|
~ Miss Renee ~
SSRR Foster
Rottweiler
Birth Date Unknown – March 1, 2007
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Reynolds
It is with great sadness and love that we convey the
passing of Miss Renee. She had quite an adventure in
September 2006 and became horribly lost from home,
dragging a chain behind her. Fortunately, a kind person
picked her up and brought her to the safety of the local
SPCA in North Carolina. There, she was cared for by a
wonderful staff. But Miss Renee truly wanted a safe, new
home with a special family of her own!
And she needed some human help, because she had
heartworms.
Patiently she waited.....watching every person who came
and went at the shelter......and finally........
In mid-October, Southern States Rescued Rottweilers
agreed to take Renee into their foster program!
With a big WOO-HOO,
Renee was pulled from the
shelter in October 2006 by Elizabeth Reynolds, SSRR
volunteer, who temporarily fostered her, had her fully
vetted,
microchipped, dewormed of her hookworm infestation, and began Renee’s treatment
for
heartworms.
Renee when she first came to the shelter
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Reynolds
Despite her very thin condition, Renee's was real
beauty…..especially her personality. She was friendly,
gentle with people, calm, quiet and had the HUGE spirit
of a SURVIVOR.
It appeared that someone in her life before coming to
the shelter had been less than kind to this Rottweiler,
as she responded immediately and submissively to loud
voices and quick movements. But Renee gradually learned
to trust again, and THRIVED with one-on-one loving
attention. Her FAVORITE thing to do was roll on her back
and get tummy scratches! Renee was also good around
children and was playfully curious with other dogs.
Photo courtesy of Lisa Sims
Finally, on November 12th, a
flurry of
falling red, orange and yellow fall foliage
paved the road, accompanied by intermittent
claps of thunder, as
Miss Renee bid
a fond farewell to North Carolina and
made her way to Macon, Georgia, where she was ably
fostered by SSRR volunteer, Lisa Sims. There, Renee was
lovingly cared for, received her second treatment for
heartworms
and continued her recuperation process.
At the beginning of December, Renee received an early
Christmas present. She traveled from Lisa’s to the open
arms of her permanent foster “mom”, Angela Smith, an
SSRR volunteer in Marietta, Georgia. There, Renee was
welcomed into Angela’s home and took her proud spot as
an only dog in the house, receiving all the love and
attention that Angela had to give…..and that was a lot!
Renee and her favorite “Duckie” at Angela’s house
Photo courtesy of Angela Smith
At Angela’s it was intended that Renee would complete
her recovery, be spayed and be listed for adoption
through SSRR to help her find a new Forever Home.
A wonderful couple had been approved by SSRR to adopt
Renee and was waiting for her to get better before she
traveled to their home. They were understandably upset
at her passing,
And concerned for Angela, as well.
But……by the end of December, it was obvious that Renee
was having some health issues related to her heartworm
infestation……something that even the completed treatment
couldn’t mend. Her enlarged heart was filled with
fluid. Specialists were consulted, making every attempt
to help this lovely lady……and Angela stood watch as the
prescribed treatment was initiated.
Photo courtesy of Angela Smith
By the beginning of January, Renee’s condition had
improved. But it was still touch-and-go. By the middle
of January, Renee was showing signs of getting better.
She was eating fairly well and gaining weight. Toward
the end of January, she was doing MUCH better.
However….in the middle of the night on March 1, 2007,
Miss Renee lost her battle. She was lovingly sent to
The Rainbow Bridge in the arms of her foster mom, Angela
Smith.
Photo courtesy of Lisa Sims
Angela writes:
“You can't imagine the grief I am going through right
now. I keep trying to think of anything I could have
done differently or any more love and care I could have
given her. She needed to be in peace and enjoy the
journey without suffering. Just know she was loved here
and treated better than she had ever been treated. I
tried to give her happiness and a life she had probably
never had before. She touched everyone that was
fortunate enough to know her. Even though she had a
forever home to go to, I was going to keep her if I
couldn't get her to 100% health. Sadly, she never
did. I am so sorry I couldn't do more for her and save
her. I tried everything I knew and everything that was
recommended. People do need to be aware of the
consequences of not providing heartworm prevention for
their dogs.”
And because of Renee’s passing, we light a special
candle to cast a glow on the path as Renee goes down the
road on the next leg of her journey. At journey’s end
she will be gathered into the arms of safety, peace and
eternal love.
Renee will always have a treasured spot in our hearts.
The
Reason
I would have died that day if not for you.
I would have given up on life if not for your kind eyes.
I would've used my teeth in fear if not for your gentle
hands.
I would have left this life believing that all humans
don't care.
Believing there is no such thing as fur that isn't
matted,
skin that isn't flea bitten, good food and lots of it,
beds to sleep on, someone to love me, to show me I
deserve love....
because I exist.
Your kind eyes, your loving smile, your gentle hands,
Your big heart, saved me....
You saved me from the terror of the pound,
Soothing away the memories of my old life.
You have taught me what it means to be loved.
I have seen you do the same for other dogs like me.
I have heard you ask in times of despair "why you do
it".
You open your heart a little bigger,
stretch the money a little tighter, make just a little
more room....
to save one more like me.
I tell you with the gratitude and love that shines in my
eyes
In the best way I know how
Reminding you why you go on trying.
I am the reason, the dogs before me are the reason,
as are the ones who come after.
Our lives would have been wasted, our love never given,
We would die...if not for you.
Author Unknown
Canine
Heartworms….and How YOU Can Help….
Heartworms are one of the leading killers of our beloved
canine companions……and they’re VERY PREVENTABLE!
Canine Heartworm Disease
Dogs are considered the definitive host for heartworms (Dirofilaria
immitis). When a mosquito carrying infective
heartworm
larvae bites a dog and transmits the infection, the
larvae grow, develop, and migrate in the body over a
period of several months to become sexually mature male
and female worms. These reside in the heart, lungs, and
associated blood vessels. Even as immature adults, the
worms mate and the females release their offspring
(microfilariae), pronounced: (micro fil ar ee), into
the blood stream. The time elapsed from when the
larvae enter the dog until the minute offspring can
be detected in the blood (pre-patent period) is about
six to seven months. The male heartworms (four to six
inches in length) and the females (10-12 inches) become
fully grown about one year after infection, and their
life span in dogs appears to be at least five to seven
years.
Preventives
While treatment of canine heartworm disease is usually
successful, prevention of the disease is much safer and
more economical. There are a variety of options for
preventing heartworm infection, including daily and
monthly tablets and chewables, and monthly topicals. All
of these methods are extremely effective and when the
drugs are administered properly on a timely schedule,
heartworm infection can be completely prevented.
To learn more about preventing DEADLY
heartworms in your dog, please go to:
http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/parasites/f/FAQ_heartworm.htm
http://www.homevet.com/petcare/heartwor.html
http://www.heartwormsociety.org/CanineHeartwormInfo.htm
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/heartworm.html
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/11300.htm
http://www.heartwormsociety.org/heart.htm
To help other dogs like Renee….
SSRR is non profit 501(c)3 organization. Your donation
is tax deductible.
All donations are used to further our rescue and
educational efforts.
PayPal or Mail donations to:
SSRR, Inc.
c/o Katrin Sexton
SSRR Treasurer
PO Box 477
Harvest, AL 35749
For more information, please visit the SSRR website at:
http://www.ssrr.org/SpecialNeeds.html
We Have A Secret….
We have a secret, you and I,
That no one else shall know,
For who, but I can see you lie,
Each night, in fire glow?
And who but I can reach my hand
Before we go to bed,
And feel the living warmth of you
And touch your silken head?
And only I walk woodland paths,
And see, ahead of me,
Your spirit racing with the wind,
So young again, and free.
And only I can see you swim
In every brook I pass.
And, when I call, no one but I
Can see the bending grass.
--Author unknown
God speed, Renee……
|
