They are so tiny!  I guess that "Tweeny Doxies" are tiny at 6 weeks of age.  Two, warm, cuddly bundles of love and energy, one, a black and red long haired, the other a red smooth coat, both boys.  At least that is what they were when I first saw them. 

It was due to a misunderstanding that I went to their home Saturday afternoon.  A lady at the vet clinic that morning told me that their human mom had to get them out of her home, the city told her she had to many dogs. 

The woman invited me into her home and told me that she was not giving dogs away and she had not been told to reduce the number of dogs in her home!  She did have two 6-week old puppies left from a litter of 8, the others had already been sold or given away.  The mother dog had dried up and weaned the pups 2 weeks earlier. 

Although she had several dogs in her small home, they were all friendly, obviously well fed and cared for.  I enjoyed playing with them, especially the two puppies.  The climbed all over me, nibbled on my fingers and gave sweet puppy kisses.  Just before I left, the long haired boy got down on the floor and gagged like he needed to throw up and acted a little puny like young pups can at times.  When I left I told the woman that I was delighted that she didn't need help finding good homes for her puppies but left my phone number, "just in case."

Late Saturday evening:
Later that evening she called.  The long haired boy was vomiting, and the short haired boy acted like he didn't feel very good either, she thought from worms.  Although earlier that day I hadn't noticed swollen bellies that puppies usually get with a heavy load of roundworms, I was concerned.  She wanted me to take the dogs into rescue right then so they would get the medical care she thought they needed and couldn't afford.  After much discussion here, then on the phone with her, then with Dr. Hart, the vet on call, she agreed to take them to the vet clinic where Dr. Hart would be waiting, sign a surrender form and leave them there. 

Dr. Hart called me in just a few minutes after  the puppies had been left with her. They appeared mildly ill and she was already running their fecal tests.  She wanted to know if I wanted Parvo tests run.  I still wasn't expecting anything more alarming than a very serious case of round worms but didn't want to take any chances and approved the Parvo testing.   I have to admit that I was shocked when she called later and told me that they both had strong positives to their Parvo tests. 

These tiny dogs were started on fluids, antibiotics and all the necessary medications and treatment to help save them.

By Sunday morning, they had deteriorated somewhat but still had not had any diarrhea.  We were hopeful that they would survive. 

Monday morning these little boys were doing better and had not had any vomiting overnight.  They might be able to come  home on Tuesday if they continue improving.  We were delighted!

Tuesday morning's report was not as good.  Both of them were once again vomiting.  Still  no diarrhea, but they had relapsed. 

Tuesday afternoon:
I went to the clinic although Dr. Heart had suggested that I not come to visit these little patients due to the risk of my taking the Parvo virus back home. She assisted with my simply seeing the boys and taking some snapshots from a distance. The seemed happy to have some brief human contact, but tired very quickly.

While at the clinic, I got an estimate of the cost of their care. So far their combined medical bills are in excess of $650.00. Their medical bills continue to mount by about $100.00 each day they must remain hospitalized.

The little longhaired boy is doing great!  He is eating, drinking, peeing and pooping normally.  His tail is wagging and he is barking for attention.

His slightly smaller brother, the smooth coated boy has deteriorated.  He now has diarrhea and is not doing well at all.  We are very concerned about his survival.

Please, keep both of these small dogs in your thoughts and prayers.

 Day 5: Mar 3 - Thursday morning

The Good News:
The long haired boy is still doing very well.  According to his doctors "He's bouncing off the walls wanting to be picked up and petted."  We are leaving him there for the time being to keep his sick brother company. 

The Bad News:
The smooth coated boy is still very sick.  Dr Ray, one of his doctors, said the he wasn't sure if he just wanted him to be better or if he is indeed a very little bit better this morning.  He is still in "intensive care." 

Since the little smooth coated boy, Slick, died yesterday, his long coated brother has come home to continue his recovery here. We have named him "Rowdy" as that fits him to a "T". This little boy seems to miss his brother, but is getting used to us and seeks attention and lap time.

Rowdy being weighed on a postage scale CLICK FOR A LARGER VIEW WILL OPEN IN A NEW WINDOW

Rowdy weighed 3 pounds, 12 ounces when we got him home. We used a digital postage scale to weigh him. He is a bit thin and needs to regain some weight but is holding his own for now. Rowdy's appetite is marginal but he has had no further vomiting and no diarrhea. We will begin supplemental feedings tomorrow.

Rowdy is still on restricted activities, as much as a 7-week-old puppy can be restricted. He does well with being leashed for potty in a special part of the yard, quite a distance away from the normal fenced dog yard. 

As much as it hurt to loose Slick, we are thankful that Rowdy has survived. It appears that he will probably make a full recovery.

Due to the discounts our wonderful vets have given us, the total medical bills plus expenses for both of them are expected to come to around $800.00 by the time Rowdy is fully recovered and received the rest of his check-ups and vetting. We sincerely appreciate the donations that we have received to date. 

We will continue to update Rowdy's progress on this page.  We hope that he will be available for adoption in a month or so.

Rowdy continues to improve and is actually becoming quite the normal puppy.  He still tires quickly but his appetite has picked up.  We weighed him this morning and he is holding his own, no further weight loss and no gain. 

He is doing well with his leash walking away from the normal fenced dog yard for potty.  As a matter of fact, he knows the way to his favorite pee-pee spot and reluctantly goes on his own to the general poo area.  

Rowdy's naps continue to be frequent.  Activity times are increasing as he regains strength.  His vets expect him to be fairly well recovered by early next week.  At his current rate of recuperation, he probably will be.

We are so thankful that he survived this horrible illness.  His presence here has become a joy. 

We have a sanctuary dog here, Munchkin, a hairless Chinese Crested, that seems very interested in Rowdy.  Once Rowdy has general house privileges, later next week, we hope that Munchkin will take him to raise and teach him all the wonderful things only another dog can teach a young pup. 

We appreciate the positive thoughts, prayers, notes of encouragement and donations we have received.  The rescue family is truly a wonderful wide spread group of people. 

CLICK IMAGES ABOVE FOR LARGER VIEWS - EACH PHOTO WILL OPEN IN A NEW WINDOW

Rowdy has suddenly starting to gain weight!  He weighed 4 pounds, 3 ounces.  That's a 7 ounce weight gain.  We are delighted that he is doing so well. 

His antics are becoming more normal for an 8-week-old puppy.  Toys are a new discovery and he will entertain himself now and then in his crate.  He will go to the vet for his check-up tomorrow.  Hopefully, he will be healthy enough to start his puppy shots. 

Rowdy has continued to thrive.  His appetite is normal for a puppy his age - eating everything we put in front of him!  This morning he weighed in at 4 pounds, 14 ounces!  He is now allowed to be in supervised general population with the other rescue and sanctuary dogs in our home.  However, he does still tire very easily and takes many long naps during the day. 

Rowdy's favorite activities are, naturally, meal time and play time.  Munchkin, one of our sanctuary dogs, a hairless Chinese Crested, loves showing him the ropes during play in the house.  Sugar, a rescue dog that is now ready for adoption loves playing tag and chase, especially in the yard.  They get special play time all to themselves in the yard. She is teaching him how to play a great game of chase where he tries to catch her tail.  She in turn lets her tail be instrumental in a game of Crack-the-Whip.  Sometimes, she actually waits for him to catch her tail before taking off again.