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
Hallie Udate: Hallie's doing very well, and her hair is growing in like crazy, as her treatment for demodex continues with medication (I didn't realize how long the treatment has to continue!).
She's been camping with us several times now, and she fits right in! We went camping last weekend at Vogel State Park in Blairsville, GA, and she looked so cute in her little hoodie sitting out by the campfire at night - lol. See photos below.
Yesterday, she was spayed and also had a hernia repair. The vet found a massive hernia - MUCH larger than he expected, so it turned into major surgery. Poor Hallie is miserable and is on a lot of medication for both pain, anti-inflammatory, and to guard against infection. I feel so bad for her; her little moans and cries from time-to-time are pitiful. I'm convinced that she developed the hernia from over breeding at a puppy mill, and she was dumped once she stopped producing, or because of the hernia. :M The good news: she won't ever have to worry about this again! :B
Fortunately, this pain and stress will pass soon enough, and once she heals, she'll be ready for adoption! I can't wait to see what lucky family ends up with this precious girl!
Hallie
Hallie and Maddie
Beautiful Fall Tree in Georgia!
She's been camping with us several times now, and she fits right in! We went camping last weekend at Vogel State Park in Blairsville, GA, and she looked so cute in her little hoodie sitting out by the campfire at night - lol. See photos below.
Yesterday, she was spayed and also had a hernia repair. The vet found a massive hernia - MUCH larger than he expected, so it turned into major surgery. Poor Hallie is miserable and is on a lot of medication for both pain, anti-inflammatory, and to guard against infection. I feel so bad for her; her little moans and cries from time-to-time are pitiful. I'm convinced that she developed the hernia from over breeding at a puppy mill, and she was dumped once she stopped producing, or because of the hernia. :M The good news: she won't ever have to worry about this again! :B
Fortunately, this pain and stress will pass soon enough, and once she heals, she'll be ready for adoption! I can't wait to see what lucky family ends up with this precious girl!
Hallie Hallie and Maddie Beautiful Fall Tree in Georgia!
Thank you everyone for your kind words! Hallie continues to do well, although she went into season today - oh joy... :R She went off her food a little bit yesterday and today, and Maddie was sniffing her up and down, all in her business, and Jackson was very impatient with her; now I know why. She's still a good girl, and she'll be wearing her panties for a couple of weeks - lol! At least now, I know she's definitely NOT pregnant!! :B
She's so darn cute! She's going to eventually make someone a great pet!!
She's so darn cute! She's going to eventually make someone a great pet!!
