WOODY

WOODY HAS BEEN ADOPTED BY THE ZIEMBA FAMILY OF RI! WOODROW IS NOT AT THE HUMANE SOCIETY ANIMAL SHELTER. THIS IS A COURTESY POSTING FOR A FOSTER MOM. FOR MORE INFO, PLEASE CONTACT KIM PERRY AT (606) 483-2959 This young boy was picked up as a stray by a southern Ohio Dog Warden on 2/23/09. By law in that Appalachian area jurisdiction, a stray must be retained 5 days before euthanasia in order to provide the owner an opportunity to reclaim their dog. This fellow's retention period expired 3/1/09. The routine WEEKLY MASS EUTHANASIA at this shelter (to make room for the inevitable influx before the next weekly kill day) is scheduled for Tuesdays to coincide with garbage pick up day. Therefore, Woody (then nameless) was scheduled for euthanasia on 3/3/09; but his [future] foster mom saw him the Monday before and told the shelter manager that she would pull him if no one else rescued him before that Tuesday morning's euthanasia session. Woody's foster mom picked him up the afternoon of 3/3/09 (the day he was scheduled for euthanasia) when the shelter opened after the morning killings of other, less fortunate, unadopted dogs.

Because all four of poor Woody's legs were swollen and his back left hock was dripping blood, his foster mom took him straight to the vet on 3/3/09, where he weighed 51.9 lbs. and was estimated by the veterinarian to be 9 months of age. It was determined that all four of his legs had been badly punctured numerous times by multiple dogs--yes, dogS because being attacked by only one dog could not have resulted in that many wounds. This poor boy also had whipworms and hookworms, which was much easier to eliminate than his inflammation and infection.

Over the next several weeks, Woody was treated with the strong (and expensive) antibiotics Clindamycin and Baytril to effectively eliminate his severe infection. In addition to initially having to wear a pressure bandage on his left hock to stem the swelling and draining, Woody had to wear a big plastic "collar" from his neck to the tip of his nose to prevent licking his left rear leg. This was hard on EVERYBODY--the other foster dogs and his foster mom. EVERYBODY had bruises from being hit "head on" with the plastic collar when big ole friendly Woody tried to get "up close and personal."

By the time his severe infection was arrested so that he could be castrated on 3/25/09, Woody's weight had increased to 59.1 lbs. Standing 22" tall (at the top of his shoulders) with a torso of the same length (22" from the base of his neck to the base of his tail), Woody's foster mom believes that his adult weight will reach around 70 lbs.

His black and tan markings and thick legs while in the pound had led them and, initially, his foster mom to assume that Woody was a Rottweiler mix. However, the vet and several of his assistants identified Woody for what he apparently is: a Doberman Pinscher mix. And his gorgeous hanging ears resemble the naturally beautiful ears of Doberman Pinschers who have not been cropped in the bizarre cut promoted by breed clubs. His wonderful temperament might have been further sweetened by a touch of Black Labrador Retriever--just a guess, who knows ?

Whatever his heritage, Woody is a big ole black 'n tan love furball. He is very playful and gentle with the other dogs in his foster home. And he is very sociable and affectionate toward dog friendly cats in his foster home. If a cat hisses at him, he looks away and casually walks away. He is a lover...not a warrior. His motto: "Woody is my name and love is my game." And that's probably why he was so viciously attacked prior to being picked up by the Dog Warden. Gentle dogs fare poorly among aggressive dogs.

Obedience training is always recommended for bonding and safety's sake for any new canine addition to a family. Unless there is something that needs investigating, Woody is inclined to come to his foster mom when called. However, because he does have a good sense of humor, he often will detour around the house in the process of coming when called. In any event, this smart, sweet boy would be an excellent student for obedience training. Basic obedience training would be good for both Woody and any gentle, elementary school aged human siblings in his adoptive family. And he is prepared to be their best friend.

Having been heartworm tested (negative), started on heartworm preventative, vaccinated, and neutered, Woody is ready for a permanent family to share his life, love, and memories for many happy years to come. His last "owner" did not do anything to protect him from vicious dogs, traffic, or potentially fatal parasites, but his foster mom will make sure that he gets a wonderful, responsible permanent home. Woody has the desire at times to scale the gate at his rescue home to see the outside world and then shimmies back over to get back into the yard. For his ultimate protection, Woody needs a securely fenced yard consisting of at least a 6 foot wooden privacy fence.

ADORABLE BIG OLE PUPPY ISO HUMAN FAMILY TO ADORE HIM.

For more info on Woody, please contact Kim Perry at (606) 483-2959 or email [email protected].