The Dog From Roadkill Bar

[thevet]

Thanks, BettyJ for the kind words.  But I have a confession to make...after I left you the message that I was going to euthanize him I had second thoughts.  Basically I just couldn't go through with it.  I decided to call Saga and see what they would recommend doing with him, especially since he may have an "owner" - and I use the term owner very loosely.

So I called Saga's chair, told her the story and situation, and asked her what she would like me to do.  She said she would send Noami and Ingrid over to collect the dog and I was to give them the info on drugs, doses, etc to have him treated at Saga.  Now, she saw me do this before, when she came over with Ingrid to collect another sick stray dog that had been brought to me.  That time I did it to help and did not ask any compensation.  This time I asked her, "So will I be paid for this advice?".  The answer was, "No, honey, you won't."  (I love being called 'honey'.  Especially when I am working in my office as a doctor of veterinary medicine.  Katy likes to call me honey a lot.  For that matter so does Mary H.)  So I said, let me get this straight, I am not allowed on your property but I am expected to give free medical advice?  She said that was up to me.  Just give them the dog and they would deal with it.  So I asked, "This dog needs medical attention.  Who is going to treat him?"  Her answer was that she did not have to give me that information.  So I told her this was my patient and I am not giving him to her then.  She said, fine, then he's your patient.

Now I am not even going to get into how wrong this is on how many levels.  As far as I am concerned this is malpractice by Saga Humane Society's veterinary clinic.

So I still have the little guy and I am treating him.  Peter Verralls from Caribbean Villas volunteered to share the cost with Peter Lawrence so I named him Pete.  He is my first rescue at San Pedro Animal Hospital.  He is getting a little better each day, although he is still very sick.  I have no doubt that if he had gone to Saga he would have been euthanized.  This may still be his ultimate fate, but I am not prepared to do that yet.  He wags his tail and eats his food, he likes to come out of his cage and wander around the clinic.  He most likely has distemper - a virus which attacks the nervous system of unvaccinated dogs -so his muscles twitch and jerk like a parkinson's patient.  He is a brindle and white pit bull pup - I estimate about 9 months old.  Very timid.  Everyone who comes into the clinic is struck by him, and wants to hear his story.  For now he is too sick to go home with someone but not sick enough to euthanize.  I like his company - the clinic is too quiet for me and Jambo most of the time anyway. 

I will take it day by day and hope that eventually SPAH's first rescue will some day become a success story and go to a loving home.  If not, he will be euthanized, but at least he will have experienced some comfort and kindness for a short period of time.

[BettyJ]

OMG - I am tearing up just hearing about little Pete - and cannot begin to tell you how much I appreciate and admire the TLC he is receiving on your watch! 

When he is cleared for adoption, put us on this list as we have been considering another dog, but he must be cat-friendly (I have had too many dogs trying to eat mine).  So I guess the question is......  how is he getting on with little splat?     

We were just discussing this story last evening, so I will update others from Roadkill that were involved - THANKS SO MUCH!!!

[bethieb]

Thank you Laurie!  And to Peter L and Pete V for their kindness and generosity!  That is what I call top notch care, on every level including COMPASSION.  I am so happy little Pete is in such a safe and loving clinic. 

And congratulations on your first rescue.   Well done!

[Phil]

I'd have called him Propaganda.

[deadserious]

I'd have called him Propaganda.

Now that's both cute and clever.

[pedro]

Phil, you can call him Propaganda Pete.

[Moose in Belize]

Or just P P 

[thevet]

Little Propaganda Pete will be fine with cats.  He is super timid and afraid of everything.  His right ear, which was bleeding at Roadkill, is still ulcerated and appears as if it may have been burned because it is healing very slowly.  But he seems to be feeling a little better.  I have dewormed him and I am treating him with doxycycline in case of chronic ehrlichiosis (tick fever), so I am hoping that will help him to put on a little weight.  Right now his biggest problem to on-lookers is his pecker - some at Pedro's are calling him Pecker Pete because it is out and exposed most of the time.  I keep telling people it his not his fault, he has a neurologic disease!  Poor little Propaganda Pecker Pete.  (P.S. I am hoping this will improve with time

In an effort to provide more propaganda to Phil I am also offering to Saga 10 vouchers for free spay and neuter surgeries for the animals of their choice.  These can be used for shelter animals or low-income families in need.  I decided this might be more appropriate than having a spay neuter clinic over a three day period.  This way there will be no rush and we can take the time that is necessary to examine the animals, put them on doxy before-hand if necessary, etc.  

[Phil]

Propaganda Pete. I like like it   I look forward to meeting the little fellow. He's already dodged a bullet and has a better chance than ever now. Good luck to him.

[Phil]

Pedro has a problem with his pecker hanging out? I guess we've been exposed to his balls.......

[Phil]

In an effort to provide more propaganda to Phil I am also offering to Saga 10 vouchers for free spay and neuter surgeries for the animals of their choice.  These can be used for shelter animals or low-income families in need.  I decided this might be more appropriate than having a spay neuter clinic over a three day period.  This way there will be no rush and we can take the time that is necessary to examine the animals, put them on doxy before-hand if necessary, etc.  

Fantastic. How much is this, quite a lot I guess? A great gesture. I will pay for the 11th and I'm playing in the Poker Tournament tonight if I get lucky all net winnings will go towards 12 and up - don't get too excited chaps I'm not very good at Poker.  Now were moving.

[bethieb]

Aw, Phil, you're making my heart flutter  

[thevet]

Okay, Phil since you liked that one I will continue my propaganda:

THESE FREE SPAYS AND NEUTERS ARE A 1300 DOLLAR VALUE!!!  DON'T WAIT - SIGN UP NOW - THEY ARE GOING TO GO FAST!!!  (I hope)

Good luck at poker tonight.  I hope you play better than usual!!!

[azbob]

Laurie, you are great!  I know this is from your love of animals and a amazing place - Ambergris Caye!  Keep it up fair lady!

[Phil]

Well it must have worked, I just got home. While the competition was fierce I prevailed and I won the tournament - Bing, Bang, Blauw. So I have an extra Bz$605 for the SPAH. Earlier I pledged a spey neuter which at your previously published top rate is for a dog spay is $200 making for a total of Bz$805. So on top of the generous SPAH offer of 10 free spay/neuters for Saga animals I will donate these monies to cover SPAH costs/fees for the eleventh onwards spay/neuter for a dog/cat decided between Saga and SPAH at your previously published full rates. Let me know when you're ready for the funds and who to make the cheque out.

Congratulations Laurie (OK, and Pedro) - those 10 Spay/Neuters are a classy move forward and good chunk of money out of your pocket at a time you've invested a lot.