I have to ask, please....

[Beth]

Will you send your loving thoughts and prayers to a puppy we haven't met but were hoping would become part of our family?

She's a 5 month old puppy named Magic (that old black magic....). She was taken from a shelter where they had a parvo outbreak.

This morning, I found out she had a little kennel cough but seemed to be doing well. Just a few minutes ago, I learned that she is showing signs of parvo, but they said she is stillbouncing about like a normal puppy. She was at the vets and being watched, so they were prepared to do what they could for her. They know a family wants her if she makes it. It has not hit her hard yet, and they are treating her aggressively with pain management and IV to combat dehydration.

I was wiping tears and a runny nose at the computer, but my son didn't ask about it. I think I may go outside and have a good cry so I can get it out of my system. I've sseen so many dogs who've been abandoned, mistreated or just not given the kind of love and care they needed. I can't tell you how many I saw yesterday undergoing heartworm treatment. Anyway, I'm going to go hug Coco and blow my nose while the boys are both upstairs.

Say a puppy prayer for Magic -- and for all those former pets who need new love in their lives.

[Robyn1007]

Oh, Beth, hugs and prayers! I had a roommate in college who got a rottweiler puppy who eventually came down with parvo. He survived! I'll keep my fingers that magic happens to Magic.

[Mamasue]

(((((Beth)))) You got it! Even though its not official on paper that puppy is yours and my prayers and thoughts are with you and family. While staying with my daughter in N.C., I observed the abandonment situation. So many people don't know what responsibility is and just shut their door to a pet because they can't take of them any more. These poor animals are walking around looking for food, love and shelter. So sad!:mad:

[Lauren]

Beth - Sending hugs and prayers to Magic and your family. Sounds like a pup who needs a loving home.

[wallycat]

Wishing Magic some great recovery.
If miracles can happen with our Bailey-cat, then Magic will pull through...I will keep him in our thoughts.
Post back as soon as you know something!!

[kcmo727]

Sending you prayers and good wishes for Magic! I am a shelter dog lover too, Beth. She will be so happy and lucky to be your dog! Keep us posted.

[aggie94]

More hugs, prayers, and good thoughts for Magic. Amazing how these guys can steal our hearts before we even really know them.

I am hoping and praying with all my heart that this story has a very happy ending. :)

[phantomcg]

I'll also be sending lots of healing thoughts and prayers to Magic and lots of hugs to you, Beth.

Cheryl

[Curiosity Hears]

Yet more good wishes for Magic.

Fwiiw, I had a dog, Spunky, who contracted parvo as a pup. He almost didn't make it. He had a real tough battle. His front right leg had a scar for life from where the intervenes needle was inserted. Spunky lived to be almost eighteen years! It is my hope Magic makes it to his eighteenth birthday.

[KristiB]

I hope he gets better poor little guy :(

[Beth]

Thanks to all those who've posted and to those who are thinking about Magic with us. I've hugged Coco, cried a little and shared a couple more emails with the gal who runs the rescue operation. I asked her if the kennel cough would weaken her and lessen her chances, but she said no -- Magis was already on antibiotics for that. That may also help prevent the secondary infections they can get too. She's in as good as a position as a puppy with parvo can be, I guess.

I read up on parvo, and it sounds like at 5 months or a bit more should help her chances, Sounds llike it is rougher the younger they are - one site said 6 month, one said under 5 months and another said 3 months and under. I found out that she got her name because she appeared at the shelter "like magic" apparetnly. They didn't know she was there, so someone probably dumped her. They think she was a Christmas puppy that someone decided was a mistake. We're all hoping that she got at least some of her shots.

I tried to add a phto of Magic, but I'm not getting it right.

[Gecko]

I am sending my good thoughts too. She sounds like a real sweetie. I just don't understand how an animal can become a "mistake". Sorry, but when you bring an animal into the family it is for the long haul - they are part of your family.

[Beth]

I just don't understand how an animal can become a "mistake". Sorry, but when you bring an animal into the family it is for the long haul - they are part of your family.

I don't understand that either, but I've been told this is the time of year they start getting Christmas puppies. I couldn't do that to a dog or to my kids!

[Gecko]

I don't understand that either, but I've been told this is the time of year they start getting Christmas puppies. I couldn't do that to a dog or to my kids!

I think the pet should stay, and the human can go into the shelter ;)

Pretty soon there is going to be a huge number of rabbits and ducks available when people decide that they make a cute Easter gift, but aren't as cute when they get older.

[Beth]

You're probably right about the bunnies.

I understand your feelings about those people. During the hardest freeze this winter, there was a yellow lab found in a park -- tied to a pole in the wet and frreezing cold. And I heard about other dogs abandonded that same few days. Good grief!

When those lost or abandonded pets do get the love they deserve, they usually make the most appreciative and affectionate pets.

[Lauren]

You're probably right about the bunnies.

I understand your feelings about those people. During the hardest freeze this winter, there was a yellow lab found in a park -- tied to a pole in the wet and frreezing cold. And I heard about other dogs abandonded that same few days. Good grief!

When those lost or abandonded pets do get the love they deserve, they usually make the most appreciative and affectionate pets.

That is awful! If you don't want or can't take care of a pet ... find it a home. Don't abandon it like that leaving it helpless!

[Molli526]

Good thoughts for Magic. She sounds like a strong willed girl :)

[MISSINDI]

Thinking good thoughts for Magic, and with a name like that, sounds like it's appropriate for a pup that could use a little magic. There's always so many heartbreaking stories coming out of shelters, although I would love to volunteer, I just couldn't. Just reading the stories on our rescue Berner group's site is enough. We weren't looking to adopt another dog right now with the house being on the market, but as soon as I saw a face on their site the other day, I couldn't help ask about her...

[Robyn1007]

When those lost or abandonded pets do get the love they deserve, they usually make the most appreciative and affectionate pets.

Yep! Though we don't know the exact history of my aunt and uncle's dog we know for sure he was terribly abused. I've posted about him before and all his idiosyncracies but seeing him never fails to put a huge smile on my face (well now that he knows and loves me). A couple of weeks ago they were up in Vail and a friend and I were going up as well. She is a bit scared of dogs who jump and I promised her he wouldn't jump on her out of fear. When we walked in he practically lept off the stairs into my arms (he's a 70lb lab :eek: ) but wouldn't go near her. It really is heartbreaking to watch. If I EVER found the person who did that to him I'd likely beat the sh*t out them as payback. The dog won't even let his favorite people come near him with feet. :( :mad:

[Beth]

no update yet this morning. I hope that means no change rather than she's having a rough time and the lady doesn't want to tell me.

I have seen a lot of neglected or abused dogs at the dog park. The foster parents work with them to socialize them as well as to exercise them. Some warm up very well, and others you can see will take a lot more work and probably always be skeptical.

I had a ferral cat that adopted us. He would run from anyone at first, but I became his first people. He really liked my cat and I was just part of the package he had to deal with at first. Once he figured out that I came with shelter, easy food, toys and rugs to flip under, he became a marshmallow -- towards me. Each additional person had to earn his trust, but when he gave it, he gave it completely. I wondered if he had been mistreated or if his need for you to earn his trust was just because he'd grown up in the wild.

I'll let you know when I hear more about Magic. Thanks for pulling for her with me. The lady at the shelter said Magic would be ours if she's okay. But even if she doesn't wind up with us for whatever reason, she deserves the love and support.

[Beth]

In case anyone is wondering, I found out Monday that Magic ws going to be okay. Today, I got an email that the vet tech taking care of her had really bonded with her and wanted to adopt her (she cried when she found out there wa a family interested in her), so we released any hold on her are sending our love to Magic and her new home. I love a happy ending. :)

[aggie94]

Oh Beth, I am SO happy to hear that Magic is going to make it. What a bittersweet ending for you, though. In the long run, I know you could only want/do what was best for her, and it sounds like she will be much loved and cared for in her new home.

[Robyn1007]

Oh, Beth, it's wonderful that Magic is going to be okay. Every animal should have someone to love them as much as a girl who would cry at the thought of not being able to take her home.

A good friend of mine was a vet tech for a few years. At one point she was up to 8 dogs and 5 cats (2 of which were mine that she was long term pet sitting for me). :eek: :eek: She did anything and everything for those animals. Most were abandoned, one she actually took away from her FIL because he was being treated poorly. I know there was a lot of love in that home for each of them and I can only hope that Magic will have just as much love.

The right companion for Coco will come along and you will know it immediately. :)

[Beth]

Eva, I'm not really sad. It's strange, but once I knew she was going to be okay, I ws so happy and so relieved, but I didn't feel like she needed us so much and I started to question whether a dog we hadn't seen was "the one." I know Magic and her vet tech are already bonded, and it just feels right for them to have each other. If for any reason it doesn't work out, they will let us know. They have 2 other black lab pups -- but the boys are thinking light yellow or white now. Kids! ;) :D

[Robyn1007]

A word of warning about getting a light colored lab if you already have a dark color. It's absolutely impossible to buy things based on not showing pet hair. ;) Growing up for awhile we had a black lab and a yellow lab. Oy, it didn't matter what you put on, you always looked furry.

[TKay]

I'm so glad your story has a happy ending. When I first got one of my Great Danes, she got parvo and survived. But while she was being treated, it was the saddest thing ever.

[wallycat]

YAY!!! :) :)
I love happy endings too!