up the looking normal process). She has demodex mange, but thankfully, it's not contagious. I'm treating her with oral ivermectin, which is already helping after a week. She was also given a steroid shot to help with the itching, which has made her a lot more comfortable. I'll be keeping her longer than normal to take care of her physical issues and spaying before she's ready to adopt out.
Here are two photos of Hallie last Wednesday on her "Freedom Day", then a few photos of Hallie only a week later - amazing, isn't it? This morning, she discovered stuffed squeaky toys and quickly learned to squeak the toy, toss it in the air to play with it, and fetch (bringing it back to me is a work in progress - lol) by watching the other dogs do it for a few minutes - such a smart little girl! She's blossoming into a happy little dog who loves her new life!! :B
This is why I foster!
Hallie 8-19-15
Hallie 8-19-15
Hallie 8-26-15
Hallie 8-26-15
Hallie with Her Squeaky Toy 8-27-15
Once home, I spent three hours cutting out the mats, shaving her down and giving her a medicated bath. I cut out the mats first, to salvage as much viable hair as possible (takes a lot longer, but it helps speed up the looking normal process). She has demodex mange, but thankfully, it's not contagious. I'm treating her with oral ivermectin, which is already helping after a week. She was also given a steroid shot to help with the itching, which has made her a lot more comfortable. I'll be keeping her longer than normal to take care of her physical issues and spaying before she's ready to adopt out.
Here are two photos of Hallie last Wednesday on her "Freedom Day", then a few photos of Hallie only a week later - amazing, isn't it? This morning, she discovered stuffed squeaky toys and quickly learned to squeak the toy, toss it in the air to play with it, and fetch (bringing it back to me is a work in progress - lol) by watching the other dogs do it for a few minutes - such a smart little girl! She's blossoming into a happy little dog who loves her new life!! :B
This is why I foster!
Hallie 8-19-15 Hallie 8-19-15 Hallie 8-26-15 Hallie 8-26-15 Hallie with Her Squeaky Toy 8-27-15
