Dog Community

I rescued another dog!

Posted : 8/4/2008 9:21:15 PM

So...you would think after spending over $5,000 on my pup Callies double knee surgery that the last thing I needed was another dog....lol...well, sometimes you just can't resist!

Here's the story. 2 weeks ago I went to the pet store to get food for my 2 dogs. This pet store is also a rescue...they take in animals that need rescuing and they have a vet there. I was talking to one of the girls who was hand feeding some 4 day old kittens that were dumped on their doorstep, when all of a sudden I feel this little bitty tongue licking my hand....lol...I look down, and there is this sweet little Maltese (pure bred) in a crate...he looked a fright! He had just had surgery the day before to remove one of his eyes! He was removed from his home by the ASPCA because the owner had like 15 dogs there and they were all neglected! This little guy...and I do mean little...he is only about 4 pounds...had an eye infection and she never brought him to the vet or cleaned his eye. His eye eventually crusted shut and as a result his corneas were severely scratched.One of her neighbors reported her for neglect and this little Maltese was brought to the rescue where they did the surgery to remove his eye and neutered him.

The amazing thing is that he is SO nice! He loves everyone, and has shown no agression at all. And he is pretty quiet! Unfortunately, he was never potty trained or crate trained or obedience trained and he marks alot. I fell in love and just the thought that he would have to be moved to the local pound near broke my heart. I kept going back to the store...every day...with my kids to visit with him.They released him to me today.Cost me $200 to adopt him. So worth it!! I have to really read up on this breed because they just wanted him gone..they didn't go over ANY care instructions with me at all...that annoyed me. They didn't even tell me how much to feed him..or if he had heartworm testing done or heartworm preventative...so it's off to my vet tomorrow with him. He definately needs his teeth cleaned...bad breath.

My other 2 dogs really like him! They all are getting along really great! No snapping or growling at all from any of them. I bought one of those straps with the pads to put on him to keep him from peeing up my house, and I have been taking him out every 2 hours to potty and praising him every time he does. It's like training a puppy...lol..and he's about 4 years old. I gave him Callie's puppy crate to sleep in...so far he hasn't peed in it, but I am expecting him to since he did pee in his crate at the store...but I am sure I can get him potty trained...he's so smart! My hubby renamed him Willie...named after "One Eyed Willie" from the movie Goonies...lol..my hubby is a bit warped. Anyway...so far all is peaceful here and he is a little love! He starts obedience at the end of August.

Wish me luck...cuz I swear I can't afford for anyone else to need vet care right now..my credit card is maxed!

I'll post a pic tomorrow!

And if anyone has any advice or tips on caring for a Maltese, I would love to hear it.

Thanks!

Janet

sl2crmeg

Posted : 8/4/2008 9:43:32 PM

At 4 lbs, you could feed him like, what, one kibble?! Pirate (18 lbs.) only ever ate, maximum, 1 cup of kibble in a day.

Welcome Home, one-eyed Willie!! :)

caveninit

Posted : 8/4/2008 9:46:01 PM

lol that's how I convinced hubby to let him come home with me...feeding him would be cheap, and he doesn't take up much space..and he doesn't shed...lol

lorib

Posted : 8/5/2008 2:27:01 AM

Sooo...ahem...where are the pictures??? Thanks for saving a little one that needed you sooo much!

janet_rose

Posted : 8/5/2008 3:53:11 AM

I bet these folks could give you some info.

Metropolitan Maltese Rescue
P.O. Box 20395
New York, New York 10011
Phone: 212-242-1151
Fax: 800-866-7054
Email: MetroMalts@malteserescue.com
http://www.malteserescue.com/
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/NY20.html

http://www.malteserescue.com/newowner.htm - Links for new owners
http://www.malteserescue.com/newsandevents.htm - MetroMalts events
http://www.malteserescue.com/links.htm - Favorite sites (includes nutrition sites)

janet_rose

Posted : 8/5/2008 4:45:07 AM

There is also a Maltese Yahoo group:

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/MalteseForum/

caveninit

Posted : 8/5/2008 6:22:51 AM

Thanks for all the links..I will be checking them all out today.

So far so good! Willie barked last night at about 11:00, so I let him out and he pooped. Put him back to bed, no barking and his crate was dry this morning...gooood doggy! He really is a sweet and very well behaved dog! Pictures later..after I clean him up a bit..lol

Sunshinegirl

Posted : 8/5/2008 5:28:33 PM

Congratulations!!!! What a heartwarming story....... can't wait to see the pics!!!!! :)

mollymoo

Posted : 8/5/2008 10:19:46 PM

When I read Maltese the first that came to my mind was CUTE. Cant` wait for the pictures. I`m so glad this little guy got a new home with you. Give the little tyke a kiss from us.

caveninit

Posted : 8/6/2008 8:46:53 AM

Here's Willie! lol...he has a diaper on when running around in the house...I just had new carpet installed yesterday..no way is he going to mark it! He has some pretty bad tear stains that I am working on removing. So far his eye has been pretty clean....no tearing or gooping. He has God awful breath, but his teeth look ok. He is going to have to go for a major dental cleaning soon because I can't stand him breathing on me. It's really stinky. He still hasn't had any accidents in his crate, I take him out every 2 hours to do his business, and he is doing really great...seems very happy! I am going to start obedience with him soon...he needs to learn the basics for sure. I love him already...he is soooo sweet.

janet_rose

Posted : 8/6/2008 10:00:14 AM

caveninit
He has God awful breath, but his teeth look ok.

Willie is precious! A couple of appropriately-sized raw bones would really help with those teeth.

If you get marrow bones, scrape out most of the marrow at first. Their tummies have to get used to the marrow.

shadowsgin

Posted : 8/6/2008 10:56:08 AM

What a cutie pie! Lucky lucky dog I would say! Enjoy your new baby!

Sunshinegirl

Posted : 8/6/2008 2:33:49 PM

Oh wow, he is sooooo cute!!! What a nice smile he has!!!! Ya just wanna hug him!!!!!

caveninit

Posted : 8/6/2008 3:07:42 PM

Thanks everyone!

Janet..I was thinking about getting him a raw bone. I have a big marrow bone in the freezer but it's about a year old....lol...do you think that would be ok to give if I take the marrow out?

I dont know what size would be good for him...in the shelter he had a huge bone in his crate and seemed to really like it. Any suggestions on what to get for him? He is 6 1/2 lbs..I weighed him yesterday at Petco. In the Maltese forum alot of people say they give the bite sized Shredded Wheat to their dogs to help clean the teeth...I don't know if I should give him that.

Thanks

Janet

jennie_c_d

Posted : 8/6/2008 6:34:10 PM

I wouldn't give him shredded wheat (or any wheat....). He's super cute!!! Chicken wing pieces are perfect for toy sized dogs.