November 22, 2006
July 26, 2006
November 8, 2005
August 25, 2005
April 19, 2005
January 12, 2005
November 1, 2004
August 2004
January 2004
May 2003 
December 20, 2006
Just a note to say that Buddy is doing okay, but protein levels dropped again.
... Both the vet and I can attest that his quality of life is quite good. He
is not showing any changes in his happy-go-lucky attitude and loving personality
and has consumed another small chicken farm! He will have another blood test
on Saturday to see if the [current medicine] is helping.
November 22, 2006
I have some adorable pix from Halloween, Of course they include decorations
for his big adorable head! Here are some recent pictures of our Buddy Boy. He
is somewhat camera shy - as indicated by the pictures of him on the couch and
in the soybean field!
July 26, 2006
It has been a while since we provided an update on our Buddy Boy. He is doing
well. He is such a great dog. We are enjoying every minute we have with him
and he seems to be quite content. He still has the most amazing and amusing
personality. When we see little moths or butterflies around him, he reminds
us of Winnie the Pooh. He still loves to go for walks and rides in the car.
More than anything...he loves to eat and be loved!!
November 8, 2005
[We're] still reeling after the Chicago White Sox won the World
Series! Buddy and Barney are doing well and enjoyed the celebration!
Between Buddy's treatment and Barney's allergies, they are keeping
their vet busy! We are so lucky to have these guys in our lives. They
are soooo good! Buddy is still as happy-go-lucky as can be.
Photos: Buddy sporting his White Sox scarf and hat!
August 25, 2005
Buddy is doing well. I wish I could report that his protein levels have stabilized,
however the past two blood tests revealed that they slipped back below normal.
He has blossomed to 95 lbs due to the prednisone, and we are working on getting
some pounds off. He acts like he is always hungry, so we divert his attention
with play time and agility tricks. He is getting a bit flabby due to some muscle
loss, and his hair is not growing on his belly and back legs like it did before,
but by all accounts he is happy, sweet and is as active as he wants to be.
He has turned into quite the "velcro" dog around the house. He can
be off of his tie out quite a bit these days, with supervision of course! We
are pround of Barney for teaching him so well.
Photos: 1) Barney and Buddy begging for a little bread that is being fed to the goldfish in the pond. 2) Buddy with his toys 3) Barney in the garden
April 19, 2005
Good News! Buddy had his periodic blood test last Friday, and for the first
time since his illness began, his protein level is in the normal stage (5.4!!!).
This is good news for our Buddy Boy!
Photos: 1) Buddy enjoys a brand new rawhide! 2) Buddy celebrating his "Birthday" on his adoption date of April 14th. His "cake" was a piece of string cheese! 3) Illini fan!
[Note: Read previous updates (below) for more information on Buddy's condition]
Note from the Central IL GSD Rescue Webmaster: Buddy is a special dog. He has been through so much (read his story below) with no mar to his happy-go-lucky personality. We at the Central IL GSD Rescue couldn't be happier that he has gone to the most wonderfully loving family. If every dog could be so lucky...
March 30, 2005
Buddy will have been with us 2 years in a couple of weeks! We will be sure
to send some pictures from his birthday bash! He's packed on a few too many
pounds this winter—he's 90 lbs! We'll have to work on getting 10 lbs
off. It's just so hard because he is always hungry and begging due to [his
Lymphangectasia treatment].
January 12, 2005
It was just yesterday that we received an update on [Buddy's] condition. The
periodic blood test of his protein levels still indicate that his protein levels
are below normal...but they did increase. The best news is he gained all of
the weight back that he lost and is a stout, but mighty 79 pounds!! His vet
is very pleased with his appearance and confirmed that at this time his belly
is not accumulating lymph fluid. His kidneys and liver are normal. He is happy
and sweet as ever. Lymphangectasia is a rare and horrible disease, and I'm
so sorry that our Buddy has it. But rest assured, he is still very, very lovable,
sweet, alert and is eating like a king. He still goes gaga when we go to the
park, for walks and rides in the car.
Photos: Christmas 2004 1) Bird Dog? 2) Doh! Not another photo! 3) Buddy & Barney 4) More toys...I just love the holidays!
November 1, 2004
Please keep Buddy in your thoughts and prayers. He was diagnosed yesterday
with what is likely Lymphangectasia, an inflamation of the bowel caused by
his body's inability to retain protein. We are nursing him back trying to get
his protein levels up and the fluid accumulation down. Hopefully we can get
this under control and a biopsy of the intestines can rule out any other problems.
His x-ray and ultrasound did not show any masses, so hopefully, when they check
the intestines, nothing is there. His spirits are pretty high, which is no
surprise for such a happy go lucky fella, but your prayers would be appreciated.
August 2004
Buddy is doing great! He has taken more of an interest in lounging around lately.
We are guessing that he is living up to his coon hound heritage or just a happy
spoiled boy. He loves to sprawl on the deck and bask in the sun. He was a natural
at agility training, but seemed more interested in the car ride to and from
class. As soon as we got there, he wanted to leave! We love him so much and
he is more than willing to return the love. Thanks again for giving this pup
a second chance...he definitely deserved one!
Photos: 1) Buddy and the paper 2) Buddy & Barney
January 2004
Buddy is doing very well and is a happy and spoiled young boy.
He and his friend, Barney, are the best of friends and are very playful
together. Buddy loves to be surrounded by all of his toys, especially
balls. He actually tried to take an orange from me thinking it was
a ball!
Photo: Just see how content that cute, little face is! (sorry, no larger view of this photo is available)
May 2003
Buddy is doing remarkably well. He acts like a puppy, always wanting
to play! You were so right when you said that he is very happy-go-lucky.
Crate training is over and Buddy has had run of the house. He has earned
our trust, as he has been an angel. He has plenty of toys to play with,
and of course, our other dog!Photo: Buddy is happy in his new backyard
Would you like to be a sponsor?
Adopted April 14, 2003
Buddy was a 2-3 year old, neutered, large, black/tan, German Shepherd mix that completed his adult heartworm treatment while in our care. Click here to read Buddy's story...
Buddy's Story (through August 2002)
Buddy is a 2-3 year old, German Shepherd/Lab mix that has won the hearts of everyone he has met! His deep, brown eyes and sweet temperament, accompanied by the excited wag of half of his body (not just his tail) leaves it very hard not to be his instant friend.
However, Buddy hasn't had an easy life. Buddy was brought into Crawford County shelter as a stray. He has been shot at least twice by a pellet gun, leaving two sores with pellets lodged in his skin. One in the chest and one on his back. These wounds were tended to and healed nicely. His skin had a rash and he had sores on his belly. Of course, with tender care and a lot of love, these have all healed..
Unfortunately, we received bad news a few days after he arrived at our rescue.
Buddy was heartworm positive. He was in a later stage, where heart damage had already occurred. It was not hopeless though! Our vet was confident that with treatment, Buddy could recover and be able to enjoy life (spoiled and loved), but his damaged heart would require medication in the future.
With treatment, we could kill the worms and start him on a healthy path. His prognosis was good, but a special home will be required, that understands that he will need medication. And, most likely, his life will be shortened by a couple years due to the heart damage. He is a young boy though (2-3 years old) and has many good years ahead of him!
There were difficult decisions to be made, and we determined that without knowing if there would be a home that would take our sweet boy (and due to the extreme costs of his treatments and care) we would wait to see if Buddy had some angels out there willing to sponsor his treatment. Many people helped out financially with Buddy's care, so he was able to be treated.
Buddy thanks everyone for their generous donations and support that allowed him to get this much needed treatment.
Thank you again to everyone who has donated so willingly to Buddy's treatment. If you are someone who might consider adopting such a loving and active dog, we ask that you contact us at . We want Buddy to find that he has a warm and comfortable home welcoming him now that his treatment is complete.
Archive of updates on Buddy's treatment:
May 2002
A kind-hearted person has paid for half of Buddy's treatment. Additional charitable people have donated $50, $5, $80 and $25 towards the $335.20 needed for his heartworm treatment. We ask that others contribute a little bit too (even $5 or $10 dollars can make a big difference). Remember, this is the estimated cost of his basic medical treatment for the heartworm only (not the vaccines, neuter, AVID chip, worming, flea treatments, etc. that we provide our dogs.), so donations above the $335.20 for Buddy are also appreciated. To know Buddy is to love him and we love this dog! Please help him get treatment.
June 2002
Many kind donors have provided the funds needed to treat Buddy for heartworms. His main treatment begins this coming week. We believe that Buddy has the courage and attitude to conquer the heartworms, however, we can never be certain his outcome.
Thank you again to everyone who has donated so willingly to Buddy's treatment. Now we ask only that you say a small prayer for Buddy and if you are someone who might consider adopting such a loving and active dog, we ask that you contact us at . We want Buddy to come through this treatment finding that he has a warm and comfortable home welcoming him when his treatment is complete.
July 2002
Buddy was doing well with his first treatment and had his second treatment on July 11th. He will have a final heartworm treatment early next month. He is due for a microfilaria treatment and then a re-test afterwards. If this test is negative, he'll be able to be neutered. Then he'll be ready for his new home!
August 2002
Buddy is cleared of his heartworm and ready for adoption!
