BU’s Boxer of the Month:
Willy,
the Successful Boxer Rescue!
by Jennifer Hornsby,
Bay Area Boxer Rescue
Willy,
a 1 year old flashy fawn male, came into BABR on 9/3/98. He had been hit by a car
in Southern California. Animal Control had brought him to a vet’s office for
treatment until the owners claimed him. Unfortunately, no owners came and Animal Control
told the vet to euthanize him. A boxer loving human was notified by a friend that this dog
was going to be euthanized and she started on her quest to get this dog help. She
contacted rescues in her area and all were unable to help as they did not have the money
for his surgery. She asked friends for money and nothing. She then started a search to
find any rescue organization who would help. She contacted me via e-mail and after I had
confirmed that she had exhausted all options, she drove him 8 hours up to us. During
Willy’s transport I went to work trying to raise the money to help him as we had seen
the preliminary vet reports and knew that this surgery best case would cost $1000 and
worst case $1500. There was no way we could afford this but I had to help this dog somehow
as I knew he didn't deserve the hand he was dealt (not that any of the rescue dogs do). I
immediately sent e-mails to the Boxer Mailing List and the Boxer Rescue List.
These great people started e-mailing back telling me they were sending money. Finally I
could breathe again!
Upon his arrival we took Willy
to our orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Mavehumphries, and our vet, Dr. Mundh, to take a look at
him. We found out that this was not a simple break, but would require a plate and pins -
the expensive route. With the pledges I had received from the e-mail list, I had about
$800 at this point and we decided we were going to go for it and worry about the rest of
the money later. Willy’s surgery took several hours, but was ultimately successful.
Willy was on limited activity for several days, and boy, try to keep a 1 year old boxer
down! He successfully jumped out of the exercise pen (5' tall) twice, just so he
could get near the other dogs! We were stressed about the money, or lack thereof, for many
days, but kept getting more and more pledges and eventually got up to about $1100 in
donations. The American Boxer Rescue Association in the end donated from
their "emergency fund," and we were out only $400 by the time Willy had been
treated completely. What a difference that made to our stress levels. Thank you to all who
donated and sent well wishes!
A week post-op, Willy’s
recovery was going very well and the vet said we could release him into a nearby foster
home, but we found something better than that - a very loving family adopted him! They are
only a few minutes away by car, have no other dogs (but a very tolerant cat) and a boxer
loving toddler! They are all very happy to have Willy (now known as "Buster
William") and he is getting around like a normal dog now. He frequently tongue bathes
the toddler and cat and kidney beans on a regular basis. They all go on walks together
daily (not the cat though) and Willy - er, Buster William - loves to go in the car.
I am so surprised that this dog’s owner did not come for him when he was at the
vet’s. But it's their loss and Lisa and Steve Cundall's gain! This is one rescue
boxer that has found his home for life. |
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