Ozzie the Wizard

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Update 9/17/13:  “Ozzie touched not just the hearts of those around him but all of the MAESSR family.”

It is with great sadness that the news of Ozzie’s passing is shared.  After a hopeful start toward recovery from a multitude of health issues, he took an ominous turn.  Hospitalization became necessary.  He received very good vet care with IV antibiotics and fluids for support but, he made no improvement neurologically.  The vet tech who worked closest with him told his family that Oz was moved close to where the staff was because he liked the contact and to be able to see them. 

Ozzie could not stand on any of his legs or control his body, even with all the treatments.  There were lengthy discussions with the vet in charge and with other MAESSR volunteers who guide families and their fosters through crisis.  The vet felt that there most likely could be a tumor pressing on Ozzie’s spinal cord, creating weakness, or that he may have suffered a stroke.  If this would be the case, the prognosis would not be good for Ozzie. 

On his last night at home, his family indulged him with bacon, fresh cooked bacon (one piece)….and are so glad they did!!   They can still see him s-l-o-w-l-y shaking after his daily bath, that he just loved!  Ozzie touched not just the hearts of those around him but all of the MAESSR family.  The best of thoughts and prayers were with him from Day 1 and were whispered in his ear as he gently departed to the Rainbow Bridge. 

Original:  “Ozzie is a very lucky boy to have found his way into MAESSR’s embrace, and his foster family feels that they are one lucky family to have this sweet soul to teach them what is really important in life.” 

Sprung by MAESSR volunteers from a Pennsylvania shelter, where he undoubtedly would have been put down, the story of terribly neglected Ozzie reads like fiction.  Horrifically, it is not. Ozzie arrived at his foster home with another name, but that changed after their young son’s recent bible study of The Wizard of Oz, which spoke of the people of Oz and their strength to overcome horrible acts done against them.  Ozzie means strength. This is the story behind how a dog became Ozzie the Wizard…for new beginnings…and showing courage, heart, and strength!
 
A sweet pup with a loving soul, Ozzie entered MAESSR as a victim of horrible abuse, with terribly matted hair, a massive yeast infection which covered his body, ferociously infected ears and eyes, and nails so long that they had grown into his swollen and extremely painful foot pads.  Needless to say, he stunk to high heaven and could not walk without pain.  In fact, when he tried to walk, Ozzie would fall forward from lack of muscle strength.  It appears that this poor boy was probably crated and rarely, if ever, let out of his prison.
 
The strength of Ozzie’s foster family cannot be lightly stated.  Battling the urge to become sick from his terrible smell, they have been the good Samaritans who have shaved his tangled mat of hair; cleaned and re-cleaned his black-filled ears; bathed his sticky, yeasty skin daily; clipped in-grown nails; provided him with safe shelter, medications, and food; and – best of all – love, which he likely had never experienced before.  His first night was spent crying in pain, pain that lessens each day in foster care.  After a successful meeting with the four resident pups, even his family’s most dominant 

male dog has taken to Ozzie.  He seems to understand that Ozzie’s in pain and tries to lead him around the yard and house.  Ozzie senses he’s safe now.  So sweet and loving, he sits on command and will reach up to his people with a swollen paw. 
 
Ozzie’s visits to the vet have been extensive. Originally estimated to be between 5 – 10 years old, his vet feels that Ozzie is a younger dog, most likely under 5 years.  It appears that his skin infection is from an allergy, related to an untreated flea infestation.  With significant hair loss and a sticky substance covering his body, this boy was in terrible pain.  Blood work revealed that Ozzie is very anemic and has an extremely low thyroid count, probably due to a lack of good nutrition.  He will be retested after one month of his medication regimen.  That, combined with good food, should help his levels improve.  He now takes seven pills (some of them twice) daily and is fed cooked chicken, rice, and veggies. He first thought the pills were treats, but now knows better!  It now takes a bit of trickery to get Ozzie to take his meds…but he’s getting lots of treats!  He’s also on a yogurt routine; with a splash of apple cider vinegar, this is his wizard cocktail!  Did we mention that he is getting lots love and attention and more love?
 
So, is he doing better?  Yes!!!  His foster family sees small improvements each day, even though he still looks terribly bad. Ozzie’s now feeling a little friskier, although everything he does is in slow motion.  After a bath it’s funny for them to watch this hairless guy shake so s-l-o-w-l-y.  And he must be feeling better because he decided to do what male dogs like to do to the females…twice (unsuccessfully)…and in slow motion!  This resilient boy even tried to counter-surf.  Life is definitely looking up for Ozzie!
 
Ozzie’s family is excited to report that he hasn’t fallen for a few days. His legs no longer curl in and his muscles are getting strong.  He recently trotted – yes, trotted – around their half-acre fenced yard with his family standing like proud parents cheering him on.  He now loves to go out and walk around a little with the other dogs; when they bark, he barks.  He probably doesn’t know why he is barking, but he barks.  Inside the house, Ozzie now comes out of the crate and sits by his people or lies down with the gang of four resident dogs. They all are loving him and watching over him.  
  
Ozzie is a very lucky boy to have found his way into MAESSR’s embrace, and his foster family feels that they are one lucky family to have this sweet soul to teach them what is really important in life.  Ozzie is a true lesson in courage and resilience. This sweet Springer is bringing them such joy that they cannot wait to find him a forever home to call his own. There’s never been a dog more deserving of the good life than the great and powerful Ozzie.