WOW does this guy have a wild story. This could be on an episode of Jerry Springer - Doggie Edition!
We received a message on Facebook asking if we could take in a one year old male named Gus who needed a tail amputation surgery. I asked them to fill out our owner surrender form on the website so we could get more information about the dog. They promptly did so. After calling around, I secured a foster and wrote them back on Facebook saying we could take the dog. By morning I still hadn't heard back from them so I emailed them. Shortly after I received a message from a friend asking if I'd seen the bulldog a local all-breed rescue took in. She stated the post said he needed a tail amp. Long story short, she sent me a photo and it was the same dog! So I reached out to the other rescue, explained we had already committed to taking the dog so if they wanted to transfer the dog to us for breed specific treatment, we would be more than happy to assist. The other rescue insisted it was not the same dog, and that he would be an easy adoption for them so there was no reason to transfer. They said they happened to be at the vet clinic when the family came in for just vaccines, but when they were told the dog would need a tail amp, they became angry and requested the vet euthanize the dog. This other rescue stepped up and offered to take the dog instead. Full disclosure, this isn't the story I've received from the family, but we may never know exactly what transpired. Every side of the story is different and leaves us so confused. I had posted online how upset I was at the whole situation. We had offered to take in a dog, and yet they ended up at a vet to be euthanized the same day. It was upsetting to say the least. A few days after the dog was with the other rescue, we received a message from them asking if we were still interested in taking him in. Of course. We picked up the dog (named Gus on all the paperwork- so same dog) and got him settled in a foster home. Once it was posted online that the dog was in our care, the family actually messaged us thanking us for taking him in and said they knew they couldn't afford the surgery, nor take care of a “handicapped” dog after the surgery. Yes, There is a chance of fecal incontinence following a tail amp surgery, but it's not that common, especially with a skilled surgeon. (We haven't even mentioned yet that this dog doesn't actually even need a tail amputation!! But I digress....) I was incredibly confused and disheartened to see that when the other rescue posted online that they had transferred Gus to us, they painted us in such a negative light! I truly don’t understand. I'll advocate for these dogs with my last breath and that’s all that matters. And I'm glad I did because shortly after I posted him to our page, I received a message from a local breeder who recognized him as her dog. I of course asked her to provide proof of microchip and a copy of their contract indicating that the dog was required to go back to them if the owner could no longer care for the dog (we have the same clause in our contracts too). She provided the requested information , and we confirmed this was in fact her dog. The microchip was registered to her, but no one had called to confirm ownership at any point until now. The breeder had been trying unsuccessfully to reach the owner for months for an update (as required by her contract). We talked for quite some time about what was best for Gus - who's name is actually Stoney. He was now displaying signs of kennel cough (and had passed that around my house and the foster house - thanks dude), so having him go back to her home immediately was not in anyone's best interest. We met up that weekend at a local park where they were reunited. She had brought all of his paperwork as a puppy, and we talked about his history. He is actually 3 years old. He was going to be a stud for her breeding program, but then he developed a prolapsed urthera. He was neutered at the time of surgery, as breeding him would not be appropriate. He was then sold to a pet only home. This breeder did due diligence with screening and background checks, just as we do - but unfortunately every now and then someone slips through the cracks. She had stopped updating the breeder, and the last photo update was an old photo. It wasn't until 2 weeks later that we got even more of the story. Stoney's photo was posted to IndyLost Pets website , but with the name Stinkeh (and the date of being lost as 3/1- long after he had been in rescue). The breeder called the number on the flyer and was able to fill in a lot of blanks in Stoney's recent history since leaving her. Apparently the couple who filled out the Lost Pet flyer (let's call them Person 3) never had possession of him, but were worried about his whereabouts. They had seen him tied up outside in February (in the freezing cold!!!!), as well as wondering the streets dragging his leash twice. They spoke with the owner (who was not the original owner that purchased the dog from the breeder, but someone she gave the dog to! so let's call them Person 2), and offered to adopt the dog from them, as it was clear they didn't want the dog. This couple was going out of town for a month, so they asked Person 2 to hold the dog until they returned. They said they had a bad feeling, as Person 2 was stumbling with answers related to the microchip etc. Person 3 had intentions of taking the dog to the vet to be scanned for a chip etc. upon rehoming from Person 2. However, when they returned from vacation, Person 2 told them the dog got loose and ran away. So Person 3 immediately posted a Lost Pet Flyer. They didn't know his name as Person 2 never told them. But they just called him "stinky boy" when they called him :( So apparently Person 2 gave the dog to Person 4 (the couple who filled out our surrender form and surrendered him to the vet/other rescue). This poor baby boy has been passed around and living outside for months! And it almost ended with him being euthanized! Over a tail infection that doesn't even require surgery! It was definitely infected under the tail, as the last few owners probably didn't know to wipe under there. But there's not even a tail pocket...he has a great tail! It just needs standard wiping to keep clean. Plus he had tapeworms and some nasty diarrhea, which probably added to the infection. He was started on an oral antibiotic and anti-inflammatory. Plus we applied Golden Yellow Powder (a Chinese herb powder) topically under the tail to protect it and dry up the infection. By the time he saw our vet a week later, the tail looked great!!! Overall he's in good shape now. His coat is looking better, his stools are firming up. He will unfortunately need a palate surgery as he stops breathing when placed on his back. We do want to reassess once his kennel cough is cleared up, but he'll still likely need the surgery. We're thankful for his breeder for trusting us with his care. And potentially in placing him.... we're still working out the details of that. If he's not placed through our rescue, he will go back to the breeder. He was obviously loved there too.
OK let’s skip to the good part....
Bailed out and headed to join the Hoosier Bulldog Rescue Squad!.....
Headed to foster care...Don't worry Neville I''m not moving in ;)