Every time he sees a camera Alfredo ’strikes a pose’!

Marty

Marty at the park with Dad,
enjoying the fresh air!
March 2013

Victoria

Victoria enjoying her favorite bean bag chair!

Ron recently reported that Sasha started to limp and was not using her hind leg too much. With a lot of concern Ron took her to the veterinarian hoping it was not anything serious. Dr. Stone did not think she had a torn ACL or any major injury to her knee, just a strain. Her directions were to keep her quiet for the weekend and they would x-ray if there was no improvement by Monday. When Monday arrived, Sasha was using the leg with a slight limp when she walked, but no limp when she ran or stood. She did not seem to favor the leg much. Therefore, Ron kept her quiet for an additional week to be sure she did not aggravate or increase the injury. She still has a slight limp after running with the other dogs, but it is almost impossible to keep her quiet. She loves to run along the shore; she is like the wind, a free spirit.

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A poem from Victoria’s adopted human brother:

MY RESCUE DOG

I’m a rescue dog named Vicky.
When I was rescued,
my eyes were sticky like sandpaper.
My fur was knotted and dirty,
but my tail wagged a lot.

I don’t bark much, only when I see
a cat or a squirrel do I “woof.”
Sometimes I am a couch potato,
but I get up when I see my leash.

I slurp up my food in a flash and
I have a friend named Hunter.
I’m happy to be in a home
where I am loved.

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Update on Xena: Emotionally, Xena is adjusting well to her new home and her new family. Her adopted mother reports that she’s eating well and loves to take her medicine. Xena also loves to instigate with her playmate, dog Max. Watching them interact with each other is amazing. When her new parent’s son came home from college for the holidays and met Xena for the first time, she didn’t leave his side. She snuggled with him every morning until he went back to school. Her new family found out that she is a pleasure on car rides. Medically, Xena is also doing well. She just had her check-up at the Animal League’s medical center. Her liver levels have improved and there are no signs of urinary infections (which she is prone to). We look forward to Xena having an active, healthy year ahead.

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NEW TO PROGRAM! Rex is a great example of strength from within. Rescued at only 7 months old in late 2011 by North Shore Animal League America from Tennessee, Rex is safe and in good hands. No longer a burden to anyone, this gentle, black Mutt-i-gree® (mixed-breed dog) and full of life angel will have a home in the Animal League for as long as he needs to.

Upon careful evaluation from the Animal League’s veterinary staff, it has been determined that Rex has a life-long medical condition. Most importantly, there is no treatment for this condition.

Sweet Rex arrived with an infection with Canine Distemper Virus (CDV). This virus initially causes gastrointestinal upset (vomiting and diarrhea), respiratory infection and neurological signs (twitching and seizures). Rex has a residual neurologic effect called Myoclonus. Myoclonus is an involuntary twitching of the muscles. This twitching is most pronounced in Rex’s hind legs.

Sadly, he is very weak in the hind end which affects his walking. Rex needs to be carried outside to use the bathroom. His legs need to be monitored so that he doesn’t develop sores. The possibility is present that Rex’s involuntary twitching may lead to seizure activity which may develop at any age.

Exercise is an important part of Rex’s life. In order to strengthen Rex’s muscles, Passive Range of Motion is followed. In these exercises, you move Rex’s legs through their normal range of motion (extending and flexing the joints) to encourage the muscle to build. Rex is allowed to move as he can tolerate. The Animal League fashioned a custom made wheel cart for Rex’s hind legs which he is learning to perfect.

What turns all this sadness around is Rex’s attitude. He is a happy spirit, young and aware, and ready for petting and pleasing. He shows a strong desire to be like any other healthy dog and looks to anyone who will give him a chance to prove it.

Because Rex’s condition requires a commitment to his lifetime care, most small shelters would not be able to accommodate his needs. Instead, it is likely that in a small shelter Rex would be put down. The Animal League is dedicated to helping him have the best quality of life possible. Therefore, Rex was a natural choice for enrollment in the Animal League’s life-saving Sponsor Program which caters to dogs, cats, puppies and kittens with special needs. Through a small, but dependable contribution each month, you can support Rex and all the animals in our care.

The Animal League’s programs, like the Sponsor Program, help to ensure that the thousands of dogs and cats that come through our doors each year receive the something they need. We can learn from Rex and you can make a difference in his life. Your strength from within can come from your support of the animals that need you most. Please join us in continuing our mission, founded in 1944, of Rescue, Nurture, Adopt.

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Update on Toby: Toby gets three meals a day in his feeding chair and has a voracious appetite. Unfortunately, he’s also figured out how to sneak out of the feeding chair when his mother is not looking. Suddenly, she’ll find him in the kitchen instead of in the chair where he’s supposed to be. He also makes her chase him to put him in the chair or to put on his sweater when they’re going out. Toby is no longer the aloof loner he was when he first came to his new home. He expects a lot of petting. He scratches at his mother until she does his bidding. If she doesn’t invite him under the covers at bedtime, he scratches at her blanket until she puts it over him. If he finds a pile of laundry, he’s happy to catch a few winks on top of it.

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