Norman 13-177

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Sponsored by:

Bonnie and Clark K:
"In grateful thanks to RAGOM, foster families, and the good samaritans who rescue dogs like Norman."

Tamera H:
"Keep fighting, Norman! You can get healthy and live the Golden life you deserve!"

06/27/2013:

Hello from Grand Forks, ND!

On June 14, 2013 two very kind people brought me a very sick dog they had found out on their hobby farm in rural ND. There is no telling where this dog came from or how long he had been wandering alone, they just knew that he needed help and I would be available to provide it. So, they brought this handsome gentleman to Grand Forks, to me, and eventually to RAGOM. Many grateful thank-yous to RAGOM for accepting this boy under its wings and providing him with the medical attention that it has been determined that he needs. Many thanks to these Good Samaratins for caring enough to not look the other way and leave him out there to fend for himself and, no doubt, eventually die. There is no question they saved his life!

So, here the story of "Norman" begins. I chose that name for him because he has an old soul for a dog that appears to be around 2-3 years old. He is quiet and mellow and just kinda looks at you like he's known you forever. He's a beautiful dark red color with a big head! Norman had so many ticks on him, easily hundreds, and was so matted/dirty that we picked as many of them off him as we could, and then just had to shave him down. A bath followed, after which I was looking at a new dog. He smelled clean, he looked clean, and I had no doubts that with time and good nutrition, his coat would glisten like a true red Golden.

Due to the amount of ticks on him, we ran the standard 4dx heartworm/tick-bourne disease blood test which unfortunately came back positive for both Lymes & Anaplasmosis. These are both diseases that are transmitted by ticks. Thankfully, his heartworm test was negative. Norman was extremely painful, anemic, lethargic, anorexic, and generally unhealthy. So, we started him on a regime of antibiotics and pain meds. After a few days, he continued to lose weight and stopped eating altogether. We took an X-ray of his lungs due to his panting at rest and the veterinarian did not like the bronchial patterns she saw on the film and ordered a fungal serology. Here is the really BAD news: it came back positive for Blastomycosis. This is a fatal fungal infection if not treated. Yes, FATAL. Now, keep in mind, I have had this gem for about a week and have completely fallen in love with him! Not fighting for him was NOT AN OPTION! However, treatment is incredibly expensive and the outcome is not guaranteed. So, I requested permission from RAGOM to buy the meds and they didn't hesitate! "Absolutely, treat Norman" was the overwhelming response!!! Treatment lasts for 4 months! It will be twice daily medication for 90 days, another blood test, and then continuing one more month past a negative result.

This is where being a rescue organization struggles, though, so Please, Please, Please, if you are even thinking about sponsoring a dog, or perhaps wanting to make a simple donation to RAGOM for all that we do for these dogs, please consider doing it now and noting that it is for Norman's medical care! We absolutely cannot do what we do for these dogs without the generous support of those who care!

So, all the medical jargon is out of the way. Here's the equally important information you need to know about him!

  • He is completely housebroken.
  • He is crate trained (loves to sleep in it and has no issues hanging out in it with the door open).
  • He has fantastic recall, does not need a fenced yard.
  • He walks great on a leash & loves to walk.
  • He loves people(!!!!!!!!!!).
  • He is smart, smart, smart, learning his name, comes when called, sits for his treats.
  • When he cuddles with you, he buries his face in your shoulder.
  • He loves all dogs. He wants to play, just isn't feeling up to it yet.
  • And has the craziest hair I've ever seen on a Golden!

Please continue to follow this guy's progress & recovery. Please continue to keep him in your thoughts and prayers as we fight for him. He's trying to fight this illness, and now that his head is resting on soft blankets, a cool fan pointing on him, and has freshly cooked daily meals, he is feeling so very much loved, wanted, and cared for. Exactly the reason we are a Rescue. Exactly the reason I do this. Exactly the reason he has every right to be here!!!

At a Glance #13-177

Golden Retriever Born: December 2010
Male 60 lbs

Status: Adopted

Profile

Sponsored by:

Bonnie and Clark K:
"In grateful thanks to RAGOM, foster families, and the good samaritans who rescue dogs like Norman."

Tamera H:
"Keep fighting, Norman! You can get healthy and live the Golden life you deserve!"

06/27/2013:

Hello from Grand Forks, ND!

On June 14, 2013 two very kind people brought me a very sick dog they had found out on their hobby farm in rural ND. There is no telling where this dog came from or how long he had been wandering alone, they just knew that he needed help and I would be available to provide it. So, they brought this handsome gentleman to Grand Forks, to me, and eventually to RAGOM. Many grateful thank-yous to RAGOM for accepting this boy under its wings and providing him with the medical attention that it has been determined that he needs. Many thanks to these Good Samaratins for caring enough to not look the other way and leave him out there to fend for himself and, no doubt, eventually die. There is no question they saved his life!

So, here the story of "Norman" begins. I chose that name for him because he has an old soul for a dog that appears to be around 2-3 years old. He is quiet and mellow and just kinda looks at you like he's known you forever. He's a beautiful dark red color with a big head! Norman had so many ticks on him, easily hundreds, and was so matted/dirty that we picked as many of them off him as we could, and then just had to shave him down. A bath followed, after which I was looking at a new dog. He smelled clean, he looked clean, and I had no doubts that with time and good nutrition, his coat would glisten like a true red Golden.

Due to the amount of ticks on him, we ran the standard 4dx heartworm/tick-bourne disease blood test which unfortunately came back positive for both Lymes & Anaplasmosis. These are both diseases that are transmitted by ticks. Thankfully, his heartworm test was negative. Norman was extremely painful, anemic, lethargic, anorexic, and generally unhealthy. So, we started him on a regime of antibiotics and pain meds. After a few days, he continued to lose weight and stopped eating altogether. We took an X-ray of his lungs due to his panting at rest and the veterinarian did not like the bronchial patterns she saw on the film and ordered a fungal serology. Here is the really BAD news: it came back positive for Blastomycosis. This is a fatal fungal infection if not treated. Yes, FATAL. Now, keep in mind, I have had this gem for about a week and have completely fallen in love with him! Not fighting for him was NOT AN OPTION! However, treatment is incredibly expensive and the outcome is not guaranteed. So, I requested permission from RAGOM to buy the meds and they didn't hesitate! "Absolutely, treat Norman" was the overwhelming response!!! Treatment lasts for 4 months! It will be twice daily medication for 90 days, another blood test, and then continuing one more month past a negative result.

This is where being a rescue organization struggles, though, so Please, Please, Please, if you are even thinking about sponsoring a dog, or perhaps wanting to make a simple donation to RAGOM for all that we do for these dogs, please consider doing it now and noting that it is for Norman's medical care! We absolutely cannot do what we do for these dogs without the generous support of those who care!

So, all the medical jargon is out of the way. Here's the equally important information you need to know about him!

  • He is completely housebroken.
  • He is crate trained (loves to sleep in it and has no issues hanging out in it with the door open).
  • He has fantastic recall, does not need a fenced yard.
  • He walks great on a leash & loves to walk.
  • He loves people(!!!!!!!!!!).
  • He is smart, smart, smart, learning his name, comes when called, sits for his treats.
  • When he cuddles with you, he buries his face in your shoulder.
  • He loves all dogs. He wants to play, just isn't feeling up to it yet.
  • And has the craziest hair I've ever seen on a Golden!

Please continue to follow this guy's progress & recovery. Please continue to keep him in your thoughts and prayers as we fight for him. He's trying to fight this illness, and now that his head is resting on soft blankets, a cool fan pointing on him, and has freshly cooked daily meals, he is feeling so very much loved, wanted, and cared for. Exactly the reason we are a Rescue. Exactly the reason I do this. Exactly the reason he has every right to be here!!!

Updates

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Greetings, Norm Fans!

Norman has continued to improve to some degree and in other areas, his health has stayed the same. He still does not have an appetite and this poses a bit of a challenge on some days, but he loves his daily 4oz of liver, so usually dinnertime he's chomping down just fine! He still gets winded easily, but he has learned to love fetch as all Goldens do, and will chase the ball until he just has to lay down and catch his breath. He hangs on to the ball tho, lest the other Golden in the family get her paws on it! His bloodwork continues to improve and his Red Blood Cells have been rising steadily, although still not in the normal range yet. I would expect that if he continues on this path, we will have cured his anemia and he will be out of the danger zone of needing a blood transfusion. For this, I am extremely grateful! We are due for a fungal serology test the end of this month to see if the Blastomycosis has been beat--fingers and paws crossed for a negative result!!! He has worked so hard, and is such a fighter, that I just have to believe it won't be anything but good news! Unfortunately, two weeks ago, another lesion appeared. This one is on his side. It came up overnight and was the size of a ping-pong ball, but by the next day, it had decreased to marble size. This is indicative that the infection is still circulating in his system....but like I said, he's a fighter and we are going to beat this miserable disease!

That brings me to the good news...Norman will not be fighting this battle alone. I am eternally grateful to all of you who have supported him financially, especially Tamera H and Bonnie & Clark K---their sponsorship has made a world of difference in Norman's recovery! My gratitude also extends to those of you who have followed his battle and prayed for his recovery, and finally, to Dr. Lori G. at All Pets Hospital here in Grand Forks who has donated a significant portion of his care, kept him for me when I had to go out of town, and for generally answering ALL my questions without once raising her eyebrows at me!-------so it is with a smile on my face that I share with you that our family has adopted Norman! We know that his disease is not cured. We know that his trials are not over, and we know that we are not guaranteed a future with this boy. But it is our belief that he belongs here and that he didn't just end up with us by some happenstance. He was a stray dog delivered to us for safekeeping and comfort. And in turn, we will keep him safe, healthy, loved, and cared for--for however long we are blessed to have him!

"I once was lost, but now am found"

I will continue to keep you all posted on his recovery, which is far from over. Please continue to follow him and keep him in your thoughts. Check the RAGOM Facebook page for updates as well as the "Happy Endings" tab on RAGOM.org. I feel like Norman has touched a lot of lives and reminded us of just how precious these dogs are and what amazing things rescue organizations like RAGOM do for so many dogs.

With so much gratitude,
Jessica (formerly known as foster mom, now just "mom") and Norman


Norman (R) & resident sister Wilma (L)


My first "hug" from Norman--should have known then what I know now!


Our daily commute to work

Monday, August 5, 2013

Greetings, Norman fans! I am so excited to do this update because I am feeling so happy for the progress Norman has been making! Every day his energy level improves and his eyes get a little less "dull." We are still battling his anemia as well as a few other health issues, but in general, he is gradually healing! Yay!!! In September, he will have been on his anti-fungal medications for 90 days. At that time, we will retest him for Blastomycosis. If it comes back Negative (please, please, please!), we will continue 30 days longer on the meds. At that time, depending on him, he should be ready for adoption. Oh, how those words taste sour in my mouth! We are in love with this goof ball, as you might imagine. Watching his transformation from near death to actively playing fetch has been so rewarding! He still has the crazies hair ever....don't know what to tell you about that!

For his forever home, a few things I would like to mention that I think he will need:

  • A fenced-in yard. He has excellent recall, but he was a stray and he likes to be outside. I don't think leaving him on a tether will be enough for him.
  • He pulls like a freight train on a leash. He is going to need some training in this department!! He loves going for walks, you can't pick up a leash without him running to the door so he will definitely need someone who enjoys walking.
  • He does not sleep in the bed and has only once gotten up on the couch. His sleeping preference is either in his kennel (door open) or at the foot of the stairs.
  • He would be fine as an only dog, as long as he got plenty of attention.
  • He sleeps a lot, so a quieter home would be preferable. Not to say he doesn't participate in day-to-day chaos, but he's just a mellow dog who I believe enjoys a peaceful life.
  • Kids are fine--I have a 6-year-old--no issues at all.
  • He has had a few accidents in the house. Until he "tells" me he has to go outside, not sure I would call him completely housebroken as I consider "notification" as an important element of being housebroken.
  • He does stairs just fine, but struggles to get in and out of the car (needs help unless he gets a running start).

So, all in all, Norman is getting better! Thank you to everyone who has sent in donations to help cover Norm's medical expenses--especially to Bonnie & Clark K. and Tamera H. for their sponsorship of this gem! We are so grateful to you! Thank you also to those of you who pray for him and send him your healing wishes! He feels your love!


Snuggle time


He's starting to fill out!


Norman (left) and resident girl Wilma smiling


Rides like a champ in the car

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Hello Norman Fans!

It has been an eventful couple of weeks and Norman has made great progress! First he spent a week with fellow RAGOM foster Kelly S. while we were on vacation....many thanx to her and her crew for spoiling him rotten! He wouldn't eat well while he was with her so she prepared a smorgasbord of pork loin, liver, liver wurst, hamburger....you get the idea....and he gobbled it all right up. He even spent 4th of July lounging at their lake home. Wow, lucky dog!

Norman's energy level has increased greatly. He will get bouts of energy and want to play with our resident girl. They play for only a few minutes, but it's the improvement that I'm most pleased with. He LOVES to go for walks! His stamina is short-lived, so we only go around the block, but the fact that he is showing interest in the activity is encouraging! He also is now exploring the house, whereas before, he only stayed on the main level. It took some coaxing, but now he does the stairs without hesitating. Norm continues to sleep in his large wire crate as he likes it in there and goes willingly every time. He even likes to stay in it during the day with the door open if we are home. It's his "safe" spot and he likes it so I would encourage anyone interested in adopting him to be considerate and willing to have a crate for him in their home. He also likes it to be cool, so although we do have a/c, we keep a fan in his general direction as well.

Norman is gaining confidence and attempting to explore the outdoors as well. We do not have a fenced-in yard so he goes out on a leash or a tie-out most of the time. However, if we are outside with him and the other dogs are out as well, we just keep a trailing leash on him and stay close. However, yesterday morning, my husband let the dogs out and then came back into the house to turn off the coffee pot and when he went back out, Norman had decided to go for a little walkabout. He had "trotted" down to about the 3rd house down on our street and walked up to some people dropping their kids off at a daycare. He came when he was called, but you can imagine my poor husband in his suit "trotting" after Norman as he was getting ready to leave for work. We call that "not a happy camper" in our house! I take it as a good sign...Norm is feeling better and his personality is coming out. The bad thing is that since he was found wandering, we don't know what that personality is and we are finding out one experience at a time.

His bloodwork has not shown much improvement but nor has it declined either. The vet is pleased with the progress that he's feeling better and does not seem as painful. He will let us open his mouth up now, whereas before, that was just too painful for him! He continues to lose weight (down to 62lbs), despite a good appetite, so we have increased his meals to 2 1/2 cups food three times a day. Unfortunately, the prednisone (a steroid) has caused him to have several pee accidents in the house. The first two weeks he was here he didn't have one, then he started. I'm not really sure what to make of this so will wait and see what comes of it. We are decreasing his steroids as of today to every other day as we attempt to wean him off of it. He continues to get Tramadol for pain (we have also decreased from two tabs twice a day to one tab twice a day), vitamins, and the Itraconazole for the Blastomycosis. He has his little pharmacy in the kitchen and is learning very quickly his manners.

Thank you to everyone who follows Norman's progress! Especially to his sponsors, Bonnie & Clark K, and Tamera H. as well as those of you who have sent in donations in Norm's honor! We are very grateful for not just the financial support, but also just knowing how many people truly care for and wish RAGOM dogs the best. Norman is a very lucky dog, as are all rescued animals, but without the support of everyone, what we do just wouldn't even be possible. So thank you, from me and from Norman!!!

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Holy Moly!!! I might just be the luckiest dog EVER! First, I am found by two great people who save me and get me to a safe place. Then, I hang my skinny head at this new home with 2 other dogs, kids, a cat, and a really good air conditioner! Foster Mom realizes I'm not eating so well, so she starts cooking me this amazing stuff called Tripe twice a day. Everyone else leaves the house when it's cooking because it smells just so good they can't stand to be around it! So, I'm just chilling, thinking life is good, when Foster Mom gets all kinds of excited because not just one, but TWO people think I'm pretty special too, and have done something called "sponsor" me.....guess my medications are pretty expensive and I need to be on them for a while. So, these angels have stepped up to help me. Know what the best part is? It's that there are really special people out there who think I'm worthy of fighting the good fight! They give me reason to want to fight, and the energy to do it! So, a big, wet, sloppy kiss to my sponsors Tamera H. AND Bonnie & Clark K. You guys are so cool. One of these days I'm going to have enough stamina to jump up on you, but for right now, please just accept a piece of my Tripe as a token of my appreciation!

Greetings from Foster Mom (FM) here. Norman continues to be the best house guest. He has had his ups & downs, and later last week was one of his downs. His temperature had spiked and he wasn't eating, so we adjusted his dose of prednisone. He is tolerating the anti-fungal medication well (to treat the Blastomycosis), and the other meds he is on don't cause him any trouble. He gets them in something delicious, and if he's feeling well, he gobbles them right up. If he's not feeling well, I smear them with peanut butter and put them in his mouth. His muscles are sore and he does not like his mouth to be pried open so I can "poke" the pills, so I don't. He's not a fan of the peanut butter tactic, but puts up very little resistance. His weight is steady at 65lbs. - not up and not down from last week. He has many pounds to put on, so at first I was discouraged by his lack of weight gain, and then I looked at it differently and thought, "Well, he hasn't lost any more weight." So I guess I should be content. We will continue to prod along the road to recovery, albeit slow. This weekend he met a 5-month-old puppy who wanted to play so badly, but Norm just didn't have the energy. So, the puppy and my resident girl played for a while and then when everyone was tuckered out, Norman went over to the puppy and they "patrolled" the yard together at a manageable pace. He knows his limits. He pants, even when sleeping, and therefore likes having a fan blowing on him to keep him cool. He sleeps in a large wire crate by choice, and goes into it at will. We leave the door open for him, but it is his quiet spot and he is comfortable in it, so we leave him be.

Norman loves to be petted. He does not roll over onto his back for belly rubs, I would imagine his spine is too bony to support him as well as it would be difficult for him to breathe. So, we make do and I rub him wherever he presents for me to do so. He enjoys his nightly walks around the block, not too far, just enough to keep his joints loose and active. He loves everyone he meets, and wags his tail like there's no tomorrow! Glad at least one part of his body doesn't hurt!

Thank you for following Norman's journey and keeping him in your thoughts and prayers. He is just so special, and down the road, some family is going to be so blessed to call Norman their own!


This photo was taken on a day when he wasn't feeling well, and he got comfy on the bed facing the corner, so that's where he stayed all day.