Hamster in a cast
Just for fun, this is Coco the hamster. Currently NOT in rescue with Big Fluffy Dog Rescue. This little guy got his cast for a broken leg courtesy of our friend and favorite vet Dr. Herd at Animal House Vet Clinic in Nashville. Awesome work Dr. Herd. Bring your tiny pen to sign his cast.
.
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 Second Dog of Christmas: Tracer needs a forever home
All Tracer wants for Christmas is a home. Tracer is a 15 month old corgi collie mix who came to us this past summer. Tracer has had an incredibly long odyssey. He was abandoned by his first rescue who could not handle him. Initially, he was so freaked out that he could not tolerate any dogs as he felt he was under attack as the result of what initially happened to him in his first home before rescue ever entered the picture. And so he languished in boarding for many months as no one had a dog-free home. A wonderful dog trainer took him on and with a little work, he was happily playing with her dogs. Tracer is a very happy dog who just needs a home. He is great with all other people and he can be good with other dogs, although he will never be OK with cats. He is a mid-sized low-rider bundle of puppy happiness who wants to give kisses. If you can give this dog a forever home, please email jillian@bigfluffydogs.com. He deserves his own home and we very much hope he will be home for the holidays.
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.
Junior is the least photogenic dog in the world
His charm is so infectious the CDC has an entire department dedicated to containing it.
When he walks the city streets, panhandlers give him money.
When it rains, it’s because the heavens weep when he is sad.
Mirrors shatter when he looks in their direction to spare the innocent.
Camera lenses crack when he appears, because he is…. THE LEAST PHOTOGENIC DOG IN THE WORLD.
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
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.
Melisande needs a foster home and we need some fundraising help
Melisande is a 4 year old Great Pyrenees mix who came into rescue several months ago with her sisters. Melisande sadly escaped her foster people before the Fourth of July and we had diligently worked to capture her as she was very frightened and lost in a rural area. We saw her over the many weeks and food and water were left out for her. Today we were finally rewarded for our diligence when she was caught in a live trap. We were extremely relieved to see her.
Melisande has lost twenty pounds during her odyssey and she has a limp that was not there before. We took her to the vet to have her checked out and were shocked to learn she is now riddled with bullet fragments all over her body. Someone shot this sweet dog and more than once. We are checking her elbow thoroughly for fragments as she seems to be limping the most at that joint. We are obviously horrified and this week is going to be a very, very expensive one as we have two orthopedic surgeries scheduled as it is. We are fundraising for her initial care which we expect will run around $600. If you would like to donate to her care, you can do so here: http://bigfluffydogs.com/pay-online.php. If you use a credit card, be sure to put the word ‘Melisande’ in the company name line and if you use paypal, leave us a message with her name in the message to sender box so we can thank you all properly.
Melisande also needs a foster home desperately. She gets along well with others but she is a serious flight risk, meaning that she will have to be carefully leashed at all times or kept within the confines of a secure fence. She is currently in Nashville but can travel this weekend if the vet gives the OK. If you can foster this girl please email jean@bigfluffydogs.com. Thanks as always from the big fluffies of the world.
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
Yoda, the TBUD, needs a home in New England
In April of this year, a long time foster for us found a dog in her neighborhood and asked for our help. It seems his owners kicked him to the curb when they moved and he was living on his own, slowly starving to death. When asked what the dog was, we were told a “retriever mix”. We said of course we will take this poor dog. Imagine our surprise when this walked into our doors:
Yoda, who is pretty much not a retriever mix.
We immediately recognized that what we have is a “TBUD”, otherwise known as a Tennessee Brown Ugly Dog. Big Fluffy Dog Rescue has a long and rich tradition of TBUD tithing as we understand that we have rock star gorgeous dogs and some dogs are not so genetically blessed as to catch the eyes and hearts of the public at large, but are still really awesome dogs. 10% of our dogs are not rock star fluffies and this is our way of using our supermodel dogs to find homes for the less aesthetically blessed. Yoda is a TBUD.
Brown and short haired? Check.
Non-descript with mutt heritage? Check.
Yes, it’s a TBUD.
Bless his baby heart, Yoda needs a home. We know he’s not going to blow anyone away with his sparking white fur or perfectly sculpted form, but he’s a doll and he needs a home. Yoda is around 2, perfectly charming and good with everyone and everything. He has excellent manners and he wants to please. This dog would love to grace your couch, fetch some tennis balls, crash on your bed at night and generally be a total bud and companion. He is a friend to all and just a wonderful dog. If you would like to adopt Yoda, email jean@bigfluffydogs.com.
Rudy says “Yes, I know I’m beautiful and eye-catching, but Yoda needs a home”.
Elegy for Matthew
One of the very hardest things we do in rescue is say goodbye. One of Big Fluffy Dog Rescue’s very own had to do that today for the second time in as many weeks for a beloved pet and our hearts break for her and her family. Matthew came to Donna as a rescue last year that never left. He was already quite elderly on arrival, but there was something about him that was so wonderful it could not be explained. All dogs are special, but some dogs are just magic and Matthew was definitely magic. This sweet, soulful boy loved Donna with everything he had and it is very apparent the feeling was mutual.
Last night, Matthew could not get up and his poor legs just would not work anymore, even though he willed them to move. Donna had known from the outset that the grains of sand left in the hourglass were few for Matthew, even on the very day she brought him home. Matthew’s love for Donna and his family shone that much brighter to make up for the brevity of time he had with her. For all of us, the time we have with any dog we love is a gift. However, we do not get to keep those we love forever no matter how much we wish we could and for all of us, there will be a day when we have to return the gift and let someone we love go.
Matthew left this world this morning as the beloved family member of the Brennan household. His sweet wrinkly face will not grace us again in this world, but we’ll see you on the other side, Matthew. You were loved and you took excellent care of your family. Rest easy.
Good night, Sweet Prince
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
Trained killer seeks new home
My name is Charlie. My people tell me I’m an honorary big fluffy because I am allegedly really small at 20 pounds. Whatever. I am a trained killer waiting to defend my home along with my Great Pyrenees friends. So far, only friends and the mailman have been by to visit, but I am waiting for my big shot to come. Mom says fat chance because she thinks I’m a miniature pinscher mix of some sort and not very terrifying, but I know better. She said something about me showing burglars the silver.
Yes, I am tiny, but in my heart, I’m a big, fluffy white dog guarding my people from all kinds of imaginary threats
I like everyone and even though I am clearly killer material, I enjoy being petted, taken for walks, and being cuddled like a baby. Don’t tell my Great Pyrenees brother because he’ll make fun of me. I am fine with cats and all people. If you need a new member of your home protection team, email my coordinator Elizabeth at elizabeth@bigfluffydogs.com.
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.
Introducing: Roxy’s puppies
Four weeks old today. These puppies need foster homes in the Nashville area for the next four to five weeks. If you are interested, email jean@bigfluffydogs.com. We will be fostering them out in twos and threes as they need the socialization with other puppies. With their Mom’s health issues, we have had to wean them much earlier than we would have liked, but they are eating well and drinking puppy milk replacer. They are adorable.
Baxter and Katie
Dax and Sarah
Floyd and Etta
Scooter and Stella
Roxy update: It’s definitely blastomycosis
UPDATE 5/16/12 1:28 PM
Roxy is doing as well as we could have dreamed. She now has to go for IV treatments every other day and she takes some very expensive medicine on a daily basis, but it is working. Her cough is much improved and she has a spring in her step and a twinkle in her eye. She is still running a fever which is our biggest battle, but we have that under control for the most part. Her worst problem, though, is an inability to nurse her puppies so her poor boobs are swollen and miserable. Because I am a dedicated foster, I milked this poor baby for a couple of days to get some of the pressure off of her, followed by cool, wet compresses which she loves:
Bliss for Roxy is a cool, wet compress.
For now, the routine is every other day to the vet for IV Amphotericin B and daily oral Sporanox (not generic). Each day in the hospital costs about $200 and each pill costs about $16. The vet was kind enough to donate some old meds she had to save us some money, but her first week of care ran almost $1800. Had we not taken her home every night it would have been around four times that much. We are still fundraising for her because she may go down as the single most expensive dog EVER to grace our doors and that is saying something. Anyone who wants to donate can do so here: http://www.bigfluffydogs.com/pay-online.php (just be sure to note it’s for Roxy in either the company name line for credit cards or notes on paypal). She will be on the Sporanox for another month before we are able to switch her to generic itraconazole at a big savings cost wise. Overall, we expect the treatment to take a minimum of four months.
Today is bittersweet for me because we are sending her puppies away to a foster home. This will definitely upset Roxy, but it is for the best as the risk of an inadvertent nursing could be disastrous as the drugs she takes concentrate in breast milk and could cause kidney failure in the puppies. We want the very best for them and for Roxy. Thanks to everyone for the prayers, good wishes and donations. We would not be where we are without all of that.
**********************************
Finally, after days of treatment and sleepless nights, we know for sure Roxy has blastomycosis. This is a very serious, very dangerous and frequently fatal fungal infection which, in Roxy’s case, has caused extreme pneumonia. This afternoon, we treated her with the Amphotericin B and started the Sporanox. Amphotericin B is a dangerous drug and sadly, Roxy’s nursing days are done as the drug concentrates in breast milk and would likely be toxic to the puppies. This is making the puppies quite angry and Roxy is very confused as to why she isn’t allowed to see her puppies. However, we cannot keep them from trying to nurse and Roxy from trying to nurse her puppies. She is an awesome Mom and she has done well by them, but they must be separated immediately to save them all. Tomorrow, since they will not be getting any breast milk, we will have to give the puppies their first set of shots to protect them from disease. At almost four weeks, we are feeding puppy milk replacement, baby food and baby cereal, and they are doing OK, but I think they would be better in smaller numbers with more attention from the foster. We need local fosters in the Nashville area who can take these youngsters on ASAP, which frankly breaks my heart as I am totally attached to the little creatures. This is not what I had planned for them.
Roxy’s last day with her puppies
Roxy is holding her own. Her lung x-rays showed some improvement and she is resting a little more comfortably. She has a very long way to go and remains in danger. We are guardedly optimistic. I would like to give a huge shout out to Dr. Herd who has taken phone calls at all hours of the day and night and tolerated extreme instances of foster Mom stalking. Without her help, Roxy would have died this week. We would also like to thank everyone who has kept Roxy in their prayers and/or donated for her care. We have raised about $1200 which has covered most of her costs and we will continue to fundraise for her as the medication costs will exceed $2000 most likely. Sporanox is incredibly expensive and she will be on it for many months. If you would like to donate to Roxy’s care, you can do so here: http://bigfluffydogs.com/pay-online.php. Just be sure to note in the company line that it’s for Roxy so we can thank you properly (or if on Paypal – in the notes section). As always, thanks to everyone for their support. Roxy could not do this without all of you.
For those who would like to foster, and who are in the Nashville area, please email jean@bigfluffydogs.com for information on fostering.
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.
