TexasCHLforum.com

Thursday morning started off just like any other. My better half and I were up at the crack of dawn and enjoying our coffee outside before the heat settled in for the day. We heard a be of a high pitched noise but could not identify it. It sounded as if it was coming from the bluff se we assumed it was some animal at the bottom. It seemed to get louder and now had a full attention. After a few more minutes we both agreed that it was a dog. Then out of the shadows appeared what looked like a small animal at the edge of the bluff. I got up and slowly approached and it let out another whimper/cry like we heard earlier. It was a small dog--no it was a puppy. The poor thing could barley walk. My wife quickly got a container so that we could give it some water. It drank like there was no tomorrow. It was quickly getting lighter and we could see that little thing was in real bad shape. Between the cactus thorns and the fleas I was hard pressed to even pick him up. We got the dog shampoo we had on hand and proceeded to try and bathe him to rid the fleas. In doing so, it became apparent that in addition to the fleas and cactus this poor little creature also had ringworm outbreaks in multiple spots. His gums were not real pink and his rib cage was showing. Although not emaciated, it was only a matter of time. We gave him a couple of teaspoons of the adult dog food we had and he had a hard time eating it. I dumped out a plastic storage container we had put him in there so we could put him some place a bit more cooler. He was still covered in fleas and had the cactus thorns sticking out everywhere. My wife decided that no matter what the days plans were that I was taking this mutt to the vet. (If you know my wife, this was one of those time that you nod your head and say, "Yes, dear!") She made that call to the vet's office and left a message that I would be there with the dog when the office opened. I made the almost hour drive with him in the container in the back seat of the truck crying/whimpering/barking the entire time.

The vet looked him over and gave him a pill that that he claimed would kill the fleas. Having never heard of such a thing I was skeptical. After a through exam the vet confirmed that the skin breakout was ringworm(a fungus) and he had some other intestinal worm. More medication was given the expel them through his bowl movement. Topical medicine was prescribed for the ringworm and a prescription shampoo that had to be done daily for him and our existing dog. The vet then said it would be a good idea to try and get some of the cactus off of him and bring him back in ~10 days for his first shots. My response was, "Bring him back in ten days? Are you crazy? If I cannot find his owner he is going to a shelter." Dr. Moyer smiled and said because we were doing a good deed with the dog that he was reducing his bill and giving us a bag of puppy food. It was still in excess of $100 and I left thinking that doing a good deed could end up being costly. About half the way home he fell asleep in the backseat (still in the container).

Upon arriving home I retrieved the dog from the container and believe it or not the bottom was covered in dead fleas. No fleas on the dog. First order of business was to feed and water the little creature. He downed the food and water and sat in front of me looking at me with those puppy dog eyes. My wife came out with a pair of tweezers and said that I should get to work on the cactus. I explained that I had phone interviews scheduled and two clients to call back. She informed me that my schedule was cleared and that she would handle the clients. So there I sat for over three hours trying to remove the cactus. The puppy was resistant at first but soon realized that I was helping him and fell asleep. By the time I was done it was time to feed him once again and this time I took him inside for the first time to eat. He took his last bite and made his way over to my feet and fell asleep. My wife asked my what I was going to name him and I replied that we were not keeping the dog. Needless to say that nursing this dog to better health on Friday and Saturday was not easy without a name to call him.

Calls to the local shelters and animal control facilities turned up no reports of a missing puppy. By Sunday no matter where I went--indoors or outdoors--the puppy was at my heals. I took the path down to the bottom of the property just to see if maybe there was a mother dog with a litter. The little puppy was doing everything to keep up with me. Finding nothing I gave up and made my way back to the top--this time carrying the dog. My wife then told me that since it was apparent that I wanted to keep him that he should have a name. After a brief pause I realized she was right and Lucky joined our pack.

He has gained 10 oz. since Thursday. The ringworm looks like it is clearing up and he still will not leave my side. Integrating him with our Jack Russell Terrier (Jack--see avatar) is coming along and we think they will be fine together in time. Now the question is just what breed of dog is he? His skin and inside his mouth has spots like a Terrier. The markings of his coat remind me of a Border Collie. The vet thought he may have a bit of Shar Pe. Any thoughts on the breed?

Here is a picture I took this morning with my phone:

Click thumbnail for full-size view.

I think he is 100% adorable!

Very nice of you to take care of that puppy and he is Very much Lucky!
Its hard to tell the breed from the picture, but generically I would say he is part black Labrador retriever and if so, they are very faithful companions, they enjoy lots of playing and like to do so even into their later years. While they can't run as fast, or as long, they do like to chase balls and other toys, and just be with their 2-legged family.

You and your Wife are wonderful, caring people. I wish there were more people in this World like you.

SUCKER!!!!!! That dog knew he what he was doing. he found a spot to freeload and sponge off of you for the rest of his life!!

And YOU are the lucky ones too, as he will be a great little dog, I am sure. And he is definately a cutie. Congratulation on the new friend.

Hard to tell age and size in photo, but I would say he may be part rat terrier, but not sure about the rest. Loooked a lot like our Manchester Terrier when she was a pup, but no brown

No matter, you guys did a good thing and he will be a joy to have. (Hide the shoes, he looks like a chewer!!!)

Nice job Bro! I can't wait to get home now and play with my dogs!

You've got yourself a faithful companion. Good onya and hope he heals up quick as I'm sure he will.

Thanks all for the comments!

I think Keith B may have a handle on the breed. I'll post some better photos from my camera later tonight.

So far today, no inside accidents. Hope to have the house breaking wrapped up soon.

i8godzilla wrote:Thanks all for the comments!

I think Keith B may have a handle on the breed. I'll post some better photos from my camera later tonight.

So far today, no inside accidents. Hope to have the house breaking wrapped up soon.

Manchester was the first thought I had as well. No matter the breed I will tell you it's highly intelligent. How do I know. Well as my late father used to say to his clients in response to "It's just a dumb animal" when they were paying their pet's vet bill "Oh, no. Any animal that has free room and board, free medical coverage and all the love and attention one can garner - I'd say that's a highly intelligent beast. There are people under bridges that aren't as smart". God Bless you for your kindness.

Lucky is my favorite breed - - - Rescued!

Good on you, sir! My wife and I are really big on adoption and rescue. We have rescued a Rhodesian Ridgeback, a Greyhound, and a German Short-haired Pointer so far. The greyhound was a sweetheart we rescued from the racetracks in Caliente, Mexico, and came with a laundry list of health issues. Unfortunately, this past October he passed from a massive heart attack apparently. Yes, vet bills are expensive but the way I see it, these things come back aground. Case in point : One day my wife was out walking the dogs a coyote staged an attack on my wife. My ridgeback was an old man at this time, and although he fought ferociously he was exhausted and unable to give chase. The greyhound basically let the ridgeback tear the coyote up during the fight, but gave chase after the coyote took off and swamped him within just a few yards. Greyhound killed coyote and actually drug it's corpse back to my wife for her approval. A visit to the Vet sent us about $300 short but I couldn't complain. We took the coyote's corpse to the vet as well because we were afraid it might have been rabid, and it was. By some miracle both of our dogs escaped rabies and came home only with some stitches. Adopted dogs just seem more loyal and loving of their owners--I think they know we give them another chance at life, and they reward us graciously. We will never buy a dog from a breeder :)

Oh, the ridgeback is still with me and he is 13 now, healthy as a horse and still runs 2 miles with me every day. The GSP is 14 months old, and runs 6 miles daily with my wife. We <3 our dogs!!

Kudos to you!! You've got a good heart. Great story, happy ending.

My Sister-in-law heard a similar noise coming from a car trunk parked beside an old gas station close to downtown HOU. She got the owner to open the trunk only to revel a very similar dog without hair (mange) and a rope around the neck. She took him home, got him healed and named him Lucky.

That was over 9 years ago. He is alive and well enjoying retirement in New Mexico with his rescuer.

Here is the old-joke she remembered that she selected the name from....enjoy.
http://susanspetcare.com/2008/03/16/los ... -of-lucky/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Good job, glad to hear you saved -- and kept -- the puppy. I have three cats I raised from kittens and one adult cat, all found under similar circumstances, and they are my buddies. You and wife will be everything that is important to that dog for the rest of his life.

Note -- the pill the vet used to kill the fleas was probably Capstar, which does a very good job at ridding infestations -- but it does not last long, so it is not a long term preventative. hint hint.

beautiful little pup, wonderful story!