Scout spent his last day at the Shelter on death row only to find himself once again at death's door 2 day's later! We need your help to provide the medical treatment Scout needs so we can bring him home where he belongs.
Scout was rescued from a distant high-kill shelter earlier this week. He sat in a kennel with other dogs, waiting for whatever fate would bring him. Luckily for him, fate brought him a volunteer from Coastal German Shepherd Rescue.
Scout is a sweet, taller than your average German Shepherd, who is at least 30 pounds lighter than he should be. Scout had been found as a stray wandering the streets. He's around four years old, with a very happy personality.
Scout rode home with his other lucky rescued dogs, without a sound. Freedom does indeed have a ring of its own, and Scout seemed to know that he didn't need to add any music of the canine kind.
When he arrived at the boarding facility, Scout was placed in a run he must have thought was a palace compared to where he had just been. Not only was it at least 60 feet long and 12 feet wide, but it was outdoors with soil under his feet and sky above his head. The run was separated in half lengthwise by a four-foot gate.
Scout wasn't ready to say goodbye to his volunteers just yet though. When we came back to put in another dog, there was Scout, sitting at the front of the run, waiting for us to return. He was put back where he belonged so another lucky guy could share the run with him. As we turned to look back, there was Scout, paws on the fence, waiting to come and greet us again. He was almost immediately dubbed a fence jumper. But we all had to agree that a four-foot gate was hardly a fence to a dog who stands over five feet tall when he's on his back legs. It was only a little obstacle between him and the people he wanted to thank.
We said our goodbyes and got kisses and hugs, and Scout went on to explore his new surroundings. Having done what he needed to do, the gate was now his security from whatever lay beyond.
Scout came to his first adoption event two days later. The first thing we noticed was he didn't seem to be the same happy dog he was when we first encountered him. As the day grew longer, our concern grew. Scout refused to eat or drink water. He didn't want to lay down, just wanted to stand. His eyes developed a vacant stare and his coughing became more severe.
Scout was rushed to the emergency room that afternoon. He laid on the floor, trying his best not to fall asleep. Each time his eyes would close, he would catch himself as he began to fall over and open his eyes. It was as though he knew that if he went to sleep, he would never wake up. He had made it this far and he wasn't about to give up now that he was safe.
He has been in the hospital now for one day. The doctor reports that he is doing better. He actually slept during the night and is now well rested. It seems that after receiving intravenous fluids and medication, he sensed that when he closed his eyes, it wouldn't be forever and he was able to finally relax. Fortunately for this sweet boy, there would be another tomorrow!
Scout's medical bill now stands at $1,375.26 after only 24 hours at the vet. He will have to spend at least another 48 hours un the ICU, before they will release him. We desperately need your help to pay his bill. If you can find it in your heart to donate to his fund, no matter the amount, we promise you it will be well spent. While Scout's medical bill is very high, saving his life is PRICELESS.
Update 7/07/08 6:00pm
The vet reports that Scout is doing better. He is eating and his energy is up. He is still having difficulty breathing and will have to be treated for several days with a nebulizer when he is released from the hospital!