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Thursday, October 11, 2007:

We got a call from the shelter in Buhl, ID. The staff said they had a five-year-old Springer and she'd never seen one in such bad shape before. She said he was covered in bumps, lumps, and smelled like something had died. In fact, he had a growth the size of a lemon hanging off of his leg. He was scared of being touched and cowered easily. He definitely needed to go to rescue when his hold was up. Hearing about his appearance, we decided to name him “Champ” as he would have a recovery process to go through and would be a success story.

Monday, October 15, 2007:

Sharleen Smith, ESRA volunteer, drove to Buhl to get him. She took him immediately to Treasure Valley Vet in Boise took care of Champ. There were many foreign objects caught in mats in his coat, including rocks, twigs, feces, thorns, and unrecognizable decaying things. It was hard to tell if there were actually lumps underneath the skin, or just part of the mats. The hygiene area was such a mess that he was listed as intact when he was indeed neutered. He had been forced to eliminate on himself as the mats didn't allow him to go normally.

Champ went under anesthesia and they shaved him down. SEVEN masses were removed. All were benign, and all were related to neglect. “I haven't seen a dog this bad in years,” Dr. Shackelford told Sharleen. “This dog's condition is due to 100% neglect.” He imagined that Champ had been fending for himself for years, without adequate nutrition, baths, grooming, preventative health care, etc. His teeth were actually black with tartar. Champ had a dental that day, too, and was sent home to recover.

Sharleen cared for Champ and his multiple incisions. (See photos). Sharleen said the staples are holding him together. “He was just a stapled mess,” she explains. Two of the incisions had drainage tubes. He went home with pain med injections, and antibiotics, but just couldn't get comfortable. For several days, Champ would cry for hours. Sharleen administered painkiller/sedative injections, and Champ had restful sleep, finally.

October 23, 2007:

Champ is recovering and able to go without the injections. One drainage tube was removed. The other will be removed when the staples come out. Champ is now up to date on all his shots, heartworm negative, and on preventatives. As his health improves, we can work on his fear.

I wish Champ could tell us his story. When you approach him with the leash, he cowers. He is totally hand-shy and he has to smell your hand and then you can gently put it near him. He does not have separation anxiety and is not destructive, but when you are home, he has to have you in his sight. He is also terrified of the crate.

He is also afraid of trucks. When he sees a big semi truck, he goes ballistic. He shakes and cries and sounds like he is screaming. The first time it happened, Sharleen was driving home from the shelter. However, it's happened since then and they have to avoid the freeway.

Champ was definitely not an indoor dog. It took a lot of coaxing to convince him to come inside. He has not had any training. He is learning his housetraining quickly. We are taking our time with Champ, helping him slowly come out of his shell. He is doing OK with the other dogs in the house, but not the young, inquisitive one.  In time, Champ will be healthy, happy, and ready for his Forever Home.

Update December 6, 2007: Champ had 67 staples removed after his surgeries, and they have all healed nicely.  He has struggled with some allergies, but is doing well on a new hypoallergenic food and special shampoo.

Psychologically, he's come so far. His foster mom emailed me, "Champ recently went for a walk, and he ran into a lot of kids, and they stopped and petted him, and he really enjoyed it.  We went for our run down the interstate and he didn't even cry.  He just sat in the front seat and looked around and was such a good boy.  We went to PETCO and D AND B Feed Supply and he was so good." 

Champ is becoming less scared and more confident and happy all the time.

Update January 2, 2008: Champ has suffered from some allergies and was tested for Cushing's Disease.  Thankfully, the results were negative and Champ was just having a hard time recovering from a bacterial skin infection and his system was unhappy about all the meds he was on.  He is now doing very, very well.

The best news of all is that we have found a wonderful family for Champ.  They have been interested in him since they first saw him on the site.  We've been corresponding with them for two months, and they got to meet Champ over the holidays.  They have the patience and dedication to continue working with him and socializing him, and they have unlimited love to give him.

Contact: Kathy Armstrong lawkathy@hotmail.com

Click Here To Sponsor Champ

CHAMP'S GENEROUS SPONSORS TO DATE:
Ron Vidal	In memory of Mr. Clinky. Also, dedicated to Champ's new life, and to the memory of Icey and Clint.
Heidi Thomas-Dunn	In honor of our rescued Springer, Buster.
Tyler Douse	For Rocky, my ESRA buddy, who has brought so much joy to my life.
Monica and Ray Smith	Welcome to a wonderful new life! Bailey, Chance, and Benji Smith.
Kim and Pat Harris	In honor of out foster dog, Scarlett, who without ESRA would not be here today. Hang in there Champ, you are in good hands!
Deb & Bob Bessette	With gratitude to Kathy Armstong and her volunteers for their tireless efforts. A gift to Champ from Augie, who also had many lumps, bumps, and embedded foreign objects.
Lisa Marie Hilke	From Sugar Daddy and Abby. May this help speed your recovery!
Anna Watson	In memory of Betty Finger, my mother, who always had a heart for dogs.
Carol Brokob	Get well soon, Champ.  You're a beautiful boy!
Cathryne Slaughter	Get well soon, Champ!  We are all pulling for you.
Martina Silas	In memory of Bunjee, Ruby, and our many friends, and for all the dedicated ESRA volunteers. Let this make the life of a needy Springer more easy, and bring him/her more love.
Merrie Corbett	In memory of Charlie and Duke of Charlevoix. In honor of the Shelter Staff in Buhl, ID and the Treasure Valley Vet Clinic in Boise, ID, for caring enough to save this boy.  May he one day learn to trust and be able to run free as all Springers should.
Anne Mele and John Duder	In memory of Garbo, Dana, and Fannie Mae.
Renee Villanueva	In memory of Sammy the love of my life!! Hugs & Kisses with a speedy recovery, Champ!!
Katrin Owen	In honor of a true gentleman, David Binnix.
Cary Branthwaite	In memory of my first Springers, Jack and Gus, and to honor our current rescue, Muffin.
The Donald R. Holmes Family	A gift for Champ of Idaho -- we love you.
Linda Lintz	Champ... you are a special little guy... we are all rootin' for ya!!
Jennifer Whitney	In honor of my new rescued springer, Tonka, and her best pal Elsa. We hope you get well soon and find your new Forever Home.
Tanya Mitchell
Rhonda Miller Morrison	It's so great to know you are there to help Springer's in need.  They are a fantastic breed.  We loves ours dearly.
Charles Duncan	In memory of Casey, our Springer before Sunny the Springer.
Deniece Nielson	Thank you for bringing Lottie into our lives. She has been with us a couple of years now and we are all very happy. Thanks Dallas Springer Rescue.
Steve and Terri Schaufer	In honor of our three rescues, Dasher, Dre, Rori, and Holly too!
Bill Luckfield	In memory of Maggie.
Linda Lee and Jay Cecca	In memory of Casey, June, and Louise, rescue Springers. This is a gift for Charlie, our current rescue Springer puppy. Best wishes Champ for a speedy recovery and total healing, body, mind, and soul.
Jacky Kaspari
Stasia Thompson	In memory of our Maddy Girl, a field Springer, who came to us lonely and in need. How we loved that dog and she loved us!
Trish Munoz	Thank you ESRA for bringing into our lives, the ever-entertaining Bandit, who never ceases to make us laugh! We wish Champ the best in recovery and finding his loving Forever Family!
Cherie Ignatius
Bob Knell	In memory of Samantha, Joshua, Rose, and Brady.
Lori Tillman	Good thoughts and prayers for you, Champ, and many blessings will return to your foster family.
Kathie Green	Gift to honor Laura Hollis-Starnes stopping smoking!!!!! Go Laura! We are all so proud of your success! Keep up the good work!
Constance Miller
Lynn Meade-Larson	In memory of Bob, guardian of dead pigs, and savior to children who are not drowning!
Theresa Schaufer