UPDATE ON RED! - THANK YOU TO ALL WHO DONATED TO RED'S FUND! - OUR BOY IS HOME AND SCHEDULED FOR HIP SURGERY

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

After close to 7 months in foster care with New England Director Liz Syring, Red our 3 year old Labradoodle boy with double hip dysplasia has not only found his forever home, he is finally scheduled for his first surgery in early April! 

Congratulations and heartfelt thanks to the Smith family of New York who after reading Red's story on Petfinder were so moved, they contacted us with a pledge to cover the entire cost of both of his surgeries! 

When we explained that DRC had raised over $2500 in funds towards the tremendously discounted $6000 cost of surgery, the Smith's refused our assistance and instead insisted that we use those monies to help heartworm positive dogs and other doodles in need.

The Smith's are no strangers to rescue and have over the years seen several of their rescue dogs through hip replacement surgery.  After meeting Red and introducing him to their beloved Golden Retriever Seamus, who also happens to suffer from hip dysplasia, this wonderful couple decided to make Red a permanent member of their family!

We could not ask for a more wonderful home and family for our special boy!....He truly hit the jackpot!

For the rest of his life, Red, along with his new family and rescue brother, will be spending 3 months each year  in New York, winters in Florida and 6 months a year on the Smith's beautiful 10 acre estate on the coast of Maine. He is currently enjoying the winter relaxing in sunny Florida with his new family and will return to NY in April for his first surgery.

A POSTCARD FROM RED

Jan 8, 2012, at 11:21 AM

HI!  Red has asked that I write to you since he hasn’t mastered e mails, yet.  Red is dictating.
 
"Boy, Liz what have you gotten me into!!!!  First I’m living with the strangest looking dog.  He has long straight gold fur that keeps dropping all over where ever we go.  He doesn't have curly doodle non shedding fur.
 
Second, we seem to be always on the move.  Whether it’s in an SUV, car or in and out of the house there is no rest except when we’re on the road.  I just kind of got use to Toni and Joe’s Whitestone home and their SUV when we got into a car and were on the road for 3 days.  We stayed in 2 different motels which meant 2 different beds.  That Seamus takes up a lot of space in the bed but I can hold my own once I get on board.  I don’t seem to mind car travel any more.  Many times they even caught me sleeping head to head with Seamus.  I’m not going to say we’re BFF  yet but I kind of take my cues from him.  If he goes out, I go out, if he doesn’t go out, neither do I.  We actually started to play together.
 
My new Mom and Dad told me we’ll send more photos soon.  

Here I am with Seamus on the sand behind the wall that goes around the  house and on the inside of the wall by the pool.  The water that you see is the Gulf.
 

There is a lot of grocery shopping and unpacking to do..  I just wanted to let you know I’m OK. I love my new family! And I am enjoying all of my new adventures.

Love,

Red"

 

RED'S STORY

For those of you not familiar with Red's story, he was surrendered to DRC because he was having difficulties in his former home with a family of first time dog owners with multiple small children. Always a bit shy and introverted since puppyhood, Red spent most of his young life in the care of nannies who basically crated him 24/7 and ignored his frantic, pleading cries for release.

Typically wonderful with humans particularly children, in his isolation, poor Red became more and more fearful, anxious and reactive to strangers and new situations. The behavior was eventually attributed to extreme separation anxiety.

In reality Red was suffering and in constant excruciating pain..... His former owners had been completely unaware of Red's condition.

It wasn't until we had Red in foster care that we started noticing he had an awkward gait when he would walk and run, a tendency to favor one side and a sensitivity to touch. We immediately had our local veterinarian x-ray Red and had our wonderful orthopedic veterinary specialists in Texas and Massachusetts evaluate the films.

Both specialists confirmed our worst fears. Severe hip dysplasia in not one but BOTH hips with replacement surgery the only option. They also confirmed that Red has probably been in pain his entire adult life.

The long term prognosis for Red once he has his surgeries is outstanding!  In the meantime his condition and his pain are being managed with a daily  regimen of Dasuquin, Glucosamine and Chondroitin, Metacam, Rimadyl, exercise and good nutrition.

Red has become a completely different dog now that his pain is being properly managed and he is receiving all of the love, time and attention he has always needed and so deserved. The change in him has been nothing short of miraculous and it gives all of us here at DRC so much joy to know that Red is finally home and will be enjoying the rest of his life!

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO DONATED TO RED'S FUND!

Updates to follow.

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

Oh Red I am so happy you are getting the surgery you so desperately needed and are living life as a happy dog with lots of adventures and a buddy to hang with.  Good luck with your surgery in April.  Doodles hugs and kisses are being sent your way xoxoxox

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

So Happy for Red. Yippee! Just think how wonderful his life is going to be, even better after he is all healed from his April surgery. Lucky Dog.

On another note are the Smiths in need of a Puppy Nanny, I work for puppy kisses and room and board for my family of 3 Tee Hee!

[Dori & Rua]

Happy Day!  What a wonderful post to wake up to.  Many blessings to everyone now involved in Red's life!  Rua sends kisses & licks to Red.

[Phoebe's Mom]

What a wonderful story and what amazing people the Smith's are.  It looks as though Red really did hit the jackpot and that he is in for a long life of happiness, travel, love and attention--not to mention a built-in playmate, too.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

So Happy for Red!!!!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I'm so happy for Red!  It sure sounds like he's with a perfect forever family, and will be leading a very exciting life.  I'm so relieved that his surgery is now scheduled, and he'll be able to put this all behind him really soon.  Thanks so much to Liz who has taken such wonderful care of Red while he was waiting for just the right new family.  Thank you Jacquie and everyone at DRC who helped to make this possible.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

First of all, I am so glad Red has found a wonderful home and seems to be doing so well. Thank you to everyone that helped Red along the way. Secondly, I want to know if the Smith family want to adopt me too :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

LOL, Laurie, me too!

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

Congratulations Red on hitting the jackpot!  Have a wonderful rest of your life.  You are one lucky doodle.

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

This story just warms my heart!! Red is one lucky dog and it appears that things could not possibly be any better for him! I hope his surgeries go as smoothly as possible and that he spends the rest of his days enjoying the 'good life!' I hope the Smiths will join DK so we can keep up with his adventures! Thank you DRC for making this change in Red's life a reality!

[Leslie and Halas]

Congratulations to Red and his new family!  I can't wait to hear about the surgery in April.  He's going to love his new, pain-free life!

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Wow what a great ending! A true jackpot!! Whata great feeling for you that he's finally getting the help he needs and a wonderful family who understands. Kudos to the Smith family!