Anyone who takes medication prescribed for someone else puts themselves at risk of illness or even death – and this applies to your pets, too! Although there are many medications used in both animals and people, the effects, doses needed, and other things aren’t always the same.

About one-quarter of all phone calls to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) are about human medications. Your pet can easily ingest dropped pills or may be given harmful human medications by an unknowing owner, resulting in illness, or even death, of your pet.

The APCC provided us with the 10 most common human medication complaints they receive. Here they are, in order based on the number of complaints:

1. Ibuprofen – Ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®) is the most common human medication ingested by pets. Many brands have a sweet outer coating that makes it appealing to pets (think “M&M,” but a potentially deadly one). Ibuprofen can cause stomach ulcers and kidney failure.
2. Tramadol – Tramadol (Ultram®) is a pain reliever. Your veterinarian may prescribe it for your pet, but only at a dose that’s appropriate for your pet – never give your medication to your pet without first consulting your veterinarian! Too much tramadol can cause sedation or agitation, wobbliness, disorientation, vomiting, tremors and possibly seizures.
3. Alprazolam – Alprazolam (Xanax®) is prescribed as an anti-anxiety medication and a sleep-aid. Most pets that ingest alprazolam can become sleepy and wobbly; however a few will become very agitated instead. These pills are commonly ingested by pets as people put them out on the nightstand so they remember to take them. Large doses of alprazolam can drop the blood pressure and could cause weakness or collapse.
4. Adderall® – Adderall® is a combination of four different amphetamines and is used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children. This medication doesn’t have the same effect in pets as it does in people; it acts as a stimulant in our pets and causes elevated heart rate and body temperature, along with hyperactivity, tremors and seizures.
5. Zolpidem – Zolpidem (Ambien®) is a sleep-aid for people. Pets commonly eat pills left on the bedside table. Zolpidem may make cats wobbly and sleepy, but most pets become very agitated and develop elevated heart rates.
6. Clonazepam – Clonazepam (Klonopin®) is used as an anticonvulsant and anti-anxiety medication. It is sometimes also prescribed as a sleep-aid. When animals ingest clonazepam they can become sleep and wobbly. Too much clonazepam can lower the blood pressure, leading to weakness or collapse.
7. Acetaminophen – Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) is a very common pain killer found in most households. Cats are extremely sensitive to acetaminophen, but dogs can be affected too. Acetaminophen can cause liver damage. It can also cause damage to your pet’s red blood cells so that the cells are unable to carry oxygen – like your body, your pet’s body needs oxygen to survive.
8. Naproxen – Naproxen (Aleve®, Naprosyn®) is an over-the-counter pain reliever. Dogs and cats are very sensitive to naproxen and even small amounts can cause stomach ulcers and kidney failure.
9. Duloxetine – Duloxetine (Cymbalta®) is prescribed as an antidepressant and anti-anxiety agent. When ingested by pets it can cause agitation, vocalization, tremors and seizures.
10. Venlafaxine – Venlafaxine (Effexor®) is an antidepressant. For some unknown reason, cats love to eat the capsules. Ingestion can cause agitation, vocalization, tremors and seizures.

As you can tell from this list, a medication that does one thing for people does not necessarily do the same for our pets. And although this may be the list of the medications about which the APCC receives the largest numbers of complaints, remember that any human medication could pose a risk to your pets – not just these 10.

You can keep your pets safe by following simple common sense guidelines:

• Always keep human medications away from pets unless you are specifically instructed by a veterinarian to give the medication;
• Do not leave pills sitting on counter or any place a pet can get to them;
• Do not leave pill bottles within reach of pets (You’ll be surprised how fast your dog can chew through a pill bottle.);
• If you’re taking medications out of the bottle and you drop any of it, pick it up immediately so you know your pet won’t be able to eat it;
• Always contact your veterinarian if your pet has ingested any medication not prescribed for them;
• Never give your medication (or any medications prescribed for a two-legged family member) to your pet without first consulting a veterinarian.

…and last, but not least, always keep the number for your veterinarian and the APCC handy. You don’t want to be looking for it in an emergency situation! Feel free to print this page, cut out the box below, fill out the info, and put it in a handy place (or maybe a few handy places).

reprinted from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) website

I received this email this morning that I would like to share with you thinking that there may be one among you or among your family or friends who has a place for these horses. Please help me spread the word.

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In the past 18 months we have found homes for almost 100 horses. But with slaughter being legalized I have to really vet where the horses are going. So I thought I would start networking out with like minded people.

The two horses I spoke about are: Maestro and Fourth Tenor. (I renamed them) Their registered names are “A Little Dash” and “Foster’s Dash.” Registry numbers are below.

Maestro is approx. 8 years old, 16.2 hands, impeccable manners. Bright chestnut color. He’s appendix QH, Dash For Cash bred. He was a high money earner and didn’t stop racing until 18-24 months ago. Was used as a pony horse for a year after that – then came to me. No problems. No vices, loads of athletic potential, but he’s a real poor keeper unless he’s got adequate feed. This is a horse who needs individual attention, alfalfa and 2 proper meals a day to maintain weight. Where he goes is more important than anything else.. But he’s free to a good home on a permanent adoption agreement.

An Appendix QH. His AQHA # is 4317075. His tattoo is: 3670W. His registered name is “Fosters Dash.” I re-named him “Maestro.”

He’s not a young horse, but he is a very stable horse so re-training wouldn’t be that difficult. He’s just a real sweet boy. I really like this horse a whole bunch and he needs to be used.

I have another gelding, from the same breeding facility. He’s my pride and joy but I can’t get around to doing anything with him.. And that seems like such a shame. His registered name is “A Little Dash” but I renamed him “Fourth Tenor.”

He’s Appendix AQHA# is X061606089. His tattoo is 4747W. Fourth Tenor isn’t as tall as Maestro, but he’s a fair size. Perhaps 15.3-16 hands. He’s a lot different “type” of horse, a lot more bone and not quite the stride. I didn’t realize that he was so much younger until I looked at the papers an hour ago. Maestro is a 10 year old. I thought he was 7 or 8. Fourth Tenor is a 5 yr old. I thought he was 7 or 8 also.

Everyone falls in love with Fourth Tenor. His dappled grey color is beautiful. But he’s one of those characters that just follows you around like a puppy dog. A real “family” horse. But I’m just not too sure about him for a youth. And his front legs are not as clean as I would like them to be… No bows, ring bone, no splints.. But he just stands a fraction over on those knees.

Again, I would only let them go on an adoption agreement.. Which simply means that I don’t want them sold and resold and risk them heading to slaughter or worse.

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If you are interested in either or both of these horses or you have any questions, please contact Denise.

Most snake bites are from pit vipers, which are poisonous snakes that are identified by their triangular heads, retractable fangs, and a special heat-sensing pit between the eye and nostril. North American pit vipers include five subspecies of copperheads, three subspecies of water moccasins, three subspecies of pygmy rattlesnakes, three subspecies of massauga, and at least 26 subspecies of rattlesnakes. Water moccasins and copperheads are found in the eastern United States and southward through Texas. Rattlesnakes are found throughout the contiguous United States, with the highest concentration in the south and southwest.

General Information

Snake bites tend to occur on the pet’s head or neck. Bites involving the trunk of the body have a poorer prognosis. Snake bites may affect one or more body systems including the cardiopulmonary system, the nervous system, or the coagulation system. Usually, if the snake is not poisonous or the venom was not injected, the pain, swelling, and bruising at the bite site will be minimal.

Toxic Dose

Varies. Envenomation (The act of injecting a poisonous material; i.e. venom.) does not always occur. The severity of envenomation is related to the time of the year, the volume of venom present in the snake, the location of the bite, the number of bites, and the amount of victim movement after the bite (movement increases the spread of the venom). The amount of venom is not related to the size of the snake. Systemic signs such as kidney damage may take 24-72 hours to develop in mild envenomations, so the animal should be observed closely for several days.

Signs

May see one, two, or several small puncture wounds, bleeding, bruising, immediate and extremely painful swelling at the site of the bite, and tissue necrosis. The more severe systemic signs may take up to several hours to appear and include hypotension and shock, lethargy and weakness, muscle tremors, nausea, vomiting, and neurological signs including depressed respiration.

Immediate Action

Identify the snake if possible. Restrict movement of the pet. Loosely immobilize the limb in a functional position if bitten on an extremity. DO NOT incise the bite wound to aspirate the venom and DO NOT apply a tourniquet without veterinary assistance. DO NOT apply ice to the area. Seek veterinary attention.

Veterinary Care

GENERAL TREATMENT: The animal will be kept quiet and the bitten area immobilized if possible to decrease the spread of the venom. The area around the wound will be clipped and cleaned.

SUPPORTIVE TREATMENT: Antihistamines may be administered and IV fluids given to help prevent low blood pressure. Oxygen is given if needed. Antibiotics are used to prevent secondary infections. Pain medication is provided as necessary. Laboratory tests to check for bleeding problems and organ damage will be performed repeatedly. Blood transfusions may be necessary in cases of severe coagulopathies. The area above and below the bite wounds may be measured every 15 minutes to monitor the edema. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are contraindicated in the early phase (first 24 hours) of treatment because of the different types of venom and the anticoagulant effects of NSAIDs. The use of corticosteroids may be contraindicated also, as some research shows they increase the severity of the bite.

SPECIFIC TREATMENT: Antivenin* may be administered. The use of antivenin is controversial and is used at the discretion of the attending veterinarian. To be most effective, antivenin should be given within 4 hours of the bite. It becomes less effective as more time passes.

All snake bite victims should be observed for a minimum of 12 hours, even when there are no clinical signs. If clinical signs are present, the length of observation is increased to 48-72 hours, as damage to organs may not appear immediately.

Prognosis

A study of animals bitten by pit vipers showed that those treated with antivenin, intravenous fluids, and antibiotics had a mortality rate less than 1% and local tissue damage was rare. The mortality rate in untreated patients depended on the species of snake involved. For example, in patients bitten by the Northern Pacific Rattlesnakes, the mortality rate was about 10%. In the much more dangerous Mojave rattlesnake, it could be as high as 35%.

*Two companies, Fort Dodge and Wyeth Ayerst Laboratories produce antivenin. Veterinary clinics and human hospitals in areas that have a high population of pit vipers have this product on hand. Many owners want to carry this product with them, but because of the intravenous administration and instability of the product, it is recommended that a veterinarian give it.

reprinted from Pet Education website

Here’s a wonderful account of a family who nursed their dog back from the bite of a Tiger Snake with Vitamin C and strong coffee.

We know that ivermectin can be very dangerous to certain breeds of dogs. Ivermectin prevents or kills parasites by causing neurological damage to the parasite, resulting in paralysis and death for the parasite. Dogs genetically sensitive to the medication have an anomaly that allows the ivermectin to pass the dog’s blood-brain barrier and into its central nervous system, which can be lethal for the animal.

However, have you ever stopped to consider that the ivermectin you use to treat your horses for parasites could be dangerous to dogs that eat horse manure? We know how dogs love horse manure. So in hindsight, it makes sense that ivermectin in horse manure could pose a danger… and here is one such story:

My American Pit Bull Terrier is at University of Florida Veterinarian School of Medicine right now being treated for Ivermectin poisoning. He had a sudden attack while on our walk. Signs were 1st slobbering/drooling (excessively) then diarrhea. I arrived at an animal clinic within 20 min where he then began vomiting and having seizures. Blood work showed elevation in Liver and Pancreas reading was 1256 He was given fluids and treated for what the Dr suspected was heat stroke after 6 hrs the Dr gave him Vit K injection. I then transferred him to Emergency Hospital for over night care where he was given more fluids and I was informed his temperature had risen significantly and at about 6am he was given charcoal. In the morning the Dr. recommended University of Florida.

So I left immediately for UF. He had been on his side laid out flat for about 20 hours and when i put him in my car I noticed he wagged his tail slightly. During the drive he did raise his head in an effort to be upright! Upon arrival at UF his heart rate was critical. Meds to stabilizes heart/monitored catheter and IV fluids. Next day prognosis Ivermectin poisoning via ingesting Daily Feed Through Wormer in horse manure and or ingesting left over grain/wormer in stalls at night!!!

I had NO IDEA the horse manure could be toxic. I remove feces from pastures everyday and of course the dogs ride in 4wheeler with me and once in a while I would catch them eating the manure. Its been 6 days now his organs show NO damage. He’s been taken off all support. He is eating and drinking and can stand to urinate. He can walk briefly then he starts to have tremors/shaking and wants to sit down. I’m hoping since everything has progressed for the better that eventually his Central Nervous System will recover enough so that he can have a normal life. Going to visit him today and possibly bring him home. I know that I’ll have to provide a lot of physical therapy so if anyone has any ideas I would great appreciate them.

Sorry to be so long winded but I hope through my experience another dog will not suffer and will have a chance to survive. Please tell anyone you know that has horses and uses daily wormers that the manure is toxic!

BTW the UF was absolutely wonderful!!! They let me stay in the Critical Care unit in the cage with my dog anytime I wanted. I was there off and on for 4 days and I never saw anything other than wonderful caring DR.s, students and techs!!! God Bless them all.

Thanks to Cindy in Florida for sharing her story! And thanks to the folks at the University of Florida Critical Care Unit! You rock!

What a difference groceries and a month makes! This baby is looking good!

You may remember that my neighbors found this horse on the side of the road in early November looking quite literally like a bag of bones.

The animal communicator was consulted for one more conversation. We wanted to know where she wanted to live and what she would like to be called. Here is her response:

Daisy Sunshine Strider

any grass is appreciated, but dirt lot is okay – she is not a beggar this horse

just if you put her on grass use a muzzle – she can founder easily from shock

she just cannot express her gratitude for you all taking her in – says she walked a country mile to get here

she would love to go to the other place with trees, but can she come back here to live after she heals?

So I am blessed. I get to watch Daisy Sunshine Strider get healthier and stronger every day. She stops and looks at me some days rather intently. Not sure what she is saying yet. Maybe she remembers our walk home along that country mile. Maybe it is a “thank you.”

UPDATE: I received word today that HALF a miracle has happened: Sam, the Chesapeake Retriever, has been placed in a new home. However not Gracie. It’s sad that they could not go to a home together, but we must all do the best we can with what we have — people and animals alike. If only their owner had not passed away… a tragedy for all involved. But we can’t look back else we will miss an opportunity that is in front of us.

We continue to look for a home for Gracie — the lighter colored dog, the Yellow Lab, in the photo below. Please share her story.

I received this email today and want to share it with you and ask you to share it, too. Even if you just share a link to this message. Let’s find these babies a new home.
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Good afternoon and Happy Holidays from American Dog Rescue!

We are writing to see if you can help spread the word for these two precious dogs who so badly need our help. Gracie is a 10-year-old Yellow Lab and Sam is a 6-year-old Chesapeake Bay Retriever. They are docile, well behaved, housebroken and good with other animals.

These two were living happily with their owner and his daughter until one month ago, when they lost the only master they’ve ever known very suddenly to a heart attack.

The owner’s daughter is a minor and must move overseas with her grandparents very soon, making finding a home for these two an urgent priority. They are in the Dallas, Texas area. However, transportation could be arranged if we find a perfect fit to adopt them.

We need a miracle. Can you join us and post on your blog and social media pages, private networks or email lists? You can feel free to direct people with interest to http://Facebook.com/AmericanDogRescue or my email address or phone number if they have any further questions.

We badly wanted to create a Christmas Miracle for Sam and Gracie, but we’re not giving up! Thank you for helping us – sometimes it takes a village!

Yours Truly,

Monaica Ledell
Social Media Manager
American Dog Rescue
“A Home For Every Healthy Dog”
http://americandogrescue.org
http://facebook.com/americandogrescue
http://twitter.com/AHome4EveryDog
http://twitter.com/Buddy2TheRescue
(316) 207-3581

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Please SHARE their story. There is a place for them to live together. We just have to help them find it.

UPDATE:Plans have changed on Prissy’s home front and she will be staying with her owner. In an email she told me, “It is [good news for me] and for Prissy. I was brought to tears every time I thought about giving her up.” This is the best and happiest ending to this story that I could have wished for. Congrats!

In October, a trucker was killed in a freak, but fiery crash on I-10 in Houston. This man was the son-in-law of Prissy’s owner. Her  owner’s daughter was a couple months pregnant with their second child at the time. She is due to give birth in April and Prissy’s owner plans to be there with her, staying for a while.

The yard there is not fenced and Prissy’s owner is worried that Prissy will not get the attention she needs. So we are helping her look for a new home for Prissy.

Of Prissy, her owner writes,

She is 6 years only and I have had her since she was 5 months old. My daughter rescued her in Dallas and brought her to me. She had to have hip surgery 5 days after I got her and has done great.

She is Fox Terrier mix and weighs 13 pounds. She is very loving and likes sleeping with you.

She is potty pad trained, as I would not leave her out side when I was gone. She is up on all of her shots. I use Wellborn Vet Clinic.

She loves my grandsons; she has never bitten anyone but she does bark, a lot, at strangers and anyone who comes in my house until she gets to know them. She will jump in your lap after she gets use to you. She seems to bark more at men that anyone.

The vet said they weren’t sure if she was abused and that was what caused her hip injury or if she was born that way, but she was put out on the street at 5 months old and went into my daughter’s yard in Cedar Hill.

We are spreading the word to help Prissy find a new home. Currently, Prissy lives in College Station, TX. If you would like to know more about Prissy, you can call her owner, Charlene, after 6 pm at 979-219-8341.

And please help us by sharing her story with your friends and family so we can help this “wee one” find a new home.

My neighbors found this young buckskin as they were heading for church Sunday morning. I walked her back to our corner of the world and put her in another neighbor’s pasture while we sort this all out. Maybe a wildfire evacuee? Or maybe she was turned loose due to financial hardship. Or both?

An animal communicator relayed this message from the horse:

“The dun mare says that her people were unable to feed her and she ran from the fire. Asks to please have some sand psyllium stuff because she ate some plastic bags from some bread – and the plastic is in her digestive tract. This is not a problem, she is young and healthy and it will pass through — just needs some of that sand colic in a bucket stuff.”

“She says that some folks had her and she got out. She says be careful. After you get her pretty, they will show up and want her back, but they cannot care for her properly.”

“Does not report any lameness or health problems — just thin from poverty.”

Several people have said, “I saw her Sunday morning standing along the side of the road.”

She’s kind of hard to miss; she’s 300 pounds underweight! A walking buckskin bag of bones. By the vet’s estimate, she is 8-9 years old. Appears to be in good shape; especially “once she gets some groceries in her,” as a friend told me.

The good news is that many people have shown an interest in offering her a home. So she did the right thing in running away from the last two homes. Perhaps the third one will be her charm!

Sadly, this is a living, breathing example of what is happening all over. As the reach of financial hardship stretches it grasp further into our communities, our animals are the first to suffer. In many cases, animals are left to fend for themselves — either in overgrazed pastures or simply on their own. There are reports that people are simply leaving the gate open and letting their animals go. That’s how desperate things have become. Sadly, this is the reality of our times.

Best to you, baby girl!

In a blog post written by Jo Singer a day or two ago, she gave us notice that Dexter, one of two kittens witnesses saw Florida resident Wilana Joenel Frazier and her two children “pummeling” with an aluminum baseball bat at a public park, had succumbed to his injuries. He suffered a setback where his seizures started again, getting more and more frequent and stronger. His family chose to end his pain and suffering.

In her post, Jo reflects on the  magic of these voiceless beings that cross our paths; the ones that accompany our journey, albeit sometimes for just a bit:

Although I am not deeply religious, I truly believe there is a higher power that works in mysterious ways. I believe that we are often touched by loving angels that come to us in many different forms, and that, while they are always present to guide us, we may not yet understand their presence in our journey through life.

Many of these angels come to us in the form of animals, many of which we may never have personally met but they always come to us for a reason, to inspire us, to give us courage, and reflect back to us our inner strength and beauty, many times of which we are not fully aware.

 

Recently, I had just such an encounter.

A couple weeks ago, my neighborhood was ordered to evacuate due to a wildfire threatening us. I have several animals and stayed to take care of them.

My neighborhood was abandoned. It felt a little like being the only person left in the world. The silence was practically deafening. Beyond the far back fence of my property is a house where the family evacuated leaving their nine cats to fend for themselves. There were three kittens, two teenagers and four adult cats. The kittens looked terrible — very thin with eye and nose discharge, dirty ears and missing fur. One poor baby could barely open his eyes to see. All were a little shy of me.

Immediately, I started to mix some antibiotics into their food twice a day. They responded quickly to the meds despite probably receiving less than what they required. This photo shows the worst of the babies just 24 hours after getting some antibiotics into his system. His little body has responded quickly.

Over the next week, I continued the meds and fed them twice a day. They came around quickly and, after a meal, they would all grab a spot and lay around me beside the pond. It had all the feel of a family union — in the midst of a neighborhood under threat of wildfire.

“Goops”, the baby with the most congested eyes, really came around and would often come to me to be petted even before he would eat. Other times he would eat a belly full, then flop down beside me and roll over so I could rub his fat belly. It felt so good to see his eyes clear up, his body put on weight and his personality emerge. I knew he was going to make it.

Two Fridays ago, I shot this photo of the little guy. And that was the last time I saw him. I remember looking back at him as he lay in the grass playing with the other cats, but I never suspected that would be the last time I would see him. I’m not even sure what feeling to hold in my heart. Joy for having brought him around? Sadness because I worry something terrible happened to him? Or hope that he found a new home? Maybe gratitude for having met him.

For a couple weeks, quieted away from the world, we shared a marvelous time and I shall never forget how the personality of this tiny tyke changed into such a sweet, loving and giving guy. How happy he was. I hope he is well and living somewhere wonderful. He deserves it.

In the meanwhile, I continue to feed the other eight — concerned whenever one does not show up at mealtime. As money permits, I will get them tested and “fixed,” then hopefully rehome some of them. One girl, I call her Izzi, was the first to approach me — even before I knew there were kittens. She distances herself from the group and is always waiting for me near the path. As close as she can get to my house without being too near the dogs inside the fence.

It is incredible how much they can touch your heart without saying a word. They have such respect and ritual. They have ideas — it is Izzi’s goal to get out of there and into a home. She does not plan to live her life as a homeless cat. And that is obvious.

I hope with all my heart that Goops is well. He certainly touched my heart. Even for the couple weeks I knew him. I believe Jo is right: “they always come to us for a reason, to inspire us, to give us courage, and reflect back to us our inner strength and beauty, many times of which we are not fully aware.”

When I think of a dog named Duke, I think of a big dog; 60 pounds or so. But in this case, this Duke is a tiny mite with a big personality.

Meet DUKE! The little Chihuahua with the big heart!

Duke used to live out in the country where he had a doggy door so he could go outside as needed. One day last summer, his owner found him laying on the doorstep unable to move. His vet believes that Duke was attacked by a coyote; that he was given the “death shake” that injured his spine. But somehow Duke managed to get away and make it home before the swelling to his spine made that impossible.

Now Duke gets around via his fancy “wheels.” According to his owner, “The [cart] he has is super light and works wonderful. I think you will be surprised as to how well it works. He can run in it; he can go through most terrain.”

Circumstances are such now that Duke’s family is looking for a new home for him: “I am so sad that we can not keep him, it breaks my heart, but it isn’t fair to him not to have someone who can change his diapers regularly and care for him properly.”

Will you help Duke?

A little about Duke

Characteristics

• Duke is 2 yrs old;
• He gets along well with other dogs/cats but does not do well with young children;
• He loves to play with stuffed toys that have long dangly arms;
• He walks around well with his cart, but he tires easily;
• He can stand on his own for a few moments, but his legs are very wobbly;
• He sleeps in a kennel at night with blankets as he has no control over his bodily functions (pee & poo);
• He has to wear a diaper 24/7 and that needs to be changed regularly — like you would a human baby;
• He barks and plays like other dogs;
• He does not travel well in a kennel, and when he is on your lap in the car, he shakes and pants alot;
• He cannot be left outside unattended as the hawks will get him. They can sense he is injured. This already happened once before with owner (thank god the hawk didn’t get him).

Letter from his owner

We used to live in the country.

We had a doggy door which they used all the time. One day he was attacked by a coyote and I found Duke on the door step. He was not able to move.

The Vet figured he was given the death shake and it broke his back. He was still able to run away but as he stopped, the cord began to swell. The vet gave us the option to take him to Calgary where they could have exposed his cord to relieve the pressure. He would have had a 50/50 shot of recovering completely. The procedure was $5000 and with all the other tests and stay, it could have been up to $10.000 which we just didn’t have.

So the vet did keep him for 3 days, gave him pain killers and iv fluid, xrays, etc, etc.

The [cart] he has is super light and works wonderful. I think you will be surprised as to how well it works. He can run in it, he can go through most terrain. I personally don’t think he needs a new one.

We looked at the professional ones to get the basic pattern. It took my husband and my brother-in-law (who is a welder) 3 days to finally get it right. I have a seamstress who made all of his supplies including [the supplies] for his cart. His supplies cost over $500.00. They are starting to wear so probably in the next year he will need some of them replaced.

I am so sad that we can not keep him, it breaks my heart, but it isn’t fair to him not to have someone who can change his diapers regularly and care for him properly.

Can you take him?

Thank you.

We are looking for a forever home for Duke. Sometimes it takes a little longer with a “special needs” dog, so we are asking you to help us. If you are interested in knowing more about Duke, please email Carol or message her on Facebook.

If you are unable to adopt him, please share Duke’s story with your friends and family. There is a home out there for him and it may even be there with someone you know.

So, please help this little mite with the big heart out… SHARE his story.