Obi

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The name Obi means “of the heart,” a name most appropriate to a sweet old man with an enlarged heart, liver, adrenals and spleen. We were told that he was an owner surrender and when we saw photos of his condition, we knew that his past was filled with neglect. Covered with fleas, nails so long that he could not walk and weighing more than twice his ideal body weight, Obi does all he can just to breathe and walk at the same time. His abdomen is so distended that it is just an inch above the ground and his left side juts out and wiggles like a water balloon ready to burst. He definitely did not get into this condition overnight, yet no one seemed to care enough to get him medical attention.

Obi is a bit of a medical mystery and multiple imaginings and laboratory tests have yet to reveal a diagnosis. Several veterinarians initially thought Obi was suffering from a severe case of Cushing’s and/or a large abdominal mass but no obvious masses were found on x-rays. While the initial LDDS test for Cushing's was negative, ultrasound showed some benign lesions on his kidneys, and when combined with more extensive blood tests, there is now overall evidence of possible Cushing's Disease. We have started Obi on a trial of Vetoryl and as we wait for the next blood test to see if the medication is effective, we are making sure that Obi is as comfortable as he can be. High quality food in the proper portions, probiotics and lots of love will help as we continue with diagnostics.

Despite his past, Obi is a friendly old man who loves to snuggle in blankets. He keeps himself and his environment clean and tidy and seems to understand that losing some weight will make him feel better.

While Obi looks like a beagle, he also has very short, heavily boned, crooked legs and a long back like a basset hound, so our guess is that he is some sort of combination. He does have spondylosis and arthritis but he still waddles with determination. Whatever Obi’s breed make up is, he is now loved and cared for as he should be.

Buttercup

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With her cream and butterscotch markings, Buttercup Beagle is truly a beauty!

When she was picked up as a stray by a local shelter, she could barely open her left eye. The shelter started to treat her, but when no one claimed her, we stepped in and transferred Buttercup to our Sanctuary. Her tests revealed that she not only had a painful corneal ulcer, she was also anemic, and her white cell count was high. Since her abdomen was slightly distended, we suspected that she was developing a uterine infection and/or that she had either Cushing’s or Addison’s disease. Thankfully, special tests ruled out both Cushing’s and Addison’s!

After 10 days on new medications for her corneal ulcer, antibiotics, supplements to combat her anemia, and a thorough deworming, our vets performed spay and dental surgery on her – together with a complimentary pedicure. Now healing well, Buttercup, still gets bouts of loose stools, so probiotics, a strict diet and fiber are a must. She will require regular monitoring of her blood to check for anemia and infections.

To our delight, sweet and quiet Buttercup is blooming. She loves to be held and snuggled – and we love holding and snuggling her. It’s tragically clear that, in the past, she was never shown the gentle and tender kindness she so deserved.

Now that Buttercup is finally and forever “home” at the Sanctuary, won’t you please help her continue to bloom through either a one-time donation or a monthly sponsorship?

Lucy B

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Little did Lucy B know that her bad luck would soon be a thing of the past.

Cruelly dumped at the home of a “Good Samaritan,” the ailing and aging Beagle was tenderly tended to for nearly one year until a good home or a reputable rescue/sanctuary could be found. As soon as we learned of her plight, we opened our proverbial arms and welcomed Lucy into the fold, promising her that she was now safe with us forever.

Understandably fearful and skittish at first, this sweet, sensitive senior has settled into life at the Sanctuary, soaking up love like a thirsty doggy sponge, and eagerly emerging from her once-protective shell. She’s not only started to snuggle and wag her tail happily, but when she smiles, it’s as wide and warm as her limpid brown eyes, and literally lights up the room! She loves treats and wet food, is remarkably quiet, and sleeps soundly through the night.

Lucy was both overweight and incontinent, with numerous mammary tumors on both sides of her body. Thankfully, the X-rays taken as standard procedure when she first arrived showed no evidence of cancer or of any tumors spreading.

While Lucy was in the process of losing some weight to make her spay surgery easier, she became quite ill with pyometra, a life-threatening infection of her uterus.  Spay surgery was the only cure but it was a long and complicated surgery and we could not remove the mammary masses.  Thankfully, the biopsy did show that the masses were benign and because they are not currently bothersome or threatening, we will monitor them closely but not subject her to another long and hard surgery if at all possible.

Unfortunately, though, she has severe spinal spondylosis, a condition that makes her back extremely painful and our highly experienced acupuncture vet has prescribed some herbal medicine to also help with the pain and improve her overall comfort.

This is just the start of Lucy B’s journey towards healing and loving and we are loving the opportunity to care for her.

Elsie

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Angel Elwood gifted us with a nameless beagle we gratefully named Elsie.

The elderly stray, who came from the same Kentucky shelter as Elwood, entered there with a swollen left hind leg, leading us to suspect that Elsie had been struck by a car. When x-rays revealed a severe case of cellulitis, she was started on antibiotics and given doxycycline for Lyme disease and enalapril for Lyme nephritis. Once she was cleared to travel, she was transferred to the Sanctuary.

Following her first vet appointment here, her kidney function and blood and urine protein were normal, and her blood pressure was good, so there was no further need for Enalapril and no fear of Lyme nephritis.  When she arrives, she was still very anemic and had a bad case of hookworms, which she's clearly had for a long time.  After several months of treatments, the hookworms were finally eradicated and Elsie's anemia started to improve.

She’s had a hard time gaining weight, despite her appetite. Her nipples are distended, her back end is missing some fur, and her skin there is hardened and scaly—like two large callouses. It makes us think that Elsie never had a bed and was forced, ever so cruelly, to spend her life sitting on concrete!  She's prone to itchy skin and needs a pulse dosing of antibiotics and antifungals to keep the infections at bay. 

Elsie needed a dental with extractions upon arrival, but her body was too weak to safely perform the surgery.  Finally, after 8 months, Elsie was strong enough to undergo anesthesia.  She lost several teeth but is starting to feel better.

And yet, despite the horrors of her past, she’s as sweet as pie. Her pure white eyelashes are the longest we’ve ever seen, and her eyes, so soft and tender, are twin tunnels to her soul. She LOVES being picked up and held and always sits by our feet when she’s finished going potty and wants to go back inside.

Happily for her, her sleeps are long, deep, and peaceful. Wonderfully well-behaved, she never barks, eats all that she’s given but never begs for more (like most beagles do), and takes her medications like a champ. Saving the best for last … Elsie not only gets along famously with other dogs, but she's also claimed Lemongelo as her boyfriend!

Now, as Elsie enters the final chapter of her life’s story, she will live the life that she deserves!

Nugget

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No animal should be treated as cruelly or unconscionably as little Nugget!

Literally dumped in the middle of the night at a local shelter, and given her name, 16-pound Nugget is uniquely beautiful. A blue tick beagle - white with blue spots, she has deep copper coloring on her face and a black back. When her “stray” hold was up, and no one came for her, we welcomed her into the forever safety and security of the Sanctuary.

Understandably skittish and fearful of most humans, especially men, she formed an immediate bond with her “mommy caretaker.” Quiet and sweet, Nugget is elated whenever her “mommy” enters her room, longs to be as close to her as possible, and would be sublimely happy being held and carried around all day!

Because Nugget, who was dumped with an intact male, came to us in heat, we were worried when she exhibited some abnormalities with her estrus cycle, and had her spayed as soon as it was safe. She healed well, wearing her “recovery suit” like a good sport, which prevented her from licking her incision and helped keep her calm.

Blessed with a hearty appetite, Nugget enjoys chewing on Nylabones, and is finding both her voice and her courage, paw step by paw step and with the help of calming aids, improving each day as she learns about the joys that life can bring. 

Now, Nugget is on her journey towards the happy and healthy life she so rightly deserves.

Lemongelo

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Aptly named Lemongelo because of his coloring, this aged beagle is a very old, sweet soul who literally melts in our arms.

Found as a stray, when no one claimed him, we warmly welcomed him into the safety and security of the Sanctuary. Although he tested positive for Ehrlichia (a tick-borne disease), it was successfully treated, and while his lab test results were typical for an old beagle, we’ll continually monitor him for any and all changes. Not surprisingly, he has some arthritis in his back end and is enjoying his joint supplements and the relief they provide him.  Chiropractic treatments and laser acupuncture are helping him tremendously and he really enjoys his trips to the holistic veterinarian. 

Despite the permanent tearstains on his gentle face that make him look sad, Lemongelo’s coat is as soft as a bunny’s, and he’s happy and comfortable now. He LOVES to be held and LOVES to look out over the deck and into the woods. Friendly and courteous with our other dogs, he moves slowly, sleeps soundly in his therapeutic bed, and despite being one of the more vocal breeds, has yet to either bark or bay!

Now, as Lemongelo can live out the rest of his best and most loved life in peace.

Sadie

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​Sweet, sweet Sadie, who has survived so much, is now safe forever in the Sanctuary.

After being abandoned by her original owners and placed in several foster homes over the past year, senior beagle Sadie was clearly no longer adoptable. Deaf and showing signs of cognitive decline, she also suffers from multiple health issues. Although her heart is quite enlarged, there’s fortunately no murmur, but she does have stage 2 kidney disease, proteinuria (a high level of protein in her urine), high blood pressure, significant arthritis in her spine, hips and stifles, and inflamed discs in her neck.

We promptly started her on joint supplements, heart supplements, enalapril, azodyl, steroids and a low protein, calorie-reduced diet. If she can shed a few pounds, it will help with her high blood pressure and arthritis. We also give her laser therapy, CBD, pain medications and various supplements to help calm her whenever she becomes frightened or confused.

We are indebted to HERO Hound Rescue, her previous foster homes, and the volunteers who drove her through several states until she arrived at her forever home. Now, as Sadie begins the final chapter of her long life’s story, she requires a lifetime’s worth of medications, special food and veterinary care to keep her as comfortable as possible for as long as possible.

And so, on Sadie’s behalf, we beseech you to make this chapter the sweetest one ever with either a one-time donation or a monthly sponsorship.

Autumn

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Autumn was kept chained outside along with another dog by a cruel and inhumane individual.

She and her pitiable companion were fed and watered by compassionate neighbors each time her owner left his house. Although local rescues had tried and failed for three years to have the dogs released into their custody, ironically, it was fate that intervened, and both dogs were rescued after the owner’s house caught on fire. 

Once in the custody of a local rescue, the dogs received vet care as their health conditions stabilized. Fragile Autumn made her way to The Sanctuary, where she will live out her life, while the other dog went to a rescue, where he’ll be put up for adoption. 

Sadly suffering from so many medical conditions, it’s a wonder that this small beagle is alive at all. Autumn had regenerative anemia due to malnutrition and parasites, low albumin and creatinine, and significant proteinuria. She takes enalapril for the proteinuria and medications and supplements for pain.

We held off on her spay and dental/extractions surgery until she became stronger and healthier. After almost a year, she finally gained weight and her anemia subsided and she got through surgery and healed.

Autumn has a mild heart murmur, mild nuclear sclerosis, moderate muscular atrophy, especially in her hind end, and a large callous lump where bones were in constant contact with the ground. Not surprisingly, she’s lost fat and muscle mass, is arthritic, and her intermittent cough, now cleared, might have be due to tracheal collapse caused by having been chained up for so long.

Understandably cautious when anyone approaches her with a hand held higher than her head, we move slowly, keeping our hands low, and don’t hover over her. We’re patiently waiting for sweet Autumn to “tell” us when she’s ready for more interaction with us. And we’ll be more than eager to comply!

Emma Jean

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Emma Jean is so endearing and so easygoing that her warm, wide smile reveals little about her mysterious past.

And yet … it is a past marked all too clearly by violence. Saved from certain death, she entered the Sanctuary with deep scars across her back, a tail that was either bitten or chopped off and a hematoma in her right ear. Not only that, but she suffered from a flea infestation and skin infections and needs pain medications and supplements for her severe arthritis.

As she ages, Emma Jean's heart is expanding and she's on supplements to help her bladder and kidney functions.

Small and stylish in her medium length, multi-colored coat, Emma Jean is quite possibly a beguiling blend of Beagle, Jack Russell Terrier and Miniature Sheltie. Surprisingly quiet when she first arrived, she's found her voice and uses it to alert us to her needs.  Emma is an extremely deep sleeper, and everything she does is done in slow motion, in her own time and in her own way.

A keen observer of all the other dogs and somewhat independent, she's made friends with Bertha.  She does greatly enjoy being picked up and held. Finicky about her food, she only accepts her medications and supplements when they’re “gift wrapped” in pill pouches! 

Truly one of life’s luckier survivors, Emma Jean is, despite her many health issues, as sweet as sweet can be.

DJ

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If ever a dog deserved joy, it’s DJ.

Going by his caretaker’s initials at the Sanctuary, this sweet and sociable senior has a list of ailments that is both heartbreaking and long.

Having tested positive for heartworms, DJ was also afflicted by a heavy intestinal parasite load that has led, inevitably, to malnutrition, a low thyroid and low albumin which should improve as he gains some much-needed weight. His digestive system is quite sensitive and he's has episode of blood tinged stools from even the tiniest new treat, so a strict diet is a must.

DJ had such a heavy flea infestation in the past that it caused severe skin infections and fleabite dermatitis and hair loss across most of his back that will never grow back.

Suffering from such horrible infections in both ears, the pain was so severe that no one could even touch his head, no matter how gently. In fact, he had to be sedated to have his ears cleaned and medicated. A picky eater, making it difficult to get pills into his system, he likes having them wrapped in pill pockets and then rolled in powdered kibble topper.

Clearly a beauty at one time, large and black, like a black bear, with the most mesmerizing eyes, DJ has already warmed up to his caretakers, knowing that he’s now safe in their capable hands. Moving slowly and sedately, sniffing about curiously and breathing in the fresh air of freedom, he’s begun making friends with the other dogs and looks forward to keeping them fur-ever.

As our dearest DJ progressed, paw step by step, towards better health and better days, his journey was be both long and costly, with months of treatments for heartworm, then neuter and dental surgery. Thankfully, he got through with flying colors. 

Grandfather Time

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Time has not been kind to Grandfather Time, affectionately known as Grandpawpaw.

Aged between 12 and 14 and as tall as a greyhound, he looked far older than his years because of his shockingly emaciated frame when he arrived. Not only was Grandpawpaw woefully thin, he lived for so long in chronic pain that it’s a testament to his resilience that he’s even still alive.

His body is cruelly full of buckshot, he was anemic, and his liver was stressed—typical in cases of heavy parasite infestation, heartworm, and malnutrition. Due to a severe case of hip dysplasia, he’s currently on supplements to help with building muscle mass and pain.

Thoracic x-rays revealed that his heart is enlarged on the right side—typical of a heartworm infestation and his other blood tests for heart function are comprised. He has entropion, a condition in which the eyelid is rolled inward against the eyeball, in all four of his eyelids, but he has no infection and no need for surgery.  We are using cyclosporine, an eyewash, and eye lube four times a day, which he really likes. In fact, he comes over to his human caretaker when it’s time to clean and lube his eyes and looks up as if to say, “Thank you!”

Apoquel relieves the itch from his thin, dry skin and prevents the fungal and bacterial infections. Plagued by a very loose canine tooth when he arrived, he was a finicky eater. Initially, we worked out a successful feeding and pain medication regime that delivers his medications in a way that is pleasing to him. His dental surgery was postponed until he finished his heartworm treatments and tested negative.  Thankfully, he got through his dental, extractions and neuter surgery with flying colors and is eating and feeling much better.

Recently, Grandpawpaw has developed some strange urinary tract infections that have cleared up with various antibiotics, only to reoccur again in a few months.  We are continuing to test and culture his urine and provide special supplements for bladder health.

Surprisingly quiet for such a big hound, he does emit a deep, low “roooo” whenever he needs something—potty, water, food, etc. Being from the Deep South, he dislikes the cold; snow is alien to him, and he revels in the warmth his blankets and jammies provide for his frail, aged body.

But the sweetest, most satisfying sight of all is how much he loves leaning on us and being petted. He also loves the other big hounds and has taken a special liking to Nettie and Penny.  He knows that he’s been rescued and that he’s both safe and well-loved now.

Whatever time Grandfather Time has left, whether it’s long or short, we will ensure that every precious moment matters.

Mikey

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If little Mikey could talk, what a tragic tale this sweet survivor would tell. Both the victim of abuse and a target for men bent on killing him, the beleaguered beagle found himself at a county shelter, covered with fleas and ticks and suffering from an infected prostate/bladder tumor. Once he was stable enough to travel, he was transferred to The Sanctuary where he was assured of receiving the care and love he deserved and never had.

Started immediately on a treatment for his tick-borne disease, he then underwent a series of x-rays, ultrasound imaging and cytology testing to determine if his tumors were malignant. Sadly, both his first and second scans for transitional cell carcinoma came back positive, but risky exploratory surgery is the only way to be certain if the tumors can be removed, and given Mikey’s advanced age, it’s something we hope to avoid, if possible. With treatment options limited since this type of cancer doesn’t respond to traditional chemotherapy, we’re exploring every avenue to help him.

Incontinent now because of the tumors, this perfect gentleman, so sweet, so quiet and so innocent, is trying his best to “be good.” He’s also very itchy, but is responding well to the supplements we give him (because of his potential cancer, he’s not a candidate for anti-itch medications). While he may walk slowly due to his arthritis, this resilient, four-legged bundle of love has made his way swiftly into our hearts and the hearts of the other dogs, is currently pain-free, happy, eating heartily and extremely comfortable here.

Since Mikey’s time with us may be limited, and with so much time to make up for, please let him know that he’s well and truly loved by making a donation towards his care.

Sally

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Sally came to us when she was quite young, between 2 and 3 years old, but in those years, she’s suffered enough cruelty and trauma, abuse and pain for several dogs.  Now, as a senior, Sally has enjoyed the safety of Sanctuary life for more years than her troubled past.

Bred, we believe by the worst of the backyard breeders as a bait dog, according to her Wisdom Panel, she’s a Staffy/Pit Bull mix, but her actual physical appearance leaves us wondering. That scarcely mattered, however, to those who tortured then dumped her in a cemetery or to those living nearby who repeatedly tried to shoot her! So terrified was she of everyone and everything that it took Animal Control several days to coax her out from behind the headstones where she was hiding.

Once safe in the county shelter, she was spayed and given basic care, but it was immediately apparent that she needed specialized care, and she was transferred to The Sanctuary. Her jaws and teeth are malformed to the point where she cannot keep her tongue inside of her mouth, and her scabby skin was heavily infected with demodex, rendering her almost bald.

She immediately bonded with her female caretaker, finding a sympathy and softness she had never known while discovering both her courage and her ability to love.  Sally is still deathly afraid of strangers and hates car rides, so we keep her contact with others to an absolute minimum.

While her skin is slowly improving with the help of medicated sprays, high quality food and skin supplements containing biotin, she will never have normal skin or a thick coat. Because of the deformities in her mouth, she underwent a full set of dental x-rays to determine the condition of her jawbones and teeth. Thankfully, her jawbones, although deformed, appear strong and her tiny, deformed teeth are now healthy, clean and shining.

As Sally continues to improve physically and mentally, her path towards being the best possible version of herself remains long, and neither she nor we can do it alone.

Penny

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​Precious Penny came from a most horrible situation, where humans abused and neglected the dogs. At some point, Penny’s front elbow and leg were broken, and Penny never received vet care. The pain must have been unbearable and as the breaks healed, they led to a permanent limp and severe degenerative arthritis and the pain never subsided. Somehow, Penny escaped her tormentors and limped across a field. A Good Samaritan found her and tried her best to give Penny what she needed. However, Penny’s other ailments were daunting and work schedules and financial concerns made it impossible for the Good Samaritan to care for her. Penny was surrendered to Fluvanna SPCA, and the shelter took over her care. Because Penny was heartworm positive, had a tick borne disease, was in stage 2 renal failure, and had severe food allergies, Penny needed more care than a shelter could provide.

Penny joined our Sanctuary on April 10, 2022. Through the kindness of volunteer drivers, Penny made her way from Virginia to Ohio. Her health status was guarded as she completed the first stage of her heartworm treatments. Her case was particularly worrisome because heartworm disease can distress kidneys. Penny already had faced multiple lab tests, x-rays and painful injections and sadly, had to endure a second complete round of heartworm adulticide injections as her system was still not cleared of heartworm from the first set of treatments.

Penny needs medications and supplements to help improve her kidney function and arthritis, and she's on a very strict diet to keep her food allergies at bay. After more than a year of treatments, Penny finally tested negative for heartworm and was spayed and had a complete dental. Her mobility is much improved and Penny can now play with her hound friends and jump on her human caretaker's bed for naps. Sadly, Penny recently developed an inoperable mass in her bladder that bleeds.  Ultrasound cannot determine if the mass is malignant and trying to get a sample to biopsy is too risky.  We've been able to get the bleeding under control, thanks to our holistic veterinarian, but the mass is growing and cause some issues with incontinence. 

Despite all that Penny has been through, she is a trusting and loving hound. Sweet and sensitive and very smart, Penny will immediately touch your heart and soul. Her good nature is evident in all she does. Although Penny looked lost and confused when she first arrived, she now understands that her humans want to help her, not hurt her. And, help her, we will,for the rest of her life.

Crumble

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It’s hard to know where to begin Crumble’s story. He was found as a stray in South Carolina and was severely underweight, suffering from what the shelter thought was heartworm, glaucoma, hypothyroidism, skin infections, cryptorchidism, and a urinary tract infection.

Because of the kindness of a community of animal lovers, Crumble was able to hitch a ride to Ohio where we took him into our Sanctuary. As soon as Crumble arrived, the veterinarians went to work to further diagnose and treat his health problems. Crumble was thought to be at least 10 years of age when he arrived and the vets found that Crumble was a victim of violence and was shot.

What was thought to be glaucoma is actually severe trauma to his left eye, which has left him with little to no vision and frequent infections. Chest x-rays show that not only is Crumble’s heart enlarged, but he is filled with buckshot that has migrated to various parts of his body.

While he currently does not have a urinary tract infection, his liver is damaged and causes excessive thirst and incontinence. His initial test for heartworm may have been a false positive, but we continue to test him at regular intervals to be absolutely sure.

Crumble did have a retained testicle and several rotting teeth, which required more complicated surgery but fixed the problems. We are treating his liver, skin, and thyroid conditions as well as his enlarged heart. 

In addition to receiving excellent care from traditional veterinary medicine, Crumble also receives regular chiropractic and laser acupuncture treatments to address his spine and improve his comfort and mobility.  He really looks forward to these sessions!

Crumble absolutely loves his little bed and we think that this may be the first time that he’s ever had a bed to rest on. Despite all that this little dog has endured, Crumble has such a positive outlook and is so happy to be in the Sanctuary. His tail wags constantly, his appetite is wonderful and he’s such an inspiration to us all.

While evil people have caused much of Crumble’s pain, it is only through the goodness of others that will help Crumble heal.​

Harry

Fully Sponsored for the Rest of His Life! Thank you!

If happiness had a face, it would be Harry’s face!

And yet… last year, Harry was a stray. Transferred from one shelter to another when no one adopted him. The second shelter treated him for heartworm disease and pulmonary hypertension, but he still wasn’t adopted. When we were asked to take him, we hoped to find him a forever home, and when that didn’t happen, we decided Harry should spend his remaining years at our Sanctuary, surrounded by loving humans and friendly animals.

Likely a Treeing Walker Coonhound mix, Harry is approximately 10 years of age, and an appealing blend of sweetness and silliness. Sometimes slightly goofy, sometimes a little unsure of himself, he’s always a stone’s throw away from getting into mischief. But he’s quickly learning our routine, and being highly intelligent, he understands many words and phrases, loves sniffing the ground and loves watching the wildlife. He also gives us, his human caretakers, the best kisses ever!

On the downside, Harry arrived with a nasty case of hookworms that required several months of treatment to eradicate. He also had a series of chest x-rays and Doppler blood pressure readings to assess the condition of his heart and lungs, and we’ll continue monitoring his overall health with regular lab tests. At his last check up, his TC02 was elevated, a sign that his pulmonary hypertension may be coming back, but upon recheck, everything was normal.  Harry also developed chronic kidney disease and is being treated. On a more upbeat note, he’s been slowly losing some unwanted weight as a result of increased exercise and decreased meal portions for breakfast and supper.

Bertha

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This sweet girl was picked up as a stray and sat in a hot, humid animal shelter, struggling to breathe. No one came to claim her, and not a single person expressed interest in adopting her; she was too old, too obese, and had too many lumps and tumors. Bertha had extremely high blood pressure, arthritis, hip dysplasia, mammary gland tumors, cysts on the back of her neck, and was extremely overweight. Her ideal weight is about 19-20 pounds, but she weighed 35 pounds when she arrived at the Sanctuary.

Bertha was on a strict weight loss program and after 5 months, she reached her ideal weight. She was able to have the surgery she needed to remove her tumors, be spayed and have a dental. She is also receiving chiropractic care to help with her mobility. We were able to wean Bertha off the blood pressure medications now that she's no longer obese.  But, as she ages, her hip dysplasia has gotten worse and she's developed benign mammary tumors again. Her heart condition is also worsening with age, so any surgery is now out of the question. 

Bertha is a sweet as can be. She loves the other little Beagles at the sanctuary. When she first arrived, she could not run and play because of her weight, so she sat quietly and watch over the other dogs. Once she is healed from her many incisions, she'll be able to really play and romp. Bertha also loves watching the squirrels, sitting on our laps and getting all the attention she can!

Duncan

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​Duncan was most likely dumped by his owners and found as a stray by a kill shelter in Southern Ohio. He was given no medical attention at the overcrowded shelter. Duncan arrived at the sanctuary with active Lyme disease and it caused him to be hypothyroid, have liver issues and high blood protein. He also had some rotting teeth that were extracted and had a rare parasitic worm that infested his sinus cavities and caused watery discharge from his eyes.

A year after healing from all his initial ailments, Duncan became very sick and tests showed that his gall bladder was acting up.  Medications started to heal him but he suddenly got sick again.  Emergency surgery found several holes in his intestines.  Our skilled veterinarians were able to remove and repair the damage and Duncan spent a week in the hospital.  Things were touch and go at first, but Duncan pulled through and thrived for a few more years. 

Now, as a ages, Duncan's heart is enlarging and he has developed kidney disease.  A special diet, supplements and medications are helping to keep him pain free.  

One of the kindest canines we’ve ever taken in, Duncan exudes sweetness in all he does. With all that he's been through, he doesn’t let anything get him down. He loves attention, loves to be held and loves to be petted. Duncan is also wonderful with the other dogs at the Sanctuary and has many canine friends. Duncan’s soulful eyes and his willingness to learn new things are what makes this boy special. His charming ways just pull people in and they can’t but smile when he’s around.