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Connie

Raffi the Shih Tzu update

The wounded Shih Tzu discussed in the post "Help a Dog in need" is a fighter. After nearly dying on Tuesday, he has rebounded, although he is still not out of the woods.

As of today (Thursday) he is more awake this morning but still won't eat.

Here is an update from Monica: "Dr King is going to send him back home tomorrow!!! No surgery at this time but he will have to stay in his crate, no more X pen. He will be re-checked in a week to see how it's all healing up. I'm going to see him this afternoon to take him some chicken and baby food to see if he'll eat. Thanks again to everyone. We met our Fundable goal and have received some checks as well. I think that might be enough to cover this care and we may not have to tap our angel for any money. That would be great so she could help other animals with that money! Keep the prayers and thoughts coming for the little guy. Heather's already got a pre-approved home for him when he's adoptable."

Helping a dog in need

Whenever I get depressed about how the world is going and especially how some people treat animals, a story comes along that brightens my day.

My friend Monica was at Wipe Your Pawz near Eagle Creek on Saturday when a couple came in saying they had found an injured Shih Tzu and didn’t know what to do. Monica, being a serious animal angel, took the dog and immediately took it to an emergency veterinary clinic. There she found out the dog has a sucking chest wound with a pneumothorax.

A Heart for Dog, one of the rescues Monica works with, agreed to pay for the initial vet care, but the estimates for the surgery this guy will need is about $1,000, which the rescue can’t afford. The emergency vet says the dog will be ok for a few days while money is raised for his care. He was wearing clothes, which would seem to indicate he is someone’s beloved pet. Monica put it best when she said in an email, “I'm sorry to have to beg for money like this but he's the cutest little guy and young. I would want somebody to do the same for my dog if it was hurt and needed medical care.”

I am writing this post the day after Monica got the dog and she reports he had a very good night. “I got a whole jar+ of stinky baby food mixed with Pedialyte down him. I made him get up this morning and he even walked around some. He seems much brighter and prefers the eye dropper rather than eating himself. His breathing seems less labored. It's been a long night but I'm very hopeful for him.”

So far Monica has gotten no responses from any of the found dog ads she has placed, nor has she found any lost dog ads that match the little guy. But, she is sure he would be easily adopted once he is fixed up through one of the dog adoption groups Monica works for.

Monica set up a Fundables page. The goal is to raise the $1,000 need to help this dog. If you pledge money via fundables NO money will actually be taken from your account unless the $1,000 goal is met. Here is the link to the Fundables site.

If you have other options for this guy, please email me at batmanmom@gmail.com

"Alternative" pets

While dogs and cats are what generally come to mind when thinking of an animal shelter, other animals find their way into shelters also. Guinea pigs, ferrets, turtles, snakes and even ponies and pigs.

There is an absolutely gorgeous Shetland pony at Indianapolis Animal Care and Control right now. It is so small it may be a miniature horse/Shetland cross. The pony is about 11 months old.

The pig is in great shape and may be young but I am not sure of its age. It is super friendly and loves to be scratched on the head.

So if you are looking for an “alternative” type of pet and you have a farm, please keep these two in mind. They would love to go home with you.