08.29.08
Say hello to the NC HAIRY ones (Formerly the NC itchy, mangy hairless ones)
Charles
Brent AKA Boss
Ashley
Bonnie
Prissie
Rhett
Aren’t they just dolls? They finally are starting to look like real dogs.
Monkey Harris needs your help! Sweet little shih tzu boy with a long standing chronic back problem
![07-16-08_1823[1].jpg](http://lonestarshihtzurescue.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/07-16-08_1823[1].jpg)
Little Monkey Harris was dropped off in the drop box at the county pound one night in July. He had a cute little red rhinestone collar on but when the shelter worker pulled him out of the box, she noticed a huge problem. He could not move his back legs. Not at all. They thought he had been hit by car.
The poor little boy had to sit at the shelter for three days for his stray hold, then his only option if we didn’t get him was to be humanely euthanized. Of course, Lone Star took this little boy.
I was hyperventillating. Why? We have had so many very, very expensive dogs these past few months and are still recovering from Gianna Montgomery, Alamo Bexar and Weise Arkana. So how can we take in yet another very expensive dog? Well, as a friend once said, you’ve got to have faith. So we sent someone after him.
Unfortunately, at about the same time, we were struggling with what/how/when to get the NC Breeder’s Dogs – you know, those mangy little poots.
Typically, we do not do an expensive surgery until after the funds are available and ready for when the bill comes in, but this was one of those “you need to do it NOW!” situations. Monkey had been down for a long, long time – the muscles in his back legs and on his back had already atrophied. The surgeon at GCVS told me that IF he recovers, it will take a long, long, long time before he could walk. He did have some deep pain response and he was not incontinent, but with a chronic problem like that, it was probable that part of his spinal cord had been deprived of blood flow and the tissue might have died.
This was a hard one. We typically get these dogs to the surgeon soon after the injury and they have a wonderful prognosis. This one was going to be a roll of the dice. But…we rolled.
Monkey had surgery. They called me right after the surgery and said his disc had been ruptured for quite some time. It took them hours to slowly “tease” the material off the spinal cord. In removing the hardened disc material, they actually do damage to the outer layer of the spinal cord thus requiring even longer recovery time.
The surgeon kept him for several days until they were sure he was continent and then released him. But, Monkey still couldn’t hold himself up on his back legs. This is unusual. Typically, they regain a great portion of their functionality right after surgery, so it wasn’t looking good for our little Monkey Man.
They wanted to start his rehab immediately to start building the muscles back up so he could support himself. We got him from the surgery center on Monday and he started his rehab on Tuesday. For several days, they did flexibility excerises and an excerise to build up the muscles that stabilize his back end. But, he was so weak in the back end that he couldn’t go into the water treadmill.
We had to carry him outside six-eight times a day and just hold him up while he went to the bathroom. He was quick so we started getting excited that he might have good control over most of the muscles in the back end. Then, on Sunday, while we were supporting his back end, he took a step forward with his back legs. I just about cried.
That was just a few weeks ago. Now, Monkey can easily take a few steps and he can even pull himself up from a sitting position. He still falls over after a few steps, but he now has a great prognosis. The surgeon was even overwhelmed that he was healing so well.
Now the problem….
His surgery bill was $4507. GULP!! I love those surgeons at Gulf Coast, because this includes a 20% discount. But this is one of the most expensive surgeries we’ve done. It was because it took so unbelievably long to remove the fragments of disc material from where they were lodged in his spinal column. Frankly, I wouldn’t want them to try to work fast there!!
Now the worse news…
He also has to go to rehab twice a week for about 12 weeks to the tune of another $1440. GULP, GULP, GULP.
So, now that the NC six are on their way to a healthy status, we desperately need to raise funds to pay off Monkey’s surgery and rehab.
If you think you might be able to help little Monkey, and can contribute to his fund, please CLICK HERE for paypal. If you are able to send a check, our mailing address is P O Box 1346, Pinehurst, TX 77362. Please complete a PLEDGE FORM so that we count your donation immediately.
The NC Six – Gone with the Wind Dogs – are growing hair and getting tubby!!
Yes, these happy-faced little puppers, playing in the grass like other “regular” dogs are the NC Six from Wilson, NC. Six mangy, itchy, hacking and coughing, ill little dogs embarked on a trip half way across the country just a few short weeks ago. And, it was worth it. Meet the new hairy happy faces. Please click on the pictures to bring up a larger version and you can see the hair growing on their feet and muzzles.
This is Charles Hamilton. Can you believe what a cute dog this is? He is the most social and with this pose, it makes me wonder if he wasn’t a pet sometime in his life. Click on the picture to make it larger and look at his paws and face. He has hair growing now.
Look at Ashley and what a little tubbie he is getting to be. Here is a picture I took when he first arrived. And this picture was taken two weeks after he was rescued from the breeder in North Carolina. His original weight was 7.8 pounds. This afternoon, his weight was right at 10 pounds.
He certainly is filling out nicely. These puppers are going through about 2.5 cups of food a day each. That is HUGE for dogs of this size. They range from 5 pounds (Bonnie Blue) to about 12 pounds (Boss).
Here is Charles when he first arrived about two weeks ago. You can see how his backbone is protruding. When rescued from the breeder, his weight was 8.2 pounds. Today, he weighs 11.75 pounds.
Here he is today – a nice chubby little boy. No more backbone showing here!
Here is Boss AKA Brent Tarleton, the largest boy. This is when he first came to Lone Star on 8/12. He weighed 10.8 pounds, this afternoon, he weighed 13.8 pounds.
Look at this cute little rotund pupper.
This is Rhett when he first arrived. Just like the rest, he really needed some groceries when we first got him.
Above, he weighed 9.7 pounds. Below, taken Sunday afternoon, he weighs 12 pounds!! Look at that smile! And his head is already full of hair. He is so soft and just loves to be petted.
Smilin’ Rhett
Then there is little Miss Prissie. Here is her skinny picture. She was at 4.8 pounds.
Here is her non-supermodel-waif photo at 7 pounds.
Notice how her left back leg is turned. Several of these little guys have pretty severe luxating patella in which the knee joint is very loose and swings out when they walk.
They all seem to be getting healthier. Hardly any hacking and coughing now. They are slowing down on their eating. There were a few days in which they would eat two or 2.5 cups of food a day.
Thanks everyone for supporting them!!
Again, thanks to the American Shih Tzu Club for their very, very generous donation to help us get started on the vetting. As we get further down the road, we’ll keep you updated on their progress.
08.17.08
The North Carolina shih tzu – August 17, 2008 – what a difference three weeks makes
Just for argument’s sake, here are comparison photos which show what only three weeks of care has already done for these babies.
Ashley – July 28, 2008
Ashley Wilkes Fitzgerald – August 17, 2008
Prissie – July 28, 2008
Miss Prissie Fitzgerald – August 17, 2008
Charles, July 28, 1008
Charles Hamilton Fitzgerald – August 17, 2008
Rhett – July 28, 2009
Rhett Butler Fitzgerald – August 17, 2008
Boss – July 28, 2008
Brent Tarleton Fitzgerald, AKA “Boss” – August 17, 2008
This is Bonnie Blue Fitzgerald. She is not in the original pictures – she was found inside a couch in the man’s house after he fled.
Sadly, we lost little Scarlett to Parvo. A $5 vaccination would have prevented her death.
Rest in Peace finally, beautiful one!
Scarlett O’Hara Fitzgerald – at the bridge
These babies send hugs and huge thanks to:
The American Shih Tzu Club – who, thanks to the hard work and persistance of Loree Levy-Schwartz, is generously underwriting a huge piece of each tzu’s medical bills PLUS the cost of the transport.
Also thanks to the following for their generous donations which will go to help pay for subsequent vetting:
Fur Kids, Barbara Grabell in honor of Cole, Leslie Warrin, Mary Kay Moore, Trinka Schwan, Randee Goldman (Lhasa Happy Homes www.lhasahappyhomes.com), Kara Saenz, Jean Smith, Doug Cameron, Dale Stone.
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Lone Star Shih Tzu & Lhasa Apso Rescue is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) organization. We cannot do this without your help. To help us help little orphaned shih tzu and lhasa apsos, please CLICK HERE to contribute.
08.13.08
Update on the NC 7 – neglected shih tzu get a second chance at life!
Day one here was interesting. Oh goodness these babies smell! Like mounds of dirty socks. LOL
But they are coming around so quickly, emotionally. They all come running to see what it is that you might have for them.
Physically, all but Miss Scarlett are doing well. Miss Scarlett is having a rough time – she wasn’t eating when she got her and seems a bit dehydrated. On my vet’s advice, we gave her some subq fluids tonight.
I took some pictures to show you how terribly thin these little guys are. And, do not forget, they were confiscated almost two weeks ago. So, as thin as they are today, that is with two weeks of lots of groceries in their tummies.
Look at little Charles Hamilton Fitzgerald’s protruding backbone. It looks as if all of the muscle has already atrophied. I can’t wait to see what my vet says.
Here is Brant Tarleton Fitzgerald AKA Boss
Rhett Butler Fitzgerald
And a GREAT BIG HUG to the American Shih Tzu Club – and Loree Levy-Schwartz – Thanks to Loree, the ASTC has pledged to underwrite all of their basic vetting!!
You gotta love those tzu lovers!
08.11.08
Welcome little ones – NC 7 – horribly neglected shih tzu now are Lone Star dogs!!
The “hairless wonders” as many of you are calling them, are finally at my home in Houston.
Sherry rolled into town around 3:00 this afternoon with these adorable little mops-to-be.
We always give our dogs a “last name” to reflect where they came from. In this case, we certainly did not want them to have anything associated with that nasty man that put them in this shape. So we decided to give them the last name of “Fitzgerald” in honor of Max and Della Fitzgerald, of For the Love of Dogs in Wilson, NC. These two compassionate people are their true saviors. They took these dogs in and searched long and hard for someone to take these babies in. Thank you Max and Della. Because of you, we can say hello to…..
Ashley Wilkes Fitzgerald
Bonnie Blue Fitzgerald
Brent Tarleton AKA “Boss” Fitzgerald
Charles Hamilton Fitzgerald
Miss Prissie Fitzgerald
Miss Scarlett Fitzgerald
Rhett Butler Fitzgerald
Ok, applause now! Just wait until you see what these beauties will look like in four months! It will astound you.
Yes, that’s “Aunt” Sherry in those pictures. Kudos to Aunt Sherry.
08.10.08
The NC Seven – horribly neglected shih tzu rescued and on their way to Texas!
Sherry stopped in Atlanta last night and had a relaxing evening with the seven hairless ones. Here they are starting their lives as pets:
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Some of them are as friendly as can be and others hide in their crates. Regardless, I cannot wait to see them. We’re already in love with them all.
08.09.08
Amazing Rescue trip – seven horribly neglected breeder shih tzu saved!!!
Last night, while most of us were snuggling down to a nice nights sleep with our own soft, fluffy dogs, one of our outstanding LSSTLAR volunteers, Sherry G., was climbing into her SUV for a long rescue trip to Wilson, NC.
Two weeks ago, Suzi Beaupre, the head of US Shih Tzu Rescue, an ASTC Rescue coordinator and a long time rescue mentor of mine sent me pictures of some of the worst looking shih tzu I’ve ever seen. Eight little tzu were confiscated from a breeder in North Carolina and they needed help FAST. All I could say is OMG.
They are HAIRLESS. Almost completely hairless.
These dogs were confiscated from a breeder in North Carolina. He has been charged with seven counts of felony animal cruelty. YAY!!
Now, I know we are overrun with dogs already – left and right we are getting calls and emails about dogs in need. But, when we needed help last year with the North Texas 96, the ASTC, headed by Loree Levy-Schwartz and Suzi, moved mountains to ensure that none of those sweet little neglected dogs had to die. Now, it was our turn.
How in the world could I say no to these dogs? We know how to help them – many do not know what they will be facing with these dogs. Lone Star is known for taking in the hard cases – the broken and neglected. We’ve just put back together four orthopedic cases in the last two months - Weise Arkana who had a hip replacement and is now RUNNING, Gianna Montgomery, who had a malformed front leg surgically corrected, Alamo Bexar, who had a completely broken front leg repaired and, finally, Monkey Harris, a beautiful black tzu with a chronic disc rupture had surgery to remove the hardened material. These four cost an arm and a leg and you all came to their rescue! All are not only alive because of you, they are now thriving.
Well, these North Carolina dogs are TRULY hard cases. Check their story HERE. We’re calling them the NC Seven and they will be on their way to Texas TOMORROW morning.
