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Last Updated:
7/6/2023 9:45 PM
 

PIRATE'S  INCREDIBLE JOURNEY:

 

 pirate before 1pink pirate

Pirate before                                                       Pirate in his foster home!

November is adopt a senior pet month! Senior pets bring so much love and joy to their owners.  They are quiet and deserve great homes.  Consider adopting a senior pet like Pirate!

Pirate's journey to Cocker Nation started back in July of 2010.  We received an email saying that the shelter had a nine year old,three legged cocker that would never be adopted. Why, I thought to myself, because he is missing a leg or because of his age?  How can people not adopt him?  I guess in our society he is a" throw away" dog.  What a sad statement about our society-- those most in need will never get help.  Well, this is the kind of dog that is at the heart of rescue.  This is Pirate's incredible journey!

Pirate was picked up by the shelter as a stray with his nails growing into his pads, his fur matted to his skin, and his body covered in fleas.  Once shaved down, he had a skin infection and no fur on his hind quarters. Below are his early pictures from when he first arrived.

pirate before 3

Once, Pirate came into our rescue he was immediately vetted. This boy was heartworm positive on top of all his other challenges.  My vet believed he had been hit by a car some time ago.  His front leg amputated and possibly the other never set.  His hind hip was bone on bone and needed surgery, but he was unable to have surgery until he was completely heartworm negative.  Needless to say his balance was quite off! Pirate came to us in such poor condition, I was not sure we could save him, but with the help and guidance from my vet,Pirate was able to overcome one obstacle at a time.

Pirate went through three rounds of heartworm treatment with flying colors(this was about a 3 month process)! I was so proud of him! He also won over the heart of one of our volunteers! She immediately started searching for ways to better his life!  She found a web site for canine amputees (tripawds.com) and ordered him a special vest for dogs with missing limbs.  Amazingly, this really helped Pirate, especially with the stairs.  It also has a handle on it so I can support him as well!  This was the first of many kind gestures done for Pirate.  See his picture below in his vest(sorry not sure how to rotate this)

pirate vest

 

 

That same volunteer knew he needed surgery, a cart or something more to help him after his treatment. My vet had xrayed his legs and said he had severe arthritis and was bone on bone in his hind leg.  My vet thought that femoral head ostectomy (fho) surgery was in his best interest and would do the surgery at a very reduced cost for our rescue (THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!). We held a garage sale to raise funds, and our volunteer set out on a campaign to help Pirate! She called her campaign A Dollar for a Dog (you will see this on our site soon!) Thanks to all of those funds Pirate had his fho surgery yesterday (November 5, 2010).  He is quietly recovering at home today. 

Below are his post surgery pictures:

PIRATE STAR BLANKET

Pirate after his first night home from surgery.  He tossed and turned and moaned and groaned, so I was happy to see he resting!

PIRATE CONE 1

Pirate did not like his ecollar and neither did I.  I took it off while I was home:)

 

 

Thanks to each and everyone of you who said a prayer, donated items to our garage sale, or gave donations, to help save Pirate. I expect he will be back on his feet (all 3 of them) in no time and with no pain!

Please read this poem and remember when you go into a shelter, don't pass the older faces by.  They are truly the ones that need you!

 

Why Adopt an Older Dog?

 

One by one, they pass my cage,

Too old, too worn, too broken, no way.

Way past his time, he can't run and play.

Then they shake their head slowly and go on their way.

 

A little old man, arthritic and sore,

It seems I am not wanted anymore.

I one had a home; I once had a bed,

A place that was warm, and where I was fed.

 

Now my muzzle is grey, and my eyes slowly fail.

Who wants a dog so old, so frail?

My family decided I didn't belong,

I got in their way my attitude was wrong.

 

Whatever excuse they made in their head,

Can't justify how they left me for dead.

Now I sit in this cage, where day after day,

The younger dogs get adopted away.

 

When I had almost come to the end of my rope,

You saw my face, and I finally had hope.

You saw through the grey, and the legs bent with age,

And felt I still had life beyond the cage.

 

You took me home, gave me food and a bed.

And you shared your own pillow with my poor tired head.

We snuggle and play and you talk to me low,

You love me so dearly, you want me to know.

 

I may have lived most of my life with another,

But you outshine them with a love much stronger.

And I promise to return all the love I can give,

To you, my dear person, as long as I live.

 

I may be with you a week or for years,

We will share many smiles; you will no doubt shed tears.

And when the time comes that God deems I must leave,

I know you will cry and your heart, it will grieve.

 

And when I arrive at the Bridge, all brand new,

My thoughts and my heart will still be with you.

And I will brag to all who can hear,

Of the person who made my last days so dear.

 

--Author Unknown