Shetland Sheepdog – Surgery

Back Story:

Shadow is an 8 year old Shetland sheepdog also known as a Sheltie. He was adopted by an elderly couple 8 years ago in the southern tier of New York state (Jamestown). His first two years of life were pretty normal and healthy.

Suddenly,  his male owner passed away leaving his wife all on her own. She became depressed and shut in, barely allowing Shadow to go outside. His diet deteriorated being only feed people food. (portions of her meals).

Eighteen months ago, Shadow’s remaining owner had to be hospitalized for a severe case of pneumonia and sepsis, leaving him in the care of her home health care worker.

When asked about Shadow’s wellbeing by family members, the home healthcare worker assured that he was fine. However, a neighbor alerted that Shadow was no longer living at the house.

Upon further investigation...the home healthcare care worker had taken him without permission and refused to release him or reveal his whereabouts to anyone.

Several hundred phone calls later and many discussions to involve the police,  the home health care worker agreed to free Shadow.

February 2012:

Shadow was finally liberated from his captors, and released to me (Erica) by the home care worker’s son. The exchange was supervised by several management staff from the home health care agency.

Shadow was in poor health when received, weighing 46 pounds and in need of several rounds of antibiotics.

Shadow was harboring a nasty intestinal parasite from drinking unclean water and severe staph infections all over his (coat/skin) body. The intestinal parasite (which creates constant diarrhea) revealed a much larger issue. The shelf of fat he had amassed was causing a great deal of agony for both him, and his new (rescuers) owners. 

Shadow is unable to lift his tail when needed to poop, causing constant human interaction to be necessary, for sanitary reasons, and general cleanliness. Each time Shadow comes inside his new house, his tail must be manually lifted, and his butt area cleaned to make sure he does not have any fecal matter still attached to him. We buy baby wipes by the case as this is a twice a day (or more) occurrence.

Fundraising:

We have since provided a veterinarian approved diet and regular exercise, and have managed to get Shadow’s weight down to 37 pounds. (9 .lbs less than when he was rescued)

Our veterinarian has agreed that Shadow has lost enough weight that she is willing to operate on him to remove the excess fat and skin making his short life healthier, and reducing his risk of infection.

Shadow has been through a lot in his life and he finally has his forever home. We love him very much, and would like to boost his quality of life with this surgery.

If you can donate any amount towards greatly improving the life of this loveable little dog. We, and Shadow would be immensely grateful.