Emergency Care for White Dog
Donation protected
White Dog’s journey began for many of us on Monday, February 4, 2019. Starting with sightings in the Seaforth and North Pea Ridge Road areas, White Dog moved up/down and across Highway 64, down Mount Gilead, through Monterrane, through Fearrington Village, then settled near Cruizers on Andrews Store Road around February 11. During his journey, many people reported sightings of him and tried to catch him. He was very fearful and always ran away.
White Dog began frequenting the dumpster at Cruizers where he enjoyed hot dogs and other scraps thrown to him by concerned citizens.
Continued attempts to rescue him by Chatham Animal Services, volunteers of Chatham Animal Rescue & Education (CARE) and others were unsuccessful. A humane trapping plan was unsuccessful.
Sadly, on Saturday evening February 16, White Dog was hit by a car. Passer-bys attempted to catch him, Animal Services and local police tried to catch him, but he disappeared. Sunday morning, the CARE rescue team got together and went out to search for him. Using binoculars, he was spotted lying in the grass in a field across 15-501 from Cruizers. We believed he had passed away but after watching for about 10 minutes he finally lifted his head! We were overjoyed!
Jan Ross and her dog Maggie were with us and we put a plan in place for her to slowly walk near to him to see if he would recognize Maggie. As she approached, White Dog got up and began to move away. We could see how badly he was injured – he was dragging his right front leg and we could see blood on his leg and chest. (Footnote: for those who don’t know the history, there was hope he was The White Dog of Pittsboro – a semi-feral dog living in Pittsboro who was eventually rescued by Jan Ross. It took Jan many months to gain his trust and make him part of her family. Some years ago he escaped over a six foot fence while being boarded. All these years Jan and others have been hopeful he would be found. We held the belief this might be him and his companion Maggie would be recognized.)
Unfortunately, the rescue effort was interfered with by a man who came out of nowhere with a tarp and began chasing White Dog saying “he’s injured – I can catch him!” Despite our cries and pleas to go away, this man ignored us and proceeded to chase White Dog across the fields, through the woods, back across 15-501 (while we stopped traffic), and into a nearby neighborhood. At that point we lost sight of White Dog.
Animal Services was called and came out to help us search. We foot-searched all around the neighborhoods, up and down the power lines, and just as we were giving up late Sunday afternoon, we saw him come out of a yard and limp up Andrews Store Road, and into the woods behind Cruizers. After that we did not find him.
For the next 10 days, we continued to search. Food was put out, trail cameras were set up. Nothing was captured on film and there were no more calls with sightings. The temperatures dipped into the low 30’s at night and we had freezing rain several nights in a row. Just as we were losing hope and believing White Dog had succumbed to his injuries, the weather warmed on Tuesday February 26 and he was sighted!!
The rescue team quickly put updates on neighboring mailboxes asking people to notify us of all sightings. Animal Services came out and we chose a location for another humane trap.
Beth Lupold, a neighbor in the area where White Dog was sighted, put out food in the woods behind her house and Saturday morning March 2, we learned he was eating the food then lying up against the fence at the storage area beside Cruizers. The rescue team went out and met with Beth and her husband. We looked with binoculars to see him sleeping peacefully in the sun. We discussed how to approach (or not to approach) a skittish dog who is in survival mode. Beth works for a local veterinary hospital and was clearly rescue savvy. She and her husband Mike were willing to do whatever necessary to help rescue White Dog! Over the next several days Beth continued to put food out for White Dog and he began to come closer and closer to her. She noticed an open gash on his leg and was able to get antibiotics for him and began adding those to his food.
With temperatures projected to be in the 20’s at night, the rescue team built a shelter near White Dog’s food station and set up trail cameras to track his activity.
By Wednesday March 6, White Dog was waiting in the back yard for his breakfast, he ate his meal then laid down nearby.
When Beth sat down, he came up to her and sniffed, circled her, then laid back down. She continued to bring him small meals throughout the day and spend quiet time with him. By Wednesday afternoon, White Dog came close and ate treats from Beth’s hand!! She asked him if he could “sit” and he did! We were so excited! He would not use his shelter so Beth created a bed of straw.
Thursday, March 7, Beth awoke to see White Dog curled up in the bed of straw. He got up and followed Beth and her dog on a walk, then walked beside Beth to his food bowl! She sat down nearby on a bale of straw and White Dog came and laid his head on her chest!
We couldn’t believe it – it was a complete turnaround from the frightened, unapproachable dog we had spent six weeks trying to rescue!
As the day went on, every time Beth went out to spend time with him, he came for a pet. By mid-afternoon, he again laid his head in her lap and whined softly. She petted him all over for 15 minutes. When she stopped, he nudged her as if begging “please don’t stop”. Beth noticed the leg had begun to swell and was oozing. She knew he needed help and the time was right to get a leash on him and rescue him.
Shelley Theye, a member of the CARE rescue team got in motion ready to transport! Beth was able to easily slip a muzzle and leash on White Dog, a friend helped her get him in Shelley’s car, and off they went! He was calm, curious, and seemed to realize his journey was almost over. By then it was after hours so the team chose to take White Dog to Quartet Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Hospital in Cary, NC, where he could get immediate medical attention.
White Dog, the very regal, beautiful white shepherd was renamed “Zeus” by the team and staff. He waited patiently to see the doctor.
He was quickly assessed and IV fluids & antibiotics & pain medicines started, and his broken leg xrayed and splinted. The xrays and examination showed Zeus’ right foreleg was broken in two places – the radius and ulna. It was an open fracture, meaning at some point the bones had protruded through the skin, and the bone & surrounding tissues were severely infected.
Zeus’ pain was managed throughout the night and Friday morning the surgeons evaluated the xrays and his condition and treatment options. Given that the fracture was three weeks old, and severely infected, trying to pin it back together was going to require an extensive recovery and rehabilitation period and might not heal properly eventually requiring amputation. So the decision was made that a full leg amputation was in Zeus’ best interest and had the best long-term recovery outcome for him.
Amputation surgery is scheduled for Monday March 11. He will be neutered at the same time. By the way, Zeus has no microchip and is intact so he did not turn out to be The White Dog of Pittsboro. He is chryptoid meaning only one testical ever descended so the other one requires additional surgery to remove. The good news is he is heartworm negative! And despite his six week journey, broken leg, and being skinny, he is in good shape.
Zeus has done well over the weekend. The veterinarians and staff at Quartet have called regularly with updates and said everyone is in love with him! He is described as “SO SWEET”!! He will make someone a great dog! The foster homes in our local rescues are currently overflowing, so we have contacted area German Shepherd rescue groups including one whose specialty is white German Shepherds, and we will gladly accept local applications for foster or adoption. Zeus needs a home to go to next week where he can start his recovery in a setting where he can get the time and attention and love he deserves! Beth and her husband Mike have a senior dog with health issues who would be adversely affected by adding a dog with special needs to their family. It is a difficult decision for Beth who has developed this special bond with this homeless shepherd.
Now on to what we need from all of you! The total bill for all labs, xrays, hospitalization, IVs, medications, surgeries, is projected at around $4,850. This does not include any follow-up care nor unforeseen developments during or after surgery. Please help us provide for this magnificent dog who has been through so much! We cannot afford to pick up the tab alone. We need your help! So please donate to his care – no amount is too small!
From Zeus: Please help me end this Journey by making sure I can afford the treatment I need! Thank you all for your support and belief in me all these weeks! Your positive thoughts and energies gave me the spirit of survival. And thank you Beth for being my rescuer! It truly takes a Village! Thank you all! Woof Woof
White Dog began frequenting the dumpster at Cruizers where he enjoyed hot dogs and other scraps thrown to him by concerned citizens.
Continued attempts to rescue him by Chatham Animal Services, volunteers of Chatham Animal Rescue & Education (CARE) and others were unsuccessful. A humane trapping plan was unsuccessful.
Sadly, on Saturday evening February 16, White Dog was hit by a car. Passer-bys attempted to catch him, Animal Services and local police tried to catch him, but he disappeared. Sunday morning, the CARE rescue team got together and went out to search for him. Using binoculars, he was spotted lying in the grass in a field across 15-501 from Cruizers. We believed he had passed away but after watching for about 10 minutes he finally lifted his head! We were overjoyed!
Jan Ross and her dog Maggie were with us and we put a plan in place for her to slowly walk near to him to see if he would recognize Maggie. As she approached, White Dog got up and began to move away. We could see how badly he was injured – he was dragging his right front leg and we could see blood on his leg and chest. (Footnote: for those who don’t know the history, there was hope he was The White Dog of Pittsboro – a semi-feral dog living in Pittsboro who was eventually rescued by Jan Ross. It took Jan many months to gain his trust and make him part of her family. Some years ago he escaped over a six foot fence while being boarded. All these years Jan and others have been hopeful he would be found. We held the belief this might be him and his companion Maggie would be recognized.)
Unfortunately, the rescue effort was interfered with by a man who came out of nowhere with a tarp and began chasing White Dog saying “he’s injured – I can catch him!” Despite our cries and pleas to go away, this man ignored us and proceeded to chase White Dog across the fields, through the woods, back across 15-501 (while we stopped traffic), and into a nearby neighborhood. At that point we lost sight of White Dog.
Animal Services was called and came out to help us search. We foot-searched all around the neighborhoods, up and down the power lines, and just as we were giving up late Sunday afternoon, we saw him come out of a yard and limp up Andrews Store Road, and into the woods behind Cruizers. After that we did not find him.
For the next 10 days, we continued to search. Food was put out, trail cameras were set up. Nothing was captured on film and there were no more calls with sightings. The temperatures dipped into the low 30’s at night and we had freezing rain several nights in a row. Just as we were losing hope and believing White Dog had succumbed to his injuries, the weather warmed on Tuesday February 26 and he was sighted!!
The rescue team quickly put updates on neighboring mailboxes asking people to notify us of all sightings. Animal Services came out and we chose a location for another humane trap.
Beth Lupold, a neighbor in the area where White Dog was sighted, put out food in the woods behind her house and Saturday morning March 2, we learned he was eating the food then lying up against the fence at the storage area beside Cruizers. The rescue team went out and met with Beth and her husband. We looked with binoculars to see him sleeping peacefully in the sun. We discussed how to approach (or not to approach) a skittish dog who is in survival mode. Beth works for a local veterinary hospital and was clearly rescue savvy. She and her husband Mike were willing to do whatever necessary to help rescue White Dog! Over the next several days Beth continued to put food out for White Dog and he began to come closer and closer to her. She noticed an open gash on his leg and was able to get antibiotics for him and began adding those to his food.
With temperatures projected to be in the 20’s at night, the rescue team built a shelter near White Dog’s food station and set up trail cameras to track his activity.
By Wednesday March 6, White Dog was waiting in the back yard for his breakfast, he ate his meal then laid down nearby.
When Beth sat down, he came up to her and sniffed, circled her, then laid back down. She continued to bring him small meals throughout the day and spend quiet time with him. By Wednesday afternoon, White Dog came close and ate treats from Beth’s hand!! She asked him if he could “sit” and he did! We were so excited! He would not use his shelter so Beth created a bed of straw.
Thursday, March 7, Beth awoke to see White Dog curled up in the bed of straw. He got up and followed Beth and her dog on a walk, then walked beside Beth to his food bowl! She sat down nearby on a bale of straw and White Dog came and laid his head on her chest!
We couldn’t believe it – it was a complete turnaround from the frightened, unapproachable dog we had spent six weeks trying to rescue!
As the day went on, every time Beth went out to spend time with him, he came for a pet. By mid-afternoon, he again laid his head in her lap and whined softly. She petted him all over for 15 minutes. When she stopped, he nudged her as if begging “please don’t stop”. Beth noticed the leg had begun to swell and was oozing. She knew he needed help and the time was right to get a leash on him and rescue him.
Shelley Theye, a member of the CARE rescue team got in motion ready to transport! Beth was able to easily slip a muzzle and leash on White Dog, a friend helped her get him in Shelley’s car, and off they went! He was calm, curious, and seemed to realize his journey was almost over. By then it was after hours so the team chose to take White Dog to Quartet Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Hospital in Cary, NC, where he could get immediate medical attention.
White Dog, the very regal, beautiful white shepherd was renamed “Zeus” by the team and staff. He waited patiently to see the doctor.
He was quickly assessed and IV fluids & antibiotics & pain medicines started, and his broken leg xrayed and splinted. The xrays and examination showed Zeus’ right foreleg was broken in two places – the radius and ulna. It was an open fracture, meaning at some point the bones had protruded through the skin, and the bone & surrounding tissues were severely infected.
Zeus’ pain was managed throughout the night and Friday morning the surgeons evaluated the xrays and his condition and treatment options. Given that the fracture was three weeks old, and severely infected, trying to pin it back together was going to require an extensive recovery and rehabilitation period and might not heal properly eventually requiring amputation. So the decision was made that a full leg amputation was in Zeus’ best interest and had the best long-term recovery outcome for him.
Amputation surgery is scheduled for Monday March 11. He will be neutered at the same time. By the way, Zeus has no microchip and is intact so he did not turn out to be The White Dog of Pittsboro. He is chryptoid meaning only one testical ever descended so the other one requires additional surgery to remove. The good news is he is heartworm negative! And despite his six week journey, broken leg, and being skinny, he is in good shape.
Zeus has done well over the weekend. The veterinarians and staff at Quartet have called regularly with updates and said everyone is in love with him! He is described as “SO SWEET”!! He will make someone a great dog! The foster homes in our local rescues are currently overflowing, so we have contacted area German Shepherd rescue groups including one whose specialty is white German Shepherds, and we will gladly accept local applications for foster or adoption. Zeus needs a home to go to next week where he can start his recovery in a setting where he can get the time and attention and love he deserves! Beth and her husband Mike have a senior dog with health issues who would be adversely affected by adding a dog with special needs to their family. It is a difficult decision for Beth who has developed this special bond with this homeless shepherd.
Now on to what we need from all of you! The total bill for all labs, xrays, hospitalization, IVs, medications, surgeries, is projected at around $4,850. This does not include any follow-up care nor unforeseen developments during or after surgery. Please help us provide for this magnificent dog who has been through so much! We cannot afford to pick up the tab alone. We need your help! So please donate to his care – no amount is too small!
From Zeus: Please help me end this Journey by making sure I can afford the treatment I need! Thank you all for your support and belief in me all these weeks! Your positive thoughts and energies gave me the spirit of survival. And thank you Beth for being my rescuer! It truly takes a Village! Thank you all! Woof Woof
Organizer
Suzanne Kozel
Organizer
Chapel Hill, NC
