Remembering Leroy's smiles

COMMENT ON PREVIOUS LEROY POST:

If Red Lake Rosie's Rescue had only rescued one dog- Leroy- it would have been all worthwhile. This dog suffered so much and it is heartwarming to see him with a smile on his face continuously- That is why he is smiling--he so appreciates all the love you have given him, and he has a reason now to smile - no longer having to carry that 8 pound tumor on his leg. THANK YOU ACT V and adopted family!!

UPDATE FROM LEROY'S PERSON:
Leroy passed away today. He had a rectal blockage that turned out to be a tumor in his colon. It started in April and treatment seemed to be working until this past weekend when he stopped eating and was bleeding. The vet and I decided the best decision was to give him peace. 

I lost the best dog I have ever known. Please remember him. I know Leroy got the best last years of his life, but it doesn't seem fair and he will be missed more then anything I could ever miss in my life. Sorry for the bad news and thank you for letting me love this little guy.
Chris

NOTE FROM DENISE:
My tears are flowing freely as I write this final tribute to Leroy. In the summer of 2010 Red Lake Rosie's Rescue took him in with a huge tumor hanging from his hip. He had been living on a chain in great discomfort. After one surgery up north and another when he moved to ACT V in the metro, he found a loving home with Chris and they became best friends. I wish they could have had many more years together, but I know they made the most of the time they had.

I encourage you to read the previous posts about Leroy listed below and consider a donation to the RLRR emergency medical fund in memory of Leroy:

http://redlakerosie.blogspot.com/2010/07/leroys-bowling-ball-leads-to-matching.html
http://redlakerosie.blogspot.com/2010/08/leroys-beautiful-new-butt.html
http://redlakerosie.blogspot.com/2010/12/leroys-smile.html
http://redlakerosie.blogspot.com/2011/10/leroys-life.html

Leroy's life

WINDBLOWNLeroy came to Red Lake Rosie's Rescue from a life on a chain with a huge tumor growing on his rear flank. He had his initial surgery up north. The tumor weighed eight pounds (!), but was benign and has not regrown. See the first blog post about him.

OUTDOORSYHe moved down to the Cities where Act V made some improvements to his surgical site and his health was renewed. He has been adopted by a fellow who is a perfect match and Leroy can't stop smiling.

JOYFULUPDATE FROM ADOPTER:
I just wanted to give you an update on Leroy. It just gets better. This is the happiest dog I have ever seen.

SUNNYWe moved out to the country where he has a corn field in the back yard and a lake in the front. Lots of windows to scope out squirels and rabbits during the day. He doesn't need to be chained anymore.

PLAYFULHe runs around a big lot and occasionally into the corn field after an irresistable rabbit. I got a collar that beeps so I can find him when this happens. We still go for walks every morning no matter what the weather, but he is good to go for the rest of the day, so it's worth it.

SILLYThe night time walks have so far been replaced with boat rides. I mention "wanna go for a boat ride" and he's doing back flips, runs like a lightning bolt down to the boat and does a 5' leap into the boat. It's like the dog can fly.

HANDSOMEHe has a lot of dog friends in the neighborhood and has become very socialized. Everyone in the neighborhood loves him. Thank you for rescuing this incredible dog.

SEXYWhen introduced to his new vet, they looked at him and said, "get ready for a good life"!!

COMFYThanks again,
Chris
COZY

Congratulations to Act V Rescue & Rehabilitation!

Friends of Flicka, a longtime supporter of Red Lake Rosie's Rescue, has announced that the 2010 recipient of the Kodiak Award is Act V Rescue & Rehabilitation of Bloomington, Minnesota. This annual award of $5000 is given to a charitable organization or individual whose efforts on behalf of abused or abandoned animals are deserving of special recognition and aid.

CHAR: WAITING FOR A FOREVER HOMEAct V Rescue & Rehabilitation is a non-profit, foster-based organization dedicated to taking in and thoughtfully re-homing the most unwanted and neglected animals. Since Act V's founders include veterinary professionals, it is uniquely qualified to treat the specific challenges presented by this group of sick, injured and emotionally neglected animals.

TINKERBELL: INJURED FOOT SAVED FROM AMPUTATIONKaren Good of Red Lake Rosie's Rescue received the Kodiak Award in 2008 and she shared the following thoughts about her experiences with Act V:

"Red Lake Rosie’s Rescue, Inc. wishes to commend Dr. Vickie Schulz and Act V Rescue for the selfless service to the injured and suffering Red Lake dogs and cats.

LEROY: SKIN GRAFTS FOLLOWING TUMOR REMOVALIn 2010 Act V took in 36 dogs and 2 cats from Red Lake Rosie’s Rescue of which almost all had severe orthopedic and other major medical needs including broken legs, heartworm, parvo, intestinal blockage, neonatal pups, puppy strangles, and others suffering advanced malnutrition and digestive problems.

We relied on Act V and contacted them whenever sick and injured animals arrive at the shelter. They always responded and never turned us down.

RONNIE BEFORERONNIE AFTERWe are so happy to give this reference to one of the best and kindest vets we know. She has compassion and will even overextend herself to help the animals. Thank you from all the Red Lake animals."

CALYPSO BEFORECALYPSO AFTERAs a representative of Friends of Flicka, I want to add that we are honored to contribute to the work of Act V Rescue & Rehabilitation, and recognize the extraordinary care and compassion of the Act V team for needy animals.

LI'L ROUNDHEAD & 5 SIBLINGS SOON LOOKING FOR HOMESLearn more about Act V at www.actvrescue.org and click on the names of the animals pictured here to read their stories.

ABOUT FRIENDS OF FLICKA:
Friends of Flicka was created in memory of a beloved golden retriever named Flicka. The Kodiak Award is appropriately named for Flicka’s best friend, her brother Kodiak. This award recognizes extraordinary efforts by a volunteer or organization encountered by Friends of Flicka in the preceding year.

Friends of Flicka is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt charitable organization created for the purpose of providing funds to other qualified exempt organizations and individuals engaged in the rescue, adoption and care of animals that have been abandoned, lost or abused.

Leroy's smile

Karen,
Remember LeRoy with the huge tumor on his back leg? Well, he found a great home this summer with a single guy who adores him. As you can see from the photo he's as happy as any dog can be!
Vicki

UPDATE FROM ADOPTER:
Leroy is doing great.

I was keeping him in the kitchen the first 2 weeks. He was so good, I gave him run of the house after that. He loves playing with his little squeak toys and lying in the recliner watching outside.

He also loves his walks in the morning and evening no matter what the weather is doing. He has learned to sit, shake, dance, lie down, and stay.

I give him a lot of attention and it really seems to be boosting his confidence. Here is a photo from when we had some nice weather.

He smiles so much, I think his face must start hurting ;-)

Thanks,
C~

Leroy's beautiful new butt

Check out Leroy the dog's new butt! He had skin grafts on the large gap where the eight-pound tumor was removed by ACT V Rescue & Rehabilitation. He also had heartworm treatment and is ready for adoption! He's a lucky dog and someone will be lucky to have him. Thanks to all who helped make a new life possible for him.
Karen

LeRoy is about 5 years old and weighs 70 pounds. He is a nice boy that would love to go for walks with someone. He is neutered, up to date of vaccines, and microchipped.

He came to us urgently after having an 8 pound non-cancerous tumor removed off his back leg. He's healing from a skin graft done on August 9th. LeRoy also was just treated for heartworm disease and lyme disease.

Since he can be sensitive around his back end, it would probably be best if he not live with children under 10 years old. He seems to be fine around dogs and is ignoring the cat he's in contact with.

Please contact us at act5rescue@gmail.com to meet him or for more info call Vicki 612-940-5029 or Tara 952-239-5228

LeRoy is up-to-date with routine shots, house trained and spayed/neutered.

ACT V Rescue & Rehabilitation
Bloomington, MN
www.actvrescue.org

Mike & Lauren's visit; Ginger's departure

SHADOWWe had a great time with Mike and Lauren on their most recent visit July 20 - 22. They took many of the great photos included in this post.

LAUREN & EMILYWe really got lots accomplished in the storage shed with more shelving units put up and more organization of the shed contents.

Mike and Lauren are great with all the animals and are motivators of rescues. We did get Bosley, Bronwyn, and LeRoy on Tuesday, July 20th when we made a trip to the west side of the reservation on a mission to help the dog with the large tumor on his leg.

SIAMESE-MIX KITTENSThe days started with morning chores taking care of the dogs and cats. Kongs and toys are a favorite as all the animals get their share of both when this couple is around.

BUBBLES
BRONWYN
BRISCO
They left with special needs cargo including

CEE CEECee Cee who went to All Dog Rescue;

LEROYLeroy to Act V; and

GINGERGinger to Second Hand Dogs.

Ginger had been at the shelter since the last RAVS clinic in August 2008. We expected her to spend her entire life here at the shelter, but when Patti visited she worked a little with Ginger and she felt confident that she could rehabilitate her and get her adopted to a real home.

HAZEL, GINGER, WINDBIRDGinger(center) is pictured with her friends Hazel and Windbird, two other permanent residents of RLRR.

GINGER & FRIENDWe will miss Ginger but wish her the very best.

GINGERSincerely,
Karen RLRR

Leroy's bowling ball leads to Matching Fund

Leroy is a very ordinary-looking, 2-year-old mixed breed dog except for one thing -- Leroy has lived with a bowling ball-sized tumor weighing 8 lbs. on his right flank for the past year. We had multiple reports of Leroy's plight and suffering.

LEROYOne night this week, Mike & Lauren (who were visiting) and Kevin & Karen made a trip to the residence and talked with the pet owner who had no resources to help Leroy. She let us take him in hopes that maybe he would get help to alleviate his condition.

SWEET FACELeroy was taken to the Clearwater Vet Service after hours where a vet checked him in and scheduled the removal of the tumor which had long weighed poor Leroy down.

TUMORThe surgery lasted quite some time to remove the mass which was bleeding quite a lot. Thankfully, Leroy survived the surgery and was moved to the cathouse at Red Lake Rosie's Rescue. He also is heartworm positive and thankfully was negative for anaplasmosis which would have exacerbated his bleeding. He was neutered and vaccinated at the time of his tumor removal.

POST-OPDue to the size of the tumor, he has some open areas with no skin covering and it makes him vulnerable to infections. We just don't have the environment for the intensive aftercare he needs. Several calls went out to find a rescue that could take him.

Thankfully Act V stepped forward to take him and he rode out with Mike & Lauren.

TUMOR REMOVEDWe are putting out a plea for supporters to help us pay his vet bill which is $625 so far and to contribute to the fund for future RLRR vet care costs. A matching fund in the amount of $1000 has been pledged if the other supporters of Red Lake Rosie's Rescue can also raise $1000!

Donations can be made by clicking on link to GiveMN.org here on the blog or sending checks to Red Lake Rosie's Animal Fund Account at Clearwater Veterinarian Services, Gonvick, MN 56644.

Thank you for anything you can do to help Leroy's situation. The pictures tell the story.

Sincerely,
Karen Good
Red Lake Rosie's