**UPDATE** Tuesday Dec 4th 2007*** Darcy went to a foster home last week, but we quickly found out that she has a very difficult problem--constant urination!!  Every few minutes she was peeing wherever she was located. This has been difficult for the foster to manage, so she is now back in a boarding kennel while we try to get it under control. So far we have determined through x-rays and urinalysis that she has bladder stones. Next is determining what can be done to remedy them. She also has a very bad urinary tract infection. So these issues are being treated at the moment. Next we'll move on to the tumor on the side of her head. Hopefully once she gets treated for the stones and infection, she'll be able to return to the foster home.

Her other bloodwork which checked her organ function, tested for heartworm, tick fever, valley fever, etc, was all negative. So that's good news!  Hopefully she'll be on the mend soon. She may have to have surgery for the bladder stones AND to remove the tumor, but we aren't sure yet...we'll keep you posted!!

THANK YOU to all who have helped by donating to her fund. We have several needy dogs who are seniors and also others who were saved from euthanasia who have had some astronomical vet bills lately, so your help is greatly appreciated and has enabled us to help them!!

Sincerely,
Lisa

____________________________Darcy's Story________________________

Darcy was found dumped in the back of a strip mall in Phoenix. She was in such horrible shape she could barely walk. A good samaritan picked her up and carried her over to a nearby vet hospital.  The vet office was going to call animal control to come get her, or just euthanize her, but one of the vet techs fell in love with her and begged them to give her a few days to find help from a rescue.  Darcy is an older dog and in rough shape, so no one wanted to take her. If they send her to animal control, she will surely be euthanized right away. We have until end of day Monday to figure something out for her. 

 

'Tis the season of giving and helping hard luck cases, so we'd like to take Darcy in and give her a second chance to live out her golden years with excellent vet care (finally) and unconditional love in a happy home. This is something she has likely never experienced, judging by the shape she is in and the fact that she has obviously been bred many, many times. I have seen dogs looking like this before who likely come from backyard breeders that churn out cute Dalmatian puppies for profit. They breed the females until they're too old to be of use or profit and then they discard them. Often the older breeding dogs are in terrible shape and horribly neglected like Darcy is right now.

Despite her obvious neglect and suffering, this old girl is a very affectionate and sweet. When I was there to take her pictures, she was climbing onto the vet tech's ( the one who rallied to save her) lap and licked her face, wagging her tail like crazy. She has really bonded with her.  Darcy definitely needs some vet care.....a blood panel to check for tick fever, valley fever, and overall organ function. She also needs a skin scraping for hair loss and possibly a biopsy of a growth on the side of her neck.  Darcy will need some pain meds ongoing for her arthritis and glucosamine/chondroitin as well. Our rescue does not have the extra funds right now for such a hard luck case with a senior dog who needs this much vet care. We've had a tough year of high vet bills and lots of boarding expenses. But I have faith in Christmas miracles and I'm hopeful we can raise money for her care.

 

Please consider donating toward her vet care costs so we can take her on Monday and start giving her a thorough evaluation, including the diagnostics and all the treatment that she will need to make her happy and comfortable in her golden years.

 

Thank you for making Darcy's Christmas wishes come true. Now she just needs a home for the holidays...

Donating through firstgiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Any funds received in excess of what is needed will go toward other senior dogs in our care, like Betsey (senior chihuahua) and toward a senior dachshund just saved today from the euthanasia list at the shelter.

Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to help! 

Sincerely,

Lisa Maturo