Now that he is looking so much better a lot of the shelter volunteers think he looks like a newfoundland mix. He does seem to have that gentle newfoundland personality.
Sparkle is very happy at the shelter. He likes his tiny little friend (see fourth picture) and they both enjoy napping together. Sparkle asks to go out and potty so he should be easy to housetrain.
Steve is picking his airconditioner up at the shelter tomorrow and Sparkle will be without airconditioning. It is a window unit and he really needs one. We are hoping someone will donate an air conditioner and FAST! Sparkle is still itchy and he will be miserable in the heat.
Steve picked up his air conditioner this morning. Sparkle is without air conditioning. Someone please help by donating one and helping to install it.
I will be offline for the next ten days. If you have questions or concerns about Sparkle please wait ten days to email me. We can still take applications.
Thanks, Jody
August 8, 2001
Sparkle has an air conditioner, thanks to Barb who brought her own. Barb is at the shelter every day (all day) during the week. Sparkle is becoming attached to her. I hear Sparkle is doing great. I will post an update as soon as I get one.
Jody
Update August 13, 2001
We are having some problems with our adoption application. If you have sent in an application in the last 12 days, it is possible we didn't get it. You could try again or just EMAIL and let us know you are interested. Please include your full name, phone number, address, and name and phone number of your vet. Try to include what kind of living arrangements you would provide Sparkle, or any of our other PETS. The pets page was also updated today.
UPDATE - August 14, 2001
Two members talked to the vet today and found out that Sparkle has never had any hip xrays, and that all they knew for sure was that his hip is out of the socket, probably from being hung from a tree. Sparkle was in such bad shape when he first came in, he could not have stood the surgery, so they went ahead and treated him for the mange, and for the heartworms. He is still not completely finished with the heartworm treatment, and the surgery will have to wait a while longer. They couldn't put him on pain meds for a long period of time because it may have caused liver damage. I will post more updates about Sparkle as soon as I get them. It is a shame that he has to endure the hip pain, but the vet said he was in such bad shape that they had to pick and choose what to treat first. They felt the heartworms, mangled tail, and mange were so bad they chose to treat those conditions first. The vet also said that Sparkle may have permanent nerve damage in his back feet.
UPDATE August 21, 2001
Sparkle had xrays Monday which showed enough problems that he will still be going to Ohio State. The ball of his hip is out of the socket, but the bone is also chipped. He may have hip dysplasia as well. The vet has placed him on rimadyl and he is feeling a whole lot better. He has become a very beautiful dog. His temperament is just the best. He can live with cats, kittens, puppies, and other dogs. Dominant dogs would scare him, but as long as other dogs are friendly and not intimidating it would be fine.
Don't forget about Rock the rottie. The vet said he was in even worse shape then Sparkle when he came in. He wasn't even expected to survive. He has gained 50 pounds and probably has another 20 to go. He is looking very beautiful now. We would like to place him in a local foster home until the court case is settled. He is fine with other dogs, but not cats. Rock's vet bill so far is at least $500 so the humane society could use some help with his expenses. His hips were xrayed and they are fine.
To adopt Sparkle or foster ROCK fill out the ADOPTION APPLICATION which is finally working thanks to Response-O-Matic to whom I will be eternally grateful. :^) The application form has not been working for about three weeks, so if you have filled out an application during that time, please do so again. I apologize for the inconvenience.
UPDATE - August 27, 2001
Sparkle was evaluated at Ohio State today. His eyes were fine, no entropian. He has no hip socket, so his leg cannot be fixed. He will have surgery tomorrow so that he can live pain free. The bones are rubbing together causing pain, pain which he has had for a long time, evidenced by the fact that the socket is completely worn away. Sparkle has suffered for an extended period of time, in plain view of his owner and probably others in the neighborhood as well. Sparkle was intentionally neglected and allowed to suffer, after which he was horribly abused and then abandoned. I hope their will be justice for Sparkle.
Since Sparkle has been on rimadyl he has played like a puppy. This is probably the first time he has felt good in a long time. The vets at Ohio State called him an "amazing" dog, and they were so impressed by his wonderful temperament considering the pain and intentional abuse he has suffered.
We are still taking applications for Sparkle. He will be back at the shelter Saturday afternoon. He will never be able to climb steps, and may need a ramp to go outside. He IS worth the extra effort, and he deserves a wonderful life, because he is a wonderful dog.
UPDATE - September 3, 2001
Sparkle is back at the shelter and looking GOOD thanks to the wonderful care he received at the Ohio State Veterinary School. Sparkle has slight entropian in one eye. The lashes are not touching the eye, so it doesn't need to be treated at this time. A small growth was removed from under his chin which was tested and found to be non-cancerous. He was treated for ear infection and sent home with medicine. The hip surgery was successful. The bones will not rub together and he may be pain free once he recovers. He may even be able to climb steps after all.
Ohio State gave us a discount and the total price was less than $900. We are so grateful to them for everything they have done, and for charging such a nominal fee. The money that was donated for Sparkle also covered Rock's treatment, and a badly burned kitten. Thank you Ohio State and thanks to everyone who donated for Sparkle. Thanks also to Janet Ambrose who transported Sparkle back and forth to Columbus. All of you made it possible for Sparkle to get the treatment he needed.
Now the search is on for the perfect home for Sparkle. We selfishly want to place him in a local home where we can visit occasionally. But all applications are being considered. A stay at home gaurdian would be ideal, and we are still hoping for a home with not too many steps, and no young rowdy dogs. Sparkle HAS to be on Heartguard all year round, and he may need rimadyl as well (we hope not). He loves children and is OK with cats so far, as long as they don't get in his food. Sparkle is a BIT food aggressive, and who can blame him after what he has been through. He just gives a warning growl. I don't think this is serious, and I truly feel he will get over this once he feels secure that he will always have plenty to eat. He does not need doggy companions, but he does need lots of people attention.
UPDATE - September 8, 2001
Sparkle went to a foster home Thursday where he is the only dog and receives loads of attention from three adults and a teenager. Someone is always home with Sparkle and he sleeps in bed with the adult daughter. He has a four acre fenced in yard to play in. His foster dad said he didn't actually run (yet) but he "hurried" around the yard exploring everything. I hear they are positively in love with the "Amazing Sparkle". So Sparkle, if you will just be good to the cats, looks like you have found your forever home.
Sparkle's guardians are on line, so maybe they will be kind enough to send pictures and updates. We will visit Sparkle in a couple of weeks, so check back to see him in his new home.
SPARKLE UPDATE
Click HERE to see pictures of Sparkle in his new home.
Donations can be sent to:
Lawence County Humane Society
P.O. Box 412
Ironton, OH 45638