Click on a photo for a larger view!
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 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) More toys...I just love
the holidays! 2) Doh! Not another photo! 3) Buddy & Barney 4) Bird Dog?
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
Adopted
on 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...
A special thanks goes out to Buddy's sponsors:
Sean Slayback. Also sponsoring Buddy: Lori Broach, in honor of her
German Shepherd mix, Leia's, 2nd birthday.
Would you like to be a sponsor?
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!
