Rawhide~Adopted

Rawhide has a long story, and I’ll try to be brief.  A neighbor of Vicki Truelove asked for help in re-homing a dog that had been abandoned by another neighbor.  The couple had lost their home, and didn’t know what to do for their dog, Hunter.  After a period of time, Vicki’s neighbors took Hunter in, and took care of him.  These good Samaritans had no intention of keeping Hunter.  Vicki sent me Hunters photos, and I was drawn to him… I don’t know why.  We arranged transport, and thanks to some awesome volunteers, including Josh Bergesen, he’s here.

While on transport, Vicki sang to herself, “rolling rolling rolling, keep them doggies rolling…  Rawhide!”  She does this as a way to keep herself awake, and entertained!  Rawhide!”  It was hilarious, so I decided to name him Rawhide!

At first glance I noticed a lot of sores on his head, especially behind his ears and throat.  Then I noticed a deep scar across the top of his head.  As if he had been tied… I’m not sure.  His matting is severe, indicating he has been left outside for a long period of time.  When you see a dog that you know has been left outdoors for some time, you immediately think of heartworm disease.  I brought him to the vet immediately, and he tested positive.  What a blow.  But that’s not all.  The vet identified a heart arrhythmia.  They suggested an ECG, which I approved.  We can not say if his heart arrhythmia is genetic or a result of the heartworm, but common sense dictates it’s a reaction to the heartworms.  Once he is clear, this abnormality should fix itself.  Dr. Oliver is confident that he will recover, and  completed his neuter surgery.  We immediately started his heartworm treatment.

After watching him play with the pups for several days, it dawned on me that he’s not protecting the puppies… he thinks he is a puppy!  He picks up the toys, and plays the “chase me game” and enjoys every second of being a puppy again.  It’s quite amazing.

Rawhide is a phenomenal dog.  He is gentle, kind, patient and loyal.  He will be coming home with me today, where he’ll be back with his litter of rescue puppies, the Toyota pups, and he’ll settle in and rest a while.  Whoever adopts him will be a very lucky person.  I believe he could easily pass Canine Good Citizenship training… he’s that good!

His photo album can be viewed on Facebook.

Rawhide, renamed Jake (I love that name) has been adopted by Angela Saez and her family!  He also got to adopt his own Toyota puppy, Corolla!