Lexus is eleven months old, a product of a breeding pair of Westies purchased from the Amish puppy mills. Six generations back in her pedigree appears one of the top-winning Westies of all time.
Lexus' owner noticed she was feverish and had pain in her jaw the first week after purchasing her from the backyard breeder. The vet was not familiar with
CMO, so Lexus suffered for nearly two months before a diagnosis was made. Her pain was eased somewhat through medication, but by early June, her lower jaw had twisted sideways and became fused to her skull. Lexus could no longer open her mouth, and could eat only soft food by sliding her tongue through the slight opening on the side of her mouth.
Lexus also endured physical abuse in her home. Finally, in September, Lexus' owner could no longer care for her and gave her to a friend, who became disenchanted when the reality of her problem became apparent.
Lexus then came into Rescue, and with the support of the National Rescue Committee and WestieMed, she made several visits to Angell Memorial Animal Hospital in Boston, one of the most prestigious in the nation. At first, it was felt that surgery could restore her jaw. Her operation was scheduled, but after CAT scans and consultation with top vets, we learned that nothing could be done. The CMO had been so severe and treatment so delayed that she may be handicapped for life.
We will continue to search for a possible solution to Lexus' problem.....and hope that we will soon find - through DNA testing - a way to eliminate this disease in our breed.
Fred Angeline Austin
Fred was destined to be in the Austin household as Angeline had rescued him not once, but TWICE! The first time, he was a newborn, and again when at age six when he was abandoned in a municipal shelter.
As Fred's breeder Angeline welcomed him home for good, and in exchange, he shows her the miracles of unfailing devotion not only to his family, but also to training! He has earned a CDX, which requires three levels of obedience, and his CGC.
Great work!
Twink Deb Owen
Twink came to Kentucky from Heartland Westie Rescue in Nov of 1999 after a Missouri commercial breeder was forced out of business. Twink was 8 weeks old and only weighed 3 lbs. She has a birth defect that makes her susceptible to pneumonia and has to stay on antibiotics all the time.
This little one is in training and hopes to make her obedience debut next year here at Montgomery County. In the meantime she loves to play with her Doberman and Golden - not having any idea that she is not the same size they are. She is a great puppy who charged her way into the Owens bed and hearts.
Bruce The Bean Family
Bruce, the 12 year old puppy, arrived at the Bean household in Massachusetts Feb 12, 2000. From the first, he made it clear he would sleep on the bed with his new family. He soon discovered the outdoors, rolling in the snow, log walks and chasing tennis balls in the yard with his German Shepherd housemate. He's learned sit, down, off, no (well sometimes), shake, and the joy of dog biscuits.
It wasn't all easy. Bruce was not entirely house broken when he arrived, and due to water depravation prior to his rescue, had a tendency to drink more water than he could hold. As he's come to understand that there will always be fresh water available for him, he has reduced his water intake to normal levels and no longer has accidents in the house. He also believes that every sock in the house belongs under the bed, and has made it his life's mission to make that a reality.
Bruce brings tremendous happiness to the home. Rescuing an older dog can be every bit as rewarding as rescuing a younger dog. Sometimes it's hard to tell the difference.
Piper Bonnie Samson
Every now and then we callused old rescuers get an unexpected surprise. The one we just can't let go of. Piper was surrendered to Jen Caffrey without even a collar. Her nails were so long they grew around into her paws, she was filthy and horribly matted, scrawny, scared and certainly not housebroken. Certainly nothing special. Jen brought her to Bonnie for foster and placement.
Bonnie's other Westies, Haggis and 'Neeps had her housebroken in 2 days, she was spayed, got the shots she had never had, groomed and a perfect home was found for her. Then Bonnie started to cry. She had had this little one for a week and couldn't imagine life without her. That funny little face, Haggis and 'Neeps adored her, she didn't need or want a third dog, but can't stop crying. Piper owned Bonnie's heart.
The first 26 dogs Lucy and Bonnie rescued this year were placed easily, with smiles all around. Why this scrawny girl, with missing teeth, horrible coat and no training or social skills? Who knows, but Piper is happy in her forever home and kisses her mom awake in the morning to start another happy, fun filled day.
Mitzi Angie Gittles
Mitzi came from a commercial breeder in Ohio and was purchased by a family in New York who ultimately moved to Maryland. Her family decided to give her up for various reasons ranging from nipping the children to she couldn't be housebroken. In Nov of 1996 she came to her forever home with the Gittles family. Once there, they found she was terrified of walking on the grass and definitely preferred to relieve herself in the house. It was determined that this behavior stemmed from an electric fence at her prior home where, according to her previous owners, she had been "shocked" a number of times. It was clear that Mitzi associated walking on the grass with the pain of being shocked. She has now learned grass is good!
In the beginning, Mitzi also lacked self-esteem and submissive urination was an everyday occurrence. Not now. Today Mitzi has graduated from Basic Obedience, Basic and Intermediate Agility, passed her Canine Good Citizens test, and was the first ever recipient of the coveted Chime award - an award given by the National Rescue Committee indicating that she is truly a Champion in My Eyes!
Mandy Karen Spalding
After a divorce caused major changes in her then family, 10 year old Mandy ended up being tied out on the porch for long periods of time until she was surrendered into rescue on Christmas eve. Her ears were full of dirt, and she had gone deaf from years of ear infections left untreated. Despite frequent ear cleanings and vet care it was determined that the damage was permanent.
Mandy's original breeder was located, and, as a responsible breeder, immediately expressed concern for Mandy's well-being and offered to come get her right away! But Mandy was already comfortably loved by Karen and her husband, and it was agreed that she was staying!
Mandy has adjusted to her life with them and to her deafness. Karen communicates with her using hand signals, and she responds. She even has some signals of her own!
Squiggy Kim Ragsdale
Squiggy came into rescue when his family was moving from a rental home and no longer wanted a housedog. He was 3 years old then, and was leaving his fourth home. He was bald from skin allergies no one was willing to care for and badly in need of love.
Love he found. Now, at age eight, having been loved by Kim for the last 5 years, Squggy is active as an obedience, agility and therapy dog. He shows his love for alphabet soup sporting a CGC, CD, NA, NAJ, TT, TDI...did I forget any? What a charmer and great ambassador for Westies!
Max Kim Ragsdale
His previous owners classified Max as a biter and chicken killer. Because he was tormented by a human 2-year-old who would hit him with toys, Max lived outside next to a chicken coop. Needless to say it was not easy, but fun to catch the stray chickens that escaped from the pen.
In the two years he's been with Kim he as never offered to snap, bite or even growl, but he does wish she would offer him a chicken from time to time. Eleven-year-old Max has earned his CGC and TDI and truly enjoys being a therapy dog. All he ever wanted was someone to love him.
Scottie Kim Ragsdale
One day Kim received a call from an elderly woman who asked her to meet her at a supermarket and take this puppy before her son got home from work because he was planning to kill the dog due to its age. Commercial breeders find it difficult to sell a dog past "purchase age".
Within 2 hours of the call, Kim had a filthy, flea and tick infested guy that smelled so bad it was difficult to be in the same room with him.
An angel had to be looking out for this guy, as Kim never knew how the woman got her name and phone number. Now clean and healthy,
He has started agility and obedience training and loves it.
BJ Lucy Ryley
Some of you will remember BJ at the parade last year as he was carried around the ring. He was surrendered into rescue suffering from bladder stones, a tumor on his gums and thought to have Lyme disease. The stones required emergency surgery, and while he healed well, his condition continued to deteriorate. He had to be force fed and even depression was a factor. Eventually he could not walk more than a couple of steps, and he was unable to lift his legs enough to climb into a doggie bed. It was decided that we weren't dealing with Lyme, but an autoimmune problem. He was put on steroids as a last resort and improvement was seen almost immediately. He has had vigorous physical therapy to restore muscle tone. While he is still on steroids, his dosage is being slowly cut back, but will likely be on them the rest of his life. Due to his health, he will be a forever foster child, but Lucy is delighted with that, and BJ is living proof of the hardiness and the Westies' ability to survive when others think they will not.
Morgan The Newkirk Family
When Morgan came into rescue, he held the sorrow of the world in his eye. He had difficulty walking, could not climb stairs and would yelp if you tried to pick him up. X-rays revealed a slightly fractured skull; spine damage and the vet felt he might have been in a dogfight that tore some muscle from his inner thigh. He definitely had been abused, and was still healing. During his foster care with Renee Savaria, he was brought back to health, and housebroken...well, about 99% housebroken!
Morgan's forever parents are taking him for acupuncture treatment to relieve his arthritis. They don't mind giving him a "lift" up and down stairs at home, and they tell us he loves to cuddle, steal socks and isn't at all a picky eater. He is a special little guy, we're glad he could come to the parade!
Tyler Renee Savaria
Kandy Merric rescued Tyler when he was surrendered following a divorce. Renee adopted him at age 4 unhousebroken and with horrid skin allergies. He was afraid to be alone and didn't know how to play. Now housebroken, loves to play tag with his Westie brother, Doogie and is being treated for his allergies. Renee says he's also a bed hog!
Tyler is loved so much that he became the inspiration for the creation of Westie Rescue of New York. They have helped numerous Westies in the few months of existence and Tyler and Doogie are the welcoming committee for the rescued Westies that come into foster. They show the newcomers the ropes and help make them feel at home. Tyler is the protector of the rescues. When out for walks, he will strategically place himself between an approaching stranger and the foster until he knows the stranger is friendly.
