Bear

MARANDA FUND RECIPIENT

 

They say, “It takes a village.” This couldn’t be more true when it comes to our newest final refuge dog, “Bear.” Bear’s owner was being moved into memory care and this boy’s life was about to be turned upside down.  This blind, 13-year-old Pekingese, arrived to us as a chubby, blind boy—in desperate need of a haircut and a nail trim to start!   Just as we were figuring each other out, our kitchen flooded due to a faulty dishwasher, leaving us with a huge mess and a cleanup process that lasted months!  The stress of a completely new living environment combined with the loud noise of fans and construction proved to be just too much for sweet, little Bear.  He quit eating, had severe diarrhea, and lost four lbs. after only one week with us.  Fortunately, Old Dog Haven came to the rescue by connecting us with some very experienced temporary fosters, who got him into the ER to assess his situation.  The doctor found he had a severe case of pancreatitis, he then stayed at the ER for a week—resting, getting IV fluids, abdominal ultrasounds and monitoring before returning to his temporary foster home for continued rest and relaxation.  Bear is a fighter and a month later he returned back to our home feeling like a new dog.

As we stated before, Bear came to us blind.  His eyes required multiple drops for a severe case of dry eye.  While his previous owner clearly loved him, the task of keeping his eyes lubricated daily proved to be too much.  Once we got him stable and comfortable with his new surroundings, his vet team assessed his eyes and we were all in agreement that eye removal would be best for him.

Bear then received a successful eye removal surgery.   His new “look” was a little alarming but you could tell he felt so much better and after just a couple of weeks, his hair grew back in and today, most people don’t even realize he’s missing his eyes. He has our home layout memorized and can even let himself in and out of our dog door for a spacious, obstruction-free backyard.

Bear just had a check-up and besides the typical lumps and bumps many seniors get as they get into their teens, Bear is thriving.  His two siblings (one of which is Old Dog Haven foster, Pasta) help keep him young and his “little, big-bro” has been so protective of him since day one.  While he’s due for a dental exam and will most likely have some extractions, we know Old Dog Haven will not only be there monetarily but in spirit as well, answering any questions and quelling any nervousness.  He has had a summer filled with adventure; a week at a river cabin, multiple beach & river days and loves to go hiking. His favorite things are enjoying a new smell, new treats and being with his pack!

As you can tell, Bear has a lot of humans in his corner.    He is feeling so much better and has all the care he could ask for.  He’ll be 14, in December and we look forward to many more years after.  With the continued support from Old Dog Haven, we know many more healthy and fun years are to come!

Bear is sponsored by: