Yams

Meet Yams! Like so many of the senior dogs Old Dog Haven takes in, Yams was in desperate need of care. She had arrived at the shelter in terrible shape, underweight with a hideous skin condition and numerous mammary masses on both sides of her abdomen. The shelter did what they could to treat her skin infection, and she underwent spay surgery and the removal of half of her mammary tumors. Despite their efforts, a 14-year-old bully breed with ongoing medical issues, had a very slim chance of being adopted at a shelter. Shelter staff contacted Old Dog Haven in the hope that someone would open their heart and home to give her the love and care she needed.  We were overjoyed when one of our long-time fosters, with extensive experience in caring for dogs with skin issues, volunteered to take Yams after one look at that adorable face.

Yam’s new foster mom tells us she has only been home for five days, but she has fit right in with their Old Dog Haven pack and has really made herself comfortable! She tells us how Yam’s is adjusting to her forever home.

“When we heard about Yams and all that she had been through, we knew we had to help this sweet dog. When she arrived, you could tell she had been suffering from a major skin infection. She smelled like yeast, was missing most of the hair on her feet, stomach and neck and her skin was itchy and raw. Her teeth were worn down but even worse was the fact that this 14-year-old dog had never been spayed. Her mammary glands were saggy, enlarged and filled with potentially cancerous mammary tumors. It was obvious from her appearance that she had probably given birth to multiple litters of puppies and her medical needs had been neglected for a very long time. (**Your friendly reminder that spaying and neutering your pets prevents many different cancers and unwanted behaviors in dogs! **)

“Thanks to Old Dog Haven, Yams had her veterinary intake exam the very next day. She received X-rays, vaccines, additional antibiotics and treatment for an ear infection. Moving forward, she will need weekly medicated baths to resolve her chronic skin issues and most likely, some of the hair on her back might never grow in due to permanent follicle damage. Her teeth were also in bad shape and she will eventually need dental surgery to help her feel more comfortable.

“Even though Yams was battling many health issues, we were amazed that this old girl was so full of life. She is a very happy dog with a lovely personality and gets along great with the other foster dogs in our home. Yams is very gentle and loves to jump up on the couch to snuggle. If you leave the car door open, she hops right in, ready for her next adventure. She is also a very intelligent dog and knows all the commands like sit, down and shake, and shake and shake! She loves to explore the yard and can’t resist rolling around in the grass with a huge smile on her face. It has only been a week, but we are all madly in love with Yams. We are so thankful to everyone at Old Dog Haven for allowing her the second chance to receive the care and love she needs for the rest of her life.”

Yams is just one of over 300 senior dogs receiving lifelong medical care. all thanks to your generous support for Old Dog Haven.

Update: Yams foster family had to say goodbye to her after months of premium medical care and love. She looked and felt so much better in that time despite her failing health. She will be sorely missed.