My name is Rufus!

UPDATED BIO 10/4/2010: Rufus is a 7 year old 12 lb Yorkie boy who is being fostered in Key West, FL. He wanted to update you on what's going on with him these days.

"Hi there!!! It's me, Rufus! How do you like my new hairdo? Aren't I handsome? Well, the only thing left that isn't very handsome right now is my breath. Foster mommy says it's 'kickin'. I wonder what that means? I am in desperate need of a dental and will have those toofers cleaned on 10/12. I'm a little skeered right now because that means I have to have anesthesia.... and remember I had those heartwormies in me. Foster mommy says I am gonna be alright; so, I believe her.

Anyway, I am still waiting for a family to love me. Foster mommy told me there was one of those out there for me. I'm trying so hard to be patient. Good things come to those who wait, right? Right?? Well, then I must be getting the bestest family in the whole wide world! Thanks for reading about me. Wish me luck at the Dogtor's! xoxo - Rufus"

UPDATED BIO 08/08/2010: Hi everyone!!! I just wanted to let everyone know that it's been almost a month since my final heartworm treatment, and I'm doing JUST GREAT! Foster mommy says I'm gonna get a haircut real soon so that everyone can see how handsome I am!

Since I'm gonna be ready for my dental real soon, I'll be able to be adopted by October or so. Yippeeeeee! Foster mommy wanted me to share with you a little about my personality. She says I'm a real love muffin. I love giving kisses (even though right now my breath is kickin'!) She says she thinks I would do best as an only doggy since I get a little jealous when another pup tries to wiggle their way onto her lap while I'm there. I'm totally housetrained (never once had an accident). I love walks. I'm pretty mellow and love to sleep or hang on the couch when I'm not busy going for walks. Do you think I could be the handsome boy you're looking for? If so, please give my Foster Mommy an email letting her know... or better yet, please fill out an application so she can post me as "Adoption Pending!". Thanks for reading about me!! I promise to have new pictures soon!

UPDATED BIO 07/02/2010: Rufus here! I'm 12 lbs and 7 years old. Just checking in. I've had so many wonderful people who continue to ask my Foster Mommy and Daddy how I'm doing. I figured I'd send an update since I'm at a pretty significant part of my therapy right now. See, on July 9th and 10th, I have the last 2 doses of medication for my heartworms. That should kill all of them. Foster mommy is going to have to board me at the Dogtor's office for a few days to make sure I'm kept nice and quiet and calm. See, if I get too excited, a dead wormie could break off and travel to my lungs where.... let's just say it would be very bad. So I am going to be a brave boy and stay in the Dogtor's office for a few days. She is going to get me on July 12th. I have to be calm for at least a month. Doesn't she know I'm already such a mellow dude? Seriously, I love my walks and all, but give me a fluffy bed and a pillow. Then I'm in heaven!

Well, what else to report? I'm still cute. I'm still housetrained. I'm still handsome (and getting handsomer by the minute!). I'm still waiting for that special person who wants to take me home when I'm ready. Believe me..... I'm taking applications even though I'm not ready. I want to have my bed waiting for me when I'm done with my treatment in 2-3 months. Do you think you're that special somebody who wants to give me a second chance at happiness? If so, let FM know OK?


UPDATED BIO 05/26/2010: It's Rufus again! I'm still 7 years old and still 12 lbs. I just wanted to let everyone know how great I'm doing. My skin is almost all healed up. I'm still getting special shampoos, and foster mommy really wishes she could get all the matts out of my legs. It upsets me so much , though, because it hurts me. It's not good for me to get upset, so for now I win! No brushing of the legs for me! hahaha!

Well, I also wanted you to know that I go in for my Immiticide (the medicine that will kill 50% of my heartworms) on June 11th. EEK! It's scary because heartworms are the same size whether they are living in a Great Dane or in a Yorkie. As you know, Yorkies are much smaller than Great Danes. That means that when the worms die, they break into pieces and can lodge in my lungs and I can...... gulp...... well, we won't talk about that. I'm going to spend the day at the vet and they are going to do everything they can to ensure I get to go home with Foster mommy. Please say doggy prayers for me. I'm a little skeered. Also, I know it will be a while, but I've decided that I would like to start a waiting list for everyone who wants to adopt me. To join my fan club, just fill out an application and put me as your first choice!! Thanks! xoxo - Rufus


UPDATED BIO 05/09/2010: My name is Rufus. I am 7 years old and weigh 12 lbs. I was rescued from the shelter where I was found as a stray. It was obvious that nobody properly cared for me because I had a bad case of fleabite dermatitis and am Heartworm positive. I am currently undergoing treatment for the Heartworms, and my foster mom says my skin is doing so much better with my special shampoos and medication. I just wanted to update everyone and let them know how I'm doing!

Right now, I love love love to go for walks, but I'm not allowed to exercise. I can only go outside for quick potty walks because of the risks to my lungs from the heartworms. Until they're all gone, I have to be kept quiet (which is NO fun!). I like to relax and chew on a bully stick.I'm a real easy dog and have never ever had an accident in the house. I know I won't be ready for a while, but if you'd like, you could fill out an application for me. Thank you!

UPDATED BIO 04/19/2010: Rufus here! I'm 7 years old and now much healthier at 12 lbs (foster mommy put me on a strict diet.) I was rescued by UYR and have class II Heartworm disease (there are four classes) and fleabite dermatitis. I've started my heartworm treatment and am doing very well. It's going to be 4-6 months before I'm ready for adoption, but my foster mom and dad say that I am definitely going to have someone waiting for me. They say I'm the sweetest, most gentle, most easy-going pup they've known. I'm no trouble really. I like to hang out and watch TV with you. (I have to stay quiet during my treatment period; so, FM and FD are grateful I'm not too rambunctious!) I do enjoy walks..... and kitty chasing. FM and FD have to keep me away from the kitty so I don't get too excited.

Well, thank you to everyone who's been saying doggy prayers for me. I'm hanging in there and receiving the most updated protocols for heartworm treatment. FM became familiar with the guidelines from the American Heartworm Society and collaborated with our UYR vet advisor. Everybody cares so much about me. I wish my previous owner cared enough to give me one little pill once a month. Thank you for loving me! Love, Rufus.


UPDATED BIO 04/03/2010: Rufus is a 7 year old 13 lb (corrected weight... a little chubby) yorkie boy who is heartworm positive, has severe fleabite dermatitis, and dry eye. He was rescued this past week from a high-kill shelter. Rufus went to the vet yesterday where a full panel of bloodwork was drawn. While his kidneys and liver seem to be just fine, Rufus has some pancreatitis. It also appears that he may have contracted kennel cough at the shelter. This is extremely serious considering we don't know exactly how severe his heartworm infestation is. Nor do we know how badly damaged his lungs and heart are. Rufus is a gentle soul who loves to be by FM's side. He is 100% housetrained and loves everyone despite being uncomfortable with his skin issues. We really need some strong doggie prayers for this guy. He has a long road ahead of him. Hopefully, whatever fighting spirit he has in him that has allowed him to survive this long will help him survive the next few months. Thank you to everyone who has read about him and who is helping us help make him well. With love, FM and Rufus.

ORIGINAL BIO 04/01/2010: Once again, just when you think the worst is over, a new furbaby comes in who needs a LOT of help and a lot of prayers. Rufus is a 7 year old, 10.8 lb little boy who was rescued from sure euthanasia at a local high-kill shelter. FM spotted Rufus when he first came into the shelter as a stray last weekend. He had severe dermatitis (infection of the skin) and eye infections. Further testing at the shelter showed he does not have mange or ringworm. Rufus's FM went to see him at the shelter to get a better idea of his medical issues and to see his temperament. When she opened his little cage door, Rufus "told" her where he wanted to go. He leaped into her arms and made quite the scene when she couldn't leave with him that day. She had to wait until after his mandatory stray hold was up - today - and made arrangements to go get him. They were going to take him to the shelter clinic while his FM was on her way to get him. This is where microchipping is done, rabies vaccines are given, and all testing (fecal, heartworm, etc) are completed. Well, FM was on her way to go pick him up at 5p when the phone rang. It was the shelter. She knew it couldn't be good news. Here's a brief recap of the conversation she had with the representative from the rescue office.

(ring ring)
FM - [recognizing the number] "Hello?"
Michael - "Rufus has a problem."
FM - "Uh-oh. What is it?"
Michael - "Rufus not only has a bad skin infection. He is also Heartworm positive."
FM - "Noooooooo!!!!! Oh no."
Michael - "So do you still want to take him?"
FM - "What??? Of COURSE we still want him. I'll be there in 15 minutes."

There wasn't even a question. Rufus was leaving that shelter alive today. He was so eager to get outside, and he quickly found a tree on which to relieve himself. That's actually a good sign in rescue. It shows that he was holding his urine for as long as possible so that he didn't soil his cage. It's a good indication that he's housetrained (and he hasn't had any accidents inside the house yet). FM walked him over to her car and opened the door. He quickly jumped inside and got in his crate.

Once they got home, FM took some "before" pictures so that people could see the sad state he was in when he was rescued. He is a handsome, loving little boy and will soon look like the little Prince we know he is. Rufus seems to love other dogs, cats, and people. We are still getting to know him, but he is a doll-baby!

Tomorrow Rufus will have labwork drawn and have his urine and skin tested. Because of the heartworms, he is going to get an Xray to check to see how much heart and lung involvement there is with his disease. His teeth will need to be cleaned as well. We need to coordinate his care so that he can safely be treated for his heartworms as soon as possible. We are hopeful that he doesn't contract kennel cough from his stay at the shelter.

Please keep this little boy in your thoughts and prayers. He has a long way to go before beating this awful (and totally preventable) disease. He deserves better, and we are hopeful we can give him the best care possible. Thank you for reading about Rufus!