Steffie and Charlie

Steffie (black Brussels Griffon) and Charlie (white Maltese mix) needed a new home because their Mom could no longer care for them.  We were looking to add to our family with another Old Dog Haven foster dog and were told about Charlie and we were very interested in having him join our family.  It seems it was felt that he might be the hardest to find a home for.  Charlie was born with only a stump for his left front leg and his right front leg is not fully formed although he can support himself, sort of.  We felt that since Charlie weighs just under 7 pound he would be easy to carry around, getting him in and out for potty breaks and where ever else he desired to go.  We agreed to take Charlie but found out that there was also another dog in the home, an 8.5 pounder that would also be needing a home, we could not split them up although it was felt it would be okay to do so, we agreed to take Steffie also.

We had not talked to Sissy Alice (our current Old Dog Haven Foster dog) yet as we truly wanted it to be a surprise.  We are so glad that we agreed to take both dogs, Sissy Alice is okay with them being here but mostly ignores them both and although Charlie and Steffie are not closely bonded, they look for each other and Steffie will sleep next to Charlie’s dog bed.  They have both adjusted to the living arrangement change and are very happy to now be sleeping on a queen size bed with a human.  Both dogs came with skin issues so twice weekly baths are in their current life and future.

We have learned that Charlie can get around, he has managed to hobble across the living room to find out what is happening on the other big dog bed by the slider and has now started to roll on his back for belly rubs.  Charlie is pretty bald and although we have heard that bald is beautiful, we are hopeful that with proper nutrition and care his coat will start to grow back.  His skin is pretty scaly yet but in just the short time he has been with us it is clearing up and we have seen improvement.

Steffie came to us with terrible eyes, green goop and hair stuck under her eyelids but with soaking, rinsing and lubrication they are greatly improved.  Steffie has chronic dry eye which is not curable so she will require eye meds 3 times a day for life and the area around the eyes free from fur and kept clean.  Because her dry eye was not treated for so long, she is nearly blind, we will learn more when she sees the canine ophthalmologist.  Her skin was not as severely damaged as Charlie but she also has scaly patches that bathing will help.

Both dogs have had their intake exams with a veterinarian thanks to Old Dog Haven and those who sponsor and donate to Old Dog Haven, plans have been made to start them on their way to a healthier life full of love and pampering, which has already begun.

Steffie and Charlie is sponsored by: