Ruby !
 

How could you? 

Ruby was found running scared on the streets in Chilliwack.  Thankfully a kind person lured her into safety with food and she was taken to Chilliwack Animal Control who immediately sent out a plea for assistance for a very sick dog.

Ruby's loving foster Mom picked her up and she was immediately driven to a BHR vet who has diagnosed this sweet golden retriever cross with bacterial/yeast infections in both ears, emaciation, flea infestation, severe hair loss and anaemia. In addition, it appears that Ruby may also have two mammary tumour's and we await a confirmation diagnosis next week. 

Once Ruby's visit was concluded and her foster Mom was loaded up with medication she was chauffeured to her new foster home and when this sickly tired girl spied the huge comfy bed that had been hand made just for her, she fell into it with a huge sigh of relief...because she knew she was now safe.  

Later in the evening Ruby had a warm bath to remove some of the filth, fleas, grit and grease that covered her entire body.  She was dried with a big fluffy towel and the heat was turned up high to help dry her terrible skin and make her comfortable for the night. 

Ruby must have at one time been a very much beloved companion because she knows the commands sit and shake a paw, she walks gently on leash when she goes for her short walks and she is fully house trained. 

Is it possible Ruby is the result of a "free to good home" ad?  Its very possible!  We believe that Ruby was once a cherished girl who ended up in a back yard or a pen, neglected to the point where her very life was almost compromised.

Big Heart Rescue and Ruby's foster Mom are doing all we can to bring this girl back to glowing health and we can't help but think of those that neglected her so horribly, how could you! 

Updates will be posted as Ruby regains her strength and her further medical concerns are dealt with.   

If you care to sponsor Ruby please visit our sponsor page or if you are interested in adopting this angel when she is feeling better please send an e-mail to spiritsmission@shaw.ca

Update: 17 October

Many thanks to Sue, who is sponsoring Ruby in memory of her beloved friend Dawn who was tragically killed in a car accident on Sep. 29th

Update: 23 October

Thanks go out to Jill who has agreed to help sponsor Ruby.
A special thank you to Jane who has also agreed to sponsor Ruby.

Update: 15 November
A note from Ruby's foster Mom:

For about a week I kept Ruby separated from the other dogs. She would lean over the baby gate and talk to the dogs and wanted to join the family but I wanted to give her time to herself so she could begin the healing process and sleep without any dogs pestering her. When Ruby rolled over for a belly rub I discovered two large lumps right by the last two nipples in her groin. They felt like mammary tumors but as it has turned out they were not. They were very swollen lymph glands that were caused by infections throughout her body. Now that she is a healthy girl these lumps have completely disappeared. Her body and legs were also covered in scabs. This was a condition that I had not seen before. The vet explained to me that this scabbing was caused by the body throwing off the infection and also by a weakened immune system.

To be sure that Ruby was diagnosed properly Big Heart Rescue sought the opinion of a second veterinarian. This proved to be a good decision because the second veterinarian dug deeper into the immune system problems. With the additional holistic supplements Ruby improved so fast that I could see a daily change in her weight and her overall health.  Her weight gain has been a steady 0.6 of a pound a day and she no longer has a spine that sticks out. When she arrived her leg muscles were completely gone and now they are back. Last week she had her first outing to a doggy park and just loved the freedom to run and meet and greet all the dogs. Ruby is rock solid with every animal she has met. While at the Dog Park a large intact male dog rushed right into her face in a rather aggressive manner. Ruby looked at him, turned her back and walked away.

Ruby lives here in foster care with two little Shih Tzu’s, one of which bosses her around and she is always very gentle and sweet with them. She loves human attention and will take all the loving and cuddling that is offered to her. She is also happy to hang out with the other dogs or have down time when there is no attention being paid to her. She has no separation anxiety. She loves car rides and is happy to jump in the car and go for a ride whenever it is offered to her.

Prior to Ruby being so terribly neglected she must have been owned by someone who taught her to be a very good and obedient girl. She is such a pleasure to be around and is a quiet and well mannered house guest. Her house training is beyond excellent and she is quick to notify you when she wants to go outside to take care of business.

Ruby tells me that she is now ready to find her new forever family.     The family that finds and adopts this loving girl will not believe how lucky they are. This girl is not a diamond in the rough – she is a gemstone of the highest quality.

Update: 25 November

Ruby has an ultra sound scheduled in Feb. to check her kidneys and review the protein in her urine.  Big Heart Rescue will assume financial responsibility for this ultra sound

Update: 8 December

Darling Ruby has found her new Mom!!  Yes, this delightful survivor has found Nancy who will adore her for the rest of her life.  Ruby even has a fur friend to live with, to play with and to swim with.

Congratulations Nancy and Ruby, may all your tomorrows bring love and happiness.

Many thanks to the following people who have so generously offered to sponsor Ruby:

Sue – in Memory of her friend Dawn
Jill
Jane
Kory Down-Swaele – in Memory of Akuna
Carrie Johnston
Georgia Borgford – in Memory of her Sister Kelly
Annie Smith – in Memory of beloved Hunter
Nancy Keene & Family
Deb Hobbs
Wendy Ridley – in Memory of Spot & Max
Marie Hanley – in Memory of Quest
Sharon Kitchener

www.bigheartrescue.com