It all started one rainy afternoon.
I was checking out the HUNDREDS of cocker spaniels available on Petfinders. I noticed a HELP SAM spot, and clicked on his link. That was the start of our mission.
Sam had less than a week before he was going to be put down. The shelter didn't want to put him down, but he suffered from many problems. He was heartworm positive, he has some problems with his feet (see picture above), he has a terrible PERINEAL HERNIA that needed to be repaired, and he was still intact. I decided to give T.E.A.R.S. a call. I wanted to help out in any way I could. We explained to them that we could help out with his medical expenses, but they could NOT put him down. We would bring him into our care. Sam was neutered and had his hernia repaired. Next was for him to get his heartworm treatments. It's so sad that he has to go thru this, as heartworm preventitive is cheap and very easy to give.
We had an on-line auction to help us gather up the necessary funds needed to pull this all together. Our auction was a success. Everyone at Cockers in Need wants to thank our Special Friends for bidding or donating. We can't do this without you. You are our "angels" from above. Sammy sends little kiss's to all of you.
Sammy had two shots - each one a day apart, and injected into his back muscles. SORE doesn't even begin to cover it. He started coughing from the worms getting into his lungs. This is a touchy time, he has to remain as quiet and calm as possible. When the worms break down and start to die, it can cause an embolism. The coughing caused his hernia to pop back out. Poor Sammy had to endure another surgery. His second surgery went well, and he's recooperating. We hear he's just about ready to start his trip up to Cockers in Need. We have to get him from Alabama, to his new foster home in Pennsylvania. Our ultimate goal is to get Sammy well enough and give him wings to go to his new forever home. He already has a special couple interested in him. These people have adopted from us before, and appreciate the gentleness & devotion a senior dog brings into a home.
Sammy's Great Adventure Begins
11/29/01
Today, Sam is making a LONG trip from Alabama to Tennessee to meet Janice. He'll have a sleepover party there and head back on the road on Friday to go to Virginia. Sam should be here this coming Saturday. |
