The Fourth Dog of Christmas: Kendrick
Kendrick is a happily-ever-after in the making, and who doesn’t need some good news on Christmas?
This is Kendrick before:
This is Kendrick today:
Kendrick came out of a horrific hoarding case in Appalachian Kentucky and he still has a way to go, but he is nearly there. He has a spring in his step and he loves his foster family. He is ready for a forever home, but he needs one that will be patient with him and help him feel safe and sound. He will never be a life of the party dog, but he will be a loyal and wonderful pet. A special shout out is due to his amazing foster family and especially his Mom, Karen Disney. Karen quietly paid for his eye surgeries without even letting on. We are grateful for her and happy that Kendrick has had such an awesome home. Karen, you rock! Anyone interested in adopting this boy can email katia@bigfluffydogs.com.
The third dog of Christmas: William
William came to us on Saturday, December 15. He wandered up to a trailer in very rural Tennessee. He was emaciated, bleeding and as you can see, a complete wreck. The homeowner called a bunny rescue who called us (*thanks Laurie). We took him in immediately. William weighs 40 pounds and at 8 months old, should weigh 20-30 pounds more, but his growth has been stunted by malnutrition. William needs a foster and sponsors for his care as he is what we call a project dog. This dog is currently in Nashville and he needs a foster home to help him get healthy. He is very friendly and even in this condition wants to give you kisses. If you can foster William, please email erin@bigfluffydogs.com. If you would like to help sponsor his care, you can donate here: http://bigfluffydogs.com/pay-online.php. William says Merry Christmas and peace out.
The Twelve Dogs of Christmas: Amadeus the poodle Great Pyrenees, the first day dog in need
This is Amadeus. At one year old, he is a beautiful, sweet and frankly dorky boy. He loves cats, other dogs and he likes to tip his food bowl sideways so he can eat off the floor. He is a wonderful dog. Who could possibly want to hurt him? Good question (and in a less than holiday spirit we would like to introduce them to the business end of a baseball bat), but someone shot this poor boy in the shoulder with a rifle some time ago and his shoulder is shattered. The orthopedic surgeons said it cannot be fixed. This coming Wednesday before Christmas, Amadeus is going to become a tripod dog. Not much of a gift, but we want him to be pain free and he is suffering at the moment. If you would like to sponsor this first day of Christmas Dog, you can donate here: http://bigfluffydogs.com/pay-online.php. Thank you as always and Amadeus says Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and peace on Earth to men AND dogs.
Who wants to name our newest Big Fluffies?
We must warn you!
The puppies pictured below can cause signs of cuteness overload illness. Here are some of the signs: You might gasp, you might scream, you will most certainly say “Aaaawwww…”. Your heart might even melt with this much fluffy goodness.
Meet our newest baby Big Fluffies. These 6 sisters are five weeks old and are Great Pyrenees/Border Collie mixes and these little ladies need names.
If you want to be part of the fun, make a 5$ donation to Big Fluffy Dog Rescue.
www.bigfluffydogs.com/pay-online.php
In space where you can fill in the company, write down the puppy name and number. A five dollar donation allows you to submit ONE name for ONE puppy. If you make a $20 donation, you can submit names for all six of them. On Sunday evening we will have a random drawing of submitted names and let you all know the winners. If you are having trouble submitting all 6 names on the company line, you can email Jessica@bigfluffydogs.com once your donation is made.
Proceeds from this contest will go toward the puppies vet care.
If you have questions on the contest, email Elizabeth@bigfluffydogs.com
Elegy for Margot
Au Revoir, Margot
Margot came to us earlier this year as one of four siblings who had been badly neglected when her owner died. She was a sweet, white woolly mammoth who was unsure of wooden floors and occasionally wondered if the other dogs were out to get her. Several of us had our hands on this girl and with each placement, she got better and in the end, she had acclimated to life with people and she was a very, very good girl.
Margot went to a foster to adopt home this week with people who loved her. We all expected a happy ending. Those of us that saw her on arrival rejoiced that she had finally found her forever home. It was not to be. Margot slipped her family in an unforeseeable escape and was hit by a car this afternoon. Her spinal cord was severed in the impact and there was nothing we could do to save her. Margot left this world with her people by her side. They are devastated as are we.
I am routinely reminded that life is unfair and it is a particularly bitter pill to swallow that Margot got only the briefest glimpse of her forever home before she left us. I suppose I should be happy she had at least that, but I confess I am not. Margot endured sheer deprivation before she came to us and it is unforgivable that she or any animal for that matter should ever suffer as she did. I want the world to know that Margot mattered and that her life was worth something. There are literally tens of thousands of Margots out there and they all deserve to be loved and valued. If you would like to honor Margot, then step up and do something. Notice when a dog is sitting chained to a tree without food or shelter and do something about it. Don’t just call – raise hell until you get some help. Volunteer at a shelter and note that the dogs there are on death row staring at you with haunted eyes. Donate to a rescue to help them get dogs to safety and put an end to their anonymous suffering. Lobby for mandatory spay and neuter laws to put an end to the ceaseless misery of unwanted dogs who just want a chance and yet they die alone. Just do something. It matters in the end to the dog you help. It surely mattered to Margot, as she mattered to me.
Sleep well, Margot. You were loved and you have earned your peace.
In memoriam: Maggie, 2006-2012
Maggie came to us early this summer as a rescue from a broken home. She was not well-cared for and arrived nearly bald with a severe skin infection and absolutely miserable from scratching. Months of care later, she was a happy and well-loved dog, although health issues continued to plague her. Thursday evening, Maggie was found under her foster Mom’s dining table unable to walk and suffering from a seizure. Her foster sister Violet was anxiously keeping watch over her. She was rushed to a hospital where they attempted to save her. However, Maggie suffered another catastrophic seizure yesterday morning and lapsed into a coma. Last night, she continued to decline and she never regained consciousness. The decision was made to let her go as the prognosis was grim.
Maggie was only with us for five months of her six years of life. Those five months were filled with treats, petting and love and she was treated during that time as a part of a family which is all any dog wants. Maggie was a sweet and gentle soul whose passing will be mourned by those who knew and loved her. We thank Keri her foster Mom for providing such a wonderful home and Anna as well who had her for some time before she came to New England. The two of you made her time with us wonderful and she knew she was loved.
We’ll see you on the other side, Maggie.
Godspeed Maggie
Petunia needs a foster or forever home
Petunia the Great Pyrenees is looking for a special foster or forever home.
Petunia’s “before” pic
Petunia came to BFDR in rough shape after spending her entire life in a kennel. She is a sweet and wonderful girl, who is a taking a little while to acclimate to life in a home. She will take a little while to warm up in the house and will bark if she is nervous.
Petunia needs a person who can be patient while she settles in. She needs someone who is both confident and kind. Petunia has fabulous manners, loves children, gets along great with dogs, and is fine with cats. She has a great time at the dog park, and enjoys going for walks. Petunia is now searching for that special family who will teach her that she is now safe.
Petunia is a sweet and gentle soul who is very much worth, any effort you have to put in. If you think you might be the special person she has been waiting for, email Elizabeth@bigfluffydogs.com today.
Who would have guessed this pretty girl was so white!!
BFDR offer you can’t beat: buy a pound of puppy flesh and help save a puppy
This is Landon.
Landon, the adorable
Landon is a 6 month old Great Pyrenees puppy. All was well with him save for a case of demodectic mange which he has kicked until he started limping. Trips to the vet and then the orthopedic vet followed. It was finally determined that Landon’s limp was nothing to worry about. Fortunately (or depending on how you look at it, unfortunately), all those orthopedic visits and x-rays revealed a hidden case of OCD (osteochondrosis dissecans not obsessive compulsive disorder) in both shoulders which we never would have known about but for the extensive x-rays taken of all his joints. Although this is causing him no problems now, it will and it must be repaired as a puppy or he will suffer as an adult. This means two surgeries several weeks apart to repair his shoulders one at a time. Each shoulder will cost $1200 which is a deal (trust us on this – this is an expensive surgery and the ortho guy is being merciful).
To be able to afford this, we are starting the “A Pound of Flesh for Landon” fund. You too can give a pound of flesh to save a puppy. Landon weighs 55 pounds. His surgery is $1200. Dividing the cost of surgery by his weight gives you the price per pound. This means we need 55 donors to donate $22 each to fix this puppy for part 1 of the process. Basically, when all is said and done, Landon will have cost rescue about $50 a pound once we get the second shoulder done. He says he is worth it
If you would like to donate $22 to buy a pound of Landon, you can do so here: http://bigfluffydogs.com/pay-online.php. Just remember that if donating by credit card, put the word “Landon” in the line for company name, or if by paypal, leave us a message to seller that says “Landon”.
Landon thanks you and will keep you updated with a nifty chart showing how much of his flesh has been paid for.
How Transport Really Works
Many people wonder how dogs make it to New England or from New England to other places. Transport is the answer. We use a commercially-licensed, USDA-licensed transport company to transport our dogs around. Here’s how it works.
1. The dog arrives from a shelter into a foster home. We vet the dog, we work with the dog, we take pictures of the dog and then we decide where it is going to go, either local or to parts far away. If the dog is going somewhere else, we make a reservation and we take the dog to the vet yet again for another check up and a health certificate to travel. Transport is paid and we very rarely do volunteer transports. Every dog on transport is already spayed and neutered, must have all of its shots and must be certified healthy to travel by a veterinarian. If a dog arrives and is not healthy to travel, the transporters will not allow the dog to travel.
2. Fridays are transport days. The dogs all meet in one place to get on the transport to go north.
Troy with Lucy, Erin with Millie and Eli with his ever-present leash at transport.
The day of transport is generally madness on the Southern end of things. Each dog has to have a packet. The packet contains all the dog’s vet records, tags, information, and other things like Advantage Multi and collars. It takes a very long time to get 20 packets put together. Eli, pictured above, generally gets the dogs in the van to transport as it is very hard on a work day to get volunteers to be able to meet at 2 p.m. His day starts around 7 a.m. and goes until it is all done. Erin can be counted on to bring a couple of dogs, and other volunteers like Kelly, Ginger and Tom are frequent visitors.
We may send as many as 20 dogs to various places every week, so it is a complicated schedule. Dogs have to have records completed, vet appointments and grooming appointments made, and things get checked and double-checked. Did Lucy have a microchip done? Does Mason need a canine influenza booster? All these things have to be checked for every single dog. The spreadsheets that track who is going where and what is left to be done are mind-boggling. Plans have to be made to pick up dogs from fosters who work and we have a lot of help from people and some awesome kennels (Thank you Dogtopia and Robin’s Nest) who help us stash dogs in one place for transport. Traffic and weather are always a complication and we have to pay attention to weather events 1000 miles away. Who remembers the October blizzard last year? We certainly do.
We start’em young here at Big Fluffy Dog Rescue.
The actual drop-off is a well-orchestrated dash. Other rescues are arriving with their dogs and everyone is busy loading dogs, walking dogs, giving dogs potty breaks, water for dogs, petting dogs and carrying dogs and trying not to forget toys, packets and last-minute instructions. All the while trying not to cry. We have had these dogs, cared for them and loved them and now they are leaving us to go to new homes in far-off places.
Lucy, getting on transport and waiting her turn.
The actual transport is a converted thoroughbred horse trailer that is heated and cooled, clean and safe with appropriately-sized crates for all the dogs. Each dog gets watered immediately, and they are checked constantly on the road. Dogs get walked at various points along the route which is why a 1000 mile drive takes 22 hours. Each dog’s packet is marked with the crate number to prevent confusion later.
Lucy, making the long walk to the giant crates for her trip to New England.
By Saturday morning, the first dogs are dropped off and volunteers and on some occasions, adopters, are there to see the dogs come off the transport truck. All of us on the Southern end live for the smiles on the other end. It makes what we do worth all the trouble. And you can trust us, it is trouble. Nothing worthwhile in life ever came without some headache attached to it. By Saturday evening, everyone is home. What the New England folks do is just as much work and involves finding foster homes, ensuring someone is there to meet every dog, and handling the inevitable travel disasters that occur.
All told, every week, to move just twenty dogs from one place to another requires the combined labor of 20 people and 200 hours. That’s a lot of love and labor from a lot of volunteers, all for dogs who need a home.
Lonely Hearts Club: Fergie
Fergie is VERY lonely. She has been in boarding all summer waiting for someone to foster or adopt her.
Fergie is a 2 year old Great Pyrenees/ Brittany Spaniel mix. She is a little plump at 60 lbs, and would love a family who would take her on walks and hikes to regain her girlish figure. Fergie is a sweet girl who loves to lean on you while you pet her. She is wonderful with children and dogs. She ended up in boarding for the crime of kitty chasing, so a home with no cats is a must. The staff that takes care of her call her “The princess” and thinks Fergie would love a home with a little girl to love her.
Fergie is ready to experience all a New England Autumn has to offer with you. She wants to see the foliage, and snuggle on cool nights. Please BFDR fans, lets get Fergie into a home of her own and out of the Lonely Hearts Club.
If you can foster or adopt Fergie, email Elizabeth@bigfluffydogs.com
In Memoriam: Hercules
It is a dark day for us at Big Fluffy Dog Rescue. Hercules is one of three puppies we rescued six weeks ago from a farm in Alabama. One of his brothers died shortly after we got them from a horrific case of pneumonia. Hercules and his brother Apollo were hospitalized for a week and Hercules has been in and out of the hospital for several weeks since then. While Apollo appears to be recovering, Hercules continued to decline and wasted away in front of our eyes. Despite giving this puppy every thing we could and a vet who did every thing and then some, Hercules lost his battle this afternoon. We thank Dr. Herd for her efforts and Ginger for caring for him over the last several weeks. There are no words for the loss of one this young and especially after so much effort for him and by him. This puppy tried his hardest to get well and just could not. It is particularly bitter that this puppy’s life would have been entirely different if his original owners had bothered to provide basic care for him. And so it is that rescue is left to pick up the messes left by the thoughtless people who fail to care for their own creations. So much needless suffering reflected back at us from the deep, solemn eyes of a bewildered puppy hooked up to machines to try to save him. We’ll see you on the other side, Hercules. God speed.
April 15, 2012 – August 30, 2012
Lonely Hearts Club
We promise each and every dog that comes to rescue that we will find them a family to love them. Some lucky dogs find their home immediately, but there are others who sadly don’t even have a foster home. With no one willing to foster, the only alternative is boarding. We have some very special dogs in boarding who are wasting away here in New England.
Lilah Kate is lonely in boarding and wants a home of her own.
Many of these dogs are there because they need to be the only dog in the home. We don’t think this makes them any less lovable, or deserving of a family. These lonely hearts need your help.
Lilah Kate is a lovely 2 year old Lab/Great Pyrenees mix. She is sweet, loving, and has wonderful house manners. Since she can be picky about her canine companions we think she would be happiest as an only dog. Poor Lilah Kate has been in boarding now for 6 weeks!! Six weeks of loneliness, and we think that is enough. Lilah Kate NEEDS someone to get her out of there. This is a spectacular dog for an adult home who wants a dog to snuggle with them and go for walks and adventures.
If you can foster or adopt Lilah Kate, email Elizabeth@bigfluffydogs.com. Lilah Kate is waiting!!
Update on Lionel, our tripawd Pyr
For our fans who have asked how our young three-legged wonder is doing, here is his report from his foster Mom Sheila, who is by the way, totally awesome. A huge thank you Sheila from all 20,000 of us!
Lionel, looking good!
August 8-12th, 2012
I met my foster mom and dad today. One of the first things foster mom told me was “It’s better to hop on three legs than to limp on four.” She said some of her friends had come up with that. And she called me a tripawd. I liked the way that sounded!
I’m Lionel from Big Fluffy Dog Rescue. They saved my life and took care of me for a few weeks. I came to stay with my foster family on Wednesday, August 8th after having amputation surgery on August 7th. My left leg & hip were shattered when I was hit by a car and my rescue group and vet decided it would be in my best interest to spare me possible repeated surgeries attempting to repair the hip by amputating the leg. Amputation is a major surgery, but I feel so much better now— the pain of a shattered hip is gone, and I’m able to balance better with the leg out of my way. Dogs don’t worry about 4 or 3 legs like humans do. We’re just happy to be alive and loved.
My foster mom was so happy when I arrived bright-eyed, alert and very mobile for 24 hours post-surgery. I have no problem with the 3 steps off of her porch, but I do not like the hardwood floors inside. They are scary. But I figured it out—I can jump from rug to rug to avoid the slick floor. A friend of my foster mom’s who has a tripawd has said that her pyr eventually learned how to safely navigate slick surfaces. Until that happens area rugs or pet-specific gripper socks can be used to prevent falls and further injuries.
My foster family is cool. They treat me just like a dog. They do not pity me, nor do they allow anyone else to. They understand that yes, a bad thing happened to me, but I will be just fine. They are being careful that I do not fall or over do it, but the only “babying” that is going on is me getting petted all the time!
It’s important that my forever family be confident in my ability to live life as a “normal” dog.
I spent the first day and evening quietly in my crate, which I enjoy, or resting on the living room rug. I kept my walks to just the front yard for potty breaks, which were normal. I did whine just a little off and on, but I settled down quickly each time. Foster mom said it was important to take it easy, rest and she made sure I had my medicine when I needed it. I slept through the night like I usually do. The first night was so much fun—foster dad “camped” in the living room with me. He & foster mom did not want me to be alone. That was fun! He still sleeps with me in the living room just in case I need him at night.
Foster mom says I’m being a very good boy. I love my crate and after we go for walkies, I always lie down to rest in my crate. I’m housebroken, too.
I am on 100mg of Tramadol every 8 hours for pain for the next 7 days. Foster mom keeps the dosage very consistent, but I do not appear to be in any pain and the whining from the first day has stopped. Foster mom has not seen any signs of phantom pain or symptoms.
Foster mom & dad are feeding me well. She says I should gain about 10 pounds and gain some muscle. I am eating 2 cups of Purina One Salmon Kibble twice a day and she is giving me 1 can of tuna fish with my kibble for breakfast. She is concerned that the Tramadol is affecting my appetite. She is also starting me on 1500mg of glucosamine and 1000mg of salmon oil every night at dinner. It’s to help my joints, especially now that they have a bigger job to do. The salmon oil is for my skin and coat. It will help my incision heal quicker and all the Omega 3/6 are so good for me.
I do seem to have a possible grass or seasonal allergy. While on walks I love to sniff the grass maybe too much and I begin to reverse sneeze, sneeze and shake my head. Benadryl may be enough to manage the allergy, but foster mom wants to start slowly so we don’t impact the pain medication. Once I’m off of it I can take a larger dose.
I went to work with my foster dad on my second day post surgery. It gives my foster brothers time to spend with foster mom. I was able to maintain my balance in the back of the Envoy with ease—it’s a lot like surfing! And I can jump into my foster dad’s truck easily. On my second day I was able to walk around a small block and then later that evening I walked/jogged about ¼ mile with foster dad. I have great balance and mobility for a recent tripawd. My gait is very natural and strong, even when running.
I enjoy several short walks daily. I’m up to about ¾ of a mile daily (5 days post surgery)! I do have a little bit of a pull on walks. I walk on both sides of the leash holder. Foster mom is starting to work with me teaching me to walk on the left side & not pull (although I think she is secretly pleased that I am that strong!). With a proper exercise plan and core strengthening with balance ball work, I will have no trouble with endurance.
I am very quiet. So far no barking, but I am a pyr so that behavior may present itself once I feel better. I have seen my 2 foster cats through the baby gate and they seem cool – 1 is even a tripawd like me! Foster mom says that I can meet them this week, but I have to wear my leash. I’m going to go for a walk with my foster brother, Zeus, too. He seems nice and friendly. Foster mom says I have to wear my leash then, too.
Foster mom knows that I may decide that I don’t like cats and other dogs, but she wants me to try to be friendly. She says friends can be fun. I may decide that I want to live in a “one dog” family, but I can learn to be polite when I see other dogs in public.
I’m learning what a clicker is. I get hot dogs if I do what foster mom asks me to do. She says she insists that my forever family continue positive reinforcement training. I agree. I listen very well and I understand well, too. If someone was mean or forceful, I would not like that much and I would be afraid. I’m smart and eager to please!
I love attention! I do not mind strangers and children meeting me and petting me. I do prefer to be petted instead of not when people are with me. I do not exhibit the famous “paw pat” of most pyrs, but I will nudge your hand or arm, at times quiet determinedly, for attention! Don’t tell anyone, but I also enjoy a good ear rub!
I have a short coat without the thick undercoat that pyrs are famous for, but I do shed just as much as my furrier friends. A furminator and sturdy vacuum will be required for my forever home! I had a lot of fleas at some point (foster mom put Frontline on me Thursday) because foster mom says I have flea dirt on me. She is doing her best to brush it all off. Since I can’t have a bath until my incision heals completely. I even got furminated yesterday—that felt good!
My incision is healing right on schedule too and once my fur grows back I’ll be even more handsome!
I think I would do best in a home with older children who can handle my size and understand what being a tripawd pet means. I am happy lounging while you watch TV, but with proper training I could enjoy hikes and maybe even runs. I am a sweet boy with lots of love to give.
I should have no problems navigating life as a tripawd. Since I am a pyr mix and pyrs bark, I would not like an apartment. I will also need a securely fenced yard. I will love my forever family with all my heart. I will protect them, snuggle with them and play with them, well, forever. I can’t wait to meet them!
For more information on tripawd health, nutrition and gear visit the awesome site Tripawds.com.
Woofs & Licks!
Lionel
Annabelle and Corduroy need a home together
Annabelle and Corduroy need each other.
Corduroy came into rescue as a young dog. He was around a year old and was found duct taped to a tree; starved and skinny. Annabelle was a shy scared girl who found herself in the care of BFDR after being saved from an abusive neglectful situation. Both of them hit the jackpot when they were adopted together by a family in New England together.
Corduroy learned to trust people with the help of Annabelles loving nature, and Annabelle could finally feel safe with Corduroy around. A bond grew between them that is clear to everyone that meets them. For many years Annabelle and Corduroy were happy in their home. They were well loved, cherished pets.
We wish we could say that was the end of the story, but it’s not. Due to a serious illness in their family, Annabelle and Corduroy had to be given up. This was not a decision taken lightly and the family who loved them for all those years didn’t want Annabelle and Corduroy to sit home alone day after day while their family spent increasing amounts of time in the hospital.
These two wonderful companions are now looking for their forever home together. They are low key, sweet and affectionate dogs and we promised their them we would keep them together. The need eachother, and they now need you. If anyone is looking to add two perfectly mannered dogs to their home, email Elizabeth@bigfluffydogs.com
Corduroy is a big boy and wants to stay with his sweet lady Annabelle.
Ridiculous cuteness: Freckles the setter/Great Pyrenees mix
This is Freckles, a 12 week old English setter/Great Pyrenees mix puppy. As you can see, he is hoping to camouflage himself by the tree to avoid having to come inside. He is adoptable and he is headed to New England. Anyone interested can email elizabeth@bigfluffydogs.com.
I don’t think this hiding place is working out.
In memoriam: Ranger
Ranger, 2002-2012
Ranger came to us from North Carolina in February of this year. He had lived his entire life on a chain behind an auto repair shop in Charlotte when a very nice lady decided it was time to rescue him from a life without people and managed to talk his owners into letting him go. Ranger was taken to a vet where he was diagnosed with heartworms and a condition the vet thought might be self-mutilation brought on by boredom. Ranger had chewed his legs literally to the bone. After several weeks of IV therapy, steroids and antibiotics, Ranger was on his way to a better life. Sadly, by April of this year, Ranger had deteriorated and it was discovered that he was suffering from a very painful and damaging autoimmune disease that caused him to bite himself to alleviate the pain. Ranger had a really good six weeks with us before the medications stopped functioning and his quality of life began to deteriorate. Ranger could not have had a better foster Mom than he did and Linda and her family gave him everything they had to make him comfortable and happy and for that, we owe her and her family a deep debt. (We also need to thank Warren and his family for their care of him as they, too, cared for Ranger for several weeks before he went to Linda.) As Ranger continued to decline, the decision was made that it was time to let him go. In rescue, the hardest thing to do is say ‘enough’ and let the dog go because it is not in our nature to give up on a dog. We always want to do one more thing to try to make it work, but every dog is only on loan to us and we have to return them when their time is at an end, no matter how much pain this causes us. Ranger went to the Rainbow Bridge on Wednesday and he had his foster family with him as he left this world. Ranger was loved and his life had worth and that is all we could hope for. If there is a dog heaven, we know he has heaved his 120 pound bulk on a sofa with a big, fat bone to chew on while he waits for someone to pet his head. We’ll see you on the other side, Ranger.
Ranger in happier days
Beckham has the luck of the Cherokee
This is Beckham, who found his home on Saturday with a wonderful family.
Beckham contemplating the meaning of life. Or maybe just chewing on a nylabone.
If it weren’t for bad luck, he’d have no luck at all, because within 24 hours of going home, Beckham found himself unable to pee and at the puppy ER. The nice vets determined that Beckham was suffering from bladder stones which blocked the urethra. In short, this poor boy has stones big enough to keep him from peeing. This is a bad thing.
Beckham is slated for surgery tomorrow morning. Because we as a rescue do not suck, we are absorbing the cost of this as we would have if he was still one of ours. It’s not fair to hand over a dog and 24 hours later have to handle a major surgery before there is time for the insurance to kick in. We expect a total bill in the $1600 range which is fiscally painful in light of Roxy’s continuing saga.
We are fundraising to keep us in the black so we can pay bills and rescue dogs. If you would like to donate, you can do so by paypal or credit card here: http://bigfluffydogs.com/pay-online.php (just be sure to note in the company name line it’s for Beckham or in the notes if using paypal so we can thank you properly).
As always, we thank everyone for their kindness for all our dogs.
Aiden 0, Car 1
Meet Aiden.
Aiden is heading to surgery
Aiden is a six month old male Great Pyrenees who was found lying behind a liquor store in a small town in Tennessee, injured and dazed. Aiden was matted to the skin, emaciated, crawling with ticks and unable to stand. This is a town without an animal control facility (the sheriff just shoots them if he has to), and fortunately, a Good Samaritan was able to reach us and we found a vet to get him into immediately.
Aiden’s x-rays don’t look so good:
Aiden has a fractured pelvis and has to have surgery to make him well. Currently, he is underweight at 50 pounds and cannot stand on his own. He is in a tremendous amount of pain and the surgery will help heal the break. The estimate for his care is around $1200 which is a deal. We are fundraising to cover this so we don’t have to pass up other dogs because we blew our budget with this sweet boy. If you would like to donate, you can do so here:
http://bigfluffydogs.com/pay-online.php
For credit card, just type the name “Aiden” in the company name line so we know it’s for him and if by paypal, just write us a note in the comments box that says “Aiden”. We as always appreciate everyone’s generosity.
Aiden is also going to need a foster in the Nashville TN area for follow-up care. He will have to have cage rest and medicine for a few weeks and we need a foster home without more than a stair or two where he can stay. He is otherwise quite healthy and very sweet. If you can help foster him, please email leslie@bigfluffydogs.com.
Norman and Red: looking for love after a lifetime of neglect
Some of you may remember hearing about Norman, the four-year-old Great Pyrenees whose ______________ (select your own adjective here) owner abandoned him on a farm when she moved to the city. Eighteen months later, she decided maybe she might see if someone wanted him and also, as an afterthought, his friend Red, a five-year-old lab mix had to go, too. For the entirety of their lives with this owner, these dogs got no vet care. Their owner is not hurting for cash and her yippy little dog had all the care you can imagine, but as she told us, she “could not care less about these dogs” and she “wanted them gone.” I will confess I was nearly speechless and I asked her to clarify why exactly she left them after she moved away. She informed me she had someone feeding them, but they weren’t her problem. After some choice words with her, Norman and Red came to us.
I met Norman and Red on a Friday afternoon in a parking lot. On arrival, Norman was a little shy and blinking in the bright sunlight, but he was very happy to see people. Sadly, he was limping very badly and his feet were splayed out oddly as the result of seriously ingrown and infected toe nails:
This is what Norman's feet looked like on arrival.
Overall, Norman, was in rough shape, but sweet and ready to be loved. Of course, he was covered with ticks, fleas and a million parasites as he had zero vet care in his entire four years of life.
Smiling even though his life was pretty sucky before
His friend Red was in better condition on first blush, but he needed significant dental work, too, as his lack of care resulted in major damage to his teeth.
Of course, neither Norman nor Red were neutered and they hadn’t had a shot in their life and certainly nothing like Frontline or Heartgard. As a result, both dogs now have to undergo heartworm treatment.
Guess you can see why he got the very original name "Red".
Despite having been left to fend for themselves for 18 months, and who knows how little attention they got before that, these boys are absolutely wonderful dogs. They are sweet, friendly with everyone and everything, and they are rapidly learning that not everyone sucks. They love toys, treats, petting, napping in air conditioning and being called “good boys”.
What they need now is a foster home where they can recover, be smothered with love and get perfectly healthy. These dogs have had the crappiest four years ever and we want to make it up to them. If you can foster one or both of these boys, please email elizabeth@bigfluffydogs.com. They are in Connecticut and they are wonderful, sweet dogs. Please spread the word. We want the very best for these boys.
And for the former owner of these dogs, if you are reading this, I seriously hope you pray for forgiveness for what you have done. These dogs needed you and you abandoned them. Eventually, you reap what you sow. I can’t say you don’t have it coming.
A farewell to Katie: 2005-2012
Katie, 2005-2012.
Katie came to me in the winter of 2007 as a foster in dire need of care and attention. Initially, all I knew was that Katie was alleged to be a three-year-old Great Pyrenees and that she had been taken out of an Amish puppy mill where she had been bred repeatedly. On arrival, her appearance was nothing short of shocking and this sad waif of a dog weighed a shocking 52 pounds. She was afraid of everyone and she wanted nothing to do with people who had caused her nothing but misery over the years of her life. Of course, Katie immediately wormed her way into my heart and I knew we were in serious trouble when my husband began singing songs to her. With time and care, this shell-shocked dog became a beauty and her quirky, kind disposition charmed everyone who met her. By June of 2008, Katie was a different dog and she was clearly ready to go to a home all her own. With those many months of care and love, not just any home would do for Katie and to say that I was selective does not do justice to the rigors of my placement search for her perfect home. Eventually, a very wonderful adopter named Ellen Fedor proved too wonderful a home to pass up and with much sadness, I sent Katie to her new life. I checked in on Katie now and then and I loved the updates I got of Katie bouncing in the snow, or walking around the lake or lounging in the grass. Pictures of fosters who suffered all manners of horrors in new happy homes make all the suffering fosters parents endure with their foster dogs worthwhile. We do this for the dogs, pure and simple.
Last week, I received the call I always dread. Katie had metastatic mammary cancer. The plan Ellen and her veterinary oncologist had worked on was to treat her with chemotherapy to give her a good quality of life and Ellen wanted me to know how my beloved Katie was doing. We talked about our shared love for this amazing dog and it hit me that Katie had the extraordinary good luck to find that one in a million love of a lifetime in Ellen. Katie had lucked out. Today, however, Ellen called to let me know that Katie had taken a sudden turn for the worse and that she had let her go to spare her more pain as the disease had spread far beyond what had been initially believed. The tragedy of all this is that Katie died much too young and too soon because humans used her as a cash cow to whelp puppies and the result was mammary tumors which are so easily prevented with a simple early spay surgery.
Katie left us too soon and I will mourn her loss for many years to come. I am grateful for the time I had with her and I especially thank Ellen for making such a wonderful home for this amazing dog. I will continue to work to put an end to the brutal and inhumane use of dogs like Katie as living machines to crank out puppies for sale in her honor. Words are inadequate at times like these, but I want the world to know that Katie’s life mattered and that she was loved by many. So long Katie and thanks for all the smiles and kisses. You were well-loved and we will miss you until the day we meet again.
Harry needs a home
Meet Harry.
Harry is a 1 year old male Great Pyrenees. He has wonderful manners, and is a happy, friendly and drop-dead gorgeous dog. He is good with all people and he loves other dogs. He is, however, completely prejudiced against cats and needs a cat-free home. That lone fault aside, this is a wonderful dog. He is in New England and is looking for his forever home. If you are interested in adopting Harry, please email elizabeth@bigfluffydogs.com.
Gracie and Scarlett need a foster home
Meet Gracie and Scarlett, the Keeshond/Great Pyrenees twins. These two girls are 18 months old, are incredibly sweet, and at 40 pounds, they are fluffy pocket pyrs for those who want the fluff without the mass. Gracie and Scarlett are fine with other dogs and have been fine with kids and cats. They are active dogs with a sweet disposition and really good indoor manners who will do well in most homes who want active fluffies. If you are interested in fostering or adopting this pair, please email liz.bartek@bigfluffydogs.com
Gracie and Scarlett like to play. A lot.
They have matching fluffy butts.
They also are adorable:
Gracie at rest
Scarlett
