United Rescues of Kentucky, Inc.
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Miracle's Story
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6/24
We have been woefully slow updating on Patton, but here is the latest sent by his rescue mom last week!
4/25 Per Patton's foster mom: Just wanted to let everyone know that Patton had his first dose of Heartguard on Tuesday and he did great with it. He still has a few more weeks of having to stay fairly quiet, but he has been able to go out and spend some time with the calm, small foster dogs here. In two months he'll be re-tested and we pray that he will get a negative result at that time. Thanks again to everyone for your donations, thoughts, prayers and well wishes!
Patton in his new 'loungewear'
4/1 Patton is continuing his heartworm treatments and is doing well. We have learned though that when in the sun he will need to wear tee shirts in the summer, and sweatshirts in the winter, to protect his new skin from sunburn. Some of you have asked where to send tee shirts for Patton. You can mail them to URKY, 1708 Houndstooth Glen, Lexington, KY 40515 and we'll get them to him. New pics shortly! Thanks!
3/15 update from his foster mom:
2/15 Update: Per Patton/Miracle's foster mom, he is doing well. Just see at how good he is looking; his skin is healing remarkably well! The sorrowful part is that he will go to the vet next week to discuss the beginning of his heartworm treatment. Hold this little one in prayer, light and good thought that he can tolerate this new misery in his life. Thank you
2/3 update from his foster, who is with SCHS: I am very sad to be sending this update. I am heart broken and very, very angry. He's been thriving in foster care, but he was heartworm tested yesterday and tested a strong positive. We did not test him initially because we knew that he could not withstand treatment at that time. Heartworm treatment is very hard on the dog, and will be especially hard on poor Patton- who has already been through way too much in his short life. This treatment is going to be an extra long process for little Patton. Although we have shed many tears over this and we are all heartbroken, Patton doesn't know that anything is different than it was before the results came in. He knows that he got to go on a trip yesterday and got to meet lots of nice people who loved on him. He has shown us that he has a strong will to live and I know that he will make it through this as well- he HAS to! Patton will remain in my home throughout this process. I do have experience caring for dogs going through heartworm treatment and we have a wonderful vet whom I trust completely with his care. This development does make his recovery time much, much longer than previously anticipated. I am thankful that URKY and SCHS were able to work together with the help of so many people around the United States to save this little guy! If you would like to donate to his treatment and care, we have set up a donation button on his Petfinder.com page here: PATTONS PAGE AT SCHS Every dollar makes a difference. We greatly appreciate any and every donation. Please keep the prayers and well wishes coming for this little guy, he needs all the positive thoughts he can get! Thanks everyone for all the well wishes!
2/2 update: It is with a heavy heart that we give this update. Miracle/Patton today had a high positive test result for Heartworm. Now he is going to have to suffer that treatment, which will be riskier for him than with a healthier dog (it's not easy for any of them). He was not initially tested because it was not known if he would live when we first took custody of him, and his immune system would not have tolerated the treatment. The treatment will be very hard on him and his immune system must be built up further before it begins; we have all shed tears over this today, because he has already come through so much misery.....it has broken his foster mom's heart, as she has seen first hand all he has already suffered......thank you.
Many have asked about adopting Miracle/Patton. Here is information on that subject. Per his foster:
New skin growth
12/22/09 update from his foster: Patton saw the vet today. She said that his wound is shrinking and there is
beautiful new skin all the way around the edge of the burned area. There is a bigger patch of beautiful new skin at the top of the burn. When I get home I will try to get some pictures of it. His ear is strangely shaped and I thought that it was going to come off, but the vet said that it does still have blood supply, so it may just be
strangely shaped. The tail is healing well.Thanks for all the good thoughts and prayers! His foster also tells URKY that he is a smart little boy; standing to wait to be picked up just right. He is still very much afraid of activity he isn't familiar with, and has a long, long way to come, but he is making a great start on his journey.
12/15/09 update from his foster: Hi all. Patton (Miracle) saw the vet today. She said the burned area does appear to be healing well right now. We are continuing with the current course of treatment. She did look at the tail and said that it was cut off recently. Everyone wonders how this little guy can be so sweet when he's been so horribly tortured. On a good note, he's feeling better. There is a little more pep in his step and he trots to me now when I call him instead of slowly walking. He loves to sit with me on the couch and loves to be petted and scratched. Tomorrow he gets to have a bath (excluding the burned areas). I am sure that he will be happy to be clean! I will continue to send out updates, but I will have to cut back on them just a little. I will send them once or twice a week unless there is a big change in his condition. Thanks so much to everyone who has donated money, time, and especially to those who are continuing to keep him in their thoughts and prayers. He is a very special little guy.
12/12 update from his foster mom: Hi all, I just wanted to send out a quick update. This little guy is doing fine today. He still has a good appetite and loves to get out and walk in the yard. He wants to roll in the grass, but knows that he can't roll on the burned side. He likes to come out of his crate and does not like to go back in it! He is resting comfortably in his big plush bed when he is in the crate. He met my black lab through the fence, sniffed her and walked on.
We have learned that Miracle, now being called 'Patton', also has a jaw that was broken in two places and healed badly on it's own. He has been blinded in one eye, and, his tail is cut off. This boy has suffered mighty abuse. There is a reward for information on the person who did these things to him.
6/24
Thanks so much to everyone who has been praying and sending out well wishes for Patton. I am extremely happy to report that Patton has tested negative for Heartworm! Thankfully his treatment was successful and he doesn't have to endure any further treatment!
Patton will be able to be neutered in November (he has to wait until 8 months after treatment for it to be safe for him to go under anesthesia)
Patton is doing fantastic. He has learned several "tricks". Below you can see him "shaking" hands with me. And one of him "dancing" for the treat. He'll do just about anything for a treat! He LOVES toys, especially those little loofa toys. We can't keep enough of those in the house for him! He is doing well with the other dogs, but he'll pounce on them if they jump up on me (which happens fairly often since I do have some Boston terriers here LOL) He takes correction well and will back off when told.
Patton will be at the Grand Opening of the new Shelby County Humane Society Mary Gaylord McClean Spay/neuter clinic in Shelbyville, Ky this Saturday between 2pm-5pm to meet and greet people. He LOVES to meet new people. He greeted each person that came into the clinic on Tuesday- it's amazing how much this little guy loves people after all he's been through!
We have been woefully slow updating on Patton, but here is the latest sent by his rescue mom last week!
5/27 Patton is doing great! He's been going for walks with us in the neighborhood- which is a slow processes because he has to stop and pee on every blade of grass :-) He is playing with some of the other dogs, but we have to watch him because he can get a little too rough with them. Patton loves toys, as you can see in the pictures below. He had his second dose of heartgard this week and will be re-tested for heartworms in about a month. Please pray that the treatment was 100% successful and he tests negative this time! The chihuahua mix he's playing with is also a foster dog- she came with 5 puppies who are all weaned and she is now looking for a home of her own. Her name is Ginger. Thanks again to everyone for their prayers and well wishes- they have really helped little Patton!
4/25 Per Patton's foster mom: Just wanted to let everyone know that Patton had his first dose of Heartguard on Tuesday and he did great with it. He still has a few more weeks of having to stay fairly quiet, but he has been able to go out and spend some time with the calm, small foster dogs here. In two months he'll be re-tested and we pray that he will get a negative result at that time. Thanks again to everyone for your donations, thoughts, prayers and well wishes!
Patton in his new 'loungewear'4/1 Patton is continuing his heartworm treatments and is doing well. We have learned though that when in the sun he will need to wear tee shirts in the summer, and sweatshirts in the winter, to protect his new skin from sunburn. Some of you have asked where to send tee shirts for Patton. You can mail them to URKY, 1708 Houndstooth Glen, Lexington, KY 40515 and we'll get them to him. New pics shortly! Thanks!
3/15 update from his foster mom:
Patton is still doing great. Here are a couple of pictures from yesterday- he just has one small area that is still open and healing.
From his foster: Miracle/Patton is doing well. He started his heartworm treatment last Tuesday. He had one injection and will be on complete rest for 4 weeks before continuing treatment. He was very sore after the injection and had to have some pain medicine. He's handing everything well. His skin continues to heal. There are a few problems spots that are healing slowly, but still healing. We discovered that he does have a bark :-) He saw a feral cat in a trap and barked at the cat when it moved (he lives with cats and gets along fine with them!) He definitely has a beagle bark!
2/15 Update: Per Patton/Miracle's foster mom, he is doing well. Just see at how good he is looking; his skin is healing remarkably well! The sorrowful part is that he will go to the vet next week to discuss the beginning of his heartworm treatment. Hold this little one in prayer, light and good thought that he can tolerate this new misery in his life. Thank you
2/3 update from his foster, who is with SCHS: I am very sad to be sending this update. I am heart broken and very, very angry. He's been thriving in foster care, but he was heartworm tested yesterday and tested a strong positive. We did not test him initially because we knew that he could not withstand treatment at that time. Heartworm treatment is very hard on the dog, and will be especially hard on poor Patton- who has already been through way too much in his short life. This treatment is going to be an extra long process for little Patton. Although we have shed many tears over this and we are all heartbroken, Patton doesn't know that anything is different than it was before the results came in. He knows that he got to go on a trip yesterday and got to meet lots of nice people who loved on him. He has shown us that he has a strong will to live and I know that he will make it through this as well- he HAS to! Patton will remain in my home throughout this process. I do have experience caring for dogs going through heartworm treatment and we have a wonderful vet whom I trust completely with his care. This development does make his recovery time much, much longer than previously anticipated. I am thankful that URKY and SCHS were able to work together with the help of so many people around the United States to save this little guy! If you would like to donate to his treatment and care, we have set up a donation button on his Petfinder.com page here: PATTONS PAGE AT SCHS Every dollar makes a difference. We greatly appreciate any and every donation. Please keep the prayers and well wishes coming for this little guy, he needs all the positive thoughts he can get! Thanks everyone for all the well wishes!
2/2 update: It is with a heavy heart that we give this update. Miracle/Patton today had a high positive test result for Heartworm. Now he is going to have to suffer that treatment, which will be riskier for him than with a healthier dog (it's not easy for any of them). He was not initially tested because it was not known if he would live when we first took custody of him, and his immune system would not have tolerated the treatment. The treatment will be very hard on him and his immune system must be built up further before it begins; we have all shed tears over this today, because he has already come through so much misery.....it has broken his foster mom's heart, as she has seen first hand all he has already suffered......thank you.
Many have asked about adopting Miracle/Patton. Here is information on that subject. Per his foster:
Thanks to everyone for your continuing good thoughts for Patton. He is doing great. We have had more than 50 emails from people inquiring about adopting him! The outpouring of love and support for this little guy has been amazing. We are not planning on taking any adoption applications on him for quite some time. He has a lot of healing to do. While I have fallen in love with him, I have decided that it's not fair for him to have to live in a home with so many other dogs as I already have four of my own. Ideally we are looking for a home for Patton with no more than one or two other dogs. He is a little guy, only 17 lbs, so we don't want to put him with dogs that are too much bigger than he. He tends to get a more nervous when the bigger ones come toward him. We are unsure how he will be during regular interaction with other dogs because he remains separated due to his open wounds. We would also like to see him go to a home with children, as 7 year old girls are his very favorite thing. He would stay with my daughter all day long if I would let him. I learn new things about him all the time and will continue to evaluate him until he's ready to go to his forever home. The person who does adopt him must agree to:
1) Remain ANONYMOUS. This is for Patton's safety.
2) Allow follow up visits for us with Patton to make sure that he continues to thrive.
He is a very special boy and has been through so much in his life. He deserves the very best. Once he is ready for his forever home, we will let everyone interested know through the updates and we will begin processing applications.
1/28/10 update from foster: Patton is doing great. His skin continues to heal and he's coming out of his shell more and more. He's been out to meet some new people and visit new places. We are still being very careful to avoid infection in the areas that are still healing. His jaw is healing nicely and his tail has completely healed. Patton loves children and does well with the other dogs; although his interaction with other dogs is still very limited. He pays little to no attention to the cats in his foster home. He loves to snuggle with his foster family.
1/23/10 update: Miracle aka Patton continues to thrive under his foster mom's incredible care! These new pics show you how much more new skin he has. These were taken just before his foster was going to bathe him, so hes a little mucky from his treatment. His mom says he has come a long way in his socialization and is better handling meeting strangers. I'm sure we'll get a more personal update from his foster mom soon. She says he is just a joy. Thanks to all for your continued support, donations, interest and help.
1/23
1/14/10 update from foster mom: Hi all. Patton is doing fantastic! His burned area is shrinking and he's generating lots of new skin! His tail is almost completely healed. Patton is doing better with traveling to new places. He's been able to go to some new places and meet new people. I still have to be very careful about where I take him because he is still susceptible to infection, but I want to get him out around people and make sure that he meets lots of NICE people! Thank you for your continued support and well wishes!
1/7/10 update from foster: Patton is doing great! You won't believe the amount of new skin he has now. He loves to roll- I'm sure it's partially because the burn itches as it is healing. He won't be seeing the vet this week. He is healing well and it's not necessary for him to see the vet this time. Postscript: Per URKY, no evidence has been turned in to indicate who might have done this to him.
1/1/10 update from URKY: Many thanks to all of you who have responded to the recent news stories regarding Miracle (aka Patton by his foster mom). We have had dozens of offers to adopt Miracle, a few people who have claimed to own him, but no tips yet as to his abuser. We wanted to let all know that Miracle is a long way from being at the point where he can go to an adopter. When it is time to take applications for his adoption, we'll post that info here. The adopter will have to agree to remain anonymous, allow us to follow his progress and do home visits, and will have to be able to pay for his ongoing medical care; we don't know what the future holds for him healthwise. Thanks to all who have offered to help him, and to those who have donated to his care - thank you and happy new year to all - let's hope that 2010 brings far less abuse cases, and far more enacted animal friendly laws in this state.
12/30/09 update from his foster mom:
1/23/10 update: Miracle aka Patton continues to thrive under his foster mom's incredible care! These new pics show you how much more new skin he has. These were taken just before his foster was going to bathe him, so hes a little mucky from his treatment. His mom says he has come a long way in his socialization and is better handling meeting strangers. I'm sure we'll get a more personal update from his foster mom soon. She says he is just a joy. Thanks to all for your continued support, donations, interest and help.
1/231/14/10 update from foster mom: Hi all. Patton is doing fantastic! His burned area is shrinking and he's generating lots of new skin! His tail is almost completely healed. Patton is doing better with traveling to new places. He's been able to go to some new places and meet new people. I still have to be very careful about where I take him because he is still susceptible to infection, but I want to get him out around people and make sure that he meets lots of NICE people! Thank you for your continued support and well wishes!
1/7/10 update from foster: Patton is doing great! You won't believe the amount of new skin he has now. He loves to roll- I'm sure it's partially because the burn itches as it is healing. He won't be seeing the vet this week. He is healing well and it's not necessary for him to see the vet this time. Postscript: Per URKY, no evidence has been turned in to indicate who might have done this to him.
1/1/10 update from URKY: Many thanks to all of you who have responded to the recent news stories regarding Miracle (aka Patton by his foster mom). We have had dozens of offers to adopt Miracle, a few people who have claimed to own him, but no tips yet as to his abuser. We wanted to let all know that Miracle is a long way from being at the point where he can go to an adopter. When it is time to take applications for his adoption, we'll post that info here. The adopter will have to agree to remain anonymous, allow us to follow his progress and do home visits, and will have to be able to pay for his ongoing medical care; we don't know what the future holds for him healthwise. Thanks to all who have offered to help him, and to those who have donated to his care - thank you and happy new year to all - let's hope that 2010 brings far less abuse cases, and far more enacted animal friendly laws in this state.
12/30/09 update from his foster mom:
Hi all. Just wanted to send out a quick update on Patton. He's doing great. He has a lot of new skin. He has some hair growing in small patches in the new skin and has some random hairs popping up here and there in the burned area. The white areas are new skin- that patch at the top of the burn is great; it's a big patch of new skin. His tail is healing nicely too. Now that he's settled in and feeling better, I was able to take a couple of pictures of his mouth so that you can see how bad the breaks were.
New skin growth 12/22/09 update from his foster: Patton saw the vet today. She said that his wound is shrinking and there is
beautiful new skin all the way around the edge of the burned area. There is a bigger patch of beautiful new skin at the top of the burn. When I get home I will try to get some pictures of it. His ear is strangely shaped and I thought that it was going to come off, but the vet said that it does still have blood supply, so it may just be
strangely shaped. The tail is healing well.Thanks for all the good thoughts and prayers! His foster also tells URKY that he is a smart little boy; standing to wait to be picked up just right. He is still very much afraid of activity he isn't familiar with, and has a long, long way to come, but he is making a great start on his journey.
12/15/09 update from his foster: Hi all. Patton (Miracle) saw the vet today. She said the burned area does appear to be healing well right now. We are continuing with the current course of treatment. She did look at the tail and said that it was cut off recently. Everyone wonders how this little guy can be so sweet when he's been so horribly tortured. On a good note, he's feeling better. There is a little more pep in his step and he trots to me now when I call him instead of slowly walking. He loves to sit with me on the couch and loves to be petted and scratched. Tomorrow he gets to have a bath (excluding the burned areas). I am sure that he will be happy to be clean! I will continue to send out updates, but I will have to cut back on them just a little. I will send them once or twice a week unless there is a big change in his condition. Thanks so much to everyone who has donated money, time, and especially to those who are continuing to keep him in their thoughts and prayers. He is a very special little guy.
12/13/09 update from his foster: Hi all. Miracle (who we call Patton now) is doing well. He doesn't like it when I have to put the honey on him, but he handles it like a champ. I know it must hurt when I have to touch that area. Yesterday he seemed a little more painful, but this morning he was back to walking the whole yard again before wanting to come back in. The dead skin is coming off on its own. He will see the vet again on Tuesday for another check up. I noticed when I got him home the first day that his tail was only about 3/4 the normal length. I finally got down and looked at it yesterday and it looks as though it has been cut off. The end is scabbed a bit. This poor little guy has had a rough life, but he's a spunky little guy. One of my foster cats has decided that she likes to lay next to his crate. His crate is covered by a sheet, so she lays on the other side of the sheet between his crate and the wall. Thanks everyone, please continue to keep this little guy in your thoughts!
12/12 update from his foster mom: Hi all, I just wanted to send out a quick update. This little guy is doing fine today. He still has a good appetite and loves to get out and walk in the yard. He wants to roll in the grass, but knows that he can't roll on the burned side. He likes to come out of his crate and does not like to go back in it! He is resting comfortably in his big plush bed when he is in the crate. He met my black lab through the fence, sniffed her and walked on.
We have learned that Miracle, now being called 'Patton', also has a jaw that was broken in two places and healed badly on it's own. He has been blinded in one eye, and, his tail is cut off. This boy has suffered mighty abuse. There is a reward for information on the person who did these things to him.
12/10 update:
Rose went to the clinic and had him released and then she and a friend made the drive to Shelbyville/Louisville to his foster home. His foster took him to the vet and the good news is that it looks as if he will NOT need to be sedated to have more debriding performed. I've attached a collage of photos the foster sent me. The top photo has just a partial picture of his head but he's so cute that I wanted you to be able to see part of his face. PCHS also told me that they have been contacted by a vet at the University of Minnesota to discuss skin grafts if needed. Continue to keep Miracle in your prayers. He's not totally safe yet - just need to make sure he doesn't develop an infection - the biggest risk with burns.
Rainey
Per foster mom 12/09:
Hi all. I wanted to let you know that Miracle is here, settled in and safe. He ate, barely waited for me to put the dish down before digging in!
Our vet put him BACK on pain meds. He'll stay on the Baytril as well. We are treating the wounds with honey (I know, sounds strange, but it's good stuff).
The vet doesn't feel like we need to sedate him and remove any of the dead tissue at this time. Right now it looks like it will be better to leave it alone and let it fall off on its own. I just have to keep an eye on it and make sure it's not getting worse.
His jaw has been broken in at least two places. It looks bad, but doesn't seem to affect his eating at all. His eye is shriveled up, but unless it starts to drain, it doesn't require any special care at this time.
He is a VERY sweet boy despite all he has been through.
Thanks to everyone who has helped this little guy! He appears to be 1-2 years old and weighs just under 17lbs.
This morning’s update 12/10:
Per his foster mom: Hi all. Miracle is doing well today. He will whine a little when he needs to go out to go potty. He likes to walk through the yard and last night he was using one of the bushes to scratch (like a horse). He has a good appetite. When I go in his room, he gets up and greets me. He comes out of his crate and waits for me to wrap his blanket around him and pick him up. He goes out in the side yard that is blocked off from the other dogs. When he's done outside, he comes back to me and stands for me to wrap him up and pick him up again. When he's walking around, he does stop and try to "shake it off" (the dead skin) but he does so gently.
