Heartworm Hits HARD

What a year...and it's only mid-March! So far in 2010, Mid-Atlantic GSP Rescue has taken in five GSPs that tested heartworm positive. All are undergoing or preparing to undergo treatment. Of course, their treatment costs are in addition to their general vetting needs (vaccinations,spay/neuter, etc.) and a few of them have presented with additional issues.

An example is poor Margo from KY (photo above). She arrived not just with heartworm, but mammary tumors AND sarcoptic mange! The vet decided to remove the tumors first and perform spay surgery, then wait for a period of time before starting heartworm treatment. She began the regimen this week. The vet says it appears she was born with heartworm, likely passed from her mother to her at birth. Margo is the sweetest, gentlest girl you'll ever meet. She's in great hands with her foster parents, and they are lovingly seeing her through her treatment and recovery.

Then there is Ruger (photo below). He's an older gentleman (est. 7-10). His mom passed away and his dad was placed in a nursing home. The extended family didn't want him, so they took him to a shelter. The shelter is incredibly overcrowded, and most dogs only have a few days to live. The staff thought he was amazing, so they just HAD to find rescue for him. He is heartworm positive and has an crooked leg.The vet says it is an old break that wasn't set. But, it doesn't cause him any pain whatsoever. He is a wonderful boy with a gentle spirit. He deserves a chance!



Margo and Ruger are just two of the five 2010 heartworm cases. They all have special stories, and all five are wonderful GSPs, just waiting for the"all clear" so they can begin a new life with a family to call their own.

We know this may continue to be a tough year, and realize there are likely many more heartworm positive dogs yet to come. Many rescues have to turn such dogs away due to the financial burden of caring for heartworm and all of the routine expenses combined. We don't want to have to turn our backs on these deserving dogs. They NEED us to help them heal and see them through to their happily ever after.

Your donation is tax-deductible. You will receive a receipt from Mid-Atlantic GSP Rescue for your donation amount. Every little bit helps. We are fighting the heartworm battle, and with your help, we can WIN!

Duke's VERY Happy Ending...

Last year, I posted information about Duke, a senior GSP in Iowa. (http://gsp-rescue.blogspot.com/2009/06/very-deserving-duke.html) His "mom" was opening a daycare business, and she no longer had time for him. Not that she had spent much time with him anyway. :-( He entered foster care through Great Plains Pointer Rescue (www.greatpointers.org) and many months later, was adopted by a loving family in Georgia. His foster mother made a beautiful video for his new family, in advance of their flying from Georgia to Iowa to pick Duke up. Here's a wonderful write-up from his foster mom, followed by a link to the BEAUTIFUL video she made for Duke...

Duke was going to be surrendered to the local shelter where he surely would have been PTS. A volunteer from the shelter contacted us in regards to a senior 3 legged boy that needed help. Fortunately, my foster was going on a home visit the next day and if all went well, Duke would come to me. Duke's family could no longer keep him because the state threatened to shut down her daycare if they didn't get rid of the outside dogs.

I drove almost 3 hours one way to pick him up. I walked up to the kennel and he barked at me but his nubb wouldn't stop moving! :) The woman signed the surrender documents, handed me the food, and watched me put him in my car. She turned around said good-bye to me and not even a word to Duke...she didn't even pet him.

The ride home was pretty stinky. :) We hit up the walk-in vet clinic to get all of his shots, HW test, and a good once over. Duke kept wanting to go look at the cats! :) The vet treated a nasty gash on his hind foot. It was from him struggling to get into the small opening of his outdoor kennel.

The minute we got home, I got him in the shower. The water ran brown for what seemed like forever. I washed him 3 times...and each time more dirt would come off. His collar peeled off of his neck...as did clumps of his embedded hair! :(

Duke slept for hours upon hours those first few days. THEN once he figured out we had squirrels in the backyard that was the only place he wanted to be! :)

His wounds healed. His heart was full again. His legs were strong enough to take long walks again. The video that I made was for his new family in Georgia! :) They flew up to Des Moines on a Friday night, came to my house the following morning and spent over 3 hours with all of us. :) Duke's 10th birthday was on the day they picked him up!! (Dec. 12th, 2009). VIEW THE VIDEO!!!

Sensless Suffering or Innocent Oversight?

Chevy (photos) and Tommy are both young adult GSPs. They were surrendered to a shelter by their families. Chevy for financial reasons, Tommy's family just didn't have time for him. When Chevy entered the shelter, he was a healthy 76 pounds. Tommy weighed 61 pounds. Local and regional rescues were busting at the seams with no open foster homes. So, we found willing fosters in the Mid-Atlantic region, and began making transport arrangements. We had seen photos of the dogs, taken after shelter intake, and had medical records on them. Tommy was able to fly to MD out of the local airport. Chevy was too tall (by one inch), so he did not meet the height regulation.

We were also working on ground transport arrangements for a female named MandyJo, from a different shelter approx 2 hours away. So, we arranged for Chevy to be transported to MandyJo's location, while ironing out transport details for the pair. Chevy arrived at his temporary foster last weekend. We received an SOS e-mail with photos. The temp foster was shocked by his skeletal frame. When we saw the photos, we were all speechless. Shocking just doesn't seem to be strong enough a word to describe the difference in this poor dog.

We immediately arranged for him to be taken to a vet hospital on Monday morning. We were even more dismayed to learn of his actual weight....47 lbs. He went from 76 pounds to 47 pounds in four weeks, while at the shelter. At this point, Tommy was already en route by air to his foster home in MD. We alerted the foster to the fact that Chevy was extremely thin, and we asked for a report from the foster as soon as he arrived. She stated that had she not been warned, and had not seen the photos of Chevy, she would have driven Tommy straight to the ER upon arrival. He was so thin, she was shaken. He has a vet appointment this weekend, so we don't have an actual weight on him, but his foster estimates he's somewhere in the 40's, down from 61 at intake at the shelter.



Monday morning, after learning of Chevy's weight, I immediately contacted the shelter rescue coordinator to report this news. (We hadn't seen Tommy yet, so couldn't report on his condition). She stated that she works from home, and doesn't "meet" the dogs in person, so she was unaware of their condition. She contacted the shelter director, and that day, they began weighing all of the other dogs in residence. Their protocol states that if a dog refuses food, they make attempts to mix in wet food or other things to encourage them to eat. There are no notes indicating that Chevy or Tommy refused food at any time during their stay. However, the shelter's "feeding chart" indicates a 4.5 cup/day feeding for dogs of that weight range. Anyone who knows GSPs (and other muscular, sporting breeds) will tell you that it is NOT ENOUGH food! This is especially true when a dog is stressed and/or pacing in a kennel, burning off calories galore. And, it is likely not the highest quality food to begin with.

So, if these boys were burning twice what they were being given, no wonder they have wasted away to virtually NOTHING during their time at the shelter. We would be remiss in not asking the shelter to consider a different feeding regimen for various breeds of dogs. They have put into place a weighing regimen, so the dogs will be weighed at various intervals during their stay at the shelter, not just at intake. But, that still leaves this GLARING question, "WHY DIDN'T ANYONE NOTICE THESE DOGS WERE WASTING AWAY?" Surely someone noticed while cleaning the kennel, feeding/watering, walking them, etc.? How could so many people interact with these dogs on a DAILY basis, and not report some concern about their declining weight?????

I am perplexed over this entire incident. I am not naming the shelter here, as this is not an attempt to tarnish their reputation. It is simply my hope that this shelter (and perhaps others) will put more stringent guidelines in place to prevent this from happening in the future. So far, they have been proactive in their response to our concerns. But the fact remains that these dogs were in THEIR care, and SOMEONE should have noticed SOMETHING had gone terribly wrong.


The good news is that Chevy (and MandyJo) will be transported this weekend to MD. It will be a long journey, but they will be in capable and caring hands. By Sunday morning, Chevy should be "home" to his foster parents, where he can begin to gain weight, receive tons of love and attention, and be well on his way to his happily ever after. Lord knows he's earned it.

Neglect...In A "Nice" Neighborhood

Cocoa's suffering has ended...he's now on the road to recovery and a new life. Here's how it all started...

Cocoa was "owned" by a family in MD. They had a large yard, but he lived in a small kennel in the back yard. His "mom" teaches piano lessons in her home, and the mother of one of her students had often noticed poor Cocoa, living all alone in the tiny kennel in the yard. One day, she noticed he wasn't getting up. It was cold and damp, and he was lying on the ground. She got closer, only to find Cocoa's leg looked injured, and it was clear he could not stand up. He was lying in his own feces.

She promptly returned home and called the local Humane Society. She thought for certain they would see the conditions and remove Cocoa from the situation.

When she returned to the house for the next piano lesson, Cocoa was STILL there, his leg was STILL injured. So, she questioned the owner/piano teacher about the dog. The owner said that Cocoa had been hit by a car a few weeks earlier. They had taken him to the vet, and the vet recommended amputation as the only option for the leg. He was in pain, and they should act quickly. They returned home with Cocoa, but NEVER went back to the vet. He remained outside in the cold, injured and in pain for over TWO WEEKS! The owner said they really just wanted to "get rid of him" because they didn't want to pay for the surgery.

So, SHE took Cocoa home and contacted rescue. She recounted the story of his living conditions and his pain and suffering. She offered to foster him until he finds a forever home. Time was of the essence, as Cocoa had to have surgery right away. He is warm, dry, safe and COMFORTABLE, thanks to her kind heart and determination!

Cocoa's surgical costs were $2500. We anticipate follow-up care will add to this total. We are attempting to raise a portion of this amount through this online fundraiser. Even the smallest donation will help us reach our goal.

From Beaten To Blossoming

Blossom's story began when she landed as a stray in a shelter in Indiana. We were told she likely had a broken jaw, but she was able to eat and was a sweet, friendly and affectionate girl. She entered foster care last week and was evaluated by a specialist/surgeon. Through various tests, Xrays, etc., it was evident that she had an open jaw fracture. Through all the poking and prodding at the vet, little Blossom didn't put up any fuss. The vet thinks the injury is about two weeks old, and there's a massive infection in there. She also has a bump and hole in the top of her head, which may or may not be related to the broken jaw. The best anyone can guess is that Blossom was hit very hard with a shovel. It was definitely not a car since she has no other external injuries, just the jaw.

She was started on antibiotics for the infection, and underwent her first round of surgery on Friday. The procedure took five hours, and there's still a bit more to do. So, phase two will take place this coming Wednesday.

Initial estimates are that her surgeries and follow-up treatment will reach approximately $1500 - $1700 (and that's with a rescue discount). Tax-deductible donations on Blossom's behalf may be made directly to IL Shorthair Rescue via their website. http://www.ilshorthairrescue.com/Donations.html Checks may be made to the address provided. Or, you can make a donation directly to the vet hospital: Care Animal Hospital, 8989 74th Street, Kenosha, WI 53142 262-694-6515. They will take credit card info over phone and apply to the rescue's account.

The name Blossom is quite fitting. She has left behind a life of neglect and probable abuse, and is blossoming as a result of warmth, love and the feeling of being treasured. Her foster mom adores her! We hope she heals quickly and will soon find her forever home. She sure deserves it!!

The Perfect Pair...Waiting Just For You

Gabby and Porter are special GSPs. They are adored by their family and charm everyone they meet. Gabby is actually Porter's mom, a result of an accidental breeding just prior to her being spayed. So, to say they are bonded would be an understatement.

Their family has fallen on some very hard times. Their "Dad" has bone cancer. Their mom lost her job. They lost their home, so they have moved to a much smaller house with a tiny yard. It is not the set-up for two active GSPs. And, with Dad's illness, it has become increasingly difficult to manage the care of two large dogs.

Their Mom and Dad know they cannot provide for them, nor give them the active life to which they were accustomed. So, they have asked GSP Rescue for help in finding them a new home. They are heartbroken over this decision, but know it is the best thing for their beloved GSPs.

Gabby is eight, and Porter is seven. Those of you who know the breed will realize this is PRIME TIME for a GSP. They are still very active dogs, but settle down nicely in the home (unlike a young, bouncing-off-the-walls GSP). Both dogs are very well mannered. The love to greet visitors, but when told "Go to your bed," they promptly retreat to the family room to lay on their dog beds. They remain there until they are told it is ok to get up. Most of the family's friends say they wish their children were as well behaved as Gabby and Porter. :-)

Both get along well with other dogs, but have not lived with cats, so a cat free home would probably be best. They are crate trained and housebroken, and have always lived inside as part of the family. They are fine in the home alone when no one is home, and they ADORE children.

Gabby and Porter love to play fetch, LOVE getting a bath (now THAT's amazing), love treats and going on walks. Gabby is uneasy during thunderstorms, as the family lived through a terrible tornado when she was young. She gets a little shaky during a storm, and likes to put her head in your lap. They are good watch dogs, in that they will alert you when a stranger approaches the home. They will protect the home with some barking, but once you tell them a stranger is OK, they are fine, and will greet the visitor in a very friendly manner.

Porter and Gabby are both fine alone in a fenced yard, although their Mom suggests a 5ft or higher fence for Porter (or invisible fencing), as he has jumped a shorter fence in the past. Anything over 5 ft has been fine for containing him.

Both dogs have received a clean bill of health. They are spayed and neutered, heartworm negative, and have received all vaccinations. We would LOVE to rehome them together, but their Mom and Dad say they think they would be OK if they were separated. However, the ultimate goal would be to keep them as a pair.

Imagine if you were in a similar situation with serious health issues, loss of home, loss of job, and the day-to-day worry of an uncertain financial future. Wouldn't YOU want to know your dogs were happy, healthy, provided for, and most of all, loved? That knowledge would ease the pain of parting with your pet(s).

If you are interested in more information on Gabby and/or Porter, please e-mail Michelle Salyers, msalyers@gsprescuene.org.

Peggy's Senior Success Story

Peggy's story, as told by her loving foster mom, Tammy Regenthal...Peggy is an approximately 12yr old female that was surrendered to an upstate NY shelter along with two other senior GSPs. Volunteers from the Eastern GSP Rescue Group pulled Peggy from the shelter in May 2009 and had her evaluated by a veterinarian. It was apparent Peggy was not well cared for and was diagnosed with lyme disease, hookworm and had a large, ulcerated, tumor on her on her hind leg approximately the size of a large egg.

Upon evaluation, the vet was almost certain the tumor was malignant and her foster family prepared themselves for the worst and decided they would provide her the best life they could no matter how long this old gal had left. The rescue group opted to use their proceeds to have the tumor removed and biopsied to enhance this girls quality of life! Upon removal, the tumor was deemed benign and in the following months Peggy made a full recovery. (Pic of Peggy's tumor is to the right...)

It was astounding to watch Peggy through her recovery and the removal of the tumor opened new doors for her. At one point in her life peggy had difficulty doing the most routine tasks such as walking, laying down and going up and downstairs now thanks to the efforts of the rescue group and her foster family she was jogging, swimming, camping, hiking etc. and she was experiencing many new things life had to offer!

I am proud to annouce Peggy found her 'forever home' on September 5, 2009 in Marlton, NJ with a loving family who has two other 4-legged companions and in just a matter of days Peggy was adjusted to her new home. She is doing amazing and for an old gal we have been told she has a lot of 'spunk'!

Betty Will Steal Your Heart

Hi, my name is Betty! I'm a sweet and sassy little gal. By little, I mean I'm quite petite, and weigh less than 40 lbs. I'm a very lucky girl to have found a wonderful foster mom in Arkansas. My former owner brought me to a rural MO shelter, and asked the folks to put me down. He said all he wanted from me was a litter of pups, and I delivered. Once my pups were weaned, he decided I was of no use to him.

Well, the folks at the shelter could tell I was a very special girl so they refused to put me down right away. At first, I was very depressed at the shelter, and was looking all around for my puppies, but couldn't find them anywhere. My new friends at the shelter got in touch with GSP Rescue, so now I'm safe and happy in my foster home.

I get along with everyone I meet. I absolutely ADORE the company of other dogs, and would love to have a canine companion in my new home. I love people too, and never meet a stranger. I love to take long walks in the woods and my foster mom says I have a lot of energy...it takes a while to tire me out. So, an active playmate would be a great match for me.

I am learning house manners, and haven't had any accidents in my foster home. I'm quiet and well behaved in my crate also (I try so hard to be a good girl). My foster mom doesn't have any cats, so she's not sure if I could live with a cat or not. Probably better not to take a chance, as I might like to chase cats.

I'm up-to-date on my vaccinations, spayed and I'm heartworm negative. The rescue has some great contacts for transportation, so don't let my Arkansas location deter you if you live elsewhere and you'd like to learn more about me. I'm hoping to find my forever home soon, so please write to Michelle if you would like more information on adoption: msalyers@gsprescuene.org.

Cody...In Search Of...A Soft Bed And Someone To Snuggle With

Hi, my name is Cody. Please excuse me, I'm a little confused. I used to live with someone, but I got lost or maybe they didn't want me anymore so they just turned me loose. They cared enough to neuter me, but didn't care enough to keep me or to find a home for me. Lucky for me, a kind person found me and let me stay with her and her family. She was sure that my folks would be looking for me. They weren't. She was really nice to me--she let me sleep on the couch in the daytime and I had a warm bed to sleep in at night. I even got along with a small dog that lived there. I wanted to chase the cat, though. I probably should not do that, but I'm a bird dog, ok?

So, I got all settled in at this house, and then one day I go on a road trip. I was kinda scared, cuz I didn't know what was going on. Well, there was nothing to be scared about, cuz I was going to GSP Rescue! I am now in a foster home with other GSP's just like me--they have had bad luck but we are safe now and looking for homes. My foster mom thinks I am handsome, sweet, and a good buddy. I am about 7 years old or so. All that means is that I am not super silly like one of my foster brothers. I like to have my ears scratched and I give good hugs.

I am not quite sure about this thing called a crate. I cried the first night I was in my foster home cuz I wanted to be close to my foster mom. She understands that sometimes spotty dogs are so loving and attached to their people that they can't bear to be away from them.. Other than not liking crates, I am perfect! I like other dogs and know not to potty in the house. I point birds in the yard, but am afraid of loud noises, so I don't think I would like to go hunting. I would, however, like to be your bestest friend forever, so email my foster mom at argsprescue@rocketmail.com and tell her you want to adopt me!

Chaz's Chance

Hi, my name is Chaz. At least that is what I go by now. I got lost from my people (they didn't put a tag on my collar, guess they were too busy with other stuff to make sure I stayed safe...) and they never came looking for me. Guess they were too busy for that, too. But don't be sad for me, cuz I am safe now. Apparently the shelter folks thought I was pretty special, cuz they called some folks, who called some other folks, who drove a long way to make sure I got to come to rescue. I am sure glad they weren't too busy to help me.

I am about 5 years old (that's what the rescue people think) and am a stocky guy at about 50 lbs. I am in good shape, but just heavy-boned and short. I think I am very handsome, and my foster mom agrees. I am done with all of that puppy foolishness that younger GSP's have, and I slept in a crate nicely the first night I was in my foster home. My foster mom is still learning about me, and she will help me write more once she knows more about me.

I am good with other dogs and I am a quiet, laid back boy. I like to be petted and do pretty good on a leash (my foster mom just doesn't walk fast enough, that's all...). I think I have lived in a house before, and my foster mom talked about giving me increased freedom in the house. Until next time....Chaz (Written by Chaz's foster mom, Stacy. If you are interested in more information on Chaz, please e-mail Stacy at: argsprescue@rocketmail.com)