DREAM Dachshund Rescue

I am amazed every day by the capacity of dogs to love and forgive the human race. I hope to give people a better understanding of what rescue is and why rescue is needed. The road is heartbreaking and frustrating. I meet so many dogs with such sad histories. And then I see them turn themselves around, with love and stability, and I think this is the happiest road there is, as well as the saddest. For the doggies, always the doggies. www.dreamdachsierescue.org

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Good news and bad news


It's been a few days of good news and bad news.

The good news is: Tosca (pictured), Topher, and NuShu are all heartworm negative. I took all three to Best Friends yesterday for their spay/neuter operations and vaccinations. (Three cheers for Best Friends, aka No More Homeless Pets Atlanta, aka Lifeline Animal Project, who save us a LOT of money on standard vet care.) All did well, and none needed heartworm treatment. I was especially worried that NuShu and Tosca might be positive. Both came from neglectful situations and are adults, plenty of time to be exposed to mosquitoes.

(The funny news is: I wrote to Lisa See, who is the author of Snowflower and the Secret Fan -- where I got the idea for NuShu's name, and she wrote back to me, happy to hear we'd named a dog after a concept in her book.)

The bad news is: a little "down" boy needs to come into rescue, and we do not have room. His owner has gone through the death of a spouse, and can no longer care for the little one, even though they've already taken him through the surgery. DREAM does not have a foster home open right now who can care for these special needs. I pray his dad finds a place for him. For now, he is on our waiting list.

The good news is: Bobo was adopted and his new dad reports that they are "in love"!

The bad news is: Bradley, a little boy we took in from Savannah, who is heartworm positive, also had the "worst dental" the vet had ever seen. He had many teeth removed, and the infection was rampant throughout. He cannot even begin heartworm treatment for 2 weeks, until we feel sure the infection is cleared up in his mouth. (Note to everyone: watch that tartar! Get the dentals, they aren't a vet scam!) For now, it is antibiotics and a quiet place with soft food.

The good news is: Tosca is learning better every day to trust people again. She was so afraid when she first came to us, that I considered getting her some doggie Valium. However, time, stability, and gentleness seem to be working their magic.

The bad news is: I think Luke has reached the limit of his progress. I have 2 more swim therapy sessions with him next weekend, but I believe we have gone as far as he can go. I must now begin to focus on getting him adopted and training his new owner on how to care for him. Caring for a down dachsie isn't as bad as people think, but it's a difficult case to make. As someone who has expressed a bladder (at best estimation) 3500 times, with no formal training! and a full-time job, I'm a case in point!

The good news is: we have 3 new potential foster homes in progress, and I am absolutely thrilled to be talking to people who want to help further the DREAM mission.

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