May 05-2009
Gabriel has received an overwhelming flow of kindness from the dog loving and rescue community. We have a good amount of donations to take care of his immediate medical needs. He is on antibiotics for his leg and if they do not work he will need surgery. In two weeks time he will receive a complete wellness exam which will include a full blood work up. Short of discovering something wrong on a colossal level at that time, Gabriel has enough donations to see him through.
I will continue to provide updates as I learn more about our boy.
If you are considering donating to Gabriel, please think about helping another dog in need, there are so many out there.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone, from Samantha Holton of Girard Lifesaver Rescue for removing him from the dump area, and driving Gabriel to VA, to all the wonderful posting Queens and Kings of the rescue community, and everyone in between. This has been an incredible beginning of a long journey, and one which I plan to have a successful and happy ending. I have no doubt if Gabriel could speak he would thank each and every person who has taken an interest and supported him, no doubt for the first time in his life. It will get better every minute for this guy from here on in.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU,
Sylva and Gabriel
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May 07-09
First and foremost a heartfelt thank you to all who donated, posted, kept good thoughts, prayers for this pup. IT WORKED!!! Better photos will be posted next week.
He has gone to the vet 3 times now. The first time to receive fluids as he was very dehydrated. He went ballistic in the kennel at the vets. Small confined areas are something which he fears greatly. We have an issue with one of his legs. It has an old break and is infected. My vet drew fluid out, and is hesitating to lance it because the fluid which would come out could possibly go into the joint which is already compromised and arthritic. Gabriel is on antibiotics and hopefully that will do the trick. His other front leg has an old calcified knot by the elbow and we have not had this X-Rayed yet. I did not want him too stressed out at the vet’s. Other than that the only thing Gabriel is doing is eating 4 home cooked meals per day. He does not drink water, so I have to put the food in the center of the bowl and fill it with water. I have tried every imaginable container for water and he just dumps it, takes the said vessel into his dog house and spins and kicks out all his cedar chips.
Initially he did not feel comfortable on grass at all, but is slowly getting the hang of walking on it and actually took some time to sniff today. The first two days were quite sad as he just stood and took everything in; I believe he is on sensory overload as clearly he was deprived of many things we all take for granted that dogs like, playing in dirt, eating grass, drinking water. He is very good on a leash, but I think this is only due to the fact that he wants to stay close to me as many things are foreign and a bit scary.
The first night did not go to well; he was nervous being inside and the smells and sounds of other dogs. I had to cover his crate completely. He now has his crate partially uncovered when he comes inside. And has begun to settle in and nest in his crate, which has two large pillows and blankets to cushion that bony body of his. Please do not think that he is forced to live outside in a kennel, he is much more comfortable outside for now rather than in the house. His view is of trees and a lawn, he gets to learn the smells of the outdoors, and see creatures, cats, birds, squirrels. Slowly he is acclimating to house and eventually the routine around here will become second hand to him. He is not house trained which is not a surprise, but has now spent two nights without using his crate as a toilet. He is a smart cookie. When I get him in the evening, he is now walking with ease into the houseJ He has met a couple of my dogs through a baby gate and it went OK, one dog my little white deaf Bully girl, he did not like at all, but all of this will be addressed in time. I believe he will not be as difficult as I initially anticipated in learning how to interact with at least one dog as a playmate in the future. Time will tell.
In two weeks time we will have a full blood work performed and see if there is anything to worry about or if he gets a clean bill of health. He is beginning to gain a tiny bit of weight. He gained 7 ounces as of yesterday, WOOHOOJ. His appetite is great, however, most of the food goes right through him, but his stomach is beginning to work properly, which is paramount to him gaining his much needed weight. His fur is actually getting a tiny bit of sheen to it.
Again, thank you so much, you have made a world of a difference to a dog that no doubt has had no life. Each day will get brighter for Gabriel.
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May 13-09
We went to the vet office for the 5th time yesterday to have the old wound drained, and unfortunately at this time amputation of the leg is being contemplated. Gabriel’s vet will give it a few more weeks, and it in that time it has not healed then we will most likely have to amputate the leg. He is in pain and when the paw is moved you can literally hear the joint crackle and pop. Surgery with plates would not guarantee a pain free life for him, and he has been through too much. Amputation is not something I would want for him, however dogs do well with 3 legs and this way he would have zero pain once he healed. He has gained a bit of weight, eats like a champ, still will not drink water and, I am still having to pour water over his food. Hopefully in a couple of weeks he can be neutered, can’t wait for that date. He is now being quiet in the house and is not so reactive to the other dogs. One day at a time, he is being set up to succeed in everything which is presented to him.
He walked out the vet office with a purple vet wrap which he thought too much of a sissy colour and we changed it at home with a blue one to match is collar. He accepted this as more of a boy colour, the kong didn’t hurt either with keeping the wrapping on.
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June 24-09
I do not have medical updates yet, that will follow once we see the vet again. This will be his 8 or 9th trip to the vet since he arrived. One of the photos clearly shows the joint which is causing him pain and angst on our part as to what the next step may be. Trying to hold off on amputation. The last photo is of Gabriel in GA when found for comparison.
Thank you again for the support shown to this marvelous and magical dog. He was bathed for his photo shoot. Please notice the absolute beautiful colour/brindling this boy has. He is magnificent looking now; I can only imagine what he looked like in his prime, a sight to behold.
