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THE STORY OF BUDDY - THE LITTLE MALTESE

What a cute little puppy! Buddy was most certainly a tiny puppy, with bright white fur and big, black, expressive eyes. His owner carried him everywhere and showed him off to anybody who would stop and look at him. Buddy didn't mind the attention. He knew he was a pretty little puppy, everyone told him so. Strangers would stop and pet him and talk gently to him. Buddy would wag his tail and lick every hand that was offered to him. Life was good for this little white puppy. He had food, water and attention, the epitome of a dog's life.

When he was 5 years old, things desperately changed for Buddy. His fur had grown and his owner didn't groom him or have anytime for him anymore. Buddy was taken from his home by some unknown person and placed in the night deposit box on January 25, 2004 at the Yolo County Animal Shelter. There was no note, no information about the little dog. He was placed in the box, like someone throwing out the trash. Buddy had joined the ranks of other unwanted and unloved pets.   The world as Buddy knew it was a dark and lonely place. His hair was so matted that he was unable to open his eyes and see the world. Somewhere under all the tangled fur was his face, nose and mouth. One hair mat was 4 inches thick and went from the bottom of his throat up and over his head to the back of his shoulders. He could only hear muffled sounds because his ears were so tangled into knots that the fur mats made him look like he had 3 ears and you couldn't see into his ear canal due to the matted mess of fur.

Buddy shook with fright, for it was a scary existence for the little neglected dog.

Buddy
 

The shelter officers who took Buddy out of the night deposit box were extremely concerned for the health and well being of this little dog. The officers had to shave his face so Buddy could see. Little did the officers know that when they were able to see his face, they were going to find a massive staphylococcus infection around his face, eyes and mouth. The little dog smelled of rotting flesh. The smell was coming from his entire body. They could see by the condition of his eyes and ears that he wasn't able to see very well or hear very well. The officers were unsure as to why the little dog couldn't walk on his own.

On Monday, one of the shelter foster parents came in and took Buddy to the veterinarian. Upon initial exam the veterinarian determined that Buddy would have to be shaved to assess his condition. Before shaving, Buddy weighed 11 pounds. After shaving Buddy his body weighed 3.2 pounds. It was apparent this little dog was severely malnourished. His skin was so thin it was peeling off his back. His eyes were so infected that he was at least 75% blind. His ears were so matted and infected that his hearing was below normal and the puss was oozing from all the open wounds inside his ear flaps. His teeth were rotten. His toenails were sloughing off and some were missing.    The veterinarian informed the foster parent that they were unsure if Buddy would survive the next 48 hours. If he did survive, he would need on-going medical attention and daily medicines. The foster parent took Buddy home and for the next 24 hours he was given fluids and food every 2 hours while laying on his foster mom's lap. If Buddy should die, the foster mom wanted to make sure that he knew his final hours were with someone who cared for him and talked and petted him.

Buddy survived the 48 hours and slowly was gaining his strength. He was given 3 different eye drops 3 times a day. His puss-filled ears were cleaned out 3 times a day and medicated 3 times a day. His body had to be coated with an antiseptic lotion to clear up the infections on his body. He was given oral antibiotics 3 times a day. This routine lasted for 2 months with 2-3 times weekly visits to the veterinarian.

Buddy had to learn how to walk. He had to be carried the first 14 days. He had no muscle or fat on his bones so he was unable to walk. When he started walking his skin on the bottom of his feet was so thin, that after walking only a short distance his feet would break open and bleed. He would cry because of the pain of his feet. He would fall down because his muscles couldn't hold him up. It took over a month for Buddy to be able to walk 50 feet.

After 7 months of foster care, Buddy eyesight was still very challenged. He had only 50% sight in both eyes. His body was still fighting the infections. He still got 2 different eye drops 3 times a day. He still got ear infections and must get his ears cleaned every day and drops put in them once a day. Buddy is on antibiotics at least once a month. He had to have 13 teeth removed and 2 root canals. His teeth fell out when the veterinarian started cleaning them. The only thing holding in his front teeth was the tartar build up. To date, Buddy's cost for medical care is over $800. Buddy is food aggressive which is common for starved dogs. He is learning that people are not going to hurt him, and that his foster Mom will keep him safe and warm.

UPDATE:  Buddy is thriving in his foster home!  Check back soon for more "after" pictures and stories about him in his new life.

To help more dogs like Buddy, please consider donating to the Friends of the Yolo County Animal Services.  All donations are fully tax deductible.  To find out how to donate, click here.
 
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