The Senior Dogs Project

According to Fort Dodge Animal Health, the makers of the ProHeart® 6, "New ProHeart® 6 is the long-lasting heartworm preventative administered by your veterinarian. No more monthly pills, chunks or little stickers to remember (or forget). Just one dose, and your best friend will be protected from deadly heartworm for a full six months."

In a letter that Fort Dodge sent to veterinarians in July, the company noted (italics ours), "ProHeart 6 was launched in June 2001 . . . With over six million doses of ProHeart 6 (moxidectin) sold during the first year, we have seen a number of reported reactions that were not seen in pre-approval clinical studies. This is typical in cases of a new product after introduction to a wide population base." The letter further states that there were ". . . 105 reports of site reactions post administration (.0016% of doses sold. . . )." In addition, the letter goes on to note that, "A total of 685 reports of illness post administration (.011%) have also been received. This category encompasses a wide variety of reports that are received in a broad timeframe (from one day to several months) post administration. There is overlap with the allergic events where both allergy and additional symptoms were recorded. The most frequently reported signs have been vomiting and diarrhea at variable time frames post administration, seizures or other neurological signs and lethargy. Other rare, but more serious reports, include erythema multiforme in 3 cases and autoimmune hemolytic anemia in a low number of patients, most of whom had received vaccines concurrently. No common predisposing factors have been identified at this time. In rare situations, death has been associated with some of the adverse reactions listed above. "

Reports of adverse reactions to ProHeart® 6 have begun arriving at srdogs, and, as we have done with Rimadyl and EtoGesic, we are presenting excerpts from them:

From an E-mail forwarded to us on September 4, 2002 -- the diary of Dakota, who died following repeated episodes of vomiting and gradual decline of physical and mental function:

June 10 - Dakota goes for yearly booster shots and check up. Vet says she is in fine health. I need to get another six-month supply of Interceptor, the vet is out of the pills. They mention the heartworm shot again. They have mentioned it to me several times over the past year, but I did not want to try anything new. This time, however, I agree to give the shot a try. I asked my vet if there were any side effects and was this shot safe and was told that it was safe and there were no side effects. June 15 - Dakota developed a hot spot on her tail; she had been chewing on the spot. We go to the vet to have it checked out. They give me some ointment for the hot spot and she gets an allergy shot (a steroid of some kind, I am sure). June 15 - July 22 - I think Dakota started throwing up at the end of June, beginning of July. This was happening in the daytime outside, so I am not sure how many times it could have happened. I remember seeing the vomit in the yard twice. I did not think much about it, thought maybe the heat or something. She was still eating and seemed in good spirits. I think it was around July 10 or so that she had the first 3:00 a.m. vomit episode. This was in the house and woke us up. She did not want to eat the next day. . . . Five to seven days later, we had another 3:00 a.m. vomit episode. It was the next day that we first went to the vet for the vomiting. He noted that her throat was a little red and suspected an infection. An antibiotic was given along with instructions to feed her two small meals a day instead of one big one. Seven to ten days later, after the antibiotics were finished, we had another 3:00 a.m. vomit session. Back to the vet. He now suspects that her food may be rancid or we could be dealing with pyloric stenosis. We are told to get new bag of food and given Reglan for vomiting. Five to seven days later, we have another 3:00 a.m. vomit episode. We go back to the vet again. This time x-rays, a barium series, and CBC blood work is done. All of them come back normal. . . . Five or so days later, we are back at the vet after another 3:00 a.m. vomit session. We are now also beginning to see neurological symptoms. She would not blink her left eye if you moved your finger towards it and she was drooling some out of the left side of her mouth. The vet is now stumped and refers us to Alabama Veterinary Specialists in Birmingham to see a Board Certified Internal Medicine specialist. In Birmingham more x-rays are done along with an ultrasound. They find nothing unusual. The ultrasound did show that the stomach and intestinal walls were a little thicker than normal. The specialist wants to do an endoscopy and some radiographs of her head. They want to look at her stomach and also rule out inner ear infection. The endoscopy and radiographs are normal, other than the stomach being redder than normal. They took biopsies while they were doing the endoscopy. We are sent home with some different food and the Reglan for vomiting. The biopsy report came back last week, normal. No cancer. We were given some prednisone, the Reglan and also Baytril. We were supposed to see how these drugs did with her symptoms and plan on going back to Birmingham in two weeks. We did not make that far. On Friday evening Dakota had a seizure. It was not that bad and did not last very long, after the seizure she seemed to have more trouble walking and was unsteady, like she was drunk. We called the emergency vet and asked what we should do. They said we could come in for a check or just watch her for a few hours to see what she did. I decided to just watch her and if she seemed to be doing OK wait and go to our regular vet in the morning. I finally went to sleep around 2 am. Dakota was resting and seemed to be ok. We woke up at a little before 5 with her having another seizure, this one was worse and she never seemed to recover fully from it. She could not keep down even water after this episode, her walking was very unsteady and she could not focus her eyes. Both sides of her face were also showing signs of paralysis, she was drooling out of both sides of her mouth. She was also bobbing her head from side to side. At this time she was also about 10-12 pounds under her normal weight. She did not have much of an appetite, and was very lethargic. My wife was home with her all day Friday and she said that Dakota just slept the whole time. We were waiting at the vet's office when he arrived Saturday morning. After examining Dakota he said there was nothing he could do. He said this was central nervous system related and he did not think she would recover. We made the decision to have her put down. This was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. I could not continue to put my dog through this; and she was getting worse not better. Dakota was not just a dog to us. She was a family member, she went on vacation with us, she had a stocking at Christmas, she was in our family pictures, she slept in the bed with us. She was an equal. I don't know if I will ever get over this. I am certain that the Proheart 6 injection was to blame for this. The side effects listed on the package are exactly what was happening to my dog. The peak concentrations of the drug, moxidectin, are reached 7 - 10 days after the injection. This is the time frame during which Dakota began to have problems. I do not know the decay rate of the micro-capuls used to deliver the drug, but the 5-7 days between vomiting seems to fit the pattern you would see with the decay of these capsules as they release more moxidectin into the system. Also, after all of those tests and x-rays, they could find nothing physiologically wrong with my dog to explain the symptoms. Finally, if your dog is having a reaction to this injection, there is nothing they can do to get the chemical out of their system. Once the injection is given, you are stuck with its being in their system for 6 months. If your dog has a reaction, you will have to ride out the 6 month period. Dakota was not able to make it that long. . . .

Dakota had had no problems at all prior to this injection. I am telling everyone I know who has animals NOT TO USE this injection. I am also asking that they be very clear to their vet as to why they do not want to use the shot. If Dakota's story can spare someone else the agony of what we have been through this summer then maybe something good can come out of this. She was a very special little girl to me. I called her 'Daddy's Little Girl.' "

"I, too, lost a perfectly healthy 6-year-old Shih Tzu after a Proheart 6 shot. He started having diarrhea and vomiting within five days of the shot, and over weeks continued digestive problems which I now understand can be a side effect of the shot. His not being able to regain normal digestive system function threw his immune system haywire and caused him to develop IMHA and to die within days. Even though he had blood transfusions and medications, he still couldn't pull through. Duker was with me constantly and I knew this dog extremely well. He never acted the same after that shot.---Myra"

Additional reports appear on a website focused on disseminating information about the potential adverse effects of the Proheart 6 shot. Here is the URL: http://bewareofproheart6.freecyberzone.com

As with any medication prescribed by your veterinarian, the Senior Dogs Project recommends that you:

(1) Discuss with your veterinarian the potential side effects versus the benefits of the drug before deciding to administer it.
(2) Request and read the package insert or consumer information sheet that should always accompany any medication that your veterinarian dispenses.
(3) When the drug has been administered, observe your dog carefully and be alert to the appearance of any of the side effects described in the insert or sheet.
(4) Report any side effects to your veterinarian immediately and get veterinary attention for your dog.
(5) Follow up with a report of the side effects to the drug's manufacturer and to the FDA.

News.... September/October 2002
*In this issue:* Issues & Announcements....Senior Dog Health.....Rescue and Adoption Notes.....Letters, Reviews
Issues & Announcements
Fun Fund-raising Events in California
San Francisco's Rocket Dog Rescue will host the first annual "Big Bark in Dolores Park." It will be held on Saturday, October 5, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., in Dolores Park. Admission is free, but, of course, donations will be MOST welcome. It's an afternoon of "cool dogs and hot tunes," with live music by The Jivens Boys ,Jeff Jolly, Low Priority, and Safari. All funds raised will go to support Rocket Dog Rescue's Urban Sanctuary Project.
Carmel Valley's All Creatures Sanctuary will begin their event on Sunday, October 13, with a Blessing of the Animals at the Sanctuary site. After the Blessing, the fun will begin! Writers, poets, artists, and musicians will gather at Ginna's, the wonderful cafe in Carmel Valley Village. Admission to the event is $75, and all proceeds will go to realizing the vision of All Creatures Sanctuary. For more information, call Allegra Braun at 831.624.8041.
Banfield, the Pet Hospital Offers Incentives to Aid Adoptions *Banfield, The Pet Hospital*, which has hospitals throughout the United States, has developed an adoption incentive program. The program will provide participating adoption agencies the following: free office visits for adoption agency pets prior to adoption;15% discounts on services and some additional discounts; a $30 certificate for new adopting families; a $10 voucher for medical services for agency pets prior to adoption when an adoptive parent redeems the $30 certificate. Founded in Portland, Oregon, in 1955, Banfield became known for its legendary client service and life-saving veterinary medicine. By the early 1990's, three generations of Pet owners had come to know and trust the Banfield team, making Banfield one of the leading private veterinary practices in the nation. For more information on how your rescue group can join this program, call 1-800-838-6738, or E-mail: http://www.banfield.net/emailUs.html, or write: Banfield, The Pet Hospital, 11815 NE Glenn Widing Drive, Portland, OR 97220.
Shutting Down Puppy Mills....More Action to Take Hearts United for Animals' website provides continuing coverage of action you can take to help shut down puppy mills. The goup has just designed and printed new puppymill brochures. They are large, full color and filled with information and photos. To print the brochure, go to the website and click on the link in the first box. It is a pdf file. To print it, you need a printer that can handle 11 x 17 inch paper. The brochure prints double sided. The Puppymill Survey is also up on the website and ready for people to register their opinions. This survey is designed to gather information about what people think about breeding dogs and kennels. The information obtained from this survey will be compiled and put on the HUA webpage. Raw data will be available to every animal organization that wants to use it. This information will be important to make arguments to local, state and federal officials who are involved in the regulation of the breeding industry. HUA also notes that a recent issue of *Pet Business* has an interesting article about a pet store in New York State. The article is called "Only The Best of Everything," and the store it describes is Steve's Wonderful World of Pets in Williamsville, NY. The article states that the owner, Steve Lane, didn't initially want to carry puppies because 'it can be a nonstop problem,' but he goes on to say that, once he decided to carry puppies, 'they really drive our business.' He sells 500 puppies a year. Mr. Lane states in the article that his philosophy is to be the best. Wonder where a store that prides itself on being top notch and only carrying the very best of everything gets the puppies that drive their business? From Hunte in Missouri. Mr. Lane needs to be told that Hunte puppies are produced in puppy mills, and that conditions in the mills are inhumane and horrific. Please E-mail Mr. Steve Lane at steve@stevespets.com. Tell him that pet stores should not sell puppies. People who have experience with Hunte dogs should tell him about those puppies. Tell him that you will never buy anything at his store until he stops selling puppies. Tell him that the fact that he sells puppies is going to drive business away from him. Mr. Lane states that his personal quote is, "The great reality is found within. In the last analysis, it is only there that it may be found." Mr. Lane needs to look within himself and discover the reality of misery and suffering and ultimately compassion.
Brooklyn Animal Resource Coalition (BARC) Annual Show & Parade -- October 20, 2002
The Brooklyn Animal Resource Coalition (BARC) is hosting its Annual Dog Show and Parade on October 20, and dogs, their guardians, and anyone that likes to watch silly competitions are invited. Dogs and their guardians enter the show ring to win any of several contests, such as best guardian-dog look alike, and who has the best butt? (The latter would be for dogs, please.) A parade kicks off the event, which begins in front of the BQE Pet Supply and Grooming store at North 1st Street and Wythe Avenue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
To participate in the parade, meet there with your canine -- in costume, if you like -- at about 11:30 a.m. The parade starts at noon and travels about one mile to McCarren Park in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The event is free to watch and open to everyone, though donations or sponsorships for any of the BARC animals are accepted. For more details, contact Vincent Spinola at BARC (718) 486-7489, or at vinnybarc@aol.com. For more details see: http://www.barcshelter.org. BARC is a non-profit, no-kill animal shelter that has, over the years, rescued thousands of dogs and cats and placed them in good homes. In fact, many of these BARC alumni will be at the show, along with other BARC dogs awaiting homes. This event helps raise community awareness as well as funds to keep the shelter operating. This is a great photo opportunity as many of the participants dress their dogs in costume -- photos of last year's event are available on request.
Senior Dog Health
*CAUTION WITH THE PROHEART 6 SHOT!*

According to Fort Dodge Animal Health, the makers of the ProHeart® 6, "New ProHeart® 6 is the long-lasting heartworm preventative administered by your veterinarian. No more monthly pills, chunks or little stickers to remember (or forget). Just one dose, and your best friend will be protected from deadly heartworm for a full six months." In a letter that Fort Dodge sent to veterinarians in July, the company noted (italics ours), "ProHeart 6 was launched in June 2001 . . . With *over six million doses of ProHeart 6 (moxidectin) sold* during the first year, we have seen a number of reported reactions that were not seen in pre-approval clinical studies. This is typical in cases of a new product after introduction to a wide population base." The letter further states that there were ". . . *105 reports of site reactions* post administration (.0016% of doses sold. . . )." In addition, the letter goes on to note that, "A total of *685 reports of illness* post administration (*.011%) have also been received. This category encompasses a wide variety of reports that are received in a broad timeframe (from one day to several months) post administration. There is overlap with the allergic events where both allergy and additional symptoms were recorded. The most frequently reported signs have been vomiting and diarrhea at variable time frames post administration, seizures or other neurological signs and lethargy. Other rare, but more serious reports, include erythema multiforme in 3 cases and autoimmune hemolytic anemia in a low number of patients, most of whom had received vaccines concurrently.* No common predisposing factors have been identified at this time. In rare situations, death has been associated with some of the adverse reactions listed above. " Adverse Reaction Reports Concerning ProHeart6 Reports of adverse reactions to ProHeart® 6 have begun arriving at srdogs, and, as we have done with Rimadyl and EtoGesic, we are presenting excerpts from them: From an E-mail forwarded to us on September 4, 2002 -- the diary of Dakota, who died following repeated episodes of vomiting and gradual decline of physical and mental function: *June 10* - Dakota goes for yearly booster shots and check up. Vet says she is in fine health. I need to get another six-month supply of Interceptor, the vet is out of the pills. They mention the heartworm shot again. They have mentioned it to me several times over the past year, but I did not want to try anything new. This time, however, I agree to give the shot a try. I asked my vet if there were any side effects and was this shot safe and was told that it was safe and there were no side effects. *June 15* - Dakota developed a hot spot on her tail; she had been chewing on the spot. We go to the vet to have it checked out. They give me some ointment for the hot spot and she gets an allergy shot (a steroid of some kind, I am sure). *June 15 - July 22* - I think Dakota started throwing up at the end of June, beginning of July. This was happening in the daytime outside, so I am not sure how many times it could have happened. I remember seeing the vomit in the yard twice. I did not think much about it, thought maybe the heat or something. She was still eating and seemed in good spirits. I think it was around July 10 or so that she had the first 3:00 a.m. vomit episode. This was in the house and woke us up. She did not want to eat the next day. . . . Five to seven days later, we had another 3:00 a.m. vomit episode. It was the next day that we first went to the vet for the vomiting. He noted that her throat was a little red and suspected an infection. An antibiotic was given along with instructions to feed her two small meals a day instead of one big one. Seven to ten days later, after the antibiotics were finished, we had another 3:00 a.m. vomit session. Back to the vet. He now suspects that her food may be rancid or we could be dealing with pyloric stenosis. We are told to get new bag of food and given Reglan for vomiting. Five to seven days later, we have another 3:00 a.m. vomit episode. We go back to the vet again. This time x-rays, a barium series, and CBC blood work is done. All of them come back normal. . . . Five or so days later, we are back at the vet after another 3:00 a.m. vomit session. We are now also beginning to see neurological symptoms. She would not blink her left eye if you moved your finger towards it and she was drooling some out of the left side of her mouth. The vet is now stumped and refers us to Alabama Veterinary Specialists in Birmingham to see a Board Certified Internal Medicine specialist. In Birmingham more x-rays are done along with an ultrasound. They find nothing unusual. The ultrasound did show that the stomach and intestinal walls were a little thicker than normal. The specialist wants to do an endoscopy and some radiographs of her head. They want to look at her stomach and also rule out inner ear infection. The endoscopy and radiographs are normal, other than the stomach being redder than normal. They took biopsies while they were doing the endoscopy. We are sent home with some different food and the Reglan for vomiting. The biopsy report came back last week, normal. No cancer. We were given some prednisone, the Reglan and also Baytril. We were supposed to see how these drugs did with her symptoms and plan on going back to Birmingham in two weeks. We did not make that far. On Friday evening Dakota had a seizure. It was not that bad and did not last very long, after the seizure she seemed to have more trouble walking and was unsteady, like she was drunk. We called the emergency vet and asked what we should do. They said we could come in for a check or just watch her for a few hours to see what she did. I decided to just watch her and if she seemed to be doing OK wait and go to our regular vet in the morning. I finally went to sleep around 2 am. Dakota was resting and seemed to be ok. We woke up at a little before 5 with her having another seizure, this one was worse and she never seemed to recover fully from it. She could not keep down even water after this episode, her walking was very unsteady and she could not focus her eyes. Both sides of her face were also showing signs of paralysis, she was drooling out of both sides of her mouth. She was also bobbing her head from side to side. At this time she was also about 10-12 pounds under her normal weight. She did not have much of an appetite, and was very lethargic. My wife was home with her all day Friday and she said that Dakota just slept the whole time. We were waiting at the vet's office when he arrived Saturday morning. After examining Dakota he said there was nothing he could do. He said this was central nervous system related and he did not think she would recover. We made the decision to have her put down. This was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. I could not continue to put my dog through this; and she was getting worse not better. Dakota was not just a dog to us. She was a family member, she went on vacation with us, she had a stocking at Christmas, she was in our family pictures, she slept in the bed with us. She was an equal. I don't know if I will ever get over this. I am certain that the Proheart 6 injection was to blame for this. The side effects listed on the package are exactly what was happening to my dog. The peak concentrations of the drug, moxidectin, are reached 7 - 10 days after the injection. This is the time frame during which Dakota began to have problems. I do not know the decay rate of the micro-capuls used to deliver the drug, but the 5-7 days between vomiting seems to fit the pattern you would see with the decay of these capsules as they release more moxidectin into the system. Also, after all of those tests and x-rays, they could find nothing physiologically wrong with my dog to explain the symptoms. Finally, if your dog is having a reaction to this injection, there is nothing they can do to get the chemical out of their system. Once the injection is given, you are stuck with its being in their system for 6 months. If your dog has a reaction, you will have to ride out the 6 month period. Dakota was not able to make it that long. . . . Dakota had had no problems at all prior to this injection. I am telling everyone I know who has animals NOT TO USE this injection. I am also asking that they be very clear to their vet as to why they do not want to use the shot. If Dakota's story can spare someone else the agony of what we have been through this summer then maybe something good can come out of this. She was a very special little girl to me. I called her 'Daddy's Little Girl.' " "I, too, lost a perfectly healthy 6-year-old Shih Tzu after a Proheart 6 shot. He started having diarrhea and vomiting within five days of the shot, and over weeks continued digestive problems which I now understand can be a side effect of the shot. His not being able to regain normal digestive system function threw his immune system haywire and caused him to develop IMHA and to die within days. Even though he had blood transfusions and medications, he still couldn't pull through. Duker was with me constantly and I knew this dog extremely well. He never acted the same after that shot.---Myra" Additional reports appear on a website focused on disseminating information about the potential adverse effects of the Proheart 6 shot. Here is the URL: http://bewareofproheart6.freecyberzone.com As with any medication prescribed by your veterinarian, the Senior Dogs Project recommends that you: (1) Discuss with your veterinarian the potential side effects versus the benefits of the drug before deciding to administer it. (2) Request and read the package insert or consumer information sheet that should always accompany any medication that your veterinarian dispenses. (3) When the drug has been administered, observe your dog carefully and be alert to the appearance of any of the side effects described in the insert or sheet. (4) Report any side effects to your veterinarian immediately and get veterinary attention for your dog. (5) Follow up with a report of the side effects to the drug's manufacturer and to the FDA.
EtoGesic and Rimadyl -- Recently-received Adverse Event Reports We continue to receive reports of adverse reactions to Rimadyl and EtoGesic, two non-steroidal inflammatory drugs that have been on the market for several years. We cannot post all the reports that we receive, but, every so often, we think it is good to provide a reminder that these drugs do have the potential for side effects. Please keep in mind, however, that the drugs can also be effective therapies for dogs afflicted with crippling arthritis. In summary of the paragraph just above: weigh the risks versus the benefits; become informed; be alert to signs of side effects; report the side effects and get veterinary attention. Here are excerpts from the reports: Our 11-year-old yellow Lab went to the vet for a shoulder injury -- a sprain -- and was put on EtoGesic, 1 1/2 pills once a day. After four days, she lost interest in her food, which was a shock, as she has always been such a happy eater. After a week's worth of pills, she became sluggish, and we started to see her ribs. We took her back to the vet who suggested she might have lung cancer. We were terrified; we have had her since she was six weeks old. Away for the summer, we made a quick trip back home with her so that she could see her regular vet and get a blood work up, which revealed a huge elevation in liver enzymes. She has just undergone a liver biopsy, and we are awaiting the results, but reading others' experiences with their pets on EtoGesic, I suspect it was a reaction. ssbb@adelphia.net My 12 1/2-year-old Cocker Spaniel experienced severe and bloody diarrhea with the use of EtoGesic. He does have severe arthritis due to hip dysplasia. We carefully monitor him and DO NOT give the arthritis medication daily. Right now he does well with an alternating schedule. He is in fragile health and also takes Selegiline and Furosemide (injections). kimberleypea@hotmail.com My 12-year-old Shepherd/Collie mix has been experiencing increasing discomfort in his spine/hip area. We finally decided to try a medication that might ease some of the discomfort. After only three days on EtoGesic, he developed severe diarrhea -- dark brown and obviously bloody, which came out of him as though someone turned on the faucet. We immediately took him off of the EtoGesic and he is currently being treated by the vet for the diarrhea, which has not yet cleared up. It's cause for dismay and extremely disheartening when you give your beloved pet medicine with the expectation that it's going to help him, but instead he ends up in a worsened condition. tnkerr@velocity.net Last week, we almost lost our 4-year-old Peke-a-Poo due to Rimadyl. We were never told of any side effects or that he should have had bloodwork done during the year he was on it. I started the research on Rimadyl, trying to save him. He started bleeding profusely from the rectum and throwing up blood. We rushed him to the vet, who operated on him and found all his organs enlarged. His stomach was bleeding, his gallbladder was 30 times its normal size and full of blood, and the kidneys were slowing down. He was in the hospital eight days and, thanks to prayers, we have him home and on the mend. I will never trust another vet to give medicine without doing research myself. This was a terrible way to learn that lesson. I hope someone learns from our mistake. B. Kemp, Dickson, TN
Rescue & Adoption Notes
Greensboro, NC -- Hazel Is Adopted Via the srdogs Site
	On August 28, 2002, the Senior Dogs Project received the following E-Mail:"Hello Senior Dogs Project, Thank you ever so kindly for your wonderful posting of Hazel from Friends Forever in Greensboro, NC. She has been adopted by a wonderful family who has other senior pets. They found her through your site. Your site is a priceless piece of the rehoming puzzle!! Again, many thanks on behalf of Hazel whose life you have changed for the better. This is a great success story. With best regards, Lucy Boette, Founder, Friends Forever"
Hazel Was Attacked by Another Animal, then Left to Die by Her "Guardians"....Hazel, a female, black Terrier mix, just under 10 lbs. and just about 10 years old was rescued by Friends Forever after her guardians refused to reclaim her from the local shelter. She had been attacked by another animal and was suffering badly. A kind vet asked Friends Forever to save her from being euthanized. They sure did!
Oscaloosa, IA -- Bootsie -- Nine years old? Maybe 12.....but "...such a good dog"
On August 20, we received the following E-mail from Barb Hathaway of Oskaloosa, IA: "I found Boots on petfinder.com. She is nine years old. I'm picking her up tomorrow. Nobody can figure out exactly what she is. A true mutt, I think. Her dad had to go to a nursing home, and the shelter was confusing to her. I'll keep you posted on our progress. I spent today buying stuff for her. She is very sweet and was friendly to all, including cats at the shelter."
And, on August 26, we received this update: "Well, I picked her up last Wednesday, and we went straight to the vet, of course. Turns out I chose the vet who has been treating her since 1996. She told me Boots is closer to 12 than 9, her records showing a 1989 birthdate. So, my girl is a real senior! She has a couple of teeth missing, but don't worry -- doesn't interfere with eating. She has a couple of incipient cataracts, but still sees well. Now the good part: her heart is strong, she is heartworm negative and has good breath. (Important, yes?) Boots is such a good dog, I can't believe it! She is sweet, mellow, doesn't go in the house, is not a barker or jumper, but is a lovebug. She wants to snuggle a lot of the time. I've attached a picture of her after her bath. Surprise! She's fluffy. So far, we've settled on her breed as1/4 Heeler,1/4 Chihuahua,1/4 Norwegian Elkhound and 1/4 wolf pup. This is subject to change."
Letters, Reviews
A Deeply-Felt Message from a Website Visitor
On Friday, July 5, 2002 we received this very moving E-mail message from a visitor to srdogs who was confronting the decision of euthanasia for the family's elderly cat, "Chester": "I just had to write and tell those of you who make up srdogs just how much support you gave to me and my children! (Who says Cyperspace can't offer intimate connections?!) "Our beloved cat, Chester, was 15 or 16 years old. He had been abandoned early in his life by a neighbor, and was fortunate indeed to come to us. He found love, renewed health and a commitment to him over the long haul. We got to experience the magic transforming power of love. Not only did we witness his journey from growling, suspicious cat to a cuddly mush, we witnessed a life changed by the rediscovery of trust and faith. This experience not only brought comfort and happiness to him, but to my family as well. "Chester (or Chessie Bear, as he was usually called) was the first one to greet my babies as I brought them home. He guarded over them as they slept in their cribs, and was always nearby as they grew. Despite some sporadic emergencies (due to Chester's love for ingesting curling ribbon!), Chester has enjoyed great health. Unfortunately, his last five to six months were not good ones. He developed a tumor that was originally diagnosed as a hematoma. It was, in fact, a malignant tumor that grew at a tremendous rate, and invaded a large blood vessel close to his side. "It soon became clear that Chester was in for a terrible time, and no treatment would help him. At the same time, my husband and I are separating (after 19 years). This has been a dreadful time in my life, and I could barely conceive of losing Chester at the same time. If I was feeling this way, I thought, how much harder would it be for my two daughters (8 and 11 years old)?! My dear friend, obviously sent on a mission from above, told me about your website. I shared the poems and stories with my girls. A friend made a wooden casket befitting a cat prince, and my girls painted beautiful images of heaven 'at night and during the day.' They crafted words ('Remember, you are not alone!') and pictures (my relatives and pets that had passed, drawn with outstretched arms) of comfort and beauty. "Still we nursed our Chessie Bear...he purred when we sat with him (and slept with him, holding his paw). One day, it was painfully obvious to me that he was getting close to pain. He had stopped accepting any food and had no interest in water. We sobbed, unable to make the appointment, unable to do what he so needed us to do. I am thoroughly convinced that if it were not for those poems on the srdogs site, Chester would not have been spared all of suffering! I know it for sure. "My girls and I sat with him, re-reading the passages, sobbing all the while. My oldest daughter suddenly looked up as I read, and said, 'MOM! Look! This is Chester's poem! This is how HE feels.' Within two hours, our beloved Chester stretched out for the last time, relaxed and grateful. I felt relief for him, and for us. "Thanks to you, there was no feeling of emergency, of decisions formed over anxious moments in a strange environment. I am forever grateful to you, and I can almost feel my Chessie rub on my leg as if to say thanks from him as well. What very important work it is that you do! I only hope you can FEEL what a difference you have made in my world, and in my children's! Sincerely, Janet Lupardo, Huntington, N.Y."
*Tufts University's Your Dog Magazine* Cites srdogs**
The September 2002, Volume VIII, Number 9, issue of Your Dog Magazine (Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine) mentions the srdogs site. On page 10, an article entitled "The Fountain of Their Youth: Preventive care and early disease detection," states that the Senior Dogs Project site is a source of ". . . ads for older dogs available for adoption, health information, inspirational true stories about senior dogs and many photos." We sincerely appreciate this notice and are grateful for the homes and hearts it surely will open to senior dogs in need.
Want to read the ....... August 2002 Newsletter?