Imagine living your entire life in a loving home where you were treated with nothing but kindness. Your world turns upside down when the only person you have ever loved passes away. Her family member takes you into her home, and all seems to get better, but after only a few months, she passes away as well. Fast forward and you find yourself out on the street – soaking wet, chilled to the bone, and scared. This was the reality for 15 year old Teddy and 13 year old Buffy.
Microchip information helped us to obtain the information you just read. However, no one knows where this senior duo has been in 7 months that they were “homeless” or what they had endured. As much as we want to know, there is a part of us that does not want to know. Teddy and Buffy came to us terrified and shut down. They were underweight, filthy, and in desperate need of medical care. Teddy was brought to the Emergency Vet for urgent care. He was severely disoriented, could barely walk, and was very dehydrated. His friend Buffy was completely distraught without him for the 2 days he was hospitalized (and we are very sure he was just as lost and devastated).
Reunited, this senior pair was relocated to our quieter dog shelter location where they could decompress and start their new journey together. As they settled in, Teddy and Buffy transformed into completely new dogs. Teddy no longer shows signs of a severe neurological condition that had initially been suspected. He has Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (doggy dementia) that our vet partner feels was intensified by the disorienting shuffling around (from the streets, to municipal pound, to the Emergency Vet, to the new shelter location). Both Teddy and Buffy have arthritis in their hips, but have started joint supplements and gentle daily exercise and excitedly look forward to their time in our play yard as well as for their daily walks. Buffy was diagnosed with Lyme Disease and is currently receiving antibiotic treatment.
Teddy and Buffy were definitely scared, not knowing what was next for them. But once they felt safe, they let the volunteers know with their first low, subtle tail wags which have progressed to full upright tail wag greetings when each volunteer shift arrives. This little pair has thrived with the shelter routine. Both have become enthusiastic eaters and have been gaining much needed weight. They have been bathed and have a well-deserved professional grooming “spa day” coming up soon. Buffy has even started playing with toys and gets “the zoomies” running as fast as she can. Teddy prefers to be a spectator to her silly ways while he enjoys slowly exploring and sniffing outdoors. We have promised Teddy and Buffy that we will find them the forever “soft landing” that they deserve, where they can live out their Golden Years together.
To date, Teddy and Buffy’s medical expenses have amounted to $2700 in the 3 weeks they have been with Protectors of Animals. Both of them will need full dental cleanings which will amount to an additional $1300. We are only able to provide this necessary care with continued donations from people like you!