Roy the Wonder Dog

What a difference a couple of months have made!  This dog was knocking on death's door when I brought him home from Dad's farm.  He had very little hair (due to mange, fleas, and or ticks).  His skin just sagged on him, hanging from the bones of his structure.  He was such a sad soul and barely had the strength to walk.  

But today he is one happy, happy dog! He loves to play with the horses' Jolly Ball and if you open the bed of your truck he will be in it.  Open the door of your truck and he will be inside it!  He knows my truck and when he hears it drive in he starts barking and jumping in place - anxious to say hi - with a great big smile on his face!

Someone has spent a lot of time with "Roy" and I can't help but think he just wondered away and simply got lost.  He had to have been on his own for a very long time to be as emaciated as he was.  I envision a joyous reunion one of these days.  I can't wait for that day to come - both for him and for his people.  He is a good, good dog - fun loving and kind of a goof ball - just the way we like our dogs.  There is also no doubt in my mind that if he was out and someone tried to do me harm "Roy" would NOT tolerate it.  He thinks pretty highly of me.....  and I of him.  And I am going to keep trying to find his peeps for him.  😘

Flying Dog Kennel and Rescue

Looks like the "rescue" portion of Flying Dog Kennel is in full swing.  Several weeks ago I posted about Roy, the emaciated older dog that I found - by the way, he is doing great!  He has gained a lot of weight and his hair is growing back in.  Now we have rescued three puppies that were found on our country road early in the morning July 3rd.  

Perhaps they were spooked by fireworks the night before and bolted (that happens to a lot of dogs over the Fourth of July celebrations).  They were with a large pack of other older dogs when John spotted them on his way to work but the older ones ran off before I could get to them.  The pups were left behind and were they ever so frightened.  They were wet from the dew and being in a corn field.  When they heard and saw me walking toward them they got all wiggly and ran for me.... well, two of them did - the third one was still in the corn field.  I scooped the two up and walked them back to the barn and then went back to see if there were any more.  I heard her whimpering and crying, still in the corn field. With a little bit of coaxing and sweet talking her, she found her way out.  Boy was she happy to see me!  She snuggled in the crook of my neck as I walked her home.  

They are nice pups.  They have been fed well and are very friendly.  The search is on for their people but until we find them we will keep the little sweeties safe.  I wasn't really ready to start the rescue side of my kennel - thought I would wait until I retire - but I guess God had other plans for me.  At least it is July Shutdown for the plant and I can be home to take care of them.  

I never could say "NO" to puppies in need.....  :)

And 

And we have such good help!

Roy

i hate any critter to be neglected or abused.  I just can't fathom how some people can do the things they do to other living beings - person, dog, cat, rabbit, mouse, and I could go on and on.  But we see it every day.  And every time I do, my heart aches oh so much - not only for the abused but for the cruel and heartless that do such things - having no respect for God-given life.  I hate to hear about pets that were discarded, left at a shelter (which is much better than just being dumped on some road but still sad), or left for dead somewhere along the way.  i know from experience how my dogs look for us to return home at our usual time.  I've seen the anxiety when one of us is tardy and the joy when we finally arrive.  I know how they cling to me when they are afraid and how they depend on us for their comfort and how all they want to do is please us and be with us.

I certainly don't know this dog's story but I would like you to meet Roy.  He is in sad, sad shape.  Either he was neglected and got so far gone that his people decided to take him to the country and dump him, OR he has been lost and on his own for quite sometime.  I definitely will try to find his people for him (and them), but in the meantime I will share the journey.

Roy was found curled up under an apple tree in my father-in-law's orchard.  He let's the grass grow tall so that we can use the area to release birds and train Lucy. Mom and Dad came to visit Thursday evening and he mentioned that an old scraggly dog was up at the farm.  I wanted details but he couldn't give me much - other than that the dog was in pretty bad shape and barely able to walk.  Yes, I had to go.... and I did find him.  At first I didn't think about the possibility of him  being cross but as I got closer to him the thought did enter my mind. He wasn't at all.  He was hungry!  I had taken dog food with me and that was all it took to convince him that I was one of the good guys.  I slipped a leash looped around his neck similar to how I have seen other rescuers do and headed him to my truck.  He could barely walk but he jumped right in!  I do believe that animals have an instinct and know when we are trying to help them.  Once home I put him in our outdoor kennel, gave him food and water, named him Roy, and said a prayer for him.

I've never really rehabbed an animal, unless you count the orphans that I have raised.  But Roy is in bad shape.  He either has mange or fleas and ticks have caused him to lose much of his hair.  So in addition to being emaciated he has a terrible skin condition. I'm itching as I type........

His appetite is great and he is drinking water good.  He looks for me when he hears my voice..... Roy you are such a good dog!

My Vet recommended giving him a Flea/Tick pill that would rid him of those parasites.  She had one that has proven to be effective on mange as well, even though it is not listed, so that is what I gave him.  She said to wait a day or two and then give him a bath.

Day two, bath time!  I have a favorite shampoo that I used when I was training.  It is a good anti-fungal and it smells wonderful! Labeled:  Helps biting licking and scratching, soothes hot spots and dry skin, removes pet odor, won't burn or hurt irritated skin or open wounds, non-steroidal.  Got it covered right?  Well, it didn't go too bad and I think he felt much better afterwards.  He's wagging his tail and is so much more alert.  If I had not taken the extra effort to go get him and bring him home he probably would have died under that apple tree.  I think he was close to giving up and we had almost an inch of rain that night.  I do believe he will make it now and my heart is warmed knowing that I am doing right by Roy..... and I am hoping that God is smiling at me because Roy is one of His. Sometimes these might just be tests..... I think I am passing this one!  :)