Pappy the Dapple Dachshund

I never thought I would be involved in rescuing dogs.  Not because I dont absolutely love them; but because I absolutely do.  I'm one of those who can only hear 3 notes of the Sarah Mclachlan song when it comes on TV and I'm scrambling for the remote because I cant stand to see sick, hungry and/or mistreated dogs.  My heart breaks to see them & I like to pretend that every dog has a happy life like my 2 dachshunds.  I wasnt looking for another dog because I spoil the 2 dachshunds that call me mommy and our little "pack" was just perfect as it was.  Until I met Pappy.

I met Pappy through unique circumstances that some may call serendipity.  I didnt want another dog.  I wasnt looking for another dog.  I didnt plan on another dog.  But I knew that Pappy had chosen me and something inside was gnawing at me saying that Pappy needed me.

So here's the story of Pappy.  Pappy's original name was Paprika.  He was born on October 9, 2012 and was purchased by a veterinarian as a gift to his wife who was suffering with cancer.  The wife's health rapidly declined so Pappy was relocated to a kennel at the vet clinic for almost a year.  Sadly, Pappy was only allowed out of the cold, steel surroundings to go potty 2-3 times a day.  He was deprived of attention for quite some time & eventually the veterinarian's wife died.  The vet then decided to close the practice so a vet tech asked if she could take Pappy & try to find him a home.  The vet agreed so Pappy went to live in a home with a real family.  This should have been a happy ending but unfortunately it isnt.

The family already had a couple dogs and one child and over the course of the next two years, they had 2 more kids.  With even routine expenses for all the pets & kids costing quite a bit, the family could not afford to properly care for Pappy.  They noticed he would cough a lot & have problems eating & drinking but the family didnt think much about it & never looked into Pappy's medical issues.  

Last week, this family came into my store.  One of the first things they noticed was the dachshund related items that we sell at my store to raise money for rescue groups & dachshunds in need.  They mentioned they had a doxie that needed a home.  I didnt think much of it at first but upon going to their home, I realized Pappy did not have the temperment or personality to be able to deal with 3 children under 5 yrs old and all the commotion that goes along with a household full of commotion from other pets & multiple children.  So, against my better judgement and wondering how my husband would take the news, I loaded up Pappy & took him home with me.  

Within 36 hours, I did the responsible thing & took this seemingly young & spry little dapple dachshund to see our vet.  The fact that he needs a substantial amount of dental work & that he will be losing probably 1/3 of his teeth because of neglect came as a shock so I just randomly mention that Pappy seems to cough when he eats or drinks.  Initially, the vet said it could be nerves or allergies....then he looked in the back of Pappy's throat & we were both aghast.

The photo posted is the actual picture of Pappy's palate area in his throat.  Someone, somewhere, at some time in Pappy's short little life attempted to "de-bark" Pappy.  This is horribly painful torturous behavior.  I am furious at whoever did this.  I am heartbroken that Pappy is fearful to just take a drink of water because it chokes him & flows directly into his sinuses & makes him almost drown when he drinks.   

All I hope for Pappy is a chance to be normal.  The ability to eat & drink like a normal dog without fear & the feeling of literally drowning.  I cant imagine being Pappy and not understanding my body craving water but that very water that I must have to live being the source of my fear & potential demise.  

Pappy is the sweetest most loving little dog.  I have only had him for 4 days but my lap has not been empty in that whole time.  He has made my bed our bed and my chair our chair...and I'm gladly sharing with this little munchkin.  I am now feeding him by hand so we can make sure the pieces are neither too large nor too small because a solid piece that goes through the hole in his throat could mean certain death for Pappy.  

My goal is only to get Pappy's throat fixed and give this little guy the life he deserves & the life he should have had from the beginning.  Right now, if he were human, he would certainly be diagnosed with severe PTSD and my worst fear of actually living the Sarah Mclachlan themed commercial in my own home has come to fruition.

Please help me prove to Pappy that one person may have done an unforgivably bad thing to him, but there are good people who will come together to give him the life he is so deserving of.

Our vet plans to start with a dental surgery to clear some of the obvious infection so that any healing will not be compromised by existing infections.  At that time, the vet will be able to more clearly investigate the extensive nature of the holes for the specialist surgeon that has been consulted & will be needed to correct this barbaric mutilation Pappy endured.  Pappy will have to have *at least* two surgeries and the vet has advised that Pappy may need a special mesh implant surgery to fully close the wounds.  Any funds raised will go to Pappy's medical bills & should there be any funds remaining, that will go to other dachshunds in need.

Thank you so much for reading & for spreading the word to help Pappy.