February 2001 Raffle for Locust & Tundra!

Tundra's Story!

I was a stunning "intact" Eskie male. I wandered into the yard of a family with some large dogs who lived in the country near Fort Wayne, IN. These folks immediately noticed the wound on my back. They guessed it looked to be about 2" in diameter and 1/2" deep. Unfortunately, it was much worse than what they initially thought. I could have told them that if they would have listened to my barks! The lady of the house tried to clean the wound, I quickly let her know how painful it was. At least I let her douse it with Iodine.

This family had no money to spare, and their larger dogs were beginning to pick on me, so the family began trying to get in touch with rescue. Finally they reached Wayne and Nancy Jo Mayes of Tender Heart Animal Rescue, who quickly contacted Annie Jones to see if she could help by taking this Eskie under the Heart Bandits umbrella. Annie contacted the IN family to find out as much as she could about me and my wound. The family guessed that my wound was caused by a slug from a deer rifle or by a human beating me with a board which had a nail on the end of it. What happened is something I NEVER want to remember again!

This kind family had no extra cash, so I had not been vaccinated yet nor had my wound been tended to. My wound was oozing, obviously infected(closeup photo of my ugly wound is below....yuk huh!?!?) and I needed medical attention fast.

With the help of my temporary family and two rescue friends, Laura and Carl, I arrived in KC in a very short period of time, ONLY because these 3 wonderful people drove LONG legs and were determined to help this beautiful guy, me!

In the meantime, Wayne and Nancy Mayes had contacted Pat telling her about me and my medical financial need. Thank you for sending the heads up to Pat.

Annie named me Tundra. Annie knew my wound was badly infected and contacted her vet the next day, letting him know I was in dire need. My case was URGENT. That same day emergency major surgery was performed. I went home with this HORRIBLE collar, an E-collar!! I never had a collar like this one and don't want to again!!!!!  I looked like my head with a light bulb wearing a lampshade! (For those unfamiliar with "e-collars", they are called Elizabethan Collars, and are an extended plastic collar that indeed DOES look  like bucket or lampshade when worn. The purpose for these collars is to deter a dog/animal from licking or chewing on wounds or  surgery areas until they heal in the affected area.)  I also had a 12-14" long sutured area across my back and some of my beautiful hair was gone. My vet explained that he had cut away a lot of dead tissue and infected tissue, but thought I would be O.K. Needless to say, I was a bit worn out after all of this but I bounced back within a couple of days and then that collar REALLY bugged me! I am a 2 year old Eskie and as you most of you know, Eskies often have boundless energy. But then my FosterMom curtailed my spunky movements. I couldn't understand why, I was feeling so much better. That's when Mom told me I was Heartworm "Positive." Something about worms in my heart(yuk......that is NOT a nice thing to hear....I'd rather have "warm fuzzies" in my heart and not cold slimey parasites....I'm sure you understand!)!

On March 14, they removed the e-collar('bout time!) and I had my first treatment for the dreaded heartworms. FosterMom Annie picked me up on the 15th. I was so happy to be in a real home.

Oh, forgot to tell you, the day of my wound surgery, the vet got a little carried away. He apparently made a bad cut. I am no longer a stunning handsome intact Eskie!! The knife must have slipped several inches!! Guess this is something I should talk to my FosterMom about. I'm sure she wouldn't have asked for it done…or, or, do you think she would have.....naaahhhhhh? Then, again......I'm not so sure anymore…seems like all the dogs here have met this vet with the slipping knife!!!!! At least he did a good job on the wound....that's what mattered most!

My vet says that eventually all of my hair will grow back. With that silly cone on my head and a partially shaved back, I looked pretty silly. Now I'm starting to look handsome again and I am no longer in severe pain.

Oh well…..I was an stunning intact Eskie, now I'm a loving sweet stunning neutered Eskie. Mom says I can find a home now. If you or someone you know can provide a loving, responsible FOREVER home, I'm up for adoption. I'm your dog! Remember, I am very, very sweet and loving, and I NEED a family to call my own(belly rubs and treats are always appreciated too).

I need $296 to pay for my medical bills. Yeh......you know I'm worth it.....so are you....we ALL are.....so that's why we're here! Did you ever hear that rescue and shelter dogs make the best dogs? That's because we know what we have been through, and I know I got…… a second chance at life....what more could I ask for? (well....maybe just a super family and loving home to know from here on out!). Thank you and lotsa love and Tundra licks to all of you!!!!

Eskie Hugs & Kisses, Luv & Licks,
Tundra, the wonderful stunning handsome "neutered" Eskie.

Locust	Tundra

Return to the Front Raffle Page by clicking here!