[Dailydrool] Update on George at Carolina Basset Rescue

[Becky Gering]

Thank you all so much for your concern and support for our newest basset at CBHR, George Jetson.  While it's hard to look at him without wanting to take a baseball bat to the owners who neglected and abandoned him, we're looking forward to every day that gets George closer to his goal of feeling better and being physically strong enough to endure surgery to remove the growths and have him neutered.

As foster coordinator, I get to see a lot of rough-looking shelter pulls.  But I was truly appalled when I pulled him from the shelter and saw how listless and weak he was in addition to the large orange-sized growth on his front leg.  When we arrived at the vet, Doc found that his temp was 105, he was emaciated and dehydrated, and the growth was hard, bleeding, and infected.  I don't think there was a bone in his body that was hidden from view.  They gave him some antibiotics for the infection, some metacam to bring the fever down, and some subcutaneous fluids.  After George helped the staff realize that dry hospital food would not do, a supply of canned dog food and cooked chicken was laid in, and George showed his appreciation by digging right in!  

When we visited at 11 this morning, he hadn't eaten yet, but his temp was back down to 99.9.  Doc said he was still very weak, often stumbling and falling when he walked.  We're hoping that more subcutaneous fluids, meds, rest, and food will help him get to the point where he can safely undergo surgery.  And while he obviously feels lousy, the tail never stops wagging, and I'm reminded of that baseball bat.  Not an ounce of compassion from his owners, but a small woof and a wag of the tail for anyone he sees.

This evening we will be posting photos of George along with his story on our website www.cbhr.com.  He has the sweetest, soulful eyes!  We'll also be posting updates on his condition since so many folks have been moved by his story.  George is the 3rd case of neglect we've dealt with inside of a month -- it almost seems like an epidemic all of a sudden.  Beulah (welcomed to the bridge so sweetly by Elder Clara) just about broke my heart, and I thought surely that would be the end of it. But no.

So again, thank you for spreading the word about sweet George.  Cases like his are another reason that voting in the Shelter Challenge is so important.  Neglected and abused dogs aren't unique to the Carolina's for sure, and any help we can give each other is all to the good.

Sending drool to all in need,
Becky Gering
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