Featured Boxer
Dudley
Dudley
Dudley
Dudley
Dudley
Dudley
Dudley
Dudley
Dudley
Dudley
Dudley
Dudley
Dudley		 Dudley Do-Right's Big Adventure (Updated 8/22/2010)

Dudley came in to the shelter on Sunday, August 14. Once there, he was placed in a holding facility waiting for someone to come and claim him (as a stray the dogs get a chance to have their owner find them). He is estimated to be about 14 weeks old based on his size. He was a fairly active puppy but not as crazy as many that we have seen before; and after a couple of days with no inquiries, the shelter called Boxer Rescue. For the first few days, he was temporarily fostered in a home but finally came to Albuquerque to be fostered here and eventually adopted out. Puppies always seem to go faster so we expected a lot of interest; and, of course, we received many inquiries about him.

His first night in foster care was fairly subdued. He rode into town with three other dogs and mainly slept the entire way. There had to be an initial stop to drop off the other dogs and Dudley got a chance to run around a little with the other dogs - about eight in all - and he had a blast! So, he got back in the car and headed to his latest foster home. When he arrived, he was pretty mellow but it was late (9:30 PM) and even though there were a lot of new dogs to meet, he decided just to walk around the yard a little and just rest some and, in the meantime, he did not want to eat; maybe he was too tired from traveling or maybe it was too late - definitely not unusual.

The next day, Dudley still did not want to eat and seemed a little quieter. He rested most of the morning while his foster dad got ready for work. Today he was going to work too just so he could be watched and spoiled by everyone there. Well, he really did not want to walk around much and although alert, he just wanted to sleep and maybe drink a little water every once in a while; but by now he was throwing up the water and still not wanting any food. In the afternoon, a mild panic set in as Dudley just seemed to progressively become more and more passive.

Finally, as it was about to turn 5 PM, Dudley's foster dad called an emergency vet clinic (with the help of a BRA friend) and the vet decided that it would be a good idea to get him checked. It is a good thing, because he was tested positive for Parvo. This potentially deadly disease kills approximately 80% of infected dogs that are not treated and has a success rate of approximately 80% of infected dogs that are treated. It is especially important to catch the virus quickly so that treatment can begin immediately. Treatment for Parvo though does not mean that Dudley will be "cured" from the virus; instead, he will have to be hydrated and given medication that will not allow the virus to shut down his vital organs. This means that Dudley is now staying at the vet's clinic until the virus passes through. He will still feel the symptoms but the treatment will help support his system to keep it from killing him.

So what does this mean now? It means that Dudley will be under the care of a vet and should recover but not without amassing an expensive vet bill. So, we need your support to help Dudley recover and any amount contributed will help pay for his care. It is estimated that the vet bill for treatment of Parvo can be $1,500 or more. Click here to donate with Google Checkout. Please indicate that you want your contribution to go to helping Dudley and know that every penny that is donated to the rescue goes directly to the dogs in need - everyone in the rescue volunteers 100% of their time.

And while the financial support is crucial, you can be assured that Dudley's foster dad visits him every day and anxiously awaits his return so that he can heal at home and get ready for his real Great Adventure: his new, permanent home.

UPDATE: At 7:20 PM, Sunday, Dudley passed away due to complications from the Parvo. His temperature started declining around 5:00 PM and he went into a comatose state around 6:40 PM. I tried to get there in time but missed it by minutes. Although he was only with us for 9 days (and only three with me - barely), he knew how many people cared about him. He had someone very interested in adopting him when he got better even though he was very sick. This is why we do what we do for these dogs and all the adopters who have given their hearts to take care of the easy ones and then ones who may not have had a chance.

For some reason this song (click here). seemed to have played more often in the last few days and it makes me think of you, Dudley.

I am lucky I got to know you even for the shortest amount of time…Steve.




Please support our sponsors!


Looking to buy
or sell a home?
web design
by aew 		PetVet Market


© 2010 Boxer Rescue of Albuquerque all rights reserved :: a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization