This is Blue. On the morning that Blue had been scheduled to be euthanized, we were able to use last minute rescue relay transports to bring Blue from a shelter several hundred miles away to the safety of Pound Pals.

We thought we had him rescued.

The Sunday evening after he arrived, Blue was rushed to the vet for a terrible nose bleed. Test results confirm that Blue suffers from Ehrlichiosis, which is a tick disease. The vet is treating Blue very agressively - he is on medication to kill the bacteria. Blue is having trouble making blood platletes. He is being given treatment to help him do this. He may need blood transfusions. If Blue can start making platettes on his own - he can survive. He may need transfusions to buy him enough time to get the disease out of his system and be able to make platlettes.

His treatment bills are mounting. Please help us save this beautiful blue heeler. He has a heart of gold. Donations can be made through PayPal, by postal mail or directly to our vet account. 

10/6   5pm update Blue still has the pack in his nose. The vet reports the bleeding has slowed. Blue is drinking and eating well. Dr. Bradshaw said he is resting comfortably. Blue's platelets are still critically low. Dr. Bradshaw says Blue is nowhere near out of the woods.

10/7   8am Vet reports Blue's nose has stopped bleeding. The pack is still in Blue's nose. Blue will continue to stay overnight.

10/7   5pm Vet reports no nose bleeding. Pack is still in. Continuing medications and continuing to build Blue's platelets. No other changes to report.

10/8  8am Dr. Bradshaw will be taking the pack out of Blue's nose this morning.

10/8  5pm Blue is released from the hospital. He has two different meds to take twice daily and will be going back to the vet weekly to have bloodwork done. He ate well this evening, took his meds and is snuggled up on his comfy blanket. Please keep Blue in prayer.

Blue's vet bills are $351.79 to date. Total donations received to date = $10.

10/31 Blue returned for bloodwork today. His platelet level is up but is still not in the normal range. He is continuing his meds. Blue's platelet count was 87 which is a big improvement over the 6 it was when he arrived.

Blue's vet bills to date are $506. Total donations received to date = $277.60.

12/11/08 According to Blue's bloodwork rsults today, his platelet count has dropped from 87 to 61. A normal platelet count is around 200. Blue has started taking his predisone again. He remains on his Doxy. Looking at Blue you would never know he suffers from such a tragic disease. He loves life and shows no signs of illness. We have had to take extra precautions with Blue - if he gets cut or even scrapped it is life threatening to him - he could literally bleed to death. Blue is never left alone - if I leave, he goes with me. Don't let appearances fool you of all the dogs pictured here Blue is in the most danger. Total donations to date = $312.60 for Blue.

One gracious donor sent $1.60 directly to our vet with a note that read simply "I wish it was more but it is all I have got." I thought - if everyone were as generous as this young man - we could move mountains!

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PLEASE HELP - IMMEDIATE SPONSOR NEEDED

I just got an email about this fellow tonight. This breaks my heart. I plan to pick him up tomorrow.

Update: He has been starved and is extremely weak. He needs donations for his vet bills and a large dog house. Petey will need long term care. It will take many months for Petey to recover from the severe starvation he has suffered. He is a sweet and very gentle dog.

10/31/08 Petey has been eating well, drinking well and loves to play. He is still struggling to put weight on.

12/11/08 Petey continues to improve. He is still very thin but considering he was at death's door when we got to him - his recovery has been remarkable. Petey is still in need of a sponsor.

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This week's featured Pet:

Many of you may remember Duke who was beaten and then tied to a tree and abandonned. Duke was  taken to an animal shelter. Just 30 minutes before his scheduled euthanization, he was rescued but he was terribly sick. Duke's vet treated his condition very agressively. As a result, Duke came through with flying colors. His foster mom reports that Duke is now ready for a happy life with his new family. Thank you Olga for making a difference in the life of this sweet dog. If you would like to adopt Duke, please request an adoption application. The fist photo is Little Duke's shelter mugshot - he is heartbroken and sick. Look at Little Duke today - handsome, happy, healthy and ready for the holidays!