And the Oscar Goes to………
New NGWP Rescue Medical Charity Fund
And Focus on Duke, the Blog Dog
— Leslie R. Dye, MD, treasurer, NGWPR
Oscar Medical Charity Fund
We have had several GWPs come into rescue with injuries and medical problems that have not received prompt treatment. While they can’t relate their history, dogs like Oscar and Chief have injuries or illnesses that, if treated early, may have resulted in favorable outcomes. By the time we are involved, the medical problem is advanced, requiring more extensive care or, sometimes, euthanasia. Robin Palermo, a foster for NGWP rescue, selflessly took Oscar, a GWP with a mass on his face and no known owner to be evaluated. At the age of 9, my soul dog, Neko, a GWP rescue, was diagnosed with oral melanoma. Surgery was performed and he received the melanoma vaccine and boosters. He had his 12th birthday last November (a good age for a GWP that weighs over 90 pounds). Even if he had only surgery, his prognosis would have been better than having no treatment. We were lucky we had the resources to pay for his treatment.
Chief, another GWP currently in foster care, came to rescue in the Sacramento area with a badly damaged left front paw that clearly had gone untreated. The vet said it may have happened one or more months before and was the result of an automobile accident. Chief’s weight was normal, so presumably he was cared for until the injury occurred. This may be a case where the owners saw the injury and realized they could not afford to have it repaired, so abandoned him. The cause of the problem was a brachial plexus injury. Though not common, this type of injury can occur in dogs struck by an automobile resulting in damage to the network of nerves controlling the front legs.. The injury resulted in numbness in his paw and difficulty moving the leg, so he dragged it, worsening the injuries. After a brachial plexus injury, use of the leg may not be regained, therefore, amputation removes the weight of the leg the dog cannot use and eliminates the risk for pressure or trauma sores. While the initial repair may have been costly, it may have spared him losing his leg. Financial assistance may have allowed him to stay in the same home. Fortunately he was cared for by excellent surgeons and is recovering well. His loving foster has taken outstanding care of him, and like most young GWP’s, they are having difficulty keeping him quiet. He is probably a little more than one year old, full of energy and love but no aggression.
More About Oscar and The Fund
Unfortunately for Oscar when Robin took him to the vet, he was diagnosed with an incurable head and neck melanoma, and she selflessly accompanied him while he was euthanized with human kindness and love. This sparked the idea for the Oscar Medical Charity Fund. She is the founding donor who has been matched to start the fund that is now at $650.
The idea of a dog losing a loving home because owners cannot afford to pay for the entire treatment is devastating. This fund will provide financial assistance for the medical costs required to allow a GWP to remain in their current home and preserve the unbreakable bond between a dog and their family. There are various available funds throughout the US that offer financial assistance for medical costs. Some are provided through veterinary schools, some are individual non-profit groups, and others are offered by individual veterinarians. The amount provided is often limited (some offer only $250) and eligibility is strict. The NGWP rescue has been fortunate to offer funds in select cases, usually by soliciting extra finances through Facebook requests. But this money will be set aside specifically for this purpose and donors will be able to direct donations directly to this fund.
The following process and criteria will be followed for receiving the medical funds, including:
· Applications are made directly through the rescue coordinator
· The dog must be a GWP
· The owner(s) must be willing to contribute some funds for medical treatment
· The owner(s) must be willing to update NGWPR on the dog’s progress
· A positive prognosis has been provided by a veterinarian
· All eligible cases require review by a rescue veterinarian consultant
· Approval is dependent on available funds
· All eligible dogs must be approved by the Rescue coordinator and board of directors
There is an option on the donation form for NGWPR to direct your donation to the Oscar Medical Charity fund and all funds are tax-deductible.
Blog Dog, Duke (the dog previously known as Boris)
Regardless of your politics, if you are reading this, you probably like or love dogs, especially GWPs. Duke is 8 years old and was found deserted and lying on a sidewalk in a war zone in Ukraine. He was taken in by a rescue and adopted to a family in the US, but did not do well with their male dogs. He has been living in Wellston, Ohio with a foster/trainer who loves him and nicknamed him “happy feet.” She trained him in obedience, to stay in a crate, and to understand English. He is neutered, healthy, and needs to be in a home as an only pet. To see him live: https://www.facebook.com/GWPrescue/videos/9418229814901232
About Us
National GWP Rescue is a nationwide rescue program whose volunteers work tirelessly to provide funding, foster homes, medical care and training for GWPs found in shelters, animal control facilities and to those GWPs whose current owners are unable to provide a suitable situation.
Working hand- in-hand with governmental and local shelters, NGWPR provides a safe and responsible home for GWP’s in need. Placed with an experienced GWPCA member, fostered GWPs that have been neglected, untrained or have medical issues quickly blossom as they are readied for their “forever” homes.
Prior to releasing our rescued GWPs for adoption, volunteers provide obedience, manners, and house training. We hold to the philosophy that a mannerly dog has a better chance of fitting into a new household.
NGWPR believes that Wires were designed to hunt and unlike some other rescue programs, we are happy to place dogs with field experience or bird instinct with potential owners who enjoy hunting behind a Wire. However, NGWPR insists that any rescue dog first be a house dog and companion, then a weekend hunting partner.
Please go to our website to learn more.
http://www.nationalgwprescue.com/
