Pence was brought into GPRA in March 2017.
As fate would have it, My daughter Chelsea and I happened to be at VCA when Pence was brought in by Guy, a GPRA volunteer. For me, he was the worst I had seen. He reeked of urine, his breathing was quite labored, he was heartworm positive and was living with severe bilateral ear infections, and yet, as is the Great Pyr way, he was sweet, kind and gentle. He was the neediest of the needy and it became my call of duty to foster this boy and bring him to his full potential. I won't lie and say it was easy. It wasn't, but I was on a mission to right what was done wrong by him.
I brought him home with an arsenal of medication. Heartworm treatment alone is arduous, but coupled with pneumonia and ear infections it was daunting. He was so sick he often refused to eat. Now I had another more immediate goal. I tried everything under the sun...wet food, dry food, Parmesan cheese sprinkled over everything, soft boiled eggs, scrambled eggs, boiled chicken, on and on and on.... my last resort BACON, and it was a success. I mean really, who doesn't like bacon, I should have known. Slowly but surely, with the help of Oscar Meyer, Pence began eating more regularly. Small Victories! So over the next several weeks, Pence regained his strength and we were able to introduce him to our pack. He was quickly accepted and at this point we felt he should become a one of ours forever! Another foster failure.
To date: Pence finished his heartworm treatment in July, but we are still battling the chronic bilateral ear infections. I am researching all avenues before I commit to having him undergo a total ear canal ablation, which will graciously be covered by funds raised in his name by GPRA!
He is a quirky, sweet, loveable Pyr who is accepting of everyone, people and animals. I often look in those sweet eyes and wonder what his past held and hope that is future with us has wiped away some of that pain.
