Petunia

Age 2 1/2
AVAILABLE 11/18*
HW POSITIVE

Updated 11/7/11

On November 1, Irish Setter rescue received an SOS from a shelter in far South Texas: “We have an Irish Setter mom (not sure if she is full blooded)  and pups here. We have only until Friday this week to place them before they are euthanized.  If anyone can help, we would appreciate it.” Irish rescue took one look at the photos and bounced them to GRR: “Can you help these red Goldens?” As we later learned, young Petunia and her two adolescent daughters had been picked up by Animal Control a few times—and this time, the owner declined to reclaim them.

In one more day, the little family was on the road to Austin. “All three are really about the same size, look pretty skinny,” reported the girls’ “chauffeur.”   “The 2 babies are scared.......lots of panting and drooling.  Mom is starved for affection and responds well to our cooing. What is it about Goldens, no matter how poorly they are treated, they still reward you with that unmistakable look of unconditional love!  I do think they know things are going to be better for them... I sense relief!!!!!!”

The entire trio is being treated for intestinal parasites, and mom Petunia tested heartworm positive, too—darn it. She was Frontlined at the vet—badly needed, since the poor gal was loaded with ticks.

We’ll know more about her personality soon, as she recovers from her spay surgery and starts to feel perkier. Early indications are that this little 50-pounder is a sweetheart!

* Due to the nationwide shortage of immiticide, the drug used for anti-heartworm injections, our heartworm-positive dogs must wait to begin their treatment—for weeks or months, depending on when the drug becomes available again. In the meantime, they will start on a course of doxycycline, which may help (in conjunction with Heartgard) to kill adult worms more quickly. If you would like to adopt Petunia before she begins HW treatment, just let us know! We will cover the cost of the injections with one of our GRR vets as soon as it’s possible to begin treatment.