12/23/2023
On this 19th day of Care, Comfort and Joy we update you on the inspiring story of a very resilient little dog named Percy. You might remember our urgent plea from earlier this year about a senior dog in horrific condition that was found as a stray and taken to a shelter. Percy's condition was shocking and we were told he looked like a walking skeleton. He was severely emaciated, covered in fleas, missing much of his hair and had painful open sores all over his body. Shelter staff soon realized that Percy had been adopted from the same shelter 5 years earlier, weighing 14 lbs and now he weighed only 6 lbs! Old Dog Haven was contacted in hopes of giving Percy the desperate medical care he needed and a safe place for him to recover. No one was sure if he would be able to survive after suffering such neglect but we were determined to do anything we could to help him.
Once he arrived with his permanent final refuge family, Percy was prescribed weekly medicated baths and was put on a special feeding schedule of small frequent meals to help him gradually gain weight. He had many vet visits, an ultrasound, and bloodwork done which revealed an enlarged liver, limited vision in one of his eyes, and pancreatic issues. Recently he was also diagnosed with Cushing's disease and was started on medication to manage his symptoms.
Ten months later, we are happy to report that despite all that he has been through, nothing slows Percy down. He has put the past behind him and now spends his days exploring the yard and napping with his Old Dog Haven siblings. He is also known for sneaking a bite of food out of their bowls! His foster mom shares with us how he is doing today.
"Percy is doing very well. His skin has finally healed, his weight is up to normal and his hair is almost grown back. He's very independent, friendly with everyone and enjoys being part of our gang of pooches. My friends and family, who have seen Percy since the beginning, are amazed at how good he looks now. You just wouldn't know what he has been through. He's our man of steel and this sweetheart just continues to make us laugh and we are better for having him in our lives."
Percy is the perfect example of what Old Dog Haven does for neglected senior dogs and shows us the remarkable transformations that can happen with love and proper vet care. With your support, we will make sure every one of the 335 senior dogs at Old Dog Haven will continue to receive care, comfort and so much joy every day for the rest of their lives!
Thank you to the many foster homes, volunteers, vet staff, supporters and donors who continue to help us give old dogs new beginnings. We couldn't do it without your help!
