Success Stories
We like to think every Mid-South Shepherd is a success story, but the truth is sometimes there are situations and circumstances that just go beyond the normal day to day operation of rescuing dogs. You will see on this page stories of dogs that were a little more injured, a little more broken, or a little more sick than our average rescued dog. Triumph over adversary is what rescue is all about. Taking in an animal that has lost all hope, and all faith. Bringing them back to life and watching them become happy, healthy, loved companions, then finding that perfect home where not only does the new owner complete the dog's life, but the dog complete's their life as well.
So grab a coke and some popcorn, and spend a little bit of time with our shining stars. They all have their own unique story to tell, and we are proud to be able to share them!
Dixie
When I pulled Dixie (who was estimated to be around 8 years old) from the shelter, she weighed 42 pounds. She was literally skin and bones. She was very high antigen HW+, too. We went to the vet and got her on a special diet, intending to build her up so she could withstand the HW treatment.
Within a few weeks she developed a vaginal discharge that had a horrible smell to it. So back to the vet we went, and discovered that she'd been pregnant, probably a couple of months before, and had aborted. She was so emaciated her body couldn't absorb the remains of the pups, and she had mummified remains inside of her, and bone fragments stuck along the vaginal wall.
Since she was HW+, it was very risky to sedate her for surgery. But the alternative was euthansia, as the discharge was from an infection that had set in, and the remains could not be left inside her. Given the choice of possible death or certain death, we opted for the surgery. My vet felt she was a fighter, and he said that if any dog could survive it, she could. But he did warn that the possibility of intra-operative death was high.
But Dixie wasn't ready to check out just yet. She came through the surgery better than any of us expected, and things only improved from there. Rid of the infection that was continuing to drag her down, she began to put on weight much more quickly. About 6 weeks later, she began her HW treatment.
Since she was so high antigen +, we opted for the split treatment (1 injection of immiticide, then 30 days later 2 more injections 24 hours apart). Again, she was quite the trooper. As of January 15, 2005, she was given a clean bill of health. Ms. Dixie is now an 80+ pound lap dog. She has found her forever home here with us.
Coda
Coda is another of our greatest success stories. I was at MAS pulling a pup for a friend when I found him. He had an embedded collar, a severe infection, and had open wounds on over half his body. He had, of course, been declared unadoptable, and would have been kept for the 3 day holding period and then euthanized. Fortunately, I was able to convince the shelter director to release him to me.
We got him to the vet, and spent a couple of hours cleaning and treating his wounds. He tested high antigen for HW, and had every type of intestinal parasite you could imagine. He also had a severe infection from his wounds going untreated for who knows how long. Going by the chain attached to the collar that had grown into his neck, we suspect he'd spent most of his young life chained up somewhere. He was estimated to be approximately a year old.
For the first few weeks I had to scrub and flush his wounds 3 times a day. He was on a special diet, as he was extremely emaciated as well (under 60 pounds). He also had to take 2 different types of antibiotics for a couple of weeks.
Eventually the wounds healed, and he began his HW treatment in mid-December. Amazingly, he has absolutely no aggression issues with people, although he much prefers women to men. He also has issues with *some* male dogs, but gets along with most of them. On January 12, 2005, he tested negative for HW and was neutered. He has a clean bill of health, now.
I do believe that he suffered a small amount of permanent damage from being hit in the head, though. Nothing serious, it just takes him a little longer to grasp things than most dogs. We'll never know for sue exactly what happened to him to cause such terrible injuries, but we believe he was probably used as a bait dog.
Coda now has a clean bill of health, and is a healthy 85 pounds. He too has found his forever home here with us.
Click the image below for before and after pics of Coda!
Ceasar
Ceasar came to us emaciated and riddled with demodectic mange. He'd been dumped in the shelter, along with a litter of puppies he'd sired, by his uncaring owners. Not much more than a pup himself, he was afraid of everything that moved. But a couple of months of good food, medication, and learning what it means to be part of the family and Ceasar was well on his way to a happy new life. He found his forever home in Memphis, TN, with a wonderful family.
Zeus
Zeus was an unusual case. He was at a vet's office in Rock Hill, SC. His owners had brought him in almost a month previously, claiming he'd been hit by an 18-wheeler. When we committed to him and began making arrangements to get him here, we assumed this to be the truth.
Once Zeus arrived, it was immediately apparent to me that his injuries were not consistant with being hit by ANY vehicle, let alone one with the impact of an 18-wheeler. He was also severly underweight (58 pounds). We later began to suspect, b/c of his absolute terror of any object being lifted around him, that he had probably been struck with something across the legs/chest, resulting in the injuries. Zeus has a bad habit of jumping on people to greet them, so maybe his previous owners were striking him to stop this behavior and went too far. The truth is, we'll never know what really happened.
At any rate, he had radial nerve damage in his right shoulder, and the leg was just dragging. There was a large area of damaged tissue, and he had begun to try to chew the leg off himself. So the morning after he arrived here, we went straight to the vet. Later that day, the leg was removed. The other leg was injured as well, but not nearly as bad. So the dead tissue was removed from it, and a bandage was applied.
Over the next few weeks, Zeus continued to improve. The missing leg didn't hamper him in the least, and he can now hop over the 5 foot fence from a stand-still. He is completely healed from his injuries, has gained a substantial amount of weight and is a very happy, well-adjusted boy! He found his forever home earlier this year, and is living happily ever after in his forever home in Hernando, MS.
Ariel
Ariel is a 4 year old female that had been used exclusively as a breeder. Her former owners forced her to have litter after litter of pups. She lived outside in a barn, and raised her pups there.
One day her owner deliberately ran over her with his truck. We're unsure why he did this, but he did admit to doing it. Her hips were severly injured, and after that, Ariel refused to accept their male, rendering her useless as a breeder. So her owners gave her to a couple down the street who planned to breed her as well
When Ariel got to her new home, nothing changed. Still injured from being run oner by the truck, she wouldn't/couldn't accept their male, either. So the abuse continued, because the new owners were mad they could not use her for breeding. It escalated to the point that they were threatening to 'take her out back and shoot her.' It was then that we stepped in and took her.
Ariel arrived in terror and would not allow anyone to touch her or approach her. She was afraid to go outside, and used potty pads for nearly the entire first month she was with us. We took her immediately to our vet, and discovered that her hips had eventually healed on their own, and fused back at an odd angle. Surgery was possible, but there was no guarantee it would help. It could, in fact, compound the problem. So we put her on some joint supplements, spayed her, and took her home to begin the healing process.
It was a long road with her, but she slowly began to come around. It took several months for her to learn that hands do not always hurt, and some people CAN be trusted.
Ariel is now in her forever home in Bartlett, TN. She lives with 2 other dogs adopted from our rescue, and is a very happy, sweet girl. She's still somewhat hesitant about new people, and probably always will be. But she knows she's safe, and that's what counts!
Tyler
Tyler is a 10 year old Belgian Shepherd that we rescued in May 2005. He had a host of medical problems. He was cryptorchid, so they wouldn't neuter him at the shelter. He also had a rectal mass that looked suspicious, an old injury to his right hind leg, and some very bad hips. Within a few days of being out of the shelter, he was scheduled to be neutered and have the mass removed and biopsied.
When his doctor neutered him, she discovered a tumor growing from the retained testicle, that had attached itself to the abdominal wall. There was also another rectal mass on the inside, so everything was removed and biospied. Thankfully they were all benign. While he was sedated, she also x-rayed his hips, and we discovered he has grade 4 hip dysplasia. Doc said he has the worse hips she's ever seen.
The leg injury appears to be from where at some point he may have gotten it hung in something, and damaged the nerves while trying to get free. After a thorough examination, and manipulating it 9 ways to Sunday with no reaction whatsoever, it was decided since it didn't cause him any pain, no action would be taken. Initially it slowed him down, but after having him on Glyco-Flex III for several months and seeing the difference it has made in his mobility, I think that was probably more his hips than anything. We have to be very careful with him, b/c he's very easy to knock over, but other than that he gets around much better than he used to.
He weighed 89 pounds at his first vet visit, and was VERY thin. You could see his hip bones protruding through all that hair, and could easily count his ribs. He now weighs 122 pounds. They had him listed as light HW+ at the shelter, but unfortunately that is not the case. We retested, and Doc said he is at least stage 2, possibly stage 3.
It's been a long road for him, but it's not over. He is currently undergoing HW treatment, and so far is doing very well. Please say a prayer for the big guy. He's a very special boy. He's worked his way into my heart, like they all do. But there's just something special about him.
Update: Tyler has completed his HW treatment, and now has a clean bill of health (minus the hips, of course!). He's our Christmas miracle boy :)
Gypsy and Sophie
Gypsy and Sophie were 9 weeks old when we brought them into rescue. They were covered in ringworm, demodectic mange, had giardia, coccidia and every other internal parasite you could imagine. They were severly underweight, but probably the worse problem they had was fear of humans. We have no idea what, in 9 short weeks, could have caused this terrible fear, but it was so bad that they would pee and poop on themselves when touched.
The intestinal issues were pretty easy to resolve, but it took 2 months to get the mange and ringworm under control. All the while we worked with them, helping them understand that no one was ever going to hurt them again. We'd take 2 steps forward, and 3 steps back. Every sudden movement or noise sent them running for cover. It took a lot of time and patience, but these two little angels were MORE than worth it.
They were both placed in new homes when they were 5 months old. Sophie in Memphis, TN and Gypsy in Water Valley, MS.
Chance
Chance was rescued from a very rural shelter in North Carolina in July of 2005. He was heartworm positive, filthy, nervous and so underweight that he literally had no body fat or muscle tone. He weighed just 55 pounds. Pre-treatment bloodwork indicated he suffered from anemia and his liver values were elevated. His first foster mom had to bath him numerous times to remove all the mats and dirt from his coat. He began his heartworm treatment in his first foster home, then made his way to us.
Chance was very nervous when he first arrived. He was confused, and had obviously never been inside a house before coming into rescue. He had no idea what was expected of him. But with time and patience, he settled down, learned the rules, recovered from heartworm treatment and finally began gaining weight. He has grown into one of the sweetest, best-mannered dogs you could ever hope to meet. He does not like cats, but we'll forgive him that. At 107 pounds now, Chance has certainly come into his own, and is giving back to those less fortunate than himself by being a blood donor for our wonderful vet when she needs him. He greated me on Valentine's Day morning 2006 with a red ribbon on him, put there by my husband. He has found his forever home here with us. Click the picture below to see before and after pics!
Raven
Raven was rescued from a high-kill shelter in GA, along with her daughter Fallon (who can be seenin our happy tails). They were dumped there because they'd gotten into a fight, and the former 'owners' didn't want to be bothered with them. Other thanbeing thin, Fallon was in pretty decent shape. She was already spayed, and was heartworm negative. Raven was not so lucky...
As a result of the fight, Raven had an injured eye that required surgical repair. It had started to heal, and there was a lot of scar tissue on the lid that was rubbing her eye, causing pain and irritation. It was also infected. She also tested positive for heartworm disease, and needed to be spayed, as she'd been used as a breeder. She began her HW treatment, and had a reaction to the medication, causing her lungs to become inflamed. It was touch and go for a while, but our girl is a fighter! She came through her ordeal just fine, and was then spayed and had the eye repaired.
Raven was finally given a clean bill of health, has gained a substantial amount of weight, and is now living happily ever after with a wonderful family in Berwick, Maine!
Molly
When we were called to help little Molly in Marion, AR, no one thought she'd survive. She had been left in an abandoned home by her former 'owners' along with 7 other dogs. She was the only survivor. We rushed her straight to the vet, and discovered a host of problems. Molly weighed just 37 pounds, and was covered head to toe with sarcoptic mange. She had skin infections, ear and eye infections, and tested positive for heartworm disease. To date we have never seen a dog as emaciated as she was. I could wrap my hands around her waist and my fingers touched...with room to spare.
Molly was terrified of everything and everyone. It took her a long time to learn to trust.
Molly was treated for the mange, and her hair began to grow back. She also quickly began to gain weight, which was testament to the fact that all she need was regular meals and her condition could have been prevented. Next came heartworm treatment, which she handled just fine. Once she'd gained a sufficient amount of weight, and finished her HW treatment, Molly was scheduled for spaying. our vet said her little uterus was in horrible shape, and she had obviously been bred several times. Molly is under 3 years of age, so we can only imagine the horrific life she'd led before coming into rescue.
Before goingto her forever home, Molly had a clean bill of health, and weighed 61 pounds. Being a girl of small stature, this was a great weght for her! She is now living happily ever after in Dover, NH!
Major
We were called about Major (and Sheba, they came from the same home) in January of 2006. His family had been having a hard time, and had been unable to properly care for him for several months. Realizing the situation was becoming dire, his owner contacted us to help.
Major suffered from sarcoptic mange, skin infections, eye and ear infections and heartworm disease. He was in better shape than Sheba, but still needed urgent care and treatment. We went straight to the vet where he spent the night, receiving a medicated bath and other immediate care. He was missing hair on over half his body.
Over the next few weeks, Major received regular medicated baths and medication for the mange and infections. When he had improved sufficiently, and completed his heartworm treatment, we scheduled him to be neutered. We'd noticed him favoring his hips some during the early days of his treatment, so also requested an x-ray while he was sedated. He was diagnosed with moderate hip dysplasia.
In June 2006, Major found a wonderful home in Charleston, AR. he couldn't have asked for a better family, and now has a new 'sister,' Margo, to share his life with!
Sheba
We were called about Sheba (and Major, they came from the same home) in January of 2006. Her family had been having a hard time, and had been unable to properly care for her for several months. Realizing the situation was becoming dire, her owner contacted us to help.
Sheba also suffered from sarcoptic mange, skin infections, eye and ear infections and heartworm disease. But her condition was much worse than Major's. After spending that night at our vet's office, the next morning Sheba was unable to stand. The stress of leaving her home, going to a strange place, and the desperately needed medical care of the day before had taken it's toll. Our vet feared the worse, and took her back for x-rays. Surprisingly, Sheba's hips looked really good. She could not stand due to a combination of being weak from her overall condition and emaciation, and because her spine was bridged in several places. The exact cause of this could not be pinpointed, but poor nutrition had certainly played a part in it. Our vet recommended bi-weekly Adequan injections, supplements, and good food. Then we'd give her time to heal and see if she improved enough to have a good quality of life.
Our brave little Sheba soon let us know she was not yet ready to check out of this world! While the road to her physical recovery was slow and painful, her spirit came alive much more quickly. It was heartbreaking in those first few days to watch her try so desperately to move around and show affection. Her body just didn't cooperate. But soon she began gaining weight, and her hair, missing on over half her body, began to grow back. She began and completed her HW treatment without and problems.
Sheba had been spayed by her previous owners after having a couple of litters of pups, so thankfully we were not forced to put her through an operation. Sheba continued to receive the bi-weekly injections for several months, but is now kept comfortable without them. Once she gained a sufficient amount of weight and muscle, it reduced her discomfort greatly. It has been over a month since she's needed the Adequan.
Sheba now has a clean billof health (minus the spinal issue, which she will have for the rest of her life) and is a happy, well-adjusted girl. She is still with us, and may very well be for the rest of her life. Unfortunately, it seems noone wnts a 9 year old dog with spinal issues. But we do, and will gladly share the rest of her life with her if an appropriate home cannot be found.
Click the image below for before and after pics of Sheba!
Trooper
Trooper was found wandering the streets of Frasier by the sister of a friend of mine in February 2006. He was emaciated, and covered head to toe with demodectic mange. There wasn't a place on his poor body that wasn't bleeding and infected (the pic below was after he'd been scrubbed clean and received a medicated bath). He also suffered from heartworm disease.
We took him straight to the vet and began treatment for the mange. Over half his body was hairless, and his feet were swelled to about twice their normal size. But Tropper had a fighting spirit, and let us know by giving kisses and leaning into us that he appreciated the help he was receiving. When we got him home, he slept for the first several days, getting up only to eat and go potty.
Trooper was soon able to begin HW treatment, and came through it with flying colors! He was then neutered, and received a clean bill of health.
Trooper is now living happily ever after with a wonderful family in Cumberland, Maine. Ironically, his new dad is a vet!
Click the image below for before and after pics of Trooper!
Timber
Timber came from a high kill shelter where he had been picked up wandering the streets as a stray. He was one of the worse cases we've ever seen as far as mange goes. There wasn't a single part of his body that wasn't affected, and what little hair he had was very brittle and coarse. He was around 30 pounds underweight, had severe skin and ear infections, and also had a low grade heart murmur(which turned out to be due to malnutrition. It has since resolved). His poor body was so riddled with mange we could not even accurately determine what color he was. Despite his horrible pain and discomfort, Timber was a total sweetheart from the beginning. He just wanted to be right with you, and would lean in for a hug.
Timber immediately began treatment for all his issues, and it took 2 months to clear the mange and skin infections.
He is now a happy, healthy, 90 pound love bug. He LOVES his toys, and his people even more
Timber was adopted in October 2006, and is living happily ever after in Lynn, MA!
Click the image below for before and after pics of Timber!
Go Back
