News and Events  Touching Lives: Rescue Updates

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Touching Lives

-Updates on Stories from the Spring PAW STREET JOURNAL-

In late October 2006, "Rudy," a three-year-old Jack Russell terrier, was surrendered to KHS due to what the owner thought was a housetraining issue. Yet, upon initial evaluation, a KHS veterinarian quickly determined that the small dog not only had a urinary tract infection, but also suffered from demodectic mange, a common but sometimes serious skin condition if left untreated.

Placed in foster, Rudy's infection and mange began to improve with treatment, but his excessive water intake and urination continued. So, the KHS veterinary team recommended further medical testing to uncover the cause of his ongoing problem.

After performing multiple ultrasounds, blood tests and a urinalysis, the veterinarians could not provide a conclusive diagnosis, though they believed that Rudy suffered from a rare endocrine disease. Thankfully, his condition could be regulated simply through daily monitoring of his water intake.

While Rudy remained in foster care, Rev. Patrick Delahanty of Louisville, Ky. found him on the KHS website with a list of his health problems. Calling KHS soon after, Patrick spoke with his foster mom gained more insight into Rudy's condition. Patrick adopted his new best friend on April 12!

Now, Rudy lives like a normal dog, but he only receives eight ounces of water once in the morning and once in the afternoon. Patrick says that Rudy is inquisitive and curious. "Rudy loves being outside and playing with his Kong toys and tennis balls," shared Patrick. "Everything he sees new, he has to check it out."

"KHS just took great care of him," he said. "I'm really happy to have him."

"Tico," a terrified ten-month-old Pomeranian, was surrendered to KHS in late February, with a badly injured rear limb that had been entangled in a window blind. After completing a medical evaluation, a KHS veterinarian concluded that the injury was at least two weeks old and, due to limited blood circulation, there was irreversible damage to his leg. Unable to save Tico's leg, amputation was deemed necessary.

On March 20, after full recovered from surgery, Tico found his forever home with Peggy Weisenberger of Louisville. Peggy, who had been looking to adopt a Pomeranian, found Tico on the KHS website. "When I saw him on the website, I just fell in love," she said. "Just because an animal has a disability doesn't mean you love them any more or less."

Since moving to his new home, Tico has adjusted well. He loves to play with his toys and run in his backyard. He even has to be forced to come back inside at the end of the day.

“He acts like he has all four legs,” Peggy shared. “It doesn’t affect him at all.”

Tico loves to be affectionate and cuddle, especially after a hard day of play. On a recent vet trip, Peggy picked up Tico and realized that he was so happy to see her that he actually was smiling!

“Tico is a wonderful and loving dog ,” Peggy said. “I love him very much.”

“Sport,” a stray one-year-old Siberian husky mix, was discovered in Jeffersontown, Ky., lying on the side of the road. A kind local resident, thinking that the young canine had been struck by a vehicle, gingerly retrieved the immobile dog and brought him to the KHS main campus for medical attention.

The KHS veterinary team promptly provided medication for stabilization since Sport was going into shock. Then, a staff veterinarian examined the distressed dog and determined that he suffered from severe malnourishment. Thus, Sport’s immobility was not caused by vehicular injury, but rather extreme neglect.

Thankfully for Sport, his luck began to change when the Hunt family adopted him in late April. After seeing Sport up for adoption on the KHS website, Brian, Jennifer and their 6-year-old son, Steven, decided they were ready to add a new furry friend to their household. “He was just right for us,” Jennifer said.

Besides his love for digging in the backyard, Sport has adjusted to his new life easily. His favorite activities include nibbling on his family members’ hands and chewing on rawhide bones.

“He seems really comfortable,” Jennifer said. “He sleeps in my son’s room next to the bed.”

In the Hunt family, Steven has formed an especially strong bond with Sport, whom he renamed “Yoshi” after his favorite videogame.

“He just loves him,” Jennifer said. “He’s an only child, so he gets kind of lonely.”

Since leaving KHS, Sport has had no further health problems and has fully recovered from his neglectful past. Thanks to the quick actions of a kind stranger and the KHS staff, this sweet dog has been given another chance at life.

“He’s a good dog, he really is,” Jennifer said. “Personality wise, we couldn’t ask for a better dog.”

Look for updates on other rescue stories in upcoming KENNEL CHRONICLES issues!