7-30-14 Update- Chipper is in a wonderful foster home and thriving. He gets around a lot better than we ever expected. Chipper is potty trained and has never has an accident in the house. He does better on rugs than smooth surfaces. He also gets around best off leash since he tends to circle and the leash gets in the way. So he needs a home with a fenced yard. Chipper weighs 57lbs. He often needs help up with his harness to get started. He does fine left home alone, he will scoot to where he wants to be. Chipper LOVES tennis balls! He chases and retrieves no problem. He doesn't seem to care for swimming just yet. Chipper can protect his food bowl so we will not put him in a home with children. Chipper is a love and his disability does not slow him down! Just needs that perfect home to get his happy ever after.

You can see a video here.

~~http://youtu.be/gyRroakVPls

~~Monday June 30 at 12:00 p.m.
 
Today's arrival, GRRSWF dog #500, is Chipper. We should be celebrating this milestone, but instead, we are rushing Chipper to a neurologist. This boy is in rough shape, unable to walk, and urinating on himself. Left homeless when his owner died, Chipper was picked up and taken to a shelter on Friday night. Thanks to our new partnership with Hernando County Animal Services, Chipper is now in our care.
 
We are indebted to Sarah and Shannon for making this possible on a day when the shelter is not even open. We are also grateful to dog lovers Elisha and Debbie for being Chipper's advocates. Elisha went so far as to drive the late owner's stepdaughter to the shelter to sign Chipper over so he could be sent to rescue quickly. And last on our list of Chipper's angels is Brian, who left Lee County early this morning to pick Chipper up. They are now on their way to a neurologist, where Janice is meeting them to assist with Chipper. It often takes a village to save a life and we are grateful to have so many golden angels in ours.
 
Please keep Chipper in your thoughts and prayers. We will be accepting donations for his care via PayPal at www.grrswf.org.
 
 
Monday June 30 at 4:00 p.m.
 
A Chipper update from Janice:
"Upon a thorough examination, Dr. Christopher Levine says Chipper has clinical signs of bilateral peripheral vestibular disease. There are many things that could cause this, the most treatable being long-term raging ear infections. Lesions as well as a growth on the brain stem are also possibilities.
 
"Both of Chipper's ears are horribly infected and packed with black gunk. He is infested with fleas, has worn-down teeth, hot spots, a heart murmur predominantly in the right quadrant, but also heard on the left, a possible UTI, and most probably, heartworms. The vet estimates Chipper's age to be around 7. He has good muscle tone and is aware of his feet placement, which is a good thing.

"He is a sweet boy and bonds quickly. When Dr. Levine was done examining him, he dragged himself over to me and just put his pretty head against my leg. He stayed this way until the vet tech carried him into the back. I think I now need a Capstar as well!
 
"They will bathe him. His gorgeous red coat is stiff with urine and he smells putrid. They may be able to do all of his tests tonight, but for sure he is spending at least tonight with them."
 
 
Tuesday July 1 at 8:53 p.m.
 
URGENT: FOSTER HOME NEEDED FOR CHIPPER: After two days of extensive testing, including an MRI, a CT scan, a spinal tap, bloodwork and a consult with a cardiologist, we have learned that Chipper has a congenital brain defect known as cerebellar hypoplasia that causes him to have difficulty walking. We are hopeful that this is something he can live with and our goal is to give him significant quality of life while we await more test results. This boy will be needing a special-needs foster home, preferably without another dog (cats are OK) who is strong enough to lift him onto his feet when needed.