Kleenex Alert - Rescued Dashound at ATDR

Most of you already know that I have supported Lakeshore Pembroke Welsh Corgi Rescue by fostering dogs, and by donating a percentage of sales from my etsy shop. The dogs that come into Lakeshore Rescue have the opposite problem that this poor little lady has - Corgis tend to easily become obese, taking months of diet patrol by foster homes to again display a waist that they should have. The heaviest rescue Corgi on record was 87 pounds last year, I believe. Way too heavy for those little legs to support. A recent rescue effort involved a Corgi that was being constantly fed by the neighbors because they 'didn't like the dog', and wanted him to 'explode' (my description). People can be so cruel, but thank the Lord for the ones who provide love and good care to the 'cast-aways'...Read on.
Joan of Ark, "Joanie" was discovered near a roadside in Denton and picked up by Animal Services, who transferred her to Noah's Ark Animal Shelter in Gainesville. She was nearly starved to death, dehydrated and was so weak she could not even stand up for more than a minute or two. The vet said she was the worst case of emaciation he had ever seen in a living dog. She has no visible muscle mass and is literally skin and bones. We don't know how this happened, but Joanie is one tough little dachshund. She's learning to trust people again, and has learned that everyone who encounters her now wants to shower her with love and compassion. Because she is so thin and frail, she eats small meals throughout the day. She will need some dental work at some point in the future, but that will have to wait until she's whole again. Her blood work came back showing anemia, but amazingly there were no signs of illness or renal failure. She is also heartworm NEGATIVE, much to everyone's surprise. She is now taking short walks outside for brief potty breaks, then she settles down for a nap in her soft little bed, covered in blankets. So many of the abused or injured animals taken in by shelters require medical attention, medication, love and patience to become healthy and happy again. This is where ATDR stepped in. A loving and experienced foster family has welcomed Joanie into their home where she will be closely monitored and caref for around the clock. Little Joanie has a long road ahead of her and she will require extensive blood work, a special diet, gradual exercise, and lots & lots of TLC to see her through the next few months.

Visit All Texas Dashound Rescue to read a short diary (April - July 2009) about Joan of Ark, a little dog who isn't ready to give up yet.