Some of you may remember that I recently lost one of my senior dogs to old age. We all were pretty upset about it and I figured the best way to get over it is to open our home and our hearts to a new dog in need. It breaks my heart to go to the shelter so I tend to troll craigslist and look for situations where people are in a bind and need to rehome their dog(s). This way I can help someone to be assured that their dog will be treated well and not have to face life in a shelter environment. I get to help a person (or family) and a dog at the same time. Enter Buddy, a 75 lb Pit mix. Very little is known about Buddy's history. His previous owners had to move and the new landlord would not accept a dog so a friend of theirs agreed to take him and find him a home, that is where I came into contact with him. Buddy has been with us for about a month and shows some signs of previous rough treatment, he is shy of sticks or sudden hand movements and will leave the room if you raise your voice. On the other hand he sees me as his Alpha and is very smart, knows all his basic commands and is house broken and kennel trained, he is a very loyal fellow already and is starting to act like a normal, happy dog. Okay - so here's the prayer part. Buddy has some health issues and I am a bit worried about one in particular. He has an abscess and what looks like a cyst on his cheek/muzzle just under his eye, you can see it in the pictures. His eye was almost swollen shut a few days ago. He is on some pretty strong antibiotics and had X-rays and a needle biopsy done yesterday. It could be an infection from something that penetrated his gums, a bad tooth, a projectile like a BB or bird shot or (and I hate to even go here) cancer. Please don't let it be cancer. We are waiting for the results and are possibly looking at surgery to correct the problem.
You're a class act Lee! He looks like a beauty and is lucky to have you. I'm sure he'll be fine but a prayer never hurts. You've got mine! Craig
I pray it's not cancer as well. Our Doxie/****su mix is Buddy as well. And Lee, You are one of God's chosen caretakers.
Good news. No cancer or serious issues. Apparently Buddy is just fighting an infection in that area. The Doctors feel that the antibiotics should resolve the problem. Thank you for your support.
Hi Lee,very happy for the good news.I just got back from N.C. my son moved there 10 years ago and this was his 25 Wedding Anniversary.While I was there,he has 3 dogs,my married granddaughter also has 3 dogs {she works for a Vet}these dogs would not leave me alone.They followed me around [I guess giving them a treat helped a lot] all over,sitting with me watching TV and all.Anyway,I'm very happy to hear the good news,sorry I was not here to know of your worries.Your friend Bruno.
Thanks again to everyone. Buddy's face is looking a lot more normal now. The cyst is smaller than a pea now and hopefully will go away completely. The abscess under his eye has also shrunk a lot and if you didn't know to look for it you probably wouldn't notice it. He will be on strong antibiotics (Clindomycin) for another 2 1/2 weeks. With continued good luck the abscess will clear up too and he will not require surgery. Buddy's behavior is improving too. He is acting happier and listening to me better though he still shows his teeth at Karma, the Black & White dog, if she gets too hyper or gets too much attention (in Buddy's opinion). He lit her up and bloodied her pretty good one day so I don't leave them alone together anymore. I'm not sure what it is in Buddy's head that triggers his aggression towards Karma, she is absolutely the sweetest and most non-aggressive dog I have ever known. Buddy says THANKS too! Hey Bruno! Congrats to your Son and his Wife! 25 years is awesome!
Thanks,Lee,happy to hear to hear good news about your dog.Thanks for the good wishes to my son,yes 25 years now days is pretty good.Bruno.
Kinda sad news here.... Buddy has been aggressive at times and he attacked my miniature pinscher the other day. Fortunately the min-pin will survive though a bit worse for wear, Buddy roughed him up pretty badly. As much as I love Buddy I have come to the sad conclusion that I can not keep him as long as I have other animals in the house. I made some flyers and posted an ad on craigslist to try and find him a good home. It looks like I may have been successful, there is a homeowner that has a large property and no other pets that feels Buddy may be right for them. I hope for everyone's sake that this is a good match. I do love Buddy and want him to have a good life. Right now I have to keep him crated out of fear that he will attack one of my other dogs again. I can't stand the idea of him being crated all day, it looks like he is in jail and that just sucks. I have invested a lot of time and energy with Buddy to help him get over some medical issues and I am happy to say that he is very handsome and healthy, hopefully his new home will give him everything he needs.
Well, typical of craigslist the potential adopter did not answer his telephone at the agreed time or return my call in response to the message that I left. We are located in So. N.J. , if anyone would like to adopt Buddy I am willing to drive a few hundred miles to bring him to a good new home. Buddy is a great dog but would do best as the only dog in the house or with another dog his own size. Buddy weighs in at a healthy 74 lbs.
We rescue and coordinate dog rescue almost every day: Try the local Pit rescue organization. If they will not take him, see if they will give you a courtesy listing on their site. Do not list him for free on Craigslist. This too often ends up terrible for the dog.
Pit bulls are one of the best dogs to own. But one one the downsides is a brain disease that can manifest after year 3. It changes thier personality.
Lee, I know how tough it is with a dog that just doesnt like some dogs. I have a Pit I rescued that went crazy when she met my other dog the first time. They were on leads 20 yards apart. The next time they met a week later it was nothing. She is here now and we added another puppy. She plays rough and the puppy is now her size. I have had to break them apart a couple of times but nobody got hurt. We crate the puppy when not home because he is none stop but they play and wrestle when we are home. Last Tuesday the neighbors little dog was outside loose because the owner a young girl just lets him out like a cat and goes inside. I have warned her as the dog will wander into my yard. I always have my dog on a lead but if she pulls and not expecting it she pull you over. Well the little dog came out from the bushes a couple of houses down and I couldn't react fast enough. Her dog was about to die. I had to put my hands into my dogs mouth to try and pry open her jaws. My other neighbor was coming out and came over to help. Well the dog lived but is beat up bad and had stitches in it belly. Me off the ER to have all eight fingers looked at. Thumbs untouched. 2 fingers are pretty bad wouldn't stitch due to possible infections. Have you thought of buying a plastic mesh muzzle as protection? They get use to it and can drink water with it on. I would always crate Buddy when not home. I could never let her go and have decided it just have to be alert to other dogs. http://www.petsupplies4less.com/Bes...MIspL_o9nP2gIVDp7ACh3qbQ9CEAQYBCABEgIldPD_BwE
Lee, I know you will fell pain when Buddy leaves for a new home. Take comfort in the fact that, if it weren't for you, he wouldn't be alive to be loved and spoiled. Way too many people just leave animals in the streets like the are disposable trash. Special place in hell I'd like to send those people.
Well, Buddy is still in my home with us. He is being kept crated which he doesn't seem to mind too much. My Son and his GF are going to foster him for a while over in Philadelphia. They are involved with a local rescue group that will help Buddy find his new home. Buddy just needs a place where he can be number one!
And yes, parting is going to be sad. This will be the FIRST dog I have had to surrender. But I will take comfort in knowing that I helped Buddy get through a rough patch in his life and helped him to find his place in life.
UPDATE : My Son and his GF have taken Buddy in to their home and are fostering him for a while. They have several friends who have met Buddy that may want to adopt him soon. Buddy is in good health and is definitely not going to a shelter. It looks like his future is safe and secure and that is all that I can want for him. Thank you all for your feedback and suggestions, it has been very helpful. I definitely never wanted to give him up but the danger was just too great and it was causing a lot of stress. I miss him a lot but I take comfort in knowing that I helped him recover when he was sick and somewhat mistreated.
