Special Dogs that AHDRS Has Helped

A big problem faced by rescuers is what to do about dogs who need medical care that is much more costly than any adoption fee could cover. Many of the dogs who come into rescue groups have just such problems, so one of the primary goals in founding Almost Home was to focus on innovative fundraising approaches. Our goal was, and is, to help our own rescuers care for rescued dogs who require extensive medical care and to help other individuals and rescue groups with donations to help such dogs.

In June 2007, Almost Home celebrated its sixth anniversary, and, as this page shows, our commitment to this goal has paid off. The dogs below are only some of those AH was able to help by paying for expensive, but necessary, medical care.

In a spirit of cooperation with and commitment to all rescue efforts, we have also been able to make donations to help other rescue groups with their needy dogs. AHDRS has provided financial help to dogs in the care of the Disabled Dachshund Society, Dachshund Rescue of North America, Coast-to-Coast Dachshund Rescue, Midwest Dachshund Rescue, People for Pets, Kentucky Dachshund Rescue, Las Vegas Dachshund Rescue, and All Texas Dachshund Rescue, as well as shelters and individual rescuers. We also solicited funds from visitors to our Web site for two once-paralyzed Disabled Dachshund Society dogs (both are walking now and both have been adopted into loving homes), two Iowa groups that rescued a large number of puppy mill dogs, Hearts United for Animals, and a California rescue society that needed financial help to pay for an expensive surgical procedure. Our members and visitors to our Web site responded to all of those pleas with exceptional generosity.

We are always glad to accept contributions, no matter how small, to our medical fund. Individual contributions make a huge difference to dogs like these. They often mean the difference between life and death.

 

 

~ KC~

KC is such a lucky boy, although he may not have thought so at first. His first adoption didn’t work out, so back to a foster home he went. Then, the perfect match was made and he traveled, with high expectations, to his new home. Less than 24 hours after arriving, KC went down in his back. KC was paralyzed. Many adopters would have sent him back to rescue. Not KC’s new mom. She rushed him to the surgeon and made the financial commitment to see him through.

And see him through she did! KC is now not only walking, but he is destined to become a Hospice Companion Animal, thanks to his marvelous disposition and, as his mom says, you can see from the compassion in his eyes that he will be comfort to many people.

KC has a little hop and skip in one of his back legs when he runs, but that is the only clue that he was in so much trouble and was paralyzed in all four legs and couldn’t even turn his head. He runs and plays with his brother Ziggy and is a happy, healthy, perfectly normal sweet dog with just a hitch in his get-along who is going to make many people very happy with his hospice visits.

KC, his foster mom and his forever mom wish to thank everyone who contributed to help with is extensive back surgery.

KC will, in fact, become the very first dog to be an official Beacon Hospice volunteer for the agency in Hyannis MA. We know he will set a sterling example for many to follow.  

 

 

~ Lilli Kate ~

So many people made Lilli Kate’s life today possible! When this little one entered rescue, her future was bleak due to her suffering from hydrocephalus, a condition where fluid builds in the brain, causing brain damage and, in many cases, death. In addition to having fluid building in the ventricles, Lilli Kate’s brain had formed a cyst that was filling with fluid and pressing on her cerebellum, which, in turn, was pressing on her brain stem. Because the fluid was continuing to build, she faced a bleak prognosis. The only way to save Lilli Kate was for her to have expensive surgery to place two shunts in her brain to reduce the pressure and normalize the fluid in both her ventricles and the cyst.

We have never asked for so much help before, but our donors and supporters came through, and we successfully raised not only enough funds for her treatment, but went over the mark meaning even more dogs can receive help from our medical fund.

Lilli Kate turned out to be a true miracle. While surgery is not expected to improve a dog’s condition, but rather prevent further complications, Lilli proved this wrong. With her final check-up she showed to have improved vision in her right eye, her circling had ceased and the dome of her head had decreased, indicating a significant reduction and normalization of fluid.

Lilli Kate is a perfectly normal, but very special, little girl. Other than needing to be protected along the neck and side where her shunt line runs, she is like any other active, inquisitive, hard-headed and completely lovable dachshund.

Lilli Kate’s happy ending is complete as she has found love and safety in her forever home where she is one very spoiled little lady. She has a “big brother” to torment (it is so like Lilli that she follows him under the couch and denies him any peace and quiet!), a mom and grandparents to dote on her, trails to walk and she is especially good in showing her appreciation to her mom not only with lots of kisses and snuggling but also in agreeing to wear some pink sweaters and outfits occasionally!

Lilli Kate has an angel riding on her shoulder and hundreds of angels on earth to whom she owes her life. A very sincere thank you to everyone who played a part in saving Lilli Kate’s life.

 

 

~ Fuz ~

Fuz--now named Olivia and living happily with the family that adopted her--is the standard wirehair who suffered an internal hemorrhage after she was spayed. She required emergency surgery and it was touch-and-go for a while, because her abdomen had filled with blood and she was suffering low blood pressure and a severely reduced heartbeat. But because her foster mom got her the care she needed in time, she made a complete recovery.

Here's an update on her from her new mom:

When Olivia came into our home, she made our family so much more wonderful! Her graceful personality and her tender display of affection helped her settle in and find her place right in the middle of the pack. She is our "always willing and happy to do it girl," just carefree and so full of life. She is the big baby of the family, sleeps belly up in the middle of the big bed, twirls like a ballerina when we go outside, kisses her brothers and sisters on their faces and lovingly shares her food with them. It's obvious to us that she's happy and content with her new family.

From the bottom of our hearts, we want to say thank you so much to everyone who in one way or another helped our baby girl, but most especially to those who were kind enough to send donations to help pay her bills and to her foster mom for taking such great care of Olivia and for giving her a chance to finding her way home with us.

 

 

~ Gabby and Butterscotch ~

Gabby and Butterscotch are the two dogs who were among many sick and neglected dogs seized in a horrific North Carolina puppy mill raid. They arrived at their AHDRS foster home filthy, full of parasites, malnourished, abused, and sick. Gabby was unable to eat because four front teeth had been broken down to the roots and the skin was growing over them. And Butterscotch was pregnant.

Aside from basic vet care, good nutrition, and many, many baths, Gabby needed extensive dental surgery and Butterscotch needed help delivering her puppies, one of whom died horribly during an emergency C-section after her uterus collapsed during the procedure. She also had a serious stomach infection and damage to all of her reproductive organs, thanks to years of overbreeding in the puppy mill. The fact that three puppies survived is something of a miracle.

Life is so much brighter for these dogs now, thanks to their dedicated foster parents and to all of you who donated to help pay their extensive vet bills.

Gabby has been slowly and steadily putting on some weight and has filled out nicely. He is such a wonderful boy and the consummate lovebug. He is now on the AHDRS Web site, ready to be adopted. His foster parents will be heartbroken when he leaves, but after suffering so much, they know that Gabby deserves a loving home of his own.

Butterscotch is already in her new adoptive home and her foster parents could not be happier about her new family. Butterscotch was adopted by an AHDRS member and now lives in West Virginia. She has fit just perfectly into her new life and has a new name, Starr Bright--so fitting of this sweet girl's happy personality.

Two of the puppies, Dobby and Winky, are also now in their new homes. On a sad note, the third puppy developed hydrocephalus, fluid on the brain. His foster parents worked hard for many weeks, hoping for one more miracle, but because he was not thriving and not eating, the heartbreaking decision to send him to the Bridge finally had to be made.

Their foster parents want to thank you so much for giving these victims of greed happy and healthy new lives!

 

 

~ Pixie and Trixie ~

You saved two lives! Thank you to the many, many people who donated to help our precious puppy mill breeder girls, Pixie and Trixie. These are the dogs who had the enormous hernias, who had been bred nearly to death and were then dumped on a highway and left to die. They both needed immediate surgeries--along with basic healthcare (vaccinations, dentals)--and we had all the procedures done on faith, hoping that we would be able to pay for them.

And you really came through! Pixie and Trixie had all their needed vet work done and both have been adopted into wonderful homes. Pixie, the younger and smaller of the two, was adopted by a family and is being spoiled absolutely rotten--which is what she deserves after what she has been through. Trixie, the older girl who just craved human attention, found her perfect home: She was adopted by a woman who lives in a seniors complex, and she takes Trixie, now named Mitzi, with her wherever she goes--except to the dining room (no dogs allowed!). Trixie gets all the human attention she can stand, and then some, and she has also made friends with other dogs who live in the complex. Trixie even accompanies her new mom to the beauty parlor, where she lies on her lap while Mom is under the dryer.

Trixie had to have another hernia repair--you may recall that her hernia was so severe that it was something of a miracle that she had survived--and it's possible she will even need a third. But nothing bothers her--she is always happy, because she is finally getting all the love she missed for so long.

We want to thank Jodie Ratch, the good Samaritan who took the girls in when they were strays on the side of a road, and Fundoxie Rescue in Michigan, who continued to foster the girls after their first surgeries and found them such good homes. Everyone worked together--including our many generous donors--to save these two precious lives. We are very grateful!

 

 

~ Zippy ~

We are pleased to report that Zippy has gone to his forever home--and that he is able to see it! Thank you so much for all the generous donations you sent to help this happy little dog!

Zippy is the young dachshund who was rescued from a high-kill Las Vegas shelter, where he developed a serious upper respiratory infection that continued to get worse. When he was released to rescue, it was discovered that he also had very severe cataracts, which were progressing rapidly. Left untreated, Zippy's eyes would have become extremely painful and would probably have had to be removed.

But you came through in a big way for this dog! Zippy had surgery to remove the cataracts on Valentine's Day, appropriately enough. The surgeon was not able to implant artificial lenses in his eyes because the sacs that contain the lenses had deteriorated too much. Zippy had to endure getting drops in his eyes several times a day for several weeks after his surgery, and he really didn't care for that procedure! But Zippy can see--he's just nearsighted, which, for a dog, is no big deal at all. He doesn't do much driving!

Zippy has been adopted in Las Vegas, and he is now starting out on his happy new life--healthy, pain-free, and with a very bright future. We thank you all so much for supporting this wonderful little dog, who was thrown away as if he didn't matter. He sure matters to his new mom, who is so crazy about him that she also helped to pay for his expensive surgery.

 

 

~ Daisy ~

Thank you to all of you who donated to help Daisy, our little beagle/dachshund mix with the crippled leg. Just another throwaway, Daisy ended up on the euthanasia table at the shelter where she had been dumped with the needle ready to go into her vein. But a rescuer contacted the shelter in the nick of time and saved her life.

Daisy underwent surgery to repair her broken leg, which had healed improperly because she got no medical attention when it was originally broken. If you could see her in person today, you wouldn't believe she had suffered at all. Daisy plays and runs almost non-stop. Her foster mom has to force her to take a break from time to time, and then she lies happily on the sofa, still panting a little from all her exertion, and takes a snooze as she gets her ears scratched. We know she is dreaming of the rawhide she will attack when she wakes up.

Daisy is such a happy dog--she loves everyone. She goes up to strangers on the street and wags her tail, waiting to be acknowledged and petted. If someone stops to pet her and say, "What a pretty girl," she is just beside herself with pleasure.

Daisy got all her vaccinations when she had her surgical staples removed and is now ready to be adopted into a family with which, we hope, she will spend the rest of a very happy and healthy life. We could not have taken care of this sweet girl without your help, and we are so grateful for your generosity and all the donations we received to help her.

 

 

~ Stevie ~

Thank you all so much for your donations to help Stevie! He is the dachshund who was run over by a car and received no medical attention from his owners. When the police were called by a caring neighbor, Stevie was taken from the owners to a local shelter and then surrendered to Kentucky Dachshund Rescue.

Both of Stevie's hind legs were broken and he had five fractures in his pelvis. Extensive surgery was required to fix the fractures and ensure that they healed properly. Given the extent of his injuries, and the fact that he didn't receive any medical care right after the accident, it is something of a miracle that he is able to walk again. But he not only walks, he plays and runs as if nothing had ever happened to him.

Stevie had to endure 60 days of crate rest, which he didn't like at all, and then his foster mom performed regular physical therapy to help him regain good use of his broken limbs. He has recovered very well and would roughhouse with the other dogs in his foster home all the time if Foster Mom didn't step in and stop him. He is a very happy little guy who loves attention and will climb to the top of the heap to be first in line for loving. He has maintained a wonderful attitude through all his troubles, which has taught his foster family how important attitude is in recovery and what "good medicine" an optimistic attitude is.

Stevie sends his warmest kisses to all who sent donations, prayed for him, and wrote to ask about his progress. Everyone at Kentucky Dachshund Rescue is thankful that AHDRS helped with his medical bills, and we at AHDRS are grateful to all who contributed via our Web site to help restore this adorable little guy to health.

 

 

~ Fiona ~

Fiona is enjoying a wonderful new life in her golden years. Fiona is the delightful little dog who was abandoned by her owners after undergoing back surgery, adopted out, then found wandering alongside a road. The person who found her also found her owners, who said they didn't want her any more. She lived with the person who found her for 10 years, until that person was no longer able to take care of her.

When she arrived at her AHDRS foster home, she needed some serious medical care, including an expensive dental surgery--which you helped to pay for! The surgery was a huge success. She had some teeth removed, and her mouth was cleaned so that the serious dental infection she had was conquered.

And now the best part: Fiona was very lucky to find her forever home with a family that has three other senior dachshunds. They have a big yard in the country where the dogs play together. And her new mom and dad are experts in the care of senior dogs. Fiona says "thank you" to all the wonderful folks who helped her feel so much better and find her new home. In the photo, Fiona is the one in the pink collar. She is with Bonnie, her new mom, and Tubby, one of her brothers.

 

 

~ Cherry ~

Thank you for helping Cherry! This little dog, who was suffering some pneumonia so severe that her survival was in question is now doing marvelously in her new home. Her vet says she is now at a perfect, healthy weight for her--9.75 pounds! The pneumonia that threatened her life is a thing of the past, and she is now developing her own very interesting personality. She has figured out her squeaky toys and will not allow them all to be in the toy box at the same time. When her mom tries to tidy up by retrieving all the toys and putting them in the box, Cherry goes right along behind her to make sure that at least two of them are left out. She doesn't like to sit alone--she wants to be with her mom or dad, or she'll go find her dachsie "sister," Smoogy, and curl up with her. They have really bonded and like to play and nap together. They don't even mind if the other wanders over from her food bowl to see whether her sister forgot a piece of kibble in hers! Cherry gets so excited when she's giving kisses that she nibbles a little, but nobody minds. She doesn't bark much, but her family discovered, when she does, that she has a very deep voice for such a little body. She has her own little habits (climbing onto the kitchen table or getting into bathroom trash) and likes and dislikes. Her family adapts to her little quirks as they are sure she does for them--bathroom door stays closed, food stays off the table. They adore her and are so grateful for the help they received from all of you, without which they would probably not be enjoying Cherry right now.

 

 

~ Duke ~

Poor little Duke was the dog nobody wanted. When he developed back problems, his owners didn't get him any medical help at all. They just took him to a shelter and dropped him off, without even mentioning his back problem. The shelter contacted an Almost Home rescuer, where Duke underwent crate rest before having surgery.

Thanks to all the kind people who contributed the funds to help pay for his very expensive treatment, Duke was able to have his surgery and he recovered completely. He built up strength in his rear legs by chasing all his foster siblings around the backyard. He has a slight sway in his walk, which reminded his foster mom of John Wayne, who was known as "The Duke." How apt!

Duke is now living a wonderful life in his new forever home, with his dachshund sister, Sophie, and a cat. He goes for long walks, which is good for his back, and is finally someone's beloved dog--which is what we always wanted him to be. We are grateful to everyone who sent contributions to help him, and his foster parents appreciate all the e-mails of concern they received.

 

 

~ Rocky ~

Rocky came into rescue after being abused and neglected. He had been kicked down a flight of stairs quite a while before he was rescued and suffered a broken pelvis as a result. Because he received no medical care, the pelvis shifted and healed wrong, leaving his right rear leg useless and painful. He was emaciated and had internal and external parasites. He wasn't neutered and of course had not been kept current on his vaccines. He was one of the saddest cases of abuse and neglect we have seen in a long time. The pain showed in his facial expression, which was worried, submissive, and sad. He had probably been in constant pain since he was kicked.

After X-rays revealed the extent of the damage to Rocky's bones, it was decided that the only humane course of action was amputation of the rear leg. The surgery was performed on January 13, 2006--it was Friday the 13th, but it was truly Rocky's lucky day! He was neutered at the same time and received his vaccinations, and his foster parents got rid of all his parasites. Two days after surgery, he just had a different look on his face. Although the surgery itself involved some pain, carrying around that very painful leg was much worse. The boy made amazing strides in his recovery. After only two weeks, he was running and playing with the other dogs as if he had all four legs and had never suffered a day in his life. He is now fully recovered and just waiting for his hair to grow back. Rocky has been adopted and will be going to his new home in Las Vegas in the very near future.

With all the generous help from everyone who contributed, his foster family was able to cover his medical expenses. We thank each and every one of you for your help and caring. Rocky is now a vibrant, healthy, and very handsome two-year-old who has a long and happy life ahead of him, thanks to the kindness of many donors. Rocky thanks all of you!

 

 

~ Tootsie ~

We know you all remember Tootsie--because so many of you rushed to her aid after she was found wandering along a road, in pain and having trouble walking. The wonderful woman who stopped to help her knew she needed help but had neither experience with downed dachshunds nor the financial means to pursue the expensive medical consultations and testing Tootsie needed. Fortunately, she contacted Almost Home for advice and from that point on, things only got better for this little one. With the assistance of AH members in the area, Tootsie was soon on her way to see a specialist, but that was only half the battle. Tootsie needed an MRI and other diagnostic procedures that were very costly. That's where the wonderful supporters of Almost Home stepped in and, in very short order, the necessary funds were available.

After extensive testing, the surgeon felt Tootsie had a chance to recover without surgery and ordered strict crate rest, medication, and weekly evaluations. Tootsie has shown improvement each week and we are now hopeful that she will need only ongoing physical therapy, rather than surgery.

We feel Tootsie was probably abandoned because of her developing back problem. What could have been a tragedy became a miracle because of one woman who cared enough to take her in and because of you--the many kind people who cared enough to help her.

 

 

~ Blossom ~

Blossom, now known as Maggy, is on her third name. She was a puppy mill breeder who was no longer of value to her owners. They offered her "free to good home," although her poor physical condition made it perfectly clear that they couldn't have cared less how "good" her new home was. At seven years old, she was as good as dead to them. She was known as Boo at the mill because she was so shy. Her foster mom renamed her Blossom, hoping that she would do exactly that with love and care.

When she came into rescue, Maggy had heartworms, numerous tumors, and a mouthful of infection, and she was pregnant. Your generosity paid for her two surgeries (the first to spay her and remove some of her tumors, the second to remove the rest of the tumors and clean up her teeth and mouth), and her heartworm treatment.

With her health restored, Maggy was adopted by a loving family, who found that she was scared to death of everything and everybody in her new home. After a lifetime in a breeding cage, with virtually no human contact, the change was hard for her to handle. She wouldn't look at anyone and whenever she was touched, she went as stiff as a board and her heart almost pounded out of her chest. She was especially frightened of men, and whenever her new dad entered the room of tried to pet her, she just urinated and trembled.

With a lot of love, Maggy has learned to enjoy being petted and to play with her mom and the girls in her new home. Dad is still scary, but she has actually walked calmly through a room he is in--and for her, that is a huge step. One winter day, everyone was on the deck and the other dogs in her new home were barking at the leaves. Maggy had her tail fully raised, her ears perked, those dark eyes shining, and that black nose sniffing the wind. She looked like a beautiful, proud, and feisty dachshund, just like she should, not something fearful and cowering from everyone. She now occasionally gives kisses, and she is happy and still growing in her emotional well-being.

Her new family and her foster mom thank everyone who contributed to help bring Maggy back to health so she can enjoy her new life--and the first happiness and comfort she has ever known.

 

 

~ Chloe ~

We asked visitors to our web site to help Chloe, a four-month-old wirehaired puppy who began her life in a Pennsylvania puppy mill and had a congenital heart defect that had to be repaired to save her life. We can't thank you enough for your amazingly generous responses, which paid for Chloe's expensive procedure! How full of life is she now? Well, when she returned to the hospital to have her surgical staples removed, she screamed at every one of them! But as soon as the vet finished, Chloe turned and gave the vet a big kiss on the nose. She will be on a rigorous rest schedule until her next checkup, in November, but all signs are good. The one problem is that Chloe desperately wants to play with her "boyfriend," a four-year-old Chihuahua named Chico, and being a puppy, she doesn't really understand why she can't! Thanks to everyone who sent donations to help this little victim of puppy mill/pet store greed survive her breeding and start on her brand new life!

 

 

 

~ Lacy and Fenway ~

Lacy and Fenway came into rescue as eight-week-old puppies with severe, but undiagnosed, neurological problems. They are products of irresponsible breeding, having been sired by a male with a known history of producing neurologically impaired offspring. Both display a combination of obsessive-compulsive disorder, autistic behavior, and retardation, and much of their time is spent spinning and circling. Their physical development is also stunted; neither has gained much weight in the past three months, despite being on an excellent diet.

Thanks to the help of many caring donors, we were able to have CT scans and other tests done on the puppies, to try to discover the source of their problems. Unfortunately, all of the tests have been negative and their CT scans showed no brain abnormalities. Their neurologist has tried to treat their symptoms with drugs, but the compounds have had no effect. The vet now believes that no diagnosis will be possible beyond "failure for cognitive development due to unknown causes."

Their foster mom is now pursuing holistic treatments in an attempt to help these precious ones gain a better semblance of a normal life. The ability to continue financially to seek help for Lacy and Fenway is due to the financial support she has received through donations, but, more importantly, everyone's hopes for these two have provided the moral support needed to continue with their care and to not give up until all avenues have been explored.

 

~ Gretchen ~

Gretchen, on the right, was adopted by a wonderful family who also adopted Mousie, on the left. So Gretchen now shares her home with one of her former foster sisters -- and two pugs! Gretchen was picked up as a very neglected stray. Her body was covered with open sores, and her mouth was so full of infection that you could smell the odor when you walked into any room she had been in for a while. Her teeth were brown and green and several were literally hanging by a thread. Thanks to your generosity, Gretchen was able to undergo two very extensive dental procedures, which left her with some bone loss and many fewer teeth but no loss of appetite! She still does her "happy dance" when she perceives that treats or meals are on the horizon! She loves to snuggle with her new parents and her canine siblings and has never lost her happy disposition.
 
The family that adopted Gretchen and Mousie, two senior dachshunds, told us they have found the experience extremely rewarding and hope to be able to adopt more older dogs in the future. We are grateful to them, and to you, for giving Gretchen a second chance.

 

 

~ Boo ~

Thanks so much to all of you who responded to Boo's need for help. We now consider this little pup our "miracle dog," and you were all instrumental in the miracle! Boo doubled his weight in his first nine days in rescue, with Karen, the People for Pets volunteer who took him in. The vets were amazed by the difference made by adding special digestive enzymes to Boo's diet, putting him on a hypoallergenic food, and treating him with an anti-infective. When they first saw him, Boo weighed 2 1/4 pounds and the vets really did not expect him to pull through. He now weighs 4 1/2 pounds and is looking--and acting!--dramatically better. 

Boo, a pet store (puppy mill) dog, ended up with Karen after being dumped at a shelter by his owner when he first became ill. He had severe chronic diarrhea and was losing weight, instead of gaining, as a puppy should be. Nothing was done for him at the shelter and his condition went downhill rapidly. All the tests that tried to diagnose what was wrong with Boo came back with negative or inconclusive results, so Karen and her vets decided to try the enzymes and special diet as a last-ditch effort.
 
Apparently, the treatment is working, and we all hope that Boo will require nothing more than having to continue his special diet to help his body absorb nutrients. After he has gained some more weight and the vets feel confident that his problem has been solved, Boo will be ready for adoption. As you can see from the picture, Boo likes cats, especially the hairless kind that his foster mom has. Boo likes dogs too, and people. Boo likes everyone!
 
But Boo especially likes all the kind folks who helped pay his vet bills, and he thanks you all so much!

 

 

~ Rudy ~

We knew, when Rudy entered rescue, that she had serious neurological issues and, without rescue, that she would be euthanized. Her foster mom has a very special part of her heart reserved for dogs with neurological conditions, so she welcomed Rudy and soon had her scheduled for a neurological exam. Her MRI revealed what was feared -- Rudy has hydrocephalus, which is a build-up of spinal fluid in the brain due to a failure of it to drain properly. 
 
Rudy's initial symptoms included what appeared to be hallucinations, causing her to see demons that chased her and tried to get her food. She ran continuously in circles, growling and barking to drive them away.  
 
She is being treated with medication, and two months after entering rescue, Rudy's behavior has leveled off. While she does not often want to be touched, she does give her foster mom some special time each morning, sitting calmly in her lap and sometimes even sharing a quick kiss. Rudy is very dependent on routine and remaining in her "comfort zone," but as long as that occurs, she splits her time between wandering around the living area, sometimes sniffing the other dogs (and once even giving a quick play bow to a foster puppy), running some quick zoomies, tossing her favorite toy around, and napping in her own quiet room.
 
Next on the agenda for Rudy is a visit to the holistic vet, where she will possibly be placed on herbal treatments and receive a special diet. She will continue with her daily dose of Prozac and, should any of her symptoms increase, her neurologist will consider surgery. Rudy is available for adoption to a very special home that understands the joy of special needs dogs and can offer her a routine in a settled environment.
 
Rudy and her foster mom are thankful for each donor who made her neurological evaluation and MRI possible, and who showed that the puppies with special problems deserve the same chances as all the others.

 

~ Kharmen-Ghia ~

After her owners bought her at a pet store, then realized that she had numerous serious health problems, Kharmen-Ghia was turned over to rescue. She was extremely thin and malnourished and had chronic diarrhea; it appeared that her food was not being digested at all. Many tests produced no clues as to what the problem might be, but eventually the problem was diagnosed:

Kharmen had a genetic condition in which her pancreas did not secrete the enzymes required to process food.

Six months after coming into rescue, Kharmen is doing well. She has put on weight and been spayed and vaccinated and today, Kharmen is as healthy as a dog with a nonfunctioning pancreas can be. She is treated with special foods and supplements and she now runs, plays "wrestle mania," and can leap tall baby gates in a single bound--literally! Kharmen has elected herself "Miss Congeniality," welcoming all new rescue dogs into her foster home and inviting them to play and run with her. She is the goodwill ambassador, greeting one and all with a happy face and wagging tail. She loves to sit in the doggy lounger or her beach chair on the patio and watch the birds and survey her kingdom. She has become quite a wonderful dachshund.

 

~ Oscar ~

Oscar came into rescue with some serious behavior issues, as many dogs placed in rescue do. After his original owner died, he was shuttled around to other family members, but no one really had time or attention for him, so Oscar had separation anxiety and was a fear biter. With consistent training, love and patience Oscar's fear biting subsided and he learned to trust again and to enjoy playing with toys. His favorite pastime is to de-fluff any toy that comes in to the house immediately upon arrival. It is his love of all things fabric that led to Oscar's difficulties.

After Oscar had refused a meal--something that never happened--basic tests were done and showed an intestinal blockage. During surgery, the surgeon removed a dish towel that Oscar had apparently been chewing. Complications occurred during the procedure, so Oscar had to stay in the hospital for several days. He is terrified of being crated, likely as a result of spending long, long hours in a crate with one of his previous owners. Making a desperate attempt to get out, he injured his nose. But eventually, Oscar recovered completely without further complications.

Oscar's foster family would like to thank everyone who donated to his expensive care in a year when their veterinary expenses were particularly high. They decided that placing Oscar in a new home at this point would be too traumatic for Oscar, so he has become a permanent part of their family. Thank you to everyone who helped them help Oscar.

 

~ Gracie ~

Gracie was a puppy mill breeder dog who became paralyzed in January 2004. Since she was no longer of any financial use to them, the puppy millers gave Gracie away to people who provided no vet care whatsoever for her for five more miserable months.

Gracie came to Almost Home paralyzed, emaciated, and with terrible skin sores (from lying in her own urine and not being moved around enough when she could not move herself), rotten teeth, and without any bladder or bowel control. She was, naturally, very withdrawn and timid, having been paralyzed, in pain and terrible discomfort, and neglected. Gracie's foster mom got her a much-needed dental and her vaccinations and then set out to work with Gracie physically, providing daily physical therapy and skin care, and emotionally, by patiently teaching Gracie to trust human beings.

Within two months, Gracie not only had regained most of her bladder and bowel control, she was surprising everyone by picking those little back legs up and shooting through the house and yard in a wobbly gait that brought tears of joy to her foster mom's eyes. For Gracie, whose entire life was spent in a puppy mill cage before she was paralyzed, nothing felt better than running free! Gracie's foster mom also bought her a cart to increase her access and mobility...but Gracie preferred to hop and wobble and give running on her own power her best shot!

In the fall of 2004, Gracie had a major setback. Another disc herniated, causing spinal cord compression, severe pain, and new paralysis. This time, however, she was not a piece of property in a mill. She was a beloved companion in a rescue foster home, and her foster mom got her immediate surgery. After a difficult procedure, Gracie began walking again with her usual adorable wobbly gait and regained her good spirits. After all they had been through together, Gracie's foster family adopted her.

Gracie is now 100% back to her old self. She is enjoying the warm weather and loves to bask in the sun and romp in the yard with the other dachshunds in her home. She loves to lie in her mom's lap and be scratched from head to toe, and she can now even stretch her neck out to be sure that Mom gets the job done right! None of this would have been possible if not for the generosity of the compassionate strangers who sent donations to help give this little girl a second chance.

 

~ Bud ~

Sweet little Bud was dumped at a shelter when his owners decided to move without him. He was diagnosed with a heart murmur right after he came into rescue, and he also had very serious dental problems that required surgery -- a tricky combination. Bud underwent a cardiac ultrasound to make sure his heart could tolerate the dental procedure, and it was while the vet was doing what they thought was going to be a routine cleaning that the true extent of his dental disease was discovered. In that first operation, he had 13 teeth pulled -- and he needed more work than could be done in one procedure.

In his second procedure, a double fistula was discovered -- an enormous hole that went from his gum into his nasal cavity. Bud had two more dental surgeries to try to correct that problem, but the sutures would not hold. So, after four operations and a lot of tooth extractions, Bud still has the fistula where one of his canines used to be, and it cannot be repaired. The vet does not think that Bud's heart will withstand more procedures.

His adoptive family looks forward to Bud's having a long and happy life, playing chase with his little brother Ralph. They want to thank EVERYONE who donated to help Bud through all his expensive procedures. Bud is a very special dog, who has survived being abandoned, being dumped in a shelter, and more painful surgeries than any five-year-old dog should have to go through. It will take more than a hole in his mouth to hold him back!

 

~ Sara ~

We are so sad to report that Sara went to Rainbow Bridge over the New Year's weekend. A completely unnecessary loss, and one that was devastating to the rescuers who were caring for her. She was suffering from an enormous gallstone, as well as a neurologic problem that was probably caused by a blow to the head, and the combination was simply too much for this precious little girl. She was not healthy enough to have the gallstone removed, so her rescuers had to make the heartbreaking decision to have her euthanized.

Sara should not have suffered this fate. If her original owners, who ignored her medical problems until they became overwhelming, had gotten veterinary care for her instead of dumping her in a pound after she was already terribly sick, she probably could have been saved. The rescuers who went out of their way to take her in after she was neglected by her owners, the pound, and another rescue group, and who essentially suspended their holiday preparations to take care of her, did everything that could be done, and losing this sweet dog has been very hard for them to accept.

Because shelters in the U.S. are filled to overflowing with dogs abandoned by their owners, those of us who volunteer in rescue have to tell ourselves every day that we can't save them all, but we will save as many as we can. Sometimes that means we save them only long enough for them to have a brief period of love and caring in a foster home before they die. But losing a dog like Sara, who was let down by every single human being she ever encountered and whose neurologic problems made it impossible for her to experience comfort, is just a devastating loss.

We thank those of you who donated to help pay for Sara's expensive care, and we grieve with her rescuers, who loved her and tried so hard to save her life.

 

~ Stella ~

When Stella began showing signs of back problems, her family put her on steroids and crate rest, but her condition continued to deteriorate. She was quickly becoming unable to take more than a couple of steps without falling, and immediate surgery was needed to prevent her becoming paralyzed. Unable to meet the expenses of surgery, they contacted Almost Home about surrendering her to rescue and our closest member agreed to take her and get her the necessary medical care. Although she knew this meant a huge financial commitment, she also knew how supportive and compassionate people are and felt confident donations would be there to cover the expenses.

Both Stella and our generous contributors work fast: In one short month, Stella is not only walking but running, and her surgical costs are covered.

Stella is a spunky, intelligent little girl with a sparkling personality and a tremendous amount of love. Although she has kept her foster mom busy restricting her movement during the necessary rehabilitation period, her quick recovery has been a joy for her to watch. Stella is now in her forever home, helping her canine siblings keep their parents busy.

A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who helped get this little one back on her feet.

 

~ Roscoe ~

Thanks to the never-ending generosity of our contributors, Roscoe's situation has improved, and we are hoping for further improvement. Two-year-old Roscoe was about to be dumped at a shelter after he apparently chewed through an electric wire and was electrocuted, creating a large hole in the roof of his mouth that went through to his sinuses. Eating and drinking were extremely difficult for him; he had to be hand-fed, one piece of kibble at a time, and given water from a baby bottle, so that he didn't choke.

Roscoe underwent surgery in September; the photo shows him after the post-surgical nasal tube had been removed. He is now able to drink normally and eat soft food all on his own. The veterinarian is hoping to do one more surgery on Roscoe, if enough tissue is available, to get him as close to 100% normal as possible. This wonderful little dog will have a long, healthy life thanks to you.

 

~ Aquemini ~

Aquemini lived with a family that treated her with affection but neglected her health. When she came into rescue, she had three undiagnosed masses on her body. Two were extremely big; the one on her chest was about the size of a plum and hung down from her body, making it impossible for her to lie down comfortably. When the masses were removed, two turned out to be benign fatty tumors and one was a hernia, so this poor senior girl must have been in pain for some time. Aquemini bounced back from surgery like a young dog--she must have felt so good! But during her recovery, it was discovered that she had bladder stones that were too large to pass and very painful, so back into surgery she went. Both of her surgeries were paid for with the help of Almost Home and your generous donations. Aquemini is now free of pain and discomfort, and this adorably sweet senior girl has been adopted to a wonderful new home and --thank heavens!--also has a new name. Sally.

 

~ Acorn ~

Remember Acorn? She's the little dog who was found in a field, covered with fleas and ticks, completely emaciated (she weighed four pounds), and with a dislocated hip and a right leg that was useless and seemed to be damaged beyond hope. It was thought that the leg would have to be amputated. We think she was either thrown from a moving car or dumped and then hit by a car.

Thanks to your generous donations, Ms. Acorn is back in action! She endured a long and complicated surgery on her leg and a long and tedious recovery. It was hoped that the surgery might give her perhaps 70% use of the leg, if everything went perfectly. Well, true to form, Miss Thing has proved everyone wrong! Not only was she able to keep the leg, but she now runs, walks, and plays on all four legs. She still cannot jump, but she runs her Great Dane and dachsie sisters ragged! Surgery on her hip was canceled due to the complications experienced after her first surgery and spay. She walks with a slight wiggle as a result, but there is nothing sweeter than a dachshund with a strut! Acorn is the light of her foster-mom-turned-forever-mom's eye. She truly is a miracle and gives tons of dachsie kisses to those who had as much faith in her as she seemed to have in herself.

 

~ Chocolate ~

Little Chocolate is running and playing thanks to you! This is the year-old dog who had to have thousands of dollars' worth of surgeries on both of her back legs. One had been broken and was never treated, so it ended up completely backwards in the hip socket. The other was damaged by trying to compensate for the broken leg. Chocolate underwent two surgeries and a lot of daily physical therapy performed by her foster mom.

The surgeries restored her mobility, but they could not make Chocolate completely "normal." She doesn't seem to realize that. At seven pounds, she rules the roost whenever the alpha dog in her foster home -- now her permanent home -- isn't looking! She is constantly on the move, and it's hard to get a picture of her unless she is asleep or thinking up some new mischief to get into. She's just a happy, lively, playful puppy. Her mom says, "I can't imagine life without her--it's so wonderful to be around such a lively spirit. When I feel down or frustrated, I take one look at her and her fighting spunk and realize how good life is, after all."

Chocolate's happy new life would not have been possible without your generosity. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping us make a difference for dogs like Chocolate!

 

~ Frankie ~

Thanks, everyone, for your support for Frankie! All of her vet and surgery bills have been paid for with donations and income from auctions! And Frankie is doing so well. This darling three-year-old girl has recovered from her back surgery and is now able to stand on her own and even walk in a way her foster mom describes as "like the walk of a drunken sailor." It's a beautiful sight for this little dog who was almost euthanized. Frankie has also lost three pounds and is developing something like a waistline -- a major accomplishment for a dachshund who loves to eat! Your generosity has helped her foster mom turn Frankie's life around. The burns, infections, and paralysis she suffered are part of her past now, along with her two surgeries, and she is well on her way to living a happy dachsie life. It couldn't have happened without your help!
 

~ Maggie ~

Maggie, who was rescued from a Los Angeles shelter in very bad shape, is now the pampered only "child" of a California couple who just dote on her. Thanks to the generosity of many people who donated through our web site, she was treated for the massive neurologic infection that was causing seizures and underwent successful surgery to repair a medial luxation of her left knee. Maggie still goes to her foster mom's house for hydrotherapy once a week to help strengthen her knee, but she is now happy, healthy, and very much at home with her adopters. Thank you for helping her rescuer take care of her many needs!
 

~ Zoe ~

Zoe came into rescue when she suffered a back injury and lost the use of her rear legs. Her condition was complicated because she was not cared for properly when her back first went out. She had no skin on her tummy at all; the underlying muscle tissue was clearly visible. The first vet who saw her said there was no hope and she should be put down, but Zoe's rescuer got a second opinion from another vet, who has worked wonders with her. Since August, Zoe has had five skin grafts and spent more than two months in the vet hospital. The wonderful care she has received from her rescuer (almost $2000 in vet bills) has paid off--she has just gotten the OK from the vet to use her cart full-time, and she has blossomed tremendously. She is a real fighter and wants to be just one of the dogs! Donations for Zoe paid for about half of her vet bills and helped to give this feisty and sweet little dog a second chance.
 

~ Bobbie Sue ~

Bobbie Sue, one of our breeder dog rescues, has recovered completely from her self-inflicted surgical complications and is now living the life we hope for for all our dogs. Bobbie Sue was adopted, along with another breeder dog, a dachsie girl named Hilga, by a family in Virginia. The family also has a rescue collie; Bobbie Sue loves to flirt with him! So Bobbie Sue, who had nothing in her former life as a breeder, now has it all: a loving family, an instant sister, a handsome "boy-toy," a big yard, and lots of soft spots for naps. Her favorite is on top of the family's son, when he is stretched out on the sofa. Thanks to all of you who helped another victim of greed find a safe haven.

 

 

 

~ Rosie ~

Rosie is one of those sad cases we often see in rescue. She was unwanted and unloved, left to live in a tool shed. Her diet lacked the nutrients she needed for muscle tone and strength so she flopped as she walked. When she was rescued, she was missing most of the fur on her body from her poor diet, and had infections in her eyes and ears, but her little spirit was not broken. In fact, her spirit seemed stronger than ever! It was evident the moment her foster mother met her that this little girl was determined! While in foster care it was discovered that Rosie had heartworms. She started treatment after her infections healed. She appeared to be doing fine, but collapsed suddenly several days after her treatment. She was in grave condition and was not expected to live. But Rosie had plans for her future; she had finally found loving humans to adore and care for her. Rosie's will to live and sheer determination to find a better life gave her the strength to pull off a miracle!

Rosie is now living the dachshund high life with two dachshund sisters and two human siblings to hug and love on her all the time. Rosie's favorite thing is a polar fleece snuggle and a rawhide bone. On her first night in her new home, her polar fleece was warmed in the dryer and she received a rawhide bone bigger than she is. Oh, what a life she has found!

Thanks so much to all of you who donated to Rosie's care. It was money well spent to see that this once unloved and unwanted little girl is now not only healthy and wanted, but has a home and family to call her own, and many polar fleece blankets!
 

~ Sassy ~

Thank you so much for the many contributions sent to help Sassy! This dear little dog, who uses a cart to zoom around because her rear legs are paralyzed, suffered a severe health crisis that broke her foster mom's bank--and heart. Sassy developed aspiration pneumonia and an enlarged spleen, and in the first few hours, it wasn't clear whether she would live or die. Thanks to prompt medical attention and Sassy's fierce determination to survive, she pulled through. Because the injury that caused her paralysis also resulted in a deformed diaphragm, which brought on the pneumonia, she will never be 100%, but after a long recovery, she is about 95% and is back to being the happy-go-lucky, playful little girl she was before her illness.
 

~ Sadie ~

Sadie is an older dog whose elderly owner died; the owner's son then took Sadie to a vet to have her euthanized. She was in terrible shape and required a lot of expensive vet care, including surgery to amputate her tail, which had been cut off somehow and never treated. Bone and raw tissue were showing and the tail was very infected. Sadie also had severe dermatitis because of a long-term flea infestation and had to have 12 rotten teeth removed. Thanks to the kindness of people who visited our web site, we were able to pay for all of Sadie's care. This sweet girl --who is as loving as if she had lived her entire life in a caring home--was adopted by a family who are giving Sadie all the love and care she had missed out on for so long.
 

~ Scooby ~

The day Scooby was shot by his uncaring owners' neighbor was probably his lucky day! Once he had been rescued and undergone medical treatments for his bullet wounds and the infections that resulted when his owners didn't bother taking him to the vet, Scooby was adopted into a loving home. He is now living the life every dachshund should have--he is spoiled rotten by his mom and the kids and gets as much loving and play time as he can stand on a daily basis.
 

~ Emmy ~

Emmy was the first dog we were able to help via the AHDRS medical fund, so she holds a special place in our hearts. We learned a lot from our experience with Emmy -- like how to be creative in raising funds for needy dogs (Hint: You can make a lot of money if you have a really big garage sale!). Emmy had been adopted by two doctors who loved her dearly and who were horrified when they came home one day and found her in severe pain and unable to walk. Her owners were unable to stay at home to provide the care she needed, so Emmy was surrendered to an AHDRS rescuer. We weren't sure what to do with her; there were those who suggested she would have no quality of life and should be euthanized. But Emmy is a young dog with a big heart, and we chose another path.

We arranged and paid for surgery for Emmy, but the procedure was not successful in restoring mobility in her rear legs. We were lucky to find Emmy a home in Maryland, with a caring mom who has other paralyzed dachshunds and is an expert in their care. Emmy has been very happy in her new home and loves her new brothers and sisters. She seems unaware that she has any disability and loves to run and play. She is outfitted with a soft fabric bag to protect her belly and rear legs. Recently, Emmy's mom reported some very positive news: Emmy has been able to run a little on her back legs and is showing more strength. She goes in and out the puppy door and uses the ramp to the yard effortlessly. She sleeps with her mom and the other dogs every night and is becoming a real snuggler. We hope for her continued improvement.

~ Morgan ~

Morgan is an eight-year-old mini who suffered a lot before she was rescued. Her original owner took her to his local shelter because he didn't want her any more, but when he found that he was expected to pay $35 to turn Morgan in, he put Morgan back in the car, drove to a small town, threw her out the car window, and drove off. Morgan ended up at Hearts United for Animals, a wonderful all-breed shelter in Nebraska. There she was treated for the heartworms she had and fed nutritious food to increase her weight she weighed only eight pounds when rescued; she now weighs 13).

Morgan was adopted by a family in New Jersey, who showered her with love and helped her forget the dark days of her past. But Morgan developed intervertebral disc disease, which required very expensive surgery to correct. HUA contributed a substantial amount of money, and Morgan's family paid much of the bill, but there was still a large amount outstanding. AHDRS was able to raise a significant portion of the remaining bill, thanks to the generosity of people who visit our website and contribute $10 or $15 to our needy dogs.

~ Carmen ~

Carmen is a beautiful little girl who was in pretty bad shape when she was rescued from a shelter. She had heartworms and she appeared to be overweight--but her foster mom realized quickly that Carmen was not fat -- she was pregnant. She could not begin heartworm treatment until after she delivered her pups, so it was a sick little mommy who underwent an emergency C-section one night. Carmen gave birth to eight puppies--too many for such a small dog--and sadly, all of them died within two days. Although she was physically exhausted from the pregnancy and delivery, Carmen recovered and underwent successful heartworm treatment. AHDRS was able to pay for a significant portion of her medical care, and she is now spayed and healthy and living with her new family in North Carolina.

~ Lili ~

Tiny Lili came into rescue when a commercial breeder was "thinning his stock." She had outlived her usefulness as a puppy producer, so she was ready to be dumped. She was described as being "in perfect health," but when she was taken to the vet for a checkup, this is what we found: She had heartworms, she had a mammary tumor that turned out to be malignant, her teeth were a mess and she had a hole in her upper jaw that ran into her sinus cavity, she had a hernia, and there was a depression in her abdomen that was evidence of a botched C-section. Lili first had heartworm treatment and, when she had recovered, underwent an extensive surgery that corrected all of her remaining problems. She was also spayed. She went home with a five-inch incision down her five-inch belly and a sore jaw, but this little dog's spirit pulled her through, and she recovered completely. AHDRS raised enough money to pay for all of her medical expenses, and she was adopted by one of the techs at the vet hospital where she received her care. She is now the much-adored new dog in a Chicago family that includes two other dachshunds, one of whom thinks Lili is her puppy.

~ Duffy ~

Duffy underwent surgery to have her damaged right eye removed on February 19, 2002. The procedure was successful and Duffy made a full recovery. Duffy now lives in Oregon with her "brother," Patrick, and her doting mom, who saw her beauty despite the fact that she had only one eye. Duffy was transported from her foster home in Chicago to the west coast free of charge by a Washington State trucker who loves dogs, and who, like everyone else who ever met her, fell totally in love with Duffy. Thank you so much for your generosity in helping this little dog!

 

~Baron~

Baron is a beautiful red boy who came into rescue with behavior problems, probably the result of abuse. He lived for a year with a foster mom who worked on helping him learn to trust people, overcome his anxiety, and build his confidence. He was finally ready for adoption and was about to go to a permanent home when his back went out.

Baron was rushed to the vet immediately, and emergency surgery was performed. His surgery was very successful. He was standing the following day (almost unheard-of after this type of surgery) and was back to his normal ornery self in about a week and half. Thanks to several weeks of "tough love" (making him walk around the house rather than bringing him food/water/rawhides/toys) as recommended by the surgeon, he is back to approximately 90-95% of his pre-surgery physical state. The hair on his back is almost filled in and the scar is barely noticeable. He walks with his back feet slightly pigeon-toed (a little more so than pre-surgery) and has a slight wiggle ... waggle ... wobble -- perhaps "woggle" is the best word! -- to his rear gait.

 

 

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