Dogs in Foster

HELP  “D.O.G. - the dog”. I was contacted by a foster rescue about D.O.G.. "D.O.G. is losing weight to the tune of about 5 pounds per month, vomiting &  diarrhea". Prior blood work and x-rays were done and a tumor was suspected. I wanted to bring D.O.G. up to Prescott to get the remainder of his medical work and a diagnosis. A band of determined women got together and arranged a relay transport to Prescott.  Once arriving in Prescott, he had an ultrasound and  D.O.G. had a mass in his abdomen which was causing a blockage in his intestines. It could be cancer or it could be benign. We won’t know unless they go in and take a look. D.O.G. is only eight years old at the most, feels great, has a great disposition and is a happy guy. After some discussion, we decided that D.O.G. deserves a chance.  I accompanied him into surgery performed by Dr. Joy at Harmony Vet Care. D.O.G. had a "resection" of his intestines removing the large growth that unfortunately tuned out to be cancer. He also tested positive for heartworm. We are beefing up his immune system to keep the cancer at bay and treating him via the slow kill method for heartworm. He’s going to live out his best days here at Dogtree Pines and will be spoiled every day knowing that his time is limited. D.O.G. has gained substantial weight and is living his best life at Dogtree Pines.

Louie was rescued from the euthanasia list at Maricopa County Animal Control in Phoenix. He is 12 years old and has an unresolved upper respiratory infection and a bad heart murmur. Louie was down to his last few days and was deteriorating in his isolation kennel. With the help of Tucson Wet Cold Noses Rescue, Terri Goddard and a few great volunteers, Nicole and Laurie, we put a plan together and Louie arrived in Prescott later that day. Louie went straight to Prescott Animal Hospital to be treated and boarded until he is healthy enough to come home to Dogtree Pines. Louie is a lover and wants to kiss all the ladies.  We wish Louie a quick recovery so he can start living his best life at Dogtree Pines. 

June (now Nora) was put on the Maricopa euthanasia list because it was said that she was unable to walk. We are not sure how old June is but she is not one of our elderly residents. June was used for breeding and her most recent litter was taken from her while she was still lactating. She had multiple burrs in between her toes, on her back along with matted fur. We pulled her from Maricopa and transported her to DTP and she can walk just fine. We believe she was depressed and scared, able to walk but not wanting to move. Nora loves, loves being with people. Even though she was comfortable with a few of the dogs in the garage, she howled for human attention. Once she sees a volunteer, she wags her tail and approaches for snuggles. She is overweight probably due to multiple litters, poor nutrition, lack of care and no activity. She has already lost some weight just during the first few weeks here! Nora was bathed, combed, de-matted and given a whole lot of love. Spotted by a volunteer during her first day, she has already had a Meet-and-Greet with a lovely couple in Prescott. She was spayed, had a few bad teeth pulled and has passed all of her medical tests. Nora has already joined her new family. We could not be happier for them and we are pretty sure that Nora is smiling in this picture. 

Normally we rescue dogs from the state of Arizona, since there are so very many in need here. However, every once in a while, a special one stands out from another state. I was contacted about Honey, this 11-year-old lab mix over a month ago from a very, very dedicated Volunteer in Brady, Texas. Her owners passed away and the kids immediately took the dog and dumped her at a kill shelter. We figured she had about seven days. From my experience, Texas is the worst state for dumping and euthanizing dogs. The Dedicated Volunteer asked if I would take Honey if they could get her here until finally Honey left Brady Texas to be driven seven hours by this Volunteer and another 11 hours through the night by a friend of hers to arrive at Dogtree Pines early in the morning. It gives me faith that there are people out there willing to make an 18 hours, 36 hours round-trip between two people to save this sweet lady.  She looks absolutely adorable. Since it's close to Easter, we added the "Bunny" onto her name. Honey gets along with everyone at DTP. And we mean everyone – dogs, cats, volunteers, and especially men, she loves the men. She is so sweet and accommodating that when we were asked by an elderly veteran gentleman for recommendations on a dog, Honey was first on our list. Honey was transported to the veteran, Jon, to live out her life just outside of Payson. The volunteer that transported Honey to Jon (her new dad) said the two of them are the perfect match.  

Sherman was just fixed and his loving foster family purchased this comfy cone.

Shasta came to us from a family with medical problems that could no longer keep her. Maven was said to be a black lab (her pics looked like it too) but when we arrived she was more Great Dane than lab.  That's ok! Shasta needed us and we were going to help. Raven had the WORST dental disease and grumpy because of it. She also had some pretty severely arthritic knees. Raven got the dental she needed and also received PRP (Platlet Rich Plasma) in her knees. She is feeling like a million bucks and loves her new foster Mark. He even takes her walking at the courthouse square.  Yay for Shasta!

Shasta is fostered by Volunteer Mark.

Salli is home and her new name is "Wednesday"!  I believe she responds to her name and may have had it since she was young. See… She was originally adopted from Pinal (Casa Grande) in 2009 and  then picked up a month ago as a stray and never claimed. We believe she may have been Alli all those years so, I decided just to add an “S” on and call her SALLI. She was absolutely the perfect passenger all the way home. Once here, she explored the yard and looked over at the 14 dogs on the other side of the fence. As it turns out she LOVES people but isn't particularly fond of other dogs. Salli went to a great foster that doesn't have another dog but rather a cat that Salli gets along with perfectly. When she showed up in her skull and cross bones sweater, they named her Wednesday Adams. Little Wednesday has found her nitch! She is a total sweetheart. Wednesday is fostered by Sukey & Eric.