Wallace was found as a stray by a wonderful Chicago police officer named Tammy. Tammy is also the police officer that found Halo (more about Halo another time). She is pretty amazing and went above and beyond to save both dogs.

Wallace was found as a stray by a wonderful Chicago police officer named Tammy. Tammy is also the police officer that found Halo (more about Halo another time). She is pretty amazing and went above and beyond to save both dogs.

Wallace’s medical team estimates he is 12-13 years old. He has large growths on several locations over his body. This includes a perianal tumor which is likely the result of high testosterone levels from not being neutered. He has muscle atrophy consistent with aging. He is thin. His eye was infected from a large upper eyelid growth that is scratching his eye, which is covered in thick, goopy discharge. He had open wounds on one of his rear legs with draining tracts. His spleen was enlarged via palpation during his physical exam. His ears are filthy and inflamed. He has diarrhea.

In order to be sure we knew exactly what we were dealing with, we authorized a myriad of tests:

-Fine needle aspirate of the 4 major growths: one under his neck, one on the back of his leg, one on the side of his leg and one on his side. 
-Culture of the draining fluid from the open wounds on his other rear leg
-X-rays of his chest and abdomen
-Full blood panel
-Eye staining
-Ear cytology
-Fecal test
-Urinalysis

We have received the results from many of the tests:
-His vet was concerned he might have blastomycosis and wanted to send off a blood test to help aid his diagnosis. Blastomycosis is a systemic fungal infection. The most common sites of clinically apparent infection in dogs include the lungs, lymph nodes, eyes, skin, and bone. Fortunately the test for blastomycosis was negative.
-Bloodwork was mostly normal, with an increase in white blood cells consistent with infection.
-Heartworm test: positive
-X-rays showed his spleen was enlarged, but there were no obvious masses anywhere else in his body. His heart shows no sign of physiological changes from heartworm disease.
-Fine needle aspirates showed several of the growths were inflamed lymph nodes. He has no signs of lymphoma or other cancer, which leads us to believe the inflammation of his spleen and lymph nodes are due to the overall infection his system is fighting.
-Antibiotics for open wounds started. After 3 days there was no improvement so a stronger antibiotic was started.
-Eye stain was negative for corneal ulcers so drops were started with plans to remove the growth.
-Urinalysis was clear minus some white blood cells. He is drinking and urinating a significant amount.
-Ear cytology showed a significant yeast infection in his ears and they were cleaned and treated.
-His fecal was negative so he was started on probiotics to help restore the natural flora in his gut.

Friday Wallace underwent surgery to be neutered and have the eye growth removed. He recovered easily. Now that Wallace is neutered, the perianal tumor should diminish in size. He has been on strong antibiotics now for 4 days and there is significant improvement in the wounds on his legs, his increased drinking/urinating, and his eye is no longer infected. His ears are clean and less inflamed. Overall, Wallace is doing very well. He will remain hospitalized until we can recheck his bloodwork later this week to ensure his infections have cleared up. We will also come up with a game plan to treat his heartworm disease once the other issues have been resolved.

On October 4^th they shared an update with supporters:

Amazing news… the Chicago police officer who found Wallace on the side of the road has adopted him!

When 12-13 year old Wallace came into TAF’s care he was an absolute mess and needed to be hospitalized for 2 weeks. In that time he underwent a multitude of tests, treatments and even surgery to keep him comfortable for the twilight time that Wallace has left with his mom. 

When Tammy arrived to pick up her buddy Wallace, he walked over and buried his face in her arms. It was obvious that he remembered the kindness she showed him when he was not feeling well and all alone. He wouldn’t leave her side, and as they walked out the door, we swore there was a spring in his step!

Officer Tammy… thank you so much for all that you do to help the homeless dogs in the city of Chicago!

The post Tumor-Ridden Senior Dog Is Adopted by the Heroic Police Officer Who Saved Him appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.

Alfie’s former owner kept him chained up outside.  All day, every day, for years, with nothing but concrete to lie on.  And then, because he barked and cried to come in, his muzzle was taped shut.  Neighbors had enough of being ignored by the SPCA, and at this last straw, jumped the fence to save him from the abuse.

It seems that for making simple mistakes that every puppy makes while learning, Alfie, who was nameless at the time, was forced to live outside by his impatient and unloving owner.  For scratching at the door to be let in, he was chained so he couldn’t come near it.  For crying out to be loved and pay attention to by his family, he had his mouth tightly taped closed.

It was obvious what kind of toll the years of being shackled was taking on him; he lunged and snapped and barked incessantly.  Next door neighbors watched Alfie endure this abuse and neglect, which tormented them as much as it did him.  They called the SPCA repeatedly, but as keeping a dog tethered wasn’t illegal, there was nothing they could do.

So the neighbors took matters into their own hands.  One day they hopped the fence and cut Alfie free.  It is unclear just what happened to him at this point, but as Animal Advocates Society posted his story, likely it is they who took him in.

To keep such an intelligent and social creature so isolated, unstimulated, and uncomfortable is immoral, and Alfie was very sensitive after the years of mental anguish.  But over time, he healed.

He was blessed with a new family, one who was every bit as loving as his previous one was heartless.  He rejoiced in being free to run, play, and snuggle.

Alfie was cherished by his human family members, and befriended by a dog buddy who looked a lot like him.  Though he is no longer alive, he spent every single day of the rest of his life being happy and free.

The post The Town Refused to Help, So Neighbors Saved This Chained, Taped-Up Dog Themselves appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.

Hospitalized in critical condition, Thomas was started on warm IV fluids and warming packs were placed around his body to help stabilize his dangerously low core temperature. It would take weeks of wound care and IV antibiotics for Thomas to finally be given a clean bill of health.

It was then that we focused on Thomas’ emotional recovery. This can sometimes be just as challenging. After spending many hours with TAF’s therapy dogs, Thomas learned that when we raised our hands it wasn’t to hit him and when we approached him he did not need to cower… he learned what it meant to be loved and how to trust those that watched over him.

Now for the happy ending… it is with great joy that we announce that Thomas has found his forever home! Thomas’ new dad is a Chicago police officer and knows all too well the abuse that Thomas has gone through. He knows that he has a very special pup on his hands and will continue to watch over and protect Thomas, just like those before him. Thomas has already bonded with his new dad and they are inseparable… buddies for life!

A big thank you to everybody that helped to sponsor Thomas’ medical care and to his medical team at Heal. Without all of your help, Thomas would not have made it. Thank you so much for saving his life!

The post Dog on the Absolute Brink of Death Makes an Unbelievable Recovery appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.

Then one day Spock’s new mom saw a shared Facebook post of one of our dogs (Meredith) that looked like the female version of her dog Zee, who she had recently lost to cancer. She sent us an application and told us she had a heart for rescuing older pitties (that doesn’t happen very often, but it’s amazing when it does!). She really liked Meredith, but knew it was important to make sure the dog she chose would be a good fit for her and her 4 year old son, Bubs. So she decided she also wanted to meet some of our other older pups, including Spock.

So one Saturday momma and Bubs jumped in the car and drove 7 HOURS from their home in NC to our adoption event in Kennesaw, GA. She and Bubs fell in love with both Spock and Meredith, but they knew that Spockie was the one for them.

A few weekends later Spock’s foster family packed up his things and drove Spock to his new home. Foster mom was super nervous because Spock doesn’t do so well with change. But her worries were put to rest when Spock barged right into his new forever home, went directly to the dog toy box, grabbed a toy, and trotted into the back yard to tear it into shreds. He clearly felt right at home!

We honestly could not have hoped for a better, more loving home for Spock. He’s so attached to his new mom and human brother (they’re the same age – how cool is that?). And they are so attached to him! Congratulations Spock, momma, and Bubs!! And thank you to Jason and the Edwards for giving Spock a loving home while he waited for his forever home.

This beautiful story is a testament to the fact that sharing dog posts saves lives and helps dogs find their forever homes! So thank you to everyone who shared Meredith’s photo last fall – you played a part in helping Spock find his new family.

Here are some photos of Spock with his new family…

The post From Starving & Surviving on Trash to Treasured Family Member appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.

Five years ago, Zachary Anderegg was hiking in an isolated area in Arizona when he saw a bony black puppy huddled at the bottom of a 350-foot canyon.  There was no way this puppy got down there by himself, and he certainly wasn’t going to get out by himself.

A better person couldn’t have come along.  Zak is a former US Marine Sergeant, and was up for the challenge.  Some parts of the hike weren’t so bad, but other stretches were jammed with logs.  He set up his rappelling equipment and made his way down into the narrow crevice to reach the pup.

On his second trip down, Zak brought food and water.  He didn’t have everything he needed to pull the dog up to safety, but at least provided him with food and a towel for the night.  The next day, Zak returned with a crate.  It was incredibly difficult, but he managed to lug the starving puppy up to the top of the canyon.

The poor dog was in terrible shape; he was emaciated, his paws were completely torn up, his teeth were blackened from malnutrition, and he had shotgun pellets embedded in his skin.  Zak sought medical attention for the dog, and called him Riley.

Zak and his wife adopted Riley, and before long, his health improved and he bloomed into the charismatic, life-loving dog he was meant to be.  He even got a big dog brother named Kohi, whom he gets along with very well.

Riley started out life being horribly abused and unloved.  Now he is beloved by thousands and goes on all kinds of adventures.  He is living life to its fullest by romping through the snow, leaping over boulders, and splashing through desert pools.  Most importantly, he’s doing all this with his family.

To see more of Riley’s adventures, check out his Facebook page, Canyon Puppy.  To buy Zak’s book about his and Riley’s amazing story, click here.

The post Hiker Risks His Life to Save Puppy Abandoned in Canyon appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.