Poochville supports Ratbone Rescues,
a rat terrier rescue organization.
Saving one dog at a time.
The story you are about to read is true.
It took place in September, 2003 over less than a 2 week period.
Please read this story. If it moves you like it has moved me then please send a donation to Ratbone Rescues Wizard Fund for Heartworm prevention.
Wizards Story
I was found wandering a lonely Arkansas road. I was covered in ticks and fleas. My belly was empty and I had lost 10 pounds. I didn't have much more to spare.
I was found by some kind souls who knew what to do. Ratbone Rescues was called and rescue coordinator Cora rushed to my aid.
She took me in, had me seen by a veterinarian. My fleas and ticks were treated. I was diagnosed with heart worms, as severe a case as they had ever seen. The vet didn't know if I could be saved, but they thought I was worth the chance. Only a half dose of the medication (an arsenic derivative) was injected into my lumbar region. Would I survive even this dose? I stayed at the vet for several days and finally went home with Cora. I would need to gain 10 pounds before I could get another treatment.
Cora mixed up a batch of her special weight gain formula. She put me in a large crate in a room by myself where I wouldn't be bothered. She put a fan in front of me and covered most of my cage. She said I needed to be kept calm, quiet and cool. Excitement or stress could cause the worms to dislodge from my severely infected heart. This would cause an embolism and kill me.
I laid in my crate, barely moving. My spine ached, my legs trembled when I tried to stand and my heart would race if I tried to hold myself upright. Laying was all I could do. Cora had to carry me outside to go potty. I would shake all over, it was so painful for me to stand and I my urine was dark and blood filled. I couldn't wait to lay back down.
During the week, I began to fade. Food no longer looked good to me and I didn't even want to drink. Cora would dip her finger in water, I would lick it off, I was so tired. After a day or so, I drank on my own and was able to eat again. Everyone on the rat terrier message board was rallying for me. They said a lot of prayers, sent money to help with my vet bills and even held an auction on eBay to help with my expenses. I know I was just a dog, but I could really feel the love from far away. Cora also told me how many people were pulling form me.
What follows, are some of the posts that Cora sent to the message board to keep people posted on my condition.
9/12/2003, 4:52 pm
Wizard is eating three small, iron-filled meals a day to help with the blood loss, and he is eating and drinking well.
For the first time I have a lot of confidence that he can pull through this. My vets do, too.
They say as long as he is eating and drinking, he should continue to improve. He is wobbly on his feet when I carry him outside to potty, and he just pees and then waits for me to pick him back up.
I want to thank everyone for the donations that have already arrived. Since I am spending about $5 a day on his food, it has sure come in handy. I am very grateful to have friends with big hearts.
I will post again if things change -- hopefully for the better. I have confidence and faith that we can pull him through this. And I promise you one thing -- whoever applies to adopt this dog is going to have to prove to me that they deserve him!
9/13/2003, 5:39 am
I know I'm not wishing it to happen, now. This morning Wizard felt better. He was steady on his feet when I took him outside, not weaving and wobbling. His urine looked about half as dark as it has been, too. I had to actually stop him from walking over where Bogey had peed -- he wanted to pee on top of it.
I took him back inside and put him in his crate, and fixed his breakfast. I sat the bowl inside, and went to get coffee for myself. That's when I heard the growling from the bedroom, and ran back to see what was happening.
Skywalker had his little nose stuck into the crate, trying his best to lick some of the food out of Wizard's bowl, and Wizard was growling at him -- "back off" in dog language.
Now, I may be reaching for straws, but that seems like a good sign to me!!
9/13/2003, 6:02 pm
Wizard is eating three Caesar dog food containers a day, but I am almost positive he hasn't pooped since Tuesday, if he did on Tuesday. I know he hasn't since he got so sick. He is holding his own, but just being carried outside, walking a couple of steps and peeing is strenuous enough to exhaust him. (the suggestion was to give him pumpkin to help with fiber)
9/14/2003, 8:23 am
The pumpkin came back up, but he went on his own. He even let out a little "woof" to let me know he needed to go out. Things are looking ever-so-slightly better every morning. He's more steady on his feet and is still eating/drinking.
9/14/2003, 1:53 pm
I went to check on him and he stood up, wanting out of his crate. I picked him up in my arms and cradled him. He put his head against my neck and died. It was that quick.
Ron and I are still crying. We really thought we could pull a miracle and save him, especially with all your help and prayers. I guess God needed a rattie of his own, and adopted Wizard. He will be buried in my yard in a shady spot where the muscadine grapes grow, and I will watch over him. Thank you all for your hard work and prayers. At least he knew someone loved him.
Epilogue:
This did not need to happen to this wonderful dog.
He had no collar. He may have been identified as belonging to someone. How long had he been on his own? Nothing was known about him. Not even a name. He was named by members of the message board. No dog should die without a name. Please be sure your pets have identification on at all times.
Was he on a trip with his family and he got away? Could they not locate him before they had to return home? Did he sneak out an open door or gate? Was he picked up? Did he get away from his rescuers trying to find his way back home? Was he just dumped on a country road because he was sick? So many questions, and he could give us no answers.
Vaccinations and Heartworm Preventative.
Please be sure to vaccinate and give heartworm preventative to your pets. One infected mosquito bite can be fatal. It is such a small price to pay for the undying love our animals give us.
Wizard died not only in the arms of his caregiver, but he died in the hearts and minds of all of us who know this didn't need to happen and rallied to help him, a dog we never met. A dog who reached out to all of us. He left a bit of himself behind. He was just one dog..but he was loved by many.
"Near this spot are deposited the remains of one who possessed Beauty without Vanity, Strength without Insolence, Courage without Ferocity, and all the Virtues of Man without his Vices.
This praise, which would be unmeaning flattery, if inscribed over human ashes, but is a just tribute to the memory of
Wizard, a dog."
Edited for content from John Cam Hobhouse
