Antibiotics, dental work, spaying, neutering, eye surgery, hernia removal, flea and worm treatments – this long list of veterinary needs may sound scary to some, but not for Morrisburg-resident Evelyn Marshall.
Marshall has already spent more than $4,000 on dogs that some may have considered “lost causes,” and more is still required.
In an effort to recoup some of what she has spent and to hopefully draw attention to the dog network’s need for additional financial assistance, Marshall is hosting an afternoon tea at her 22 Sir James Morris Drive home, Inn by the Park Bed and Breakfast, Sunday, July 24 from 3 to 5 p.m., where donations will gratefully be accepted.
The tea will also feature freshly home-baked goods donated by some of Marshall’s neighbours.
“There’s always a dog in need,” Marshall said.
Earlier this month, Marshall stopped by the South Dundas Animal Shelter/Pound, as she does from time to time, donating spare food and such for the shelter and its canine inhabitants. While there she was introduced to four of the shelter’s newest residents – Tammy, Tilly, Teo, and Tiny Tim – one found at a dump, all found severely neglected and in need of grooming, medical treatment, food and love.
She noted, “Kevin (Casselman, canine control officer) keeps (the animals) clean and he feeds them well.”
Marshall went home with Tiny Tim that day, and after one restless night’s sleep, Marshall returned to the pound to ensure all four dogs had a place to live. Tilly had already gone to a foster home, but Tammy and Teo took up residence with Marshall.
Having taken the dogs home, Marshall contacted her friend Audrey Mann, a former dog breeder, for advice and assistance.
Mann quickly claimed Tammy for her own and Tammy has since been renamed Tinker.
Tinker, a tiny – and cuddly – shih tzu, had 15 teeth pulled and two large warts surgically removed from her eyelids. She has been spayed and her toenails have been clipped, as one was so long it had curved back into the pad of her foot, making it painful for her to walk.
“When I (first) saw that little dog, I thought, ‘you’re not going to make it,’” Marshall said.
Teo, now named Freddy Fly, and Tiny Tim, now named Noddy, are both staying with Marshall until they can find forever homes.
Freddy Fly was found at the Matilda Landfill, where he contracted “who knows what,” according to Marshall.
“He had oozing ears, green (puss-filled) eyes, skin conditions, a hernia, and his kidneys have been damaged,” she said.
So far, Freddy has had a large hernia removed from his tummy, he’s been neutered, he’s been placed on a special diet in response to his several painful skin conditions, and he remains on a series of powerful antibiotics.
“It takes quite a bit of time to get the pills ready in the morning,” Marshall said, not to mention the time it takes to prepare the high protein meals the dogs require. Currently, Marshall is feeding them a concoction of hamburger, rice, and garlic.
“They eat a lot because they think it’s their last meal,” she said.
Freddy also gets kale and green beans “chopped up and thrown in” to his dish, Marshall explained, adding that kibble is off limits.
“He did get into it one day and his skin went all itchy again,” she said.
Noddy – named for his tendency to nod his head – is blind and, Marshall said, the veterinarian suspects he was born this way.
He also has a cleft nose and a slipping patella in one hind leg. Noddy has also been neutered.
While much veterinary work has been done on Tinker, Noddy, and Freddy Fly, it’s not quite finished and the dogs have another appointment in a month’s time. As for Tilly, Marshall said she still needs her veterinary work, including spaying.
To make a donation to help offset these costs see the following:
Cheques should be made payable to the South Dundas Dog Adoption Network. Cash or cheques can be donated at the Tea; mailed to B. McNairn, P.O. Box 1389, Morrisburg, Ontario, K0C 1X0; or dropped off with Wanda at The Leader office. The Dog Adoption Network has one donation box only and it is located at Linda Schencks Booth at Mchaffie's Flea Market. All money collected is earmarked for vet bills for Tammy, Tilly, Teo and Tiny Tim…now Tinker, Noddy and Freddy Fly…and wee little Tilly.
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