Alex
Alex, age 2
AVAILA
Report
from Foster Dad:
Alex is looking better! You can see new hair growing, and he is
gaining weight. Plus, he is now
playing with tennis balls and even playing with my Irish setter rescue, Flynn.
In fact, he is acting so much more energetic and playful that I began to wonder
if he was really a senior citizen… and guess what, we just got back from
Tanglewood and Dr. Stried said Alex is closer to a mere 2 years of age than the
8 years originally thought. Wow, that is good news!
It sure accounts for how he has been acting since he has started feeling
better – like a younger dog.
Update 5/25/12:
On Sunday, May 20, the e-mails and photos started pouring
in. Concerned rescuers had seen Alex posted on
the shelter site—and they knew that if a rescue group didn’t take him, his
chances were slim to none. One look at his picture tells you why. “I
know this dog needs a lot of help before he can find a home,” one poster wrote,
“but he loves everyone. He is so happy to just get attention!!!
And underneath it all, if you use your imagination, he is a beautiful
Golden Retriever.” She is so right! Yes, he has a bad case of sarcoptic mange,
which has left his face, and much of his body, almost hairless &
grayish-skinned. Yes, he’s so skinny that his ribs and hips jut out. And
yet… look at the coat he has left. Picture him filled out, with those long
strawberry-blond locks grown in, and you just know he was once a stunner, and
can be again. And look at that face: he’s wearing a trusting smile in spite of
it all—because, as every Golden knows, a
good attitude is everything and will get you through anything… along with
a little help from your friends.
And help was on the way! Alex was so happy to leave his
kennel, get a big drink of water, and head off to the vet’s office. We can tell
this guy belonged to someone… he’s friendly, calm, and confident; he knows SIT,
STAY, and COME; and he rode like a champ in the car. “He lay down and only made
a noise when I started singing to Bon Jovi. Not sure if he was a) singing along,
b) protesting my singing, or c) protesting Bon Jovi!” said his “chauffeur.”
At the clinic, the staff swung into action to help the
skinny new arrival. He received anti-flea & anti-tick meds, plus a vitamin &
iron shot to treat the anemia he’s suffering as a result of long-term flea &
tick infestation. The clinic shaved the worst hot spots, treated his raw and
tender ears, and gave him a series of soothing baths, to remove lots of scabs
and crusts from his skin. Then the doctor called us with Alex’s treatment plan:
he’ll need four doses of ivermectin, once a week for four weeks, as well as
medicated shampoos a few times each week. During the treatment period, he’ll
need to be kept separate from other dogs, since sarcoptic mange is highly
contagious (though the first dose of meds will reduce the contagion issues
appreciably). Humans will need to wash hands and change clothes after petting
Alex, and his bedding and towels will need to be laundered in hot water &
regular detergent every few days.
That’s a lot of dedicated effort for someone—and luckily
for us all, foster daddy Ross, having taken another dog (coincidentally, that
boy was named Alex, too!) through the treatment just about a year ago, was up
for the challenge.
Ross reports:
“Alex's looks are not the best right now, but he seems to
be in good spirits & is doing really well. My six dogs really want to meet him
(they know he is in a separate room); and he seems interested in them too (he
sure has been smelling the house and outdoors).
He takes all his medications; cheese does
wonders. He will be getting a medicated bath on Saturday and every three days
after that. I have a very soft brush
and I gently brush him; he dearly loves that. He seems to need attention and is
very loving. I am feeding him extra food and some treats. He slept well last
night and did well on his walk this morning; he pulls just a little and does
know some commands.”
More news
to come…
