For those of you that have been with me for awhile, you know that we just got back from a 16 day road trip to New York area. Before we left I hired a college freshman to come to my house 3x a day to take care of our happy, healthy pack of 5.
Carolyn came highly recommended from our next door neighbor. I met her. She seemed nice and responsible. I gave her a key, 40 lbs of dog food and numerous treats for our guys. From what I found in my kitchen, perhaps 7 lbs. of the dog food was given to them over 16 days. The twins weighed 35 lbs. each, before we left.
When we arrived home yesterday nothing could’ve prepared me for what we saw or smelled.
All 5 dogs were loose in the house. There were multiple dried splotches 2′ across of diarrhea on the Pergo. There was no water for them to drink inside or out. The back door was ruined from them scratching on it trying to get outside. My usually peppy pack didn’t bark or even wag their tail when they saw us. They were listless. Blondie had lost at least 5 lbs.
The Pergo is shot. I don’t care. The mini blinds in this house end 2′ off the floor. They’re all ruined. I don’t care.
I called her and she said that everything had been fine when she left them yesterday morning. Lying bitch.
We put down an enormous bowl of water. There were 5 heads in it at once. It was dry in less than a minute. Little Bit, our Pom, actually hopped into the bowl. He doesn’t even like getting wet. He doesn’t look beautiful when wet you know.
Shortly after we got back home Gizmo had a seizure. Now I wasn’t overly concerned because over the past few years he had had one from time to time, perhaps 5 a year. Usually we just held him tight to us and they would pass in no more than ten minutes. Since they’d been so infrequent in the past, the vet had said not to worry about them.
By last night, Gizmo had had 4. The last one being worse than I’d ever seen. We took him to the emergency vet. She said she thought he had epilepsy for some time and because of his age, 7, they were getting worse. They put in an IV and anti seizure meds. She’d speculated that he’d be able to come home tonight at 8pm. He’d be on meds 3x a day for the rest of his life. That was OK with me. Doug left a huge deposit at the vet.
We’d been told before going to NY that Doug would have another phase of the Census to work when we got home. There isn’t one for him after all. So he’s now unemployed.
By the time we were almost home at 2am, the vet called. She said that lab tests showed he was suffering from extreme starvation along with other things- directly caused by Carolyn- or her lack of care more specifically. The vet said the bill was going up. I said OK. I don’t care what it costs. I just want him home.
We tried everything we knew to get everybody else to eat and drink. During the night 1 by 1 they all barked to get out of their crates. The rest of the pack all has diarrhea. I’m hoping that by this afternoon their systems will start to normalize.
The vet called this morning. Giz was not doing well. His sodium was too low, they corrected it. Now it’s too high.They’re doing EKG’s and lots of other tests.
I just thought I was going crazy when I was in withdrawl from Effexor. This is what crazy really feels like. I feel like I’m in Hell.
I know some people might think I’m stupid to be this emotional over dogs. They probably never read me anyway. They certainly couldn’t understand me. I asked Robert, who did my redesign to put a donation button on this blog today. I hope no one is offended by it; but I have to do what I have to do.
I haven’t prayed this much in a long time. I hope I’m being heard.
Please pray for our Gizmo.
If you would like to donate to help our Gizmo please click here, we understand if you are unable. Thanks.
OMG Michelle – just read this at VN, can’t comment as first responder, but rushed here to let you know I’m praying for Gizmo. I want to kill this Carolyn person, so I can’t imagine how badly you want to get your hands around her neck.
I’ll be clicking on the Donate button immediately.
Love and hugs with the prayers – Duffy
OMG Duffy. I absolutely want to kill that young woman. How could anyone do such a thing to innocent animals? I can’t stop feeling like I need to throw up. Please pray for him. I’m so worried and just can’t stop crying.
I am now rather pissed at VN over the link removal thing. I edited my last post to tell everybody to just google Bodacious Boomer and come here, so I’m expecting to get a “slap on the wrist” e-mail from them.
Here’s the thing, Michelle – we can break our contract with them at any time and not put any of our blogs on there we choose to not put on there. We can quit blogging there entirely without actually leaving the site. That was the one part of the 4-page contract I paid very close attention to before signing it and faxing it back to them.
So there. (((More hugs)))
I know you’re right Duffy. I’d just hate to lose all my friends there. Not everyone knows, or does come over to follow me here. Thanks for the continuing support.
Oh I don’t intend to leave either – I just wanted to let you know you could. And I so totally get you not wanting to.
Don’t leave…either of you!!! VN has all but shut down the past couple of weeks without the 2 of you!
Sending prayers and hugs and money. When my pom was little he had siezures from being hypoglycemic. It always terrified me. Hugs.
Hi Jenny. Thanks for the hugs and the $$. Many years ago, my dachshund had also had seizures. He was diabetic. They were terrifying. Gizmo’s situation was made much worse by the lack of care he received the last two weeks. If I could find that woman who abused our dogs I’d probably be blogging from a cell soon. It means a lot to me that you came by.
I am so sorry to hear about your dogs, especially Gizmo. I don’t know how you kept from hunting down that b*tch, it’s the first thing I would have done. I don’t have money to donate right now, but as soon as I do I will make a donation. My heart goes to you and your pack, especially Gizmo.
Thanks so much for your thoughts Vicky. They mean a lot to us right now, just knowing that so many people are pulling for him. If I knew exactly how to find her, I’d be doing just that in an instant!
I wish I could help you with a donation, but I’m also unemployed at the moment.
I know how emotional we can get over our dogs and I hope Gizmo makes it through, good as new. My dog recently started having seizures. The medication (Potassium Bromide) makes him a little less active, but he’s been seizure free for a month now. He had 4 seizures over the course of 8 hours. We took him to the emergency vet after the second one and left him overnight for observation. I didn’t sleep a wink that night and was completely worried about him all night. If I were in your shoes, I’d be even worse off. Dogs are our best friends and I can’t believe someone would shirk their responsibility like that.
I hope everyone gets back to normal soon.
Don’t worry about the $$ John. I’m concerned about it of course, but my main concern is just getting him through this. I’ll do whatever it takes to take care of the bill, even if it takes quite awhile to work down. I’m just grateful that we had enough cash to put down the deposit which was over $500 so they would start treatment. I’m reassured by knowing that your furry one is doing better now on his medication.
I just boiled a chicken and put plain rice with it as the vet directed, for everyone else. They enjoyed it. I just hope it stays down. Thanks for your kind thoughts for Gizmo.
Is there a reason why you did not report Carolyn to the authorities? Call an animal protection league to get the phone number of a lawyer and have Carolyn pay the expenses. There is no reason why she should not be legally punished.
She is, I beleive, only 17. And since she came with such high praise from my neighbor I didn’t check her out any further. How stupid was I? I know she left for college yesterday. I didn’t even get her last name before the trip and now I’m unsure if my neighbor would even give it to me.
However, when all this is over, I will be pursuing her, one way or another!
I do think she should be reported for Cruelty to Animals.
Love and prayers to you and Gizmo. PLEASE keep us updated!
Don’t worry Namaste, I promise I will.
Hi Auntie M,
So sorry to hear this news. Extra hugs for Gizmo, all the other furry friends, and to you, Doug, Amanda, Nathan, Brett, etc.
All my love, from San Francisco, California.
Virginia
Got it kiddo. Let’s hope you’ll be able to see Gizmo this weekend when you’re in town. Keep everything crossed.
I very sorry about what happened to your dogs. It boils my blood when people are cruel and neglectful to animals. Do you have any type of recourse such as reporting this Carolyn person to the authorities? This is certainly a case of animal cruelty and you can have your vet vouch for you. She needs to be sentenced at least for community work at a local shelter or pound. You could also sue in small claims court to recover some of the costs for treating Gizmo.
Gizmo has my best wishes and I really hope he pulls through.
Thanks for your well wishes for Gizmo, Andie. I’m planning to pursue some course of action. However, since she’s not in town anymore, I’m just not sure what can be done. We’ll see.
While what happened to these poor dogs is unconscionable, I don’t think it warrants even a threat of “killing” another human being. She’ll have to live with herself knowing how her neglect caused these animals to suffer, but she certainly doesn’t deserve death threats.
Thanks for stopping by Raquel. Some people such as yourself have a less intense reaction to this situation. From what I’ve read online and heard from people calling me today though, I wouldn’t recommend she show herself for awhile. The vast majority of people are seriously outraged, many beyond all reason.
I don’t think she’ll ever give me, my dogs, or the house she destroyed another thought. Not unless I somehow track her down and achieve some kind of legal recourse.
Uhhhh….. that and the fact that when one says “I’d like to kill”, one isn’t always being literal. I’m rather sure no actual “death threats” were made here, Raquel.
Michele, I had to actually work this afternoon at my office, but I have been sending up thoughts and prayers for all of you while I worked. This just makes me so very upset that this young woman could treat a living thing like she treated your babies. She needs to know about the damage that she has caused to these defenseless animals! She probably doesn’t have a conscious, though. How could she and do what she did to your poor babies?
Call me if you need to talk. Give your babies a loving pat for me and an extra one for poor little Gizmo.
Magnolia
Thanks Magnolia. I’ve had the other 4 near me all afternoon. I was hoping for an update on Gizmo by now, but I’ve not heard a thing for some time. Please keep your fingers crosse and the prayers going. He’s not out of the woods yet.
Michele, Let us know when you get an update on Gizmo. Praying for all of you, my firend. Hugs and prayers.
Magnolia
I’ll keep you in my prayers. Good luck.
Thanks for that Charlie. Please keep them going. He’s still hospitalized.
I’m sorry to hear about Giz. That is terrible news. I wish Teri and I could help donate, but we are also going throw financial difficulties. But I will definitely link your website and share your story on our facebook and twitter accounts. Keep us updated Michele.
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Hello young one. Thanks for stopping by. I appreciate the links. With more and more people pulling for him, maybe that will help. I pray that it will help. Sorry for your financial problems. Boy do I understand.
Very sorry about your dogs. I hope Gizmo makes it. I have two cats and they are everything to me. I can’t even imagine what you are going through. Gizmo is in my prayers. I hope $20 helps. Much love from Miami, Florida!
Thanks so much Raquel for your prayers and the $20. Every bit helps- so very much.
So, so sorry to read about your terrible ordeal. I wish the best for your family and gizmo and hope it all turns out well.
Thanks James for your kind thoughts and support. Please keep it up. He’s a great little guy.
When everything is calmed down, find her!
I know I can count on you to be my henchwoman. It’s nice having such a good friend.
Michelle I’m so sorry. I have two puppies at home and I know what you are feeling. It’s all very heart breaking. My prayers are with you and your pack.
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Thanks so much Jenn. I appreciate it so much.
Sent you something today…isn’t much, but hope it eases the burden at least a little…
Sending lots of love to the little ones and peace of mind to you!
Kim
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Thanks so much Miss Kim. Your kindnesses are very much appreciated.
Hey…I just found your blog (via TheBloggess) and wanted to also offer my prayers. This is just heartbreaking. I did read the updates and I am so glad your Gizmo is doing better. That girl…I cannot believe such people exist. I f-shared this post, all my peeps are “animal” people and I know they will be pulling for you as well.
And I can relate to not caring what it costs for making one of your babies well…I once paid $800 for my Stewart (12 lb. ginger cat) after he ate pain meds meant for a 65 lb. dog. Not one of my finer mommy moments but all was well in the end.
(((HUGS)))
Thanks Matilda for your kind thoughts. Gizmo is doing better; but it’s going to be a long road back. I’ll just be truly happy when we can all go to dog park once again. It’ll be awhile but that’s OK. It’s so hot outside now, Satan’s having a block party in my cul-de sac.
If everyone’s good to go in a month, I’ll be thrilled- and amazed. I’m glad your Stewart came through his ordeal. I see you’re just like me- whatever it takes to get them through it, then worry about the $$ later.
When our Buddy got hit by a Jeep because a neighbor kid let all the dogs out of their yards, it was over $8K to put him back together. I had a debt for a really long time. It was worth it to me though. We had another 6 great years. Thanks for stopping by. I really appreciate it!