Shilah

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Updated 02/24/07: With a thorough veterinary workup complete, it was sadly clear that Shilah’s health issues were many and complicated. Some were treatable and, with help on those, she could feel a little better. Others were serious, long term and, at best, could only be put at bay. Keeping her comfortable was increasingly difficult. When her misery from poor health began to take a toll on her ability to cope with even the gentlest care, the decision was made to release her from her struggle.

Updated 02/01/07: Shilah has been in foster care for two weeks and is improving her health with good nutrition, veterinary attention and patient care at home. Her urinary tract infection is now cleared as is the anemia. She is able to stay dry all night, 7 to 8 hours, with the UTI gone and assistance of a medication for spay incontinence. Her primary daily and nightly activity is sleeping and her foster parents are allowing her to do as much of this as she wishes. She is eating well and is still drinking lots of water, although not as much as she did when she first arrived.

With a good start on helping Shilah with her short-term medical needs, attention will be turned to the longer-term concerns. She will be able to begin heartworm treatment soon. A dilated eye exam is scheduled and will give a more definitive diagnosis regarding her vision impairment.

Her foster parents have noticed a cute habit of Shilah’s. When they return home, Shilah bounces up and down on her front legs and tries to gently mouth her foster parents’ hands. It’s as if she is saying, “Hi! Hi! Hi! Now can we go outside?” and it feels as though Shilah wants to lead one of them outdoors with her. She is now able to trot around and is having less difficulty with the steps in and out of the backyard. Her foster parents hope that, with time and good nutrition, Shilah’s hindquarters will strengthen and become steadier.

Another thing about Shilah is that, after she has been sleeping soundly, she needs a few minutes to wake up and get moving. As with many a pretty girl, she needs to get herself together physically and mentally before meeting the new day or when just waking from a nap. She seems stiff at times, and by allowing her to set her own pace, she can wake up gently and get herself going all by herself.

Shilah is a very sweet and very Velcro Springer girl in need of a gentle hand to guide her and lots of soft places to lie down. She still has a way to go but her progress is heartening to see. When she’s ready, would you like to show Shilah the softer side of a new life?

Original: Shilah is a mature springer who is finally enjoying the softer side of life. She was found as a stray in northern West Virginia and when her owners were not located, she was picked up by a local rescue group who, in turn, contacted MAESSR. While receiving her vaccinations, Shilah was discovered to be heartworm positive. After her overall health improves, she will begin treatment for that. Her other issues will be continually evaluated as she settles in.

In her first few days of foster care, Shilah was very calm and moved very slowly. With continued medication, good food and some nutritional supplements, her foster parents are beginning to see a wee bit of “springer” in this springer. In fact, when her foster mom got a leash out of the closet for her trip to the vet’s office, Shilah began to dance and wag her tail very excitedly. She definitely knows what a leash is all about and enjoys being taken out on a walk. As she continues to feel better and recover, her foster mom will begin to teach her some leash manners. Her level of excitement is a really good sign that she is on the mend.

Shilah is dainty at 35 pounds currently and will probably need to gently gain another ten pounds or so. In her foster home, she gets along with seven resident dogs and they really have not noticed that she is there. There are no cats in her foster home, but Shilah is so laid back that her foster mom cannot imagine she would pay much attention to a cat.

Shilah is housebroken and does not counter-surf. Though crated during her first trip home for everyone’s safety, crating may be a new experience for her. In the house baby gating is all that is needed to keep Shilah safe at this point. Since she is so well mannered, crating may not be necessary on a regular basis. However, her foster mom is feeding her in an open crate now in order to begin teaching her to accept a crate should a need arise. Shilah is extremely vocal in the car, but riding may be very new to her too.

In her foster home, Shilah is learning about soft places and is enjoying tummy rubs and ear scratches. She is very easy to love and very appreciative of the attention that her foster parents are lavishing upon her. She is responding well to a gentle guiding hand up and down the stairs and a soft tap is all that is needed to wake her up. Her first grooming session went well and Shilah seems to enjoy being fussed over.

Since treatment for heartworm disease takes place over months, Shilah will have ample time to grow into new opportunities with her foster family. Then she will be looking for a forever family who will continue what they are beginning for her. Would you like to share your life with this mature lady who is learning to enjoy soft places and a loving hand? Check back for updates on this gal.  In due season, she will be looking for you.