Harper

In February of this year, Old Dog Haven was contacted about Harper, a 13-year-old bearded collie who was surrendered to a shelter when her owners had to move and couldn’t take her along. Sadly, this once-beautiful dog was in rough shape. She was underweight, her nails had grown so long they were curling into the pads of her feet, and her eyes were irritated from conjunctivitis. But the most concerning issue was her skin. She had lost most of the hair on her back and lower legs, and the exposed skin was red and raw, most likely due to an untreated flea allergy.

Fortunately, a long-time foster with lots of experience managing skin conditions stepped up to give Harper the home she needed to heal. Harper immediately went to her vet for an intake exam and was given injectable anti-itch medication, prescribed antibiotics, monthly flea medication, and medicated baths. Thanks to donations from our generous supporters, Harper will continue to get the care she needs to remain healthy and comfortable for the rest of her life.

Just two months later, Harper looks and acts like a different dog. Her foster mom describes the joy of watching a senior dog not just recover but truly come to life when given love and daily care.

“When we picked her up from the shelter that day, I could never have guessed how far Harper would come in such a short time. We had never seen a Bearded Collie come through rescue before, but it proves that no dog or breed is immune to becoming homeless or unadoptable. We quickly learned that Harper has all the characteristics of this lovely breed of dog. She is happy, friendly, and very vocal. During her first few weeks with us though, she was quiet and a little unsure of her new surroundings. But as her health improved and she started to trust us, her true personality began to show. After two months of weekly medicated baths, her soft, silky, black hair started growing back and she looks beautiful again. With nutritious food and supplements, she slowly gained weight and became more energetic. It is quite the sight to see her race around the yard at top speed, chasing birds, rolling in the grass, and barking with excitement. She loves going for walks, car rides, digging holes, and exploring the outdoors. She is such a joyous dog and loves to give licks and kisses to everyone she meets. Harper always has a huge smile on her face as if she understands how lucky she is to have found her forever home. It is truly so rewarding to watch her recovery and know she will always have the love of a forever family and everything she needs to live a wonderful life. We are so grateful to everyone who helps support Old Dog Haven’s important mission.”

 

 

Harper is sponsored by: