Austin

Austin, age 4 1/2

HEARTWORM POSITIVE

Update 4/18/12:

Update 4/1/12:

This just in: Austin’s follow-up visit to his surgeon confirmed that his formerly broken leg has healed beautifully and he is cleared to do anything his heart desires: jump, retrieve, swim, step aerobics.  Well, the leg part of the story is concluded but the heartworm treatment part is only half way there, so all that fun stuff is still on hold for one more month. (Tell that to a four-year-old who’s rarin’ to go.)  In the meantime we’ll tick off the days until he’s free and clear to be adopted and frolic with his forever family of the future …

More about Mr. Handsome with the exotic eyeliner:

Austin’s ad in the “personals” would read something like this: “55-pound male who loves to cuddle seeks owner with willing, available lap and endless supply of tummy rubs.” Because Austin is a LOVER. He loves people and has no age or gender bias where humans are concerned. He is less fond of other dogs in “his” house. He meets dogs outside on his leash just fine but says he prefers to be an only dog so he can rule the roost and soak up all the attention for himself. And while cats are fascinating things, they are in the same creature class as squirrels, deer, or any other wildlife in his backyard – good only for chasing and yelping at.

Can a boy dog be called a “drama queen”? The first time I heard Austin yelp, I was coaxing him into the car (which is not his favorite thing), and I thought “Oh no! I’ve hurt his injured leg!” Then I discovered he yelps (dramatically) if he spots a squirrel through the window or you surprise him by taking hold of his collar. Or if he’s outside when the trash truck pulls up. Or if you hurt his feelings by going outside without him.  You can give him a look and roll your eyes at him and he’ll just … smile.

Austin is cute. He’s a character. And he’ll be ready in the near future to be someone’s very best friend and cuddle buddy.

Update 2/11/12:

Tuesday, January 31 began with a flurry of e-mails from rescuers who keep an eye out for Goldens on the shelter sites—they all forwarded us a photo of a cream-blonde boy lying on the shelter floor, with the text: “Beautiful Golden Retriever at Animal Control! He has a broken leg and only 48 hrs. left!! Please help if you can. He is being held back in vet services and in spite of a broken leg he actually smiles. Yes...smiles! He has one of those grins where he shows his teeth and wags his tail...sweet as can be!”

A quick call to the shelter, and Donna was on the road to pick up “Austin” and get him to the vet ASAP. “A little 50-pounder and as sweet as pie. He was in a great deal of pain, shivering. All the same he allowed me to check his ears, teeth, feet, gave me kisses, and let me pick him up to move him. His left hind leg is broken, and he’s not using it at all.”

Our wonderful vets came through for us, as they do time and again. Dr Stried at Tanglewood did X-rays and a check-up on Tuesday, and ascertained that Austin’s left femur was cleanly broken, snapped straight through. (The accident probably happened about a week before GRR collected him.)  He also ran a blood test, and unfortunately, Austin has heartworms. But first, that leg – and Dr Kerpsack at Central Texas Specialty Vet fixed it the very next day. Surgery went well, and petite Austin the Bionic Dog now has a metal plate with 8 screws holding the broken bone to help it knit together as good as new.

Of course, the healing process will take time; he’ll need about two months of exercise restriction and confinement to ensure that all goes well. We will be starting heartworm treatment during that time. After all, he’ll need to be quiet for that, too! — and the timeline is about the same.

From the photos you can just see how sweet and pretty Austin is. If you are interested in learning more about him, just let us know. And if you’d like to contribute to his medical expenses, that would be wonderful too. A donation earmarked for our Extraordinary Golden Fund will go directly towards covering the cost of his surgery and rehab.

Thanks so much to everyone who alerted us to Austin and his plight! We’re hoping to have more photos and an update soon.

Pictures of Austin when he was brought in pre-surgery:

Pictures of Austin post-surgery ... happily on 4 legs!

Adoption Procedures