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Hi, I'm Rustina, Tina for short.  I was dumped at the Vance County Animal Shelter about a month ago. This shelter is in Henderson North Carolina. I made friends with another Springer there. We were there for a while. Thank goodness we were rescued by ESRA.

Well my story starts with the fact that the shelter said I was a boy. They called me Rusty because of my bleached out liver color. I guess they neglected to check. Actually they didn't check anything. I came to the shelter with a severely crushed hip and femur of my rear right leg in addition to Heartworms. The injury was an old one and it healed on its own in a very bad position. The leg is every cumbersome and I am not able to get around too well. My ESS friend from the shelter helped me get around and she protected me. The hip and leg have made life difficult but I am a happy girl. It can be painful and aches alot. Thank goodness I am a small slim girl or it would be worse.

It has been established that the best plan of action is to amputate the leg from the hip down. Boy are those x-rays cool...well you know what I mean. If you are into crushed hips and femurs that are completely broken in half and
displaced. I am ready for the amputaion and looking forward to being able to run and play.

In addition to all the leg and hip stuff I have these horrible Heartworms. My gosh what were the people thinking that had me before...Thanks goodness they took me to the shelter to be rescued by ESRA. Once I recover from the
amputation I will need a lengthy Heartworm treatment and then can you believe I have to have another surgery? I can't...I will then be spayed and be ready for my forever home. Wow, I am exhausted just telling you about all this.

Please continue to watch for my updates on my treatments and recovery. All of these medical treatments are expensive. My foster mom told me not to worry about them. She said the great supporters of ESRA would help out and everything will be fine. Thank you for helping me find a new life and a great home.

Update 04 MAY 08: Hi Everyone, I just wanted you to know my surgery went very well. Wow what a difference a few days make. I had gotten used to having that bad leg around and now that it is gone what a relief. The surgery was a bit longer then expected due to the amount of damage and all the bone fragment. There was a lot a cleaning up in there to be done. I look forward to going back to the vet for a check up. I was a bit out of it when I left. I want to thank Dr. John, Dr. Cindy and Dr. Jennifer for taking such great care of me. I can't forget Brent he was my surgical vet tech. Boy is he a smart guy and kinda cute too :) Everyone was great to me and of course since I still have Heartworm treatment and a spay in store I will be seeing them alot.

My foster mom and brothers are taking great care of me. I have my very own apartment as mom calls it. It is nice to have a comfy place to rest and someone giving me lots of attention. I have even gone to work with mom. That is fun because everyone comes to see the pretty Springer Spaniel named Tina.

Update 27 MAY 08: Hi Ya'll, First I wish to thank you all for your donations and thoughts and prayers for me as I continue my very rigorous treatments.

I am doing well. I had my many stitches out from my leg and hip surgery recently. It is amazing how well it has healed and the scar is barely visible. Now that is what a girl likes, a skilled surgeon! Thank you Dr. John!. We wouldn't want a scar getting in the way of my beauty!   :-).

I am now preparing myself for heartworm treatment. Due to anemia, I have to be very careful that I eat a well balanced diet. I am eating puppy food to build my strength. Just think how many girls would like to eat the high calorie food I get to eat every day. I know I will keep my girlish figure because my foster mom is keeping a watchful eye to be sure I do not gain too much weight.

I hope to start the treatment in the next week or so. We will have some blood work run, and hope to get the go-ahead soon. My foster brothers are keeping a watchful eye on me, and make sure I do not get them in too much trouble. I am a feisty little girl that can get away with a lot with just a coy little head tilt. You know what I mean, girls ;-)

Thanks for keeping a watchful eye on me and my treatments. Please keep the prayers coming, and I will send some new photos soon. I think the boys ate the camera because I was hogging it!

I will keep you up to date on my progress and thank you all for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers for a complete recovery.

Love and hugs to you all,
Tina.

Tina loves to play with her foster siblings! From left: Duncan, Gilly, and Tina

Update 06 JUN 08: Hey Ya'll, It was 98 degrees in Raleigh NC today. Now I know why my mom calls me Teeny Weenie Bikini... because I need to go swimming to cool off.

I have been eating puppy food for several weeks now to put on some much needed weight to prepare for my Heartworm treatment that starts on June 16th. I will need to watch my bikini figure because I will not be as active as I am right now. They tell me I have to rest,relax and most of all cut back on the mischief I get into. Yes, sweet Tina get into trouble. I know it is hard to believe but I have been caught in the act. I tried to blame my foster brothers but they called in the CSI guys and they took teeth and mouth prints. Yes it was I who destroyed mom's favorite coffee table book and my kind of dad  (moms friend) Brian's text book for his college class. You know I am a girl and my girlish ways did not save me from trouble this time. I had to go to my «apartment» and stay for a while. I cried a bit and suckered them into telling me it was ok to come out... fooled them :-)

Please continue to send all your positive thoughts and prayers my way. I hear that this treatment can be hard. I will be strong. You all know I am a tough little girl. I have endured a lot in my short life. I know I can do this with everyone's help.

By the way here is a new photo of me and my foster brothers Duncan and Gilly. Aren't we cute? I think so :-)

Thanks again and I will write again soon.

Love Tina

Update 20 JUN 08: Hi Ya'll, I just wanted to check in and let you know I am resting and taking it easy since I started Heartworm treatment on Monday. My first  treatment went well. My doctors are really great and all the staff really like me and give me lots of TLC. My foster brothers missed me while I was away for a couple of days. Mom told them to take it easy when I came home. They wanted to play and I needed to be quiet and rest. They are being gentle with me since I am a bit sore.

Not much more to report at this time. I am going to relax and maybe catch a few rays on the deck with my brothers this weekend. Thank you all for your continued support and keep watching for my progress reports.

Love, Tina

Contact: E. Lulich aelulich@juno.com

Click Here To Sponsor Tina

TINA'S GENEROUS SPONSORS TO DATE:
Lee and Loretta Davis	In memory of Sparky and Freckles.
Cary Branthwaite	In memory of Jack and Gus.
Bob Knell	In memory of Samantha, Joshua, Rose, Brady, and Abigail.
Kathleen Lulich
Carol Sanderson	In memory of Steve Bachmeyer, we miss you, dear friend.
Heidi Thomas-Dunn	In honor of our rescued Springer, Buster.
Catherine Jones	In memory of Ashley.
Betty Green	In memory of T-bone.
Janice R. Pearce	In memory of our beloved Belle.
Karl and Linda Lintz	We are so proud of you Tina!  Love, your doggie friends Benny, Laney, Molly, and Lucas.
Theresa Schaufer	In memory of Brandy, Elsie, Rachel, and Gus.
Ray and Monica Smith	In memory of Steve Bachmeyer, dedicated ESRA volunteer.
Laura, Matt, and Elvis Starnes	Springers don't need 4 legs!  Hop to a quick recovery Tina!
Cathryne Slaughter	Good Luck, Tina!  You don't need 4 legs!  Springer kisses from Maggie in Alabama.
Tanya Mitchell
Michelle Reichlin and            Mike Sherrill	Please use to help with Tina's vet care or any other special needs dog.
Leslie Booth	In memory of Mandy (1991-2007) and her father Percy (1985-98).   I miss my dear friends.
Anonymous	In memory of our Special Needs Springers, Gus and Lexi.
Jamie and Ed Balazs	In memory of Kramer Emanuel Spangler.
Ed and Barbara Davenport
Amy Huber	In memory of Toby, Lucy, and Buster.
Deborah K. Sconyers	In memory of Ali, our sweet ESRA girl.
Kathie Schilling	In memory of Annie.
Russell S Hamby
Carolyn & Ed	In memory of Margaret Ommerle.
Gabriel Shanafelt	In memory of Henry and Sammy.
Bobby and Jeannie Haralson	In memory of our baby girl, Ginger, our 12 -year-old Golden Retriever, who we lost to bone cancer last week.
Angela Smith and Brad Avery	In memory of Ginger, and love from Sadie and Molly!
The Allen Family	In honor of Pat LaRocca, a special friend to four-legged friends in need, and her little yelpers, Willie, Roxie, and Tyrone.
Brenda Clark	In memory of Isaiah.
Kelly Rodier
Dana A. Phipps	In memory of Molly, Ellie, Midnight, and Cassie.
Paula Levine	In honor of Ruby. What a brave girl.