This was No Way for a Dog to Live.

For the most current update, please scroll down.

Although we can't help all of the many, many dogs who have to endure a life of living outside 24/7 in a pen with only a doghouse for company, we CAN and ARE going to help this one.

When the owners of this sad little deaf Dalmatian sold their house, they took their prized hunting dogs but left her behind. Thankfully, the new owner cared enough to contact us for help. We have enlisted the aide of another wonderful volunteer in the area who is going to help us get her spayed immediately and then transport her down to the Spotted Dog Rescue Ranch. Once we get her settled in, we will do an assessment and begin the search for a new home.

We can tell you that the new home we will hopefully be able to find for her WILL NOT include a pen with a dirt floor and a dirty dog house.

Updated September 3rd:

Quite a change from her old habitat, Sleepy is now enjoying living in air conditioning with nice cuddly blankets in her sleeping crate. The scabs from her flea bites are healing. She was, of course, heartworm positive - Class III and has already begun treatment. The best news is that when she is healthy, Sleepy has a wonderful home waiting for her with an experienced Dal owner who is just waiting to dote on her.

Updated September 11th:

Please keep little Sleepy in your thoughts and prayers tonight. We have learned she has a 50/50 chance of making it. Probably due to the complete and total lack of any care that this poor dog had during her entire 6 year life. After receiving her first heartworm injection, she has developed a life-threatening case of pneumonia due to an infection that has probably been festering for some time. Her white cell blood count is twice the normal range and she has an extremely high fever.

As she now lays in an oxygen tank at Tampa Bay Vet Emergency Service, we can only pray that Sleepy will live long enough to enjoy the love and tenderness that was finally going to be hers. This poor little deaf girl has never had a chance to see the good side of human beings. We love you so much Sleepy....please know that as you lie alone tonight once more.

Updated September 14th:

Sleepy is now on her second day without being in an oxygen tank. (We have two of them ready to go should the need arise.) She is coming along very, very slowly but we are still hopeful for her recovery at this point. The vet thinks that the infection which has resulted in pneumonia was been caused by the heartworms and the fact the the right side of her heart is severly damaged. Although her lungs will heal, she could have possible heart failure at any time due to the extent of the damage. For that reason, if Sleepy pulls through, she will probably have to remain a sanctuary Dal unless someone is willing to deal with the fact that she will probably have a very shortened life. Poor Sleepy is proof again of how animals suffer when people neglect to care for them properly. We will be happy to give her the best life we can for as long as we have her.

Updated September 18th:

Little Sleepy continues to struggle to fight off the infection that has invaded her lungs. Another recent blood test showed her white blood cell count has barely dropped from being extremely high and she is still running a low grade fever. But while Sleepy tries to get better, volunteer "Uncle Frank" has made sure that she feels special. Notice her pretty purple "Queen" dog tag that he bought her. And "Uncle Lee" came to visit her the other day and made a special donation to make sure she gets whatever she needs (like super-duper vitamins). Sleepy has gained lots of admirers who are wishing her well.

Updated October 22nd:

After weeks of critcal care, Sleepy has now recovered and found a very special guy to give her a forever home. He has been instrumental in making sure that she got well. It is indeed a spcial home since Sleepy has a damaged heart and can't hear a sound.

Although she will not be able to continue heartworm treatment, she will be started on monthly preventative and we hope, eventually be free from them.

So no more outdoor pen living ever for Sleepy. She now hangs out with her adopted Dad in his office laying on her bed under his desk, goes on real estate calls with him and even to the gym. She has a true 24/7 pal. She even had her first ever McDonald dog cookie the other day.....she must think she has died and gone to dog heaven! Thank you Lee for taking into your heart this very special needs spotted girl.




RETURN TO
SPOTTED HAPPENINGS

RETURN TO DIRECTORY