GALLERY OF DOGS
ALFONSO
Meet two of the Lucky dogs that were on a large transport up to the Chicago area. They were picked up stray and impounded with Quincy Animal Control in southern Illinois. I was told the smaller one was the ringleader, calling the shots with the larger one following along. I was contacted by some long-time colleagues about taking them and I agreed. There is a need in southern Illinois shelters and animal controls, where there is limited adoption traffic and a short wait period before set for euthanasia. A fabulous group Quincy K-9 Connection pulls dogs from all the facilities and every weekend a large transport takes place to bring these dogs north to various Rescues and Shelters that accept each dog. It is truly a labor of love for these animals that would otherwise have a death sentence. Both the Airedale girl and Welsh boy were matted to the skin, full of fleas and bummer the shelter did shave them down. Bertie was a small 47 pound Airedale, very sweet and gentle. She has a healed scar on her neck from a prior injury which makes me sad for her former life which turned to happy for her as a foster home/adopter from Hart Airedale Rescue arrived to pick her up and love on her.
ALFONSO is a little Welsh Terrier boy who is 2 years old and weighs 16 pounds. I picked that name because he is such a little gangsta guy – very chill and laid back without a care in the world. Storms and tornados – bangs, booms and truck, who cares. They did him dirty at the pound, clippered him to the skin and he had many cuts and dinks because they went too close. But you know what – he is still so gosh darn adorable. Alfonso loves people and gives them such an incredible greeting – his tail never stops. The friendliest little guy, affectionate and will curl up on your lap. If I did not know he was a Welsh I might think otherwise. He is very well-behaved in the house, loves going in the car and out for all adventures and trips. Alfonso will head out to the big fenced yard and run the fastest laps with lightning speed. He is very in tune to any critters and will take chase. If I am busy with the pond, he chills on a deck chair and crosses his front legs. What makes me so sad is how starving for food he is, gobbles it way too fast. The owner supposedly died in February so could have been a long time since him and his pal had anything to eat. He is not aggressive or fussy about anything – just very cooperative and sweet. He is not sure about the other dogs here, meets them at the gate, sniffs some and wags - others he feels unsure. I think he has only seen Airedales in his short life – anything else is foreign to him. He is a very smart boy, learned how to open the gate and head on in and say hey everyone. Then he learned how to untwist the lock and head on into the living room to say hello. Alfonso just loves to be loved on – he will put his paws up on my legs and closes his eyes when I hug, rub and kiss on him. He has to be on my lap, snugged up sitting beside me on the deck chair or nestled in nice and tight on the bed. If you are not kissing him, then he is going to kiss on you. He likes wearing his shirts and will put his head through and help with the legs.
Prayers for the adorable Alfonso. He went to the animal hospital and received his neuter surgery, blood work, vaccinations, heartworm test, fecal testing and was microchipped. As I read through his records it hit me and my heart sank – Alfonso tested positive for heartworm. I brought him back up for another blood draw and to be retested and sent out to be sure. I also picked up Drontal as he was positive for whipworm. The second test confirmed he was heartworm positive. This is such a preventable disease by giving them monthly heartworm meds. While it is also treatable, it is expensive and can come with complications depending on the stage of the worms in the heart. On April 23rd, I brought Alfonso back to the vet through an emergency appointment as he started coughing the night before. X-rays revealed his heart was not enlarged but the lungs had some infection or inflammation. He is on doxycycline and temaril-p and we return on May 7th for a recheck and possible first injection of treatment. So upset this baby boy has had such a rough life in his short span. Alfonso is just the sweetest nugget – if you love having a constant attachment on your lap and chest he is your guy. He rests his chin on my shoulder and his look melts me. He just wants to be loved and kissed.
Alfonso has received Rabies, Distemper, Bordatella Vaccinations, Fecal Check, Wormed for Whipworm, Heartworm Tested twice, Bloodwork, Neuter Surgery with absorbable sutures, Cytopoint Injection and Microchipped. He will also be treated for Heartworm Disease.
