Hellow

Hi Dogster pals! I finally get to speak for myself...yay. I'm feeling really great and you can't deny that I look really great, too! Yup, I've filled into my sexy spotted skin. Last Saturday, the food police took me to an adoption event (noww they're getting picky about what I eat, but I bet my brown eyes can get me back to the gravy!) Anyway, my mind wandered to food; like any puppy. At this adoption event thing, I saw the ladies that saved me again and we all sat down for that bright light. Lots of nice people talked to me in little baby voices, some asked, "What happened to him?" The AARF ladies told the whole tale to whoever asked. Oh, my favorite part was that four legged lab fellow called Rudy. We wrestled around and tried to knock each other down. We got all tangled up in our leashes. The humans were laughing too. They kept untangling us. It was so fun. I heard Rudy got his new family the next day. I hope my new family has a dog that likes to wrestle and play. I'm not too rough but I like to really get in there. When playtime is done, Move!, that spot on the couch is mine. Anyway, my leg is still sore...snicker, snicker.

Come see me next Saturday. We're going to that adoption event thing again. I'll let the human finish...

frankie out.

AARF, Franklin and some of our other dogs available for adoption will be at the PetsMart, Brook Road accross from Virginia Center Commons Mall in Richmond, Virginia from 12 - 3 PM on 1/31/09!

Preparing Frankie

As bittersweet as it is for us, the time has arrived for Franklin to be presented for adoption. We all know he will make some lucky family very happy. He made a brief visit to the adoption event a few weeks ago. All the busyness was a little overwhelming; but we wondered, "How will he do with other dogs?" He was cautious then as social as they come. He loved everyone oooing and ahhhing over his handsome appearance.

We'll begin responding to all inquiries for adoption and post his latest greatest picture very soon. Thank you all for keeping him in your prayers.

All Set

From Franklin's foster daddy:
Happy New Year to all. Franklin is doing so well and is really starting to shine. He is a silly puppy and his mental state is pretty much what you would expect from a dog his age. We weighed him yesterday and he is up to 35 lbs!!! He has definitely come a long way from the 18lbs he weighed on that day that Kathie brought him to Locke Taylor's. He did have a bought of the runs last week so we took a fecal to Dr. Taylor's for a follow-up worm test as he had whip and hooks when he was first rescued. Last week's test came back negative, so they sent us home with some metronidazole to help firm him up and settle his tummy. His stools are much better and he should finish that treatment tomorrow. His head is looking great with hair coming back and everything. There is still a little seam from the stitches/scar but we are hopeful that will cover over with time. Also, his leg looks better every day, with the fresh skin slowly closing the gap. There is still some puffiness in that leg, but what can you expect when the ligaments were as torn as they were.

He has great energy and gets so excited when it's time to play. He is learning to sit, stay and fetch and he plays wonderfully. We take him on frequent walks to get some exercise and work the leg. He truly is a joy. He is trying to assert himself as a lap dog and will gladly jump up and share your seat with you (and then try to stiff-arm you out of it). He likes the cats and probably wishes they had as much a desire to play with him as he does with them. They put up with his energy and antics well and hide upstairs when they've had enough.

Steve, Thanks for the pix! I hope you don't mind me posting your "mug"...lol.

Happy New Year!!

12-29-08 A very Happy New Year to all Franklin's buddies! He's doing very, very well. He puts the biggest grin on my face. I stopped into the vet's office last week and picked up Frankie's bill ($800 to date and worth every penny). Yippee, he and "Santa" Steve were there for a wound check! I have excellent timing :). Franklin looked spectacular. The wound on his head has healed remarkably fast. His leg will take a little bit longer. I had not posted the picture of the horrific wound to his leg; it was worse than his head. He's now wearing a bandage less to get the air to it. It remains tender as the healing process continues. He exudes pup-anlity!
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This rescue was the cherry on top of a terrific 2008! My thanks for the good wishes from all of our Dogster.com friends and I hope Franklin's story has warmed your heart as it has mine. We'll continue to post his progress as he moves closer to the day when he will be available for adoption and the happy home life that all our fur friends deserve.

On the Mend

12/16/2008 - From Franklin's foster mom, "Frankie is doing really well. He's actually climbed over our baby gate by our stairs and climbed all the way up the stairs a few times. His head is healing great. A couple of accidents at nighttime in his crate, but nowhere else. His poop is starting to form but still soft for now. We're still feeding him a mix of rice/chicken and then some puppy dry three times a day. He's definitely gaining weight which is good. Gets along great with the cats."

Franklin spent the day at the vets office on Monday so his leg could "air" out and get a shiny new bandage. It's lime green this time; pink is for the girls!

I might be brave enough to pick up his vet bill today :). Whatever the amount, he is worth it! We sincerely appreciate the donations made on his behalf. AND we pray you will keep them coming. If only I could beg as well as my dogs do...lol.

www.aarf.org - Link to Online Donations
or mail us at:
Animal Adoption and Rescue Foundation
P.O. Box 15262
Richmond, VA 23227

Big Hearts

12/11/08 This morning Franklin's story was circulated among our rescue volunteers and local rescue community via email. I quickly responded when a few emails trickled in inquiring about where he was, etc. I was so busy at work I was unable to make my lunchtime visit with Franklin...sigh. He's been on my mind all day. I checked my phone messages on the way to the vet that evening and SURPRISE! Franklin has been discharged and is at the foster home of Steve and Tara. They are such a blessing; I couldn't have hoped for better foster parents. I swung by for a visit. As I entered the kitchen, I saw Franklin checking out his gigantic crate and tussling his new squeaky toy from side to side. I'm not big on public displays of emotion, I felt a lump in my throat and blinked back the tears. Franklin's head wound was stitched up and looked remarkable. Today he'd been neutered, received all his shots and had a thorough scrub and stitch of his wounds. He was hobbling around amidst the kitties getting used to the full bandage on his front leg. OMG - 3 days ago he was nearly gone, now he's a lively goofy puppy. As Steve prepared Franklins ground beef and rice dinner, he sat attentively nearby with the nose in the air (I cannot say patiently). He did his best to squeeze under the child gates to get to the kitty's dinner while his was "browning". He was hungry.

Franklin was gingerly fitted with a plastic bag over his leg bandage in order to protect it from the rain, as he and his foster parents escorted me out to my car.

As Tara and I chatted, we heard Steve proclaim from the yard, "He's peeing." ROTFLOL. I hope he continues to recognize the outdoors as his potty.

Franklin will be on a course of antibiotics, dressing changes every other day and check-ins with the vet. We cannot wait to see him strut his stuff at future adoption events!

2nd Visit

12/10/2008 - Fluids continue, as do the wound cleaning sessions. Franklin is a real Casanova! He's wooing all the ladies and the men are growing fond of him as well. He showed marked improvement from yesterday; leaning up and eagerly kissing anyone willing to get close enough. Of course, I couldn't resist getting my share of licks; I practically crawled into the kennel. I wanted to wrap my arms around him and take him home immediately! Bella, my bossy little daschund, would not approve of a new houseguest and Tonka, my high strung Westie, would challenge him to play, play, play. Not exactly the recuperative home Franklin will be needing. Therefore, our search for a foster home will kick into high gear tonight. From all appearances, I'd expect Franklin to be discharged after the weekend.

First Visit

12/9/2008 - I visited Franklin at the vet's office today. He's a survivor. His wounds had an initial cleaning and his IV line will continue. The vet techs attest to his sweet personality. He gave them no trouble at all. As I knelt down and opened the kennel door, he rolled his eyes up to look at me but didn't have the strength to lift up his head. Then I heard a continuous thump - his tail! Franklin was wagging it with all he had. The blue foam on his head is an antiseptic. Tomorrow, there will be more wound cleaning and our fingers crossed for continued improvement. The video is from this visit.

Got Him

12/8/2008 - He was spotted again late this Monday afternoon. With daylight gone and freezing temps setting in; we zipped up our coats and set out on our mission. Our tools: a few slip leashes tied together, a can of dog food, determination and two kind Richmond Police standing by to protect us. We were able to coax him from his home; an impressively deep hole, hidden to the casual observer. With three animal rescuers clucking and cooing in the dark, Franklin slowly hobbled along the fence to a sizable gap near a ditch. As he drew closer, his injuries became evident. He had been hit by a car days ago; suffering wounds to his front leg and head. He was skin and bones and barely able to walk. With leashes poised and our offer of beefy gravy in hand, we steadied ourselves for the grab and braced for the bite. Franklin leaned under the fence and through the noose of the leash to taste our treat. We had him! As soon as we tugged him through the hole, he fell onto the ground and into my heart.

We bundled up this frail dog and placed him gently in the car to enjoy the rest of the food. I feared it was too late. In the harsh light of the vet's office, his future seemed grim. Luckily, the veterinarian was optimistic. His leg was not broken, his infection could be controlled and he's fairly young. He was hypothermic with a temperature of only 91 degrees. "Let's get some warm fluids going and see how he does tonight" said Dr. Owens, Locke A. Taylor Animal Hospital, Richmond, VA.

The cost of Franklin's hospitalization and veterinary care will be considerable. Please consider a donation to AARF (Animal Adoption & Rescue Foundation) on behalf of Franklin.
AARF is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Donations are tax deductible.
Visit www.aarf.org - upper right link to: Online Donations

Dog in Danger

12/6/2008 - AARF volunteers, Cassie and Chris, spotted Franklin huddled in an unoccupied trailer storage yard on the opposite side of a barbed wire fence on Saturday. A report was made to our local animal control facility. Over the next few days, we kept an eye out for this wounded soul.