Buddy/Judd is an inspiration

This dog made such a strong impression on me during my last visit to Red Lake Rosie's Rescue (see my previous entries about Buddy on March 11, 2008 and March 17, 2008). I am so happy to report again about how well he is doing in his new home. He even inspired the name for a website design business, http://www.sleepydogdesign.com/!

Judd is the real inspiration for the Sleepy Dog name. Yes, he is a sleepy dog most of the time and he assists me in my work by lying at my feet until the job is done, but he has a very sad story (with a happy ending!)...

Judd is originally from Northern Minnesota, near the Canadian border. Before his rescue, his owner left him chained up outdoors with no food or water, surviving on plants and snow and who knows what else.... Besides living in the extreme elements, he also had an open wound on his back of unknown origin. There were several glass shards sticking out of his back and his owner did not want him inside because he would "start to bleed when he warmed up"!

Thankfully, the owner's daughter told her teacher about Judd one day. Shocked by her student's account of her dog's predicament, the teacher made every effort to get Judd help... (and) the owner finally agreed to surrender Judd to the teacher.

He was promptly taken to Red Lake Rosie's Rescue. Judd was immediately treated for his back wound. The veterinarian pulled 5 pieces of glass out of his back (the largest piece was 2" x 3"!). Upon further examination, Judd was 30 pounds underweight (an adult Boxer/St. Bernard mix weighing only 70 pounds!) with a BB gun pellet near his spine. Judd also tested positive for Lyme disease, heartworms and anaplasmosis. On top of all this, he had ground his front teeth down to nothing from chewing on his chain trying to escape his prison.

After a few weeks of recovery, Judd was transferred to Midwest Animal Rescue Services (MARS) and ... his story was published in his online adoption post. That is where we come into the picture. Having recently lost one dog unexpectedly, our remaining dog, Hilda, was very lonely and needed a companion. We were reluctant to adopt another dog so soon after Oswald's passing, however after reading Judd's story online, there simply was no other choice....

In the month since his rescue, Judd gained 30 pounds and his back started healing nicely. He charmed everyone who came in contact with him.... Judd is currently undergoing treatment for all his parasitic diseases and is expected to fully recover. Judd spends most of his time sprawled out on the office floor as I work at my computer. He is such a loving, friendly, and obedient dog that it's hard to believe he came from such a horrible situation. If he wants to spend the rest of his days being a lazy, sleepy, totally pampered dog, he well deserves it!