Wire Fox Terrier Rescue Midwest Adoption Gallery 3

ZAZU is a senior Wire Fox Terrier who found himself surrendered to a Shelter in Las Vegas, Nevada. They were concerned about him as he was very fearful and trembling in his kennel. When you go from a home to shelter kennel and being blind, it is absolutely terrifying for him. Diagnosed as blind from KCS (Keratoconjunctivitis sicca, also known as dry eye) and had not managed for quite some time. He was posted as a Rescue Transfer only and was slated to be euthanized September 1st. Shelters require that you be a Partner which entails completing a lengthy application, licenses, supplying your vet references and other character references before approval to pull and transfer. Time was of the essence and an amazing Partner Rescue did not blink to assist WFTRM in tagging and accepting Zazu on Friday evening. In the morning Zazu’s medical history was sent for review and to confirm the acceptance. An appointed time is then scheduled for the pickup. An incredible and well-versed volunteer picked up Zazu and kept him safe and loved until transport. They even stopped for chicken nuggets on their ride home and she noticed – he knows what a drive thru is! Early Thursday morning our operative as she wants to be called “Delta Dawn”, flew to Las Vegas to meet his temporary foster and then return to Chicago Midway Airport. They had the entire row to themselves which was great. Zazu is such a sweet, quiet and calm older Wire you instantly fall in love with. On his ride from Midway to WFTRM Chicago, I had some juicy Costco rotisserie chicken for him which he gobbled down. He is just precious and reminds me so much of my beautiful heart boy who was blind – only I spelled his name Zazoo. His first day at Rescue, I let Zazu just decompress, and he loved walking around the yard, the smells and just following me. You cannot hide from them, the sniffer is so powerful. And just like the original Z, he is confident and a little cautious but gets around very well. We sat on the couch in the back yard yesterday, and Zazu made sure to put his front legs over mine to relax. He is older than what the Shelter had – perhaps 12 or even could be 14. Sometimes it is hard to tell when they have not been cared for properly.

ZAZU the distinguished gentleman is thrilled to be loved again and enjoying life in a home. Getting to know him, it is apparent that he did have a home that somehow things took a wrong turn and he was abandoned at a Shelter. He knows his name and his way around the house although blind. Heartbreaking that he was abandoned at a Shelter at his age and in his condition and was so scared. He is just the most precious boy to pick up and kiss his neck and have around. Zazu is like goldilocks and loves all the big cushy beds and must try out each one. He does sleep quite a bit, not sure if that was his usual routine where he was previously, but when he is up and investigating, he makes the rounds in the huge back yard, deck and even house. He has been blind for some time as he is so acclimated to sensing objects and paths. I had been worried about him not eating and took him right away up to the animal hospital last weekend. I wanted to get him some I.V. fluids as he seemed dehydrated and to get his blood work done. His blood panel returned with horrible values off the charts low and some high. We did a scan on him and discovered a large mass in his spleen. Before scheduling a splenectomy, we then had 6 sets of radiographs done and there is also a mass on his liver, mucocele in the gallbladder, heart slightly enlarged, bladder stones and sludge in his bladder. Because of the spreading, it is more than likely cancer. I am heartbroken over this. Often with the spleen masses it is hard to catch them early but if so, can be surgically removed and then life goes on. Since Zazu was already diagnosed with the KCS, I decided to cancel the upcoming eye specialist appointment, paid them their $75 cancellation fee, and get the Optimmune medication from Midwest to treat his eyes. I felt the specialist would want to remove the one eye which I was not ready to put him through such a bloody surgery and with his bloodwork not in shape to do so. His left eye was extremely painful but seemed to get better with medication. He still does not want me to wipe that eye but will let me use my fingers. He is also on a supplement Yunnan Baiyao which helps with bleeding cancers. He likes me to hand feed him chicken and steak. His favorite for breakfast is Jimmy Dean sausage egg cheese biscuit. Zazu is all tail wags and sits up every morning when I say to him – Good Morning. He sits right up and listens and loves to be talked to. Vets will always want to have a quality-of-life discussion, but I stopped him and said I am taking him home and going to pamper the heck out of him until that time comes. Zazu has settled in and is so happy here and to be loved on. He is happy and content and feels safe. When the hooligans are barking and guarding the house, he joins in with some growls and some boofs. These special needs dogs capture my heart and rip it out when life seems so unfair to them. Hope you all look forward to many stories, pictures and videos of this senior boy who was saved from being euthanized – no dog deserves to die in a shelter not knowing love and care for their final journey.