UPDATE on Simba:
Simba's eye was not healing on it's own. His injury
was a separation/tear in the membrane
covering the eye which usually heals itself
in younger dogs, but the middle-aged and older
dogs often need to have the covering stitched in order
for it to heal. He had been on eye drops
and ointment long enough, and the tear was still not knitting
itself back together. The eye specialist
told us his eye
will feel as though there's a cramp in
it; so she sent him home with a medication to relax
the "cramp" and make him more comfortable, as well
as an antibiotic.
We scheduled the surgical repair which consisted of putting
a type of shield over his injured eye. The surgery
went well and Simba went home--his foster mom armed
with eye drops, pain medication and antibiotics.
He went back in a few times for
check-ups to insure his eye was healing well, which
it did. Simba was such a wonderful boy at the vet's
that she said he's one of the nicest German
Shepherds she's ever worked with!
Though the cost of Simba's medical
has run over $1000, we feel the same way that
another woman at the vet's office feels...She
remarked, "He's so sweet!" and we have to
agree. We think you will, too!
UPDATE from our Adoption
Coordinator 3/07
I am writing to update you on one of
our foster dogs, Simba. He is an 7 yr. old
male who is very
sweet and calm, who loves going for walks and being
outdoors. Recently he ran into a problem, literally,
while sniffing in the bushes on a walk. He
scratched the cornea of his right eye. We took
him to the vet and he was given some drops and
salve. The eye continued to weep and look
irritated. We then took him to an eye
specialist who said that what was happening was very
common in older dogs. The eye tissue does not
heal as fast and that of younger dogs. His
tissue on the outside layer of the cornea was
healing, but not the inside layers.
They gave him some new meds,
but they didn't work either, so Simba will need eye
surgery to close the wound. The visit and
surgery will cost approx. $775.00. This
is more than we expected but we do what needs to be
done to insure our foster dogs are healthy (and
happy!)
We just want you to know where some your donations
and fund raising efforts are going. He is a
fantastic, sweet dog who is deserving of a good life
in his forever home. Thank you all.
Laurie Keating
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If you love the big, hunky male
German Shepherds, Simba is the one for you! He is a
warm, soft, happy-with-your-company companion with
whom to read by the fire, go for leisurely strolls
through the freshly-fallen snow or putter around the
garden in springtime. He looks forward to his daily
walks and will pick up his foster Mom’s gloves as a
reminder that it’s time to go.
Simba loves being outside with
someone, and he has a lot of “staying inside” time
to make up for. His previous owner called our
Hotline and explained that she had moved into
elderly housing and no longer had a fenced yard.
She was allowed to keep Simba, but there was nowhere
to safely let him run around to play fetch. She
would take him outside on a leash, to take care of
his “business,” and then right back inside to just
lie around.
She had taken him to the vet,
because he had gained a lot of weight; and the vet
found that Simba is hypothyroid. Fortunately, a
daily dose of inexpensive medication keeps his
thyroid working properly. It will take regular
daily exercise to help Simba lose the extra pounds,
but he lost 4 of them already, during just a few
weeks of foster care.
While walking in the neighborhood,
Simba encounters other dogs on leash and some
running loose; he’s alert and interested but willing
to keep moving along. He does have a canine
playmate who visits occasionally, and the two of
them play chase games in the fenced yard.
There are three resident cats in
the foster home, and they have gradually become
comfortable around Simba. He believes in “live and
let live” and doesn’t bother the cats or their
dishes of cat food (he’s been taught to “leave it!”)
Simba’s winter coat is thick and
gorgeous, but his former owner told us that he has
seasonal allergies in hot weather. He can get a
rash on his abdomen and under his armpits, and will
likely need medication to control the allergic
reaction and possibly baths with a special shampoo
to help him feel more comfortable if that happens.
In all seasons and every day of
the year, Simba is the kind of companion who just
asks to be a part of your life. If you want some
exercise, he’s ready to go; if you have to run an
errand in the car, he’ll ride along with you; when
you want to sit and relax, he’s content to stretch
out at your feet. If you’re looking for a buddy,
please ask us about Simba!
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