Brady is about 5-6 years old. He was found as a stray off the side of the road just sitting there with a frisbee in his mouth - is that not  one of the most heartbreaking things you've ever heard. He is heartworm positive and still needs to be neutered. He will be neutered in early August and, after 30 days on an antibiotic, will then begin his heartworm treatments. He does have a skin issue that is being treated and it is responding well to the medications.  He is a big boy weighing in at 106 lbs.  Not overweight either!  He has a big block head.  He is a love and just wants to be loved.  He gets along beautifully with everyone.  He is a little strange looking right now as he is still missing hair due to his skin issue but he is improving nicely.  He loves to play with his favorite toy (a stuffed duck).

Brady is a gentle giant and could probably learn to tolerate anything with regards to other dogs and cats as long as it doesn't covet his toys! If you are interested in him and have cats then we would be happy to test him with the clinic cat at one of our network vets’ practice.

UPDATE 08/02/10: Our Transporter was with Brady for a few hours today and told us, " I picked up Brady today and delivered him to our vet for neutering and an examination.  He is a big, and I do mean big, very sweet boy.  He is 107 lbs.  Best estimate so far is that he is 5-6 years old.  Very friendly and a leaner.  He loves his toys too.   He gets weekly baths with special shampoo and is on Science Diet, Sensitive Skin to help deal with his skin issues and they are improving.  His coat is gradually filling back in but has a long way to go.  He will be magnificent when he is back to normal."  

UPDATE 08/04/10: Our wonderful vet, Dr. Gillette at Angel Animal Hospital in Bonita Springs, has found that Brady has hypothyroidism, which is the cause of his skin and coat problems. Luckily, hypothyroidism is incredibly easily, and cheaply, treated - Brady will get a small tablet once a day for the rest of his life. The tablets cost about 5 cents a day. When treated, hypothyroidism is easily managed and has no negative long-term health problems. Brady will be moved to his Foster Home tomorrow.

This dog's former owners failed to provide a heartworm preventative so he is heartworm postive and will need to undergo treatment over a period of three months. GRRSWF ensures that all heartworm positive dogs have been treated for the disease before they go to their forever homes.

If you are interested in adopting a dog that has been treated for heartworm disease, but worried about the long term effects on its health, please know that these dogs can live normal healthy lives following treatment. We suggest that you consult your own vet to confirm this. Then don't be afraid to lose your heart to one of these dogs. You can learn more about this horrible disease from The American Heartworm Society at http://www.heartwormsociety.org/