Smiley GH-1065
RIP LONG TERM FOSTER SMILEY August 1, 2018
A wonderful 133 day journey with Smiley — thank you GoldHeart for rescuing this Sweet Soul. YOU WILL LIVE FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS SMILEY!
Our Smiley boy crossed over peacefully and we know our many fur-kids and some of yours were there to greet him. In 4+ months he touched our lives beyond measure and brought smiles to all he met. His GH sisters were never far from him in his final days.
Run Free, Bark to your heart’s content, and enjoy all your new buddies and girl friends! And a message to humans from Smiley…PLEASE, never ever miss your furkids annual testing for HW and Lymes… chronic Lyme disease is what took Smiley before his time.
–The Martinez Family
Update July 28th —
Mr. Smiley has been with GoldHeart and part of our family for over 4 months now (Vets estimated he had about 3 months, and we are glad he proved them wrong). Day by by day the kidney failure and probable cancer (testicular and other types suspected) is taking him away from us. He sleeps more, has to go out every 2-3 hrs 24-7, and will still eat a little (home cooking only). He is such a good boy when he gets fluids and he does his best with a woof! woof! to let us know when he has to go out.
Sadly, we know the day to help him transition to the other side is around the corner. Smiley tells me to thank everyone at GoldHeart every day for helping him enjoy the last chapter of his life (in people years, if he makes it to 5 months, that means we gave him 2 years!).
Update May 2018 – Smiley moved to LTF. Sadly, after a 30-day round of doxycycline, additional testing revealed Smiley’s kidneys continue to worsen, from chronic lyme exposure. His blood pressure was also still to high, so his ace inhibitor medication was increased. He now gets Subq fluids in his foster home every other day and enjoys having lots of home cooking to help keep him happy and healthy (He would prefer to leave the kidney diet food for his foster siblings). The vets estimate he probably has a few months and we plan to recheck his blood work in 30 days or so to better gauge the progression. Sadly, the vets recommend we not put him through surgery, since anesthesia would only shorten his life further — the benefits simply do not outweigh the risks.
If treatment for Lymes had started earlier, the result may be different. Smiley is definitely a poster child for getting annual Lyme and Heartworm testing — even if you keep your pups on medication year-round.
Please know, Smiley does not appear to be in any pain, and is a very happy boy who just has to pee more often. He continues to live life to the fullest. He has several comfy beds, and loves his daily walks to sniff and greet everyone. He is a typical Golden, wants to be near his humans or pack, and will bark to let you know when he wants something… he even is now carrying a stuffed toy around.
From His First Under Evaluation Bio (arrived 3-22-18 to GoldHeart): After learning about Smiley (a suitable new name for a boy found around St. Patrick’s Day), who was picked up by the Humane Society, as either a stray or owner dump (ouch!), GoldHeart stepped in to bring this red golden boy into the rescue after his stray hold was up, and his owners did not come looking for him. Just heartbreaking, because this boy doesn’t have a mean bone in his body and all he wants to do is be around his people…snuggling, placing his head in your lap, or knocking your arm up for a pet.
When he sees you coming, or gets around new people and other dogs, his entire body wags — smiles! We believe he is about 12 years old. He is a tall lanky boy, and underweight (should be around 75 lbs). He is not altered, has a testicular tumor (can be resolved with neuter), a large suspect fatty tumor on his rear leg, has two other lumps of concern, and a few other bumps.
