Rescuing from page 1 x-rays. A slip lead was lodged in her stomach, no doubt ingested prior to her trek north. During the surgery, the vet also repaired a hernia and spayed her. Winnie’s expenses are $10k but could increase – she may require another leg surgery. PP has a reputation for going the distance, especially for those from high kill shelters. So Bolnick wouldn’t say no to Georgia gal Dumplin, a 3-year-old who required surgery for a painful eye entropion condition. While under anesthesia, vets noticed her rotten, cruelly filed down teeth, and pulled twenty-two. Her costs are $2k but stomach issues guarantee they’ll rise. “She’s the sweetest velvet hippo.” When Dumplin is healthy, she’ll be adoptable. PP’s bank account has been drained by these darlings. To donate for their care, paypal.com/ paypalme/pittieposse. Theresa Gargan, Shelter Manager for Pope Memorial Humane Society of Knox County (PMHSKC), recently took in a Chihuahua. Gargan said it was clear she had severe neurological symptoms; her head was tilted, she was unsteady, almost blind, had little hearing, and couldn’t eat without assistance. She saw PMHSKC’s vet; they started her on antibiotics and steroids for any infection or inflammation. Despite progress, Riley saw a neurologist for further testing. The differential diagnosis is that her problems, including brain swelling, are trauma related. While her neurological issues haven’t worsened, she’ll always have a deficit. The “little trooper” is getting braver every day in foster care as she adapts to impairments. Riley’s a snuggler and a good companion. If she hasn’t been adopted yet and you’re interested, know that she’s a diva, is closer to men, and older children only. Donate at popehumane.org to offset her vet costs, they’re at $2k and if an MRI is necessary, that’ll be another $6k. So why does PMHSKC take in expensive dogs? “I’m a sucker,” Gargan laughed. “We’ve had so many cases over the years…We like the underdogs and undercats.” Little Tim aka Lucky Tim is not a rescue case but a special needs pup. He was born in December of 2018 at Varney’s Labs breeding facility with a deformed front leg. Army Sergeant Christy Gardner
Dumplin from Pittie Posse
Riley from Pope Memorial
Lucky Tim
Injured Columbo being rescued
worked there and knew he had potential as a school therapy dog, and Varney’s owners agreed. So double amputee Gardner, a skilled service and therapy dog trainer, took him home and began schooling him alongside her service dog, Moxie. The happy yellow pup required an amputation and hernia repair. This was financed thanks to Gardner’s GoFundMe efforts, “Little Guy, Big Mission.” VetriScience® Laboratories granted $10,000 for the surgery, and all other monies raised went towards formal certification training, medical insurance, and future costs, so he wouldn’t be a financial burden to his
owner. Gardner and Moxie had been to Leeds Central School to speak on service dogs and were wellreceived. So Gardner approached school leaders about the tripod becoming an in-house therapy dog. The superintendent and board approved, and in December of 2019, Claire Parker, Administrative Assistant to Leeds Principal Danielle Harris, became the proud owner/ handler of Lucky. Together as a team they went through certification, and he carries the title of AKC Therapy Dog Advanced. (The students voted on the name Lucky Tim but call him Lucky.)
Lucky is in Parker’s office daily – the kids read to him – and he’s on the playground at recess. This past school year, despite the hybrid schedule, Lucky was at Leeds five days a week with Parker. He gladly greeted those students who attended in person. The tail wagging Lab enjoys hiking at home and swimming at their camp – no tripod woes for him. “He’s so strong, physically he’s fantastic.” Parker takes him to events and shares the children’s book co-written by Gardner and Eileen Doyon, Lucky: Little Guy BIG Mission. “We didn’t
See RESCUING on page 15
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AUGUST 2021
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