Dodger's Story
Many of you may recall our little rescue named Dodger, who came from a puppy mill with a lame paw. He was the ambassador at the FurFair. Always wiggling in happiness, though he had only three little legs that worked properly.
Well, it turns out that Dodger has cancer and has lost his leg to the beast. Still, he rebounds with his tail wagging and kisses galore. However....
To insure that the cancer was successfully destroyed, Dodger is now going through radiation therapy. He is unable to be home due to the hospital's location to his forever home and will be there four a month. The treatment will give Dodger at least 5 more years of freedom from that mill, if not more. After all those years in a puppymill cage, he is living once again in a cage - though bigger than the mill's cage - but a cage all the same. He had only tasted true freedom for about a month. :(
We have applied through Westie Med and have received some assistance.
The bill could be as high as $4,000!! Dodger's mom has asked all her family and friends in lieu of gifts this holiday season, that they donate a gift toward Dodger's 'freedom'. This time not from the mill, but from cancer. Dodger's mom told me upon adopting Dodger, that she knew they were a pair - because of his bum leg and her bum arm... she so loves her boy.
UPDATE January 2, 2005
Just a quick note to let you all know our little Dodger is now home from his radiation treatment. I had an emotional message on my answering machine that said, "I have my boy home!".
I called Valerie and she told me that she had to take Dodger in on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for wound management - they will sedate him and clean his burn from the radiation. He is doing pretty good, sore and yet his wee tail is a waggin'. Valerie is so very grateful for all the donations, well wishes and heartfelt thoughts and prayers. She's never known anything like this before. She absolutely loves her boy and wants me to say a big thank you to everyone! She said the big hump is over... its all smooth sailing from here on out... and one day at a time. :)
UPDATE January 4, 2005 (off the Terrier Club)
Dodger's burn clean went smoothly and his treatment will now be transferred to his local vet. His bill was over $4,000 and Valerie will be applying via Westie Med for further financial assistance. Donations are still being accepted to assist Dodger to have a smooth and happy life - one that is cancer free after YEARS of HORRIBLE treatment by a puppy mill. :(
So far, we have raised $990 for Dodger. THANK YOU!! :) If you think about it - we have over 600 members. If each member donated just $5.00, his bill would nearly be paid for! :) That is a lunch at McDonalds. Any help will be appreciated and be sure to spread the word to help Dodger. :)
UPDATE January 6, 2005
Just in - a Rep for Westie Med telephoned Valerie with the news - with a substantial donation from Westie Med's and with all your help, we now have Dodger's bill covered!! YES!!! This is just wonderful!! We did it everyone - YOU did it!! Thank you!! Thank you!! Thank YOU!!! Good work!
UPDATE April 5, 2005
Here are the pictures of Dodger's first grooming, that took place on Saturday. I have included a couple of pictures of Chance with Dodger (the first little boy you helped me adopt) as I wanted you to see how well they both get along. This is the first time the surgeon has given her ok for Dodger to be bathed and groomed. The groomer said he was just a perfect little boy - and he now has a special place in her heart as well.
Dodger is no longer being treated for his radiation burn, and the only thing we are dealing with now, is making sure the wound continues to heal correctly, and continuation of medicine to combat a yeast infection in his ears. About six weeks ago we discovered that Dodger had hook and tape worms, but we did two fecal samples within the last two weeks and they both came out perfectly.
Now that the weather is finally warming up, I take Dodger out on a regular basis. He does very well on our walks, but from time to time he does like to sit for a few seconds, before continuing on. He has been cooped up for so long, that I know as time goes by, he will adjust even better than he has to becoming more mobile.
He is so loving. He follows me from room to room, and loves to cuddle against my leg or snuggle besides me.
Please, please publish on your web site a thank you from both Dodger and from me. I am forever grateful. For everyone that contributed to Dodger's care, for everyone that said a special prayer, or wished good things for Dodger - here is the result - a much healthier, happier dog that will have the life he should have been given from the very beginning.
We are grateful to you and we love you.
Valerie and Dodger
UPDATE June 27, 2005
After speaking to a very crushed and emotional Valerie, the news is not good. If I seem to ramble, its only because I'm trying to get it all down correctly.
Valerie had just gotten home - after taking Dodger to THREE specialist, only to have an MRI reveal a nightmare - tumors, larger than his esophagus lined his throat, neck and had begun to invade the other side of his wee body. The surgeon told her it was a very aggressive cancer and that a simple X-ray would not have detected it. (She had just seen the vet who had given him a thumbs up since it all looked clean, but the MRI showed a different tale.) Valerie said it was just horribly amazing at the speed of the invasion.
Valerie asked that they let him wake up so she could be with him a bit longer before letting him go. She held him and told him how proud she was of him and how brave he had always been, he wagged his tail for her as she whispered how he was 'Mama's brave boy' - it was so Dodger like, he was always so happy. Holding him in her arms and with heavy tears she told him good bye.... it is truly a sad day for us all ... Dodger never once showed anything less than the true Westie spirit. He was a young Westie, but life in a mill had taken its toll. Had they simply cared for his 'injured' leg when he first started limping, the tumor would not have seeded its way into his system. :(
Valerie asked through her tears if I would express her undying gratitude to everyone in rescue and the families who reached out to her when Dodger was first diagnosed with Cancer. She said she will never forget those who fight against these puppy mills and then turn around and nurture these little ones - how fortunate they are to have people like yourselves. She thanked you all for raising the money you did to help with his treatment, to Westie Med for their generosity in finding Dodger worth fighting for - he was fighter for sure, but he had no chance at all without all of your help.
While her time with Dodger was short, her memories will be long and filled with many happy and precious times. She managed to tell me a few moments this week that made her smile and feel so grateful he was allowed to be adopted by her. He was her boy... her brave little boy. Valerie feels in some way she let him down, but also knows she would have moved heaven and earth had she known she could have kept him with her a bit little longer. Some things are simply not meant to be.
If you wish to send Valerie a note, please feel free - I know she would so appreciate it.
Valerie and Chance, w/ Dodger waiting at the Bridge: valerie_skupien@chicago.kirkland.com
Angie
Westie Rescue of Missouri
PS. Just one more thing... I was amazed that Valerie didn't blink an eye when it came to total bill tonight of $1,800 - she said, Angie - I had to make sure I did all I could for him... I had to give him that chance...
I really hate puppy mills.
UPDATE June 28, 2005
Dear Angie:
I have been getting the most beautiful emails, and email cards from people all over the country (and England)! I am so overwhelmed. How can mankind be so cruel as to participate in these horrible puppy mills, yet others be so open-hearted as to care for and help rescue our beloved animals?
I have heard from people I email often, some not so often, and many I have never had the pleasure of speaking to before. For everyone that emails me, it does help. It does serve as a reminder that there are so many people that give what they can to support others who are in need - both pets and owners.
I am just amazed. I never expected this.