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Wellington

Posted 09/13/04

Wellington

10/28/06 - It is with a sad heart that I post this update - Wellington crossed the Rainbow Bridge today due to cancer.  Even though his life with his loving adopters was much too short, I'm sure he lived his remaining days happy and to the fullest.  Wellington, you were a special boy who touched the many lives and hearts of those who loved you.

Just wanted to provide an update to all of the special people at G.R.I.N., those special individuals that sponsored Wellington's care, West Park Animal Hospital and Tracie Tsai - foster mom.

Because of the exceptional care that he received at West Park Animal Hospital for his leg wound and the extra special care and attention he received at his foster home during his recuperation period, Wellington's leg is completely healed and he no longer needs to wear his e-collar when we're away from home.  For the time being we've come up with a different approach - he wears a child's knee sock just to make sure he isn't tempted to aggravate the area.

Wellington lives up to his description as being a "dog anyone would be blessed to have", and it is hard to imagine how anyone could discard this gentle soul.  Thankfully, he seems to have been able to put the unfortunate memories behind him and he is settling into his new surroundings.  His daily walks in the Metropark are a favorite pastime, along with hours of couch side petting.  He is also quite a celebrity - it is not unusual for him to have several visitors a day (human and canine) and I rarely receive a phone call that the caller doesn't inquire about him.

Thanks a million for saving our handsome boy and then sharing him with us!

Colleen and Ron Stecker
November 12, 2004

Update 10/18/04:

Wellington is the best dog.  He is housebroken and very affectionate.  He is the most gentle soul.  He pierces your heart with his big beautiful eyes.  He wants to be where ever you are. He loves kids.  He gets so excited that the tail goes crazy and have them prepared for dog kisses.  He gets excited when meeting all new people.  He loves toys and to play ball.  He almost always has either two toys in his mouth or is carrying around two balls. He and the resident golden have been playing tug with the toys and doing a little wrestling.  I have been trying to keep the wrestling to a minimum so he doesn't harm his leg.  I leave him out in the house during the day and he is fine. He may have been crate trained because when I come home I have been finding him sleeping in the closets in the bedroom. He is not a barker.  I have only heard him bark twice.  Once at the resident golden because I had to stop them from wrestling too hard and he was upset because he wanted to continue to play.  And the other time was when someone knocked on the door and the resident golden was barking so he decided to let out one loud bark. If you sit on the floor with him he cuddles down next to you and lays his head in your lap to be petted and goes to sleep.   His leg is healing nicely.  He only has a nickel size scab that needs to heal up.  He is still wearing the e-collar at night and when I have to leave the house to prevent him from licking at it.  He doesn't mind the e-collar though he just stands there and lets you put it on.  I am working on putting some weight on him because he is so thin.  Also, he is still taking antibiotics for his leg as well as medication for his dry itchy skin.  He should be all fixed up in no time.   What else can I say except that he has to be the most perfect dog I have ever met!  He just wants to be petted and loved.

Update 10/08/04:

Wellington is now in foster care!  The vet says that anyone would be lucky to have this gentle guy.  He was the perfect patient throughout his entire ordeal.  Over the weekend Wellington's wound developed some scabbing, making bandage changes unnecessary.  Unfortunately for Wellington, though, he still needs to wear an e-collar to keep him from licking his wound and causing infection.  He is on long-term antibiotics until his scar tissue can form but that will be discontinued once his risk of infection subsides.  Keep visiting this page to read the foster mom's comments about Wellington's progress.

UPDATE 10/05/04:
Wellington was not ready for foster like we had hoped.  He is still at the vet's office receiving routine bandage changes on his wound.  A picture of his wound is below.  You can see the tissue growing over his wound - it's a bit rubbery and bumpy (not bloody).  We are hoping that this will be the week he goes to foster care.

UPDATE 09/17/04:
Wellington continues to improve.  He's eating and beginning to put subtle pressure on his leg.  Today starts more aggressive therapy as far as his ambulation is concerned.  He still has some swelling, but water therapy and frequent bandage changes, in conjunction with his physical therapy, should relieve that a bit.  The biopsy results of the entire tumor was benign.  The doctors believe that the tumor was a result of a small cyst that Wellington consistently licked, resulting in the large mass.  Wellington will be required to stay at the veterinary office until at least the middle of next week so that doctors can alleviate the swelling and scars begin to form over the wound.  To date, Wellington's medical costs are approaching $2,000.

UPDATE 09/14/04:

Wellington had his surgery yesterday and it went very well. He didn't need skin grafts and his wound is almost closed, which is great news!  His entire tumor will be sent to the lab for a more definitive pathology report. Although he has some post-operative swelling, he is doing fine.

Wellington's Story: