2004

Cody is a handsome 7-year old male turned in with three other dogs by his owner. The others were euthanized for medical reasons. Julie Hoffmann pulled Cody and found he was heartworm positive. In addition, Cody was suffering from an eye problem which was diagnosed as entropion: an eyelid curling inward which caused his lashes and hair to irritate his eye and give him considerable discomfort.

Molly was flown up to Missouri from an Arkansas rescue to be with Linda Stookey's Siberian rescue in St. Louis. This pretty little girl was heartworm positive. Linda tried to find a rescue-friendly veterinarian in her area willing to give a rescue discount for Molly's treatment. But to no avail. So she turned to SOS-SRF. We were happy to help! Molly's prognosis is good and Linda hopes to find a loving, forever home for Molly very soon. (December 2004)

Sadie is a young black and white girl who was picked up as a stray and pulled from a shelter in Virginia. She was scheduled to be euthanized because of her Level 2 heartworm diagnosis. In addition, Sadie's sight is impaired by cataracts. Donna writes that Sadie is "sweet and even-tempered in spite of being stuck in a burned-out house for three days and sight-impaired from cataracts. She is highly adoptable." SOS-SRF paid for Sadie's heartworm treatment and Donna is investigating treatment - and funding - for Sadie's cataracts. (November 2004)

A good samaritan found this pretty young girl with a broken jaw and an injured leg. Faith needed emergency surgery on her jaw (which involved wiring/setting of the jaw). In addition, she was found to be heartworm positive. Faith is now fully recovered from both her jaw injury and the heartworm treatment. And she has found her forever home. (November 2004)

Kodi, a four-year old black and white male Siberian, was picked up as a stray and pulled from a shelter in SC where he had been scheduled to be euthanized. He had a severe infestation of heartworms (Level 3). X-rays showed Kodi's arteries and heart to be enlarged nearly three times the norm as a result of the worms. Kodi has been treated successfully, although it may be a year before his arteries return to normal size. While in rescue, Kodi was adopted by a loving family in Virginia.

Grizzly is a young red and white Siberian who was adopted from a shelter in Georgia. His new dad took him for a veterinary checkup on the way home, and discovered that Grizzly was heartworm positive. He has been treated successfully and is enjoying life with his new dad. (October 2004)

Cassidy is a young black and white male Siberian rescued from a local shelter. He was diagnosed with heartworms, treated, and is expected to make a full recovery. Cassidy is currently in foster care and available for adoption. (October 2004)

Boone is a young two-year old Siberian who was found as a stray. He tested positive for heartworms. Geri Sipes writes that "he was pulled by one of our foster members." Boone was about to be euthanized, but thanks to Geri and the foster mom (who fell in love with him), he was saved. Boone's prognosis is excellent and Sue (his foster mom) writes that he is doing very well. She describes him as "a very sweet boy and so well behaved." (September 2004)

Paco, a young red and white boy, arrived at the Ingham County Animal Shelter as a stray in August. After two weeks there, Nancy Van Lue was notified that he was ill. Paco had been an outside dog and "his ears were bloody and scabbed, with the tip of one almost completely gone from fly bites or frostbite." She managed to take him to a vet who also diagnosed him with heartworm disease. His treatment began almost immediately and his prognosis is excellent.

Shay is a two-year old Siberian Husky mix. She was diagnosed with severe glaucoma in her left eye which necessitated removal of the eye. Geri Sipe wrote us about Shay, and was very concerned about the need to have this surgery done as quickly as possible since the condition was severe. We hope that pretty Shay finds her forever home soon. (September 2004)

This young two-year old boy was found as a stray by some children who called a local humane society about him. Julie Bates was notified and had Yuri vet-checked. He tested positive for heartworms. Julie describes him as "a beautiful dog with a wonderful disposition. He will be very adoptable once treated." Yuri is a young, strong dog and his prognosis is excellent. He will be available for adoption through Indy Homes for Huskies. (August 2004)

This young blue-eyed boy was picked up as a stray and found to be positive for heartworms. While he was exhibiting some right front limb lameness, he was healing nicely, so the medical concern was focused on his heartworm diagnosis. Fortunately, it is at an early stage and Jake's prognosis for recovery is excellent. The SOS-SRF were pleased to help with Jake's treatment. (May 2004) P.S. Jake is lucky: he has a forever home lined up. His foster mother just failed "fostering 101."

It took over a year but Athena finally found her forever home with a medical student named Sam. They enrolled in the dog-children therapy class at Riley Children's Hospital and Sam got Athena a scrubs costume and stethoscope to wear around her neck. She is well-behaved in the apartment and goes running and strolling with Sam along the canal. Athena is Queen of the Canal Walk downtown. Of course, would you think she'd have it any other way? Her Dad, Sam, says Athena thinks she owns the estate around the canal. They are having a blast together!

This black and white woolly boy was a stray with no collar or tags. He was hit by a car and taken to a local shelter which had no funds to treat him. Kody was destined for euthanization, but the shelter decided to call Suzy Taylor at Free Spirit Rescue to see if she could help. Suzy picked him up immediately and took him for treatment. The attending veterinarian administered pain medication for Kody's detached left hip and left femur fracture, and performed surgery the next day. Despite his pain, Kody was a gentle dog giving generous kisses to his caregivers. Lakoda is now in foster care with Sandy Stealy and is making good progress. The pin in his leg will be removed in a few weeks. Suzy writes that he is "happy and well. . .and has a sparkle in those baby blues that was not there before." And Sandy has been amazed by his rapid recovery as well. She writes enthusiastically about this brave boy and knows he will make a forever family very happy. We were very pleased to contribute to Lakoda's surgeries. (April 2004) Update - October 2004 (CanineWorks Rescue) Kody required further surgery - a hip ostectomy to repair his chronically dislocated hip, and surgery on his left femur. Kody's prognosis is excellent for a happy, healthy life.

Big Red is about five years old. He's a large red and white woolly with blue eyes. Linda Koontz (SFSHR) writes that "he was pulled from animal control just minutes away from being euthanized." He was matted and full of fleas and ticks. A persistent cough warranted antibiotics, but when the condition continued, and when Big Red also exhibited urinary and nasal bleeding, his foster mother had him checked out.

Gidget is a young red and white female Siberian with blue eyes, rescued by Jim Sheerin who has been active for several months in rescuing Siberians from dog auctions (see additional pictures on his site). Gidget was diagnosed with heartworms and is currently undergoing treatment. Because of her age and general good health, her prognosis is excellent. Gidget will be available for adoption once her treatment is complete. The SOS-SRF paid for Gidget's heartworm treatment and commend Jim on finding a veterinarian, Dr. Jim McMinn of the Cabool Vet Clinic, who charged a very nominal fee for this. (January 2004)

Kola is a one-year-old, black and white, bi-eyed girl who was diagnosed with a "left forelimb angular deformity resulting from a premature growth plate closure of the ulnar bone." Beth Spradley, Kola's foster mom, believes that Kola may have sustained an injury at a young age which caused this condition. Beth describes her as "very affectionate;" she "adores snuggling up next to her people, will do anything for a treat, loves playing with the other dogs in her foster home and going on walks, and has a fun, feisty attitude." But Kola "risks long-term damage to her joints if her deformity is not corrected." Kola requires expensive surgery - an osteotomy - with an orthopedic veterinarian. With this surgery, her prognosis is excellent. She will remain with Beth, her foster mom, until she has fully recuperated, and then will be placed for adoption in a carefully-screened forever home. Beth writes that Kola's "personality and enthusiasm for life are enormous. Kola is a very adoptable Siberian who will undoubtedly make a wonderful companion pet for the right Husky household."

We were pleased to assist with expenses for Kola's surgery and wish her a long, healthy, happy, and pain-free life! (February 2004)

Chance is a six-year-old male, black and white Siberian with blue eyes. Sadly, and appallingly, his story is all too familiar: his owners moved and left him tied to a tree on an empty lot. Eileen Kent took charge of the situation and had him checked by her vet. Chance was found to have hookworms, a lung inflammation, and heartworms. His prognosis with a "split treatment" for heartworms "should result in a positive outcome" (according to his veterinarian who believes that this is "a safer regimen for patients showing evidence of lung or heart involvement from heartworms").

The SOS-SRF was pleased to help Chance with his heartworm treatment, and we sincerely hope that he soon finds a forever home that will show him only love and companionship. (February 2004)