Spotlight Terrier: Tippy

Jack Russell Terrier in need of medical assistance
Last Update:	June 29, 2006
Location:	San Francisco, California
Dog Name:	Tippy
Sex:	Female
Age:	6 years
Known Issues:	Blind in one eye; overweight; foot surgery; blood-work needed
Background
Tippy is a 6 year old female JRT from the desert area of southern California. When she was about a year old, her breeder took her back from an abusive home, had her spayed and gave her to a man and his wife. Tippy loved the man, especially, and slept with him every night. The man’s wife contacted Russell Rescue in the fall of 2005, a few months after her husband had passed away, and asked Russell Rescue to take Tippy as she no longer had room for her since her daughter and 2 grandchildren had moved into her 5th-wheel trailer to live with her. Once a Russell Rescue foster home became available in northern California, on January 15, 2006, a wonderful volunteer transported Tippy from her desert home to Bakersfield and another equally wonderful volunteer met her there and took her the rest of the way to her Russell Rescue foster home in the northern San Francisco Bay area. Within a few days, Maureen Lyons, Tippy’s Russell Rescue foster mom, took her for her first visit to a veterinarian in no one knows how long. Tippy weighed in at just under 25 lbs, as she was fed way too many table scraps and had had little exercise. She received her rabies and DHLPP vaccinations. The vet determined that no permanent damage was done by Tippy’s over-tight harness (that had to be cut from her body by one of her transporters) after she examined the overall indentation mark and, particularly, the pink, rubbed bare spots behind each of her front legs. After examination of her left eye, which was injured when she ran into a cactus sometime during the summer of 2005 and never treated, the vet determined that there was no alternative other than that it be removed. The vet also recommended an examination by an eye specialist of the “cloudiness” she noticed in Tippy’s right eye. Tippy’s painful outer toe on her front left foot was examined, as it is retracted and deformed probably due to an old injury, and the vet determined that it had to be removed. An extensive blood panel work-up will need to be performed for Tippy, as she sometimes drinks excessively and has accidents in the house. The Animal Hospital at the Humane Society of Sonoma County in Santa Rosa, California has offered to perform the surgeries that Tippy requires at a generous discounted cost, but still, the total cost for all of her medical treatment will run close to an estimated $1,200.00+ . Progress updates are posted below.
Progress Updates
June 29 - From Coulson, Tippy's adoptive mom It's been a while since I have written to you about our little friend, Tippy. At this moment, we are enjoying a quiet Friday night on the sofa watching old movies. Roy is playing with his band at a local club. As you already know, Tippy can no longer see. We pursued several additional tests, including ultrasounds of her eye, which showed that her retina had detached in a couple of places. After consulting with an expert recommended by our eye vet we decided that it was not worth putting Tippy through two major surgeries for only a 20% chance of regaining any vision. And I am happy to report, we made the right decision. Tippy is doing so well! Her days are pretty active. After breakfast treats, we go to the park. Tippy is learning to socialize again. She is still not fond of big dogs rough-housing around her. But, she has reunited with her buddy, Max, and has made friends with a couple of Jacks (Lady and Scamp), a pug (Marco) and a ridiculously fluffy little dog who is fast enough to get out of the way when Tippy feels ornery. She has also made friends with my parents' JRT mix, Rodi. But, true to form, Tippy's M.O. is still to be the bossie girl. On our walks Tippy finds squirrels and birds. She looks directly at them! She especially loves the birds and I talk to her about them ('where are the birdies?') since I know she had a bird in her life for a while. When I go to work, Tippy naps. Then, around 1 pm we go for another walk. If I am out, her friend (dog walker), Maxine, comes and they go for a walk together. Tippy has given up chasing the hose, but she still likes to help me water the garden at night. Still, Tippy's favorite time of day is dinner. Oh, the noise she makes! She wolfs her food down before I even get Jake's bowl on the floor. I have been telling her lately that food is not love, (BTW, she is down to a slim 17 pounds and only on half of the thyroid dosage now), but she loves her food. I don't know if I ever told you about my previous JRT (who passed away not too long ago) Pip's 'heart.' She had a brown marking on her right shoulder in the shape of a perfect heart. She literally wore her heart on her sleeve. Anyway, I always told Roy that I would know my next dog because it would have a marking in the shape of a heart. Obviously, I couldn't see Tippy's markings on the Web site, and I adopted her because of her special needs (not looking for the marking.) But, here's the odd thing. I was rubbing Tippy's (full) belly one night and, as I looked down, I noticed that the hair on her lower abdomen swirls and grows in the shape of a heart! Even when I try to brush it the other way. And I just have to laugh because it's so fitting. The way to Tippy's heart is through her belly. Sending you lots of belly rubs and belly laughs, Coulson and Tippy
March 23 - From Tippy Hi Everyone: I just wanted you to know that I am all settled in my new forever home. My new mom picked me up in San Francisco and, after I showed her how to get through airport security, we flew all the way to Washington, DC together. Mommy said I was very good because I didn't make any noise. By the way, I should tell you that everyone in the airport loved me and, because of me, my new mom made lots of friends. When we got off the airplane, I met my new daddy. Then we drove to my new house where I met my two brothers, Trump and Jake. Trump is a Jack Russell just like me. After we gave each other the once-over, we went straight to bed. My new parents let me sleep with them. And, I even have my own glass of water next to the bed. I haven't been here too long but it seems like my new life is going to be pretty busy. Everyday I help Mommy with her work. I sit right next to her so whenever she needs me, I can jump up onto her lap. Trump doesn't really like me being so close to Mommy all of the time, but I just let him know who's boss. Mommy doesn't like that I pick fights with Trump and says; "No, Tippy." But I don't always listen. Mommy told me that a lady is going to come to the house and help me learn how to be nicer to Trump. I guess she's never heard the saying "you can't teach an old dog new tricks." My favorite times of the day are my walks. Sometimes we go to a park with lots of dogs. I like to chase everyone around. Other days we go to a big park where I see horses and ducks and geese and all sorts of little critters to hunt. Mommy also lets me help her in the garden. I am going to catch that hose one of these days. When I get wet mommy just says, "Oh, Tippy." Then she tells me how pretty I am. I know that with all of my new activities and responsibilities, I am going to lose those last couple of pounds in no time. Thank you Russell Rescue for helping me feel better and find my forever home. Lots of love and kisses, Tippy
March 14 - From Maureen, Tippy's foster mom It's been 2 weeks since I last wrote about Tippy, and in just 2 more days she will be in her new forever home; yes, she has been adopted! A wonderful family all the way on the east coast will be taking this very happy little dog into their lives and their hearts. Miracles do happen! I will be taking Tippy to the San Francisco airport on March 16th, where we will meet her new mom who will take her in a special pet-approved carry-on bag on the long flight cross country to meet her new dad, big Bloodhound brother and blind Jack Russell Terrier brother. Tippy's new parents are well aware of animal eye problems, as their blind Jack is afflicted with anterior lens luxation. Tippy will be in very capable and loving hands with her forever family! Today, Tippy went for her last visit to the Humane Society of Sonoma County's Animal Hospital for a follow-up check of her thyroid level. She got her picture taken with Dr. Jessica Baldwin who has been her veterinarian through all of her surgeries and follow-up visits. Dr. Baldwin and all of the Humane Society's staff gave many hugs and kisses to Tippy today, and told me that they would miss seeing her winking, smiling little face! Tippy's thyroid checked out A-OK today, so she will remain on her 0.4 mg meds twice each day. The results of the biopsy of her amputated toe indicated that all of the bone disease had been removed - yay! Tippy weighed in at approximately 18.4 lbs. today!! What a change from her starting weight of 24.8 lbs. She still needs to shed about another 2 - 3 lbs., but that should occur in no time, now that her thyroid level is up to where it should be and, as a result, her energy level is also up. She'll just be burning off those calories! Tippy wanted me to be sure to let everyone know that she has attained the goal that her foster dad had set for cherry her weight loss has allowed her to be able to fit through the "terrier door" into the barn. She now helps Gadget 'get those mice that live in there!' It was funny to see her the first time she made it through the opening, she seemed to pause just so briefly, as if saying, "I can't believe it! I didn't get stuck this time! Wow, this is SO COOL!" It's been an absolutely amazing experience for Tippy's foster dad and me to see the gradual change in Tippy's personality during the past 8+ weeks that we've had this opportunity to have her share in our lives. On the day we first met her, she was sweet, loving and friendly, like she is now, but there was no sign of the happy, energetic, life is great and I'm so excited to be here, attitude that she now exudes during every one of her waking moments. Thank you to everyone who helped Tippy obtain her new lease on life, whether it was a monetary contribution that you may have made or prayers that you may have prayed, you all helped by doing what you could. A very special thank you and congratulations to Tippy's new family, may you enjoy many happy and fun-filled years with your new bundle of Jack Russell Terrier!
February 28 - From Maureen, Tippy's foster mom Tippy is napping at the moment, so I thought I'd take this chance to get the computer keyboard away from her and write an update myself, for a change! Tippy truly has blossomed, now that she is feeling so well. Her antics and cute nature constantly bring us new insights into her real personality... the personality that had been so subdued when she first came to us more than 6 weeks ago in so much misery and pain. She is a delightful little dog... who is now ready for adoption! Wow! Tippy's foot is continuing to heal, day by day. As long as we can keep her from licking it, it should be completely healed in no time. We believe it is the interior, dissolving stitches that are "itching" her, resulting in her licking the area. Tippy's thyroid levels were checked 2 weeks after she started on her medication for hypothyroidism. Since the levels showed no change when re-checked, her medication dosage is now doubled. Her levels will need to be checked after another 2 weeks to see if this new dosage is "doing the trick" for her hypothyroidism. We are awaiting the results of the in-depth biopsy that was performed on Tippy's amputated toe. As I mentioned in an earlier update, there was no cancer found. The results of the in-depth biopsy may tell us more, however, about what exactly caused the disease of the toe bone. It will be good information to have. Tippy has been receiving her daily medicated eye drop and will need to have her eye's pressure re-checked by an animal eye specialist on about May 15, 2006. The re-check will reveal whether or not the medication is properly maintaining the pressure behind Tippy's eye. Tippy's body frame has changed tremendously! She actually has a dog-like shape to her physique, now (as opposed to the football-type shape she had when she first came to live with us). She eats a little less than a 1/2 cup measuring scoop full of Solid Gold Hund 'N Flocken dry dog food kibbles in the morning and the same amount in the evening. She gets a tiny piece of a dog treat as a training reward when responding to a command, such as "kennel up" (going into her crate). In other words, she is on a strict diet! Besides that, she actually eats her thyroid medication pill mixed in with her dog food kibbles at each feeding (talk about easy administration of medication!). We can tell that she's not too happy about the lack of table scraps in her diet, however, as whenever we are eating, there she is... sitting up pretty and begging! She is so funny! If you or someone you know is looking for a loving, clownish, cute, funny and sweet lap dog as a forever companion, please consider Tippy. She comes highly recommended by us, with a guarantee that she will put (and keep) a smile on your face and warmth in your heart.
February 26 - From Tippy Hi! I want to thank you all, again, so much, for your generosity in helping me to get better! When I first came to my foster home I weighed about 25 pounds, one of my eyes was badly infected and hurt very much, and I had a broken toe. Now, only six weeks later, I weigh 19.8 pounds, my bad eye and toe were both removed and I feel so much happier! I am really starting to have fun. Last weekend I got to go camping! My foster parents, my three foster sisters, and I all spent the weekend in my foster parents’ camper at an agility trial where my foster sisters all go to visit and play with other agility dogs. I traveled in my own room in the camper called a Soft Crate. It has screen doors and a nice fluffy pillow! At the trial, my foster mommy took me around to meet some of the athletes at the trial. There are some very serious competitors there, and I was really trying to fit in. Some day, I think that I might like to do agility. Now, when I am outside, I spend most of my time looking around in the tall grass for gophers and other critters. All of my stitches have been taken out, but my foot is still covered in a bandage. So, when no one is around, I have to wear a plastic cone because I sometimes forget that I am not supposed to lick and bite at the bandage. Usually, when my foster parents are home I don’t have to wear the cone, but when I forget and start to bite and tear they remind me and say: “Tippy, you leave it!” So, then I stop licking my bandage, so that they will leave the cone off of my head. Anyways, I have to go check the barn for mice right now, so I would just like to say again how very grateful I am for people who don’t even know me, but who really care about me and made sure that my paw and my eye will not hurt me anymore. I love you for that, and I can’t wait to find my forever home! Tippy.
February 16 - From Tippy Hi again, everybody. I'm back in business and I feel like a million bucks! As you can see from the picture my foster mom took of me, I'm wearing a funny hat now and I have a pretty pink bootie on my left front foot. My bad, painful eye is finally gone, too! That's how I was when I woke up from a long sleep at the hospital last Friday. It's truly amazing! I've also lost more weight; see how svelte I'm looking in my new profile shot? (I know... I still have a long way to go.) My foster parents have been making me rest a lot. It's really hard, especially when that bird is taunting me from his cage (boy, on this diet he sure looks especially yummy)! Talking about diets; I think my foster parents are losing it because they've been feeding me treats twice each day since my surgeries. Weird, huh? Also, they've been squeezing a drop of liquid in my eye at bedtime each night. It feels really good, actually. Oh, that's my foster sister, Gadget, sitting with me out in the sunshine. She doesn't look much like me, even though she's a Jack Russell, but I don't hold that against her! She's been really cool to me, seeing as how I'm the new kid on the block around the farm. Wow... I can't even believe how wonderful you all have been to donate so much toward my medical bills! Any money left over will be used to help other Jack Russells who need a new start in life, like I did. I get my stitches taken out on Tuesday, and then it's watch out world 'cuz here comes Tippy!! Thank you everybody for loving me back to health!!
February 13 - From Maureen, Tippy's foster mom Tippy's surgeries on Friday, February 10th went extremely well! Here are the details of Tippy's medical condition: It was a very good thing that Tippy was examined by Dr. Burwell of the Eye Care For Animals in Santa Rosa prior to her surgeries!. For the rest of her life, she will need to receive a drop of medicine in her remaining eye daily, due to its posterior lens luxation (lens luxation is, unfortunately, one of the few common genetic diseases of the Jack Russell Terrier breed) and predisposition for glaucoma. Also, due to the condition of this eye, Dr. Burwell cautioned against using atropine during surgery, as atropine is not recommended for use on dogs with such an eye condition as it can worsen the condition tremendously. Atropine is commonly used during surgeries, but it was not used on Tippy due to Dr. Burwell's advisement! Thank you Dr. Burwell of the Eye Care For Animals in Santa Rosa! Tippy's vision will remain as it is for the rest of her life as long as she receives her daily eye drop of medication. She is currently far-sighted and it is somewhat difficult for her to focus on anything within 4 feet of her. Tippy's bloodwork revealed that she has mild hypothyroidism. She has been placed on daily medication which will maintain it. Her thyroid levels will need to be re-checked in about 2 weeks, when I take her in to have the stitches from her surgeries removed. Her bloodwork also showed slightly abnormal liver enzymes. At this time, it is recommended that nothing be done about this and that her liver enzyme levels be re-tested after she fully recovers from her surgeries. Dr. Baldwin, of the Humane Society of Sonoma County's Animal Hospital, took an x-ray of Tippy's foot prior to surgery. The x-ray showed bone disease (most likely due to an old untreated infection). Dr. Baldwin had to generously amputate Tippy's "toe" bone to try to make sure that all of the diseased part was removed. She recommended that the amputated portion be biopsied to be sure that all of the disease was, in fact, removed ($100 fee for this). The reason that she wants to be absolutely sure that all of the disease was removed is because, if it wasn't, any remaining disease would spread. It's not cancer... thank goodness! Thanks to the GENEROUS donations Tippy has received, the biopsy will be performed! Thank you all so much!! I spoke to Dr. Baldwin about Tippy's somewhat excessive drinking and urinating. She advised that we wait on doing any testing in this regard. This condition could possibly be a result of her overall body system reacting to the localized infection in her, now removed, eye and the disease in her, now removed, toe. Tippy was SO HAPPY at the Animal Hospital on Saturday when I arrived to take her home. She loves everyone there and everyone there loves her right back! The veterinarians and staff, alike, all commented on what a sweet, nice and "smiling" little Jack Russell Terrier she is! As soon as I saw her, I could immediately tell that Tippy felt great... despite the big "cone" she was wearing around her head, the stitches on her "winking" eye and the pink bandage around her foot. She seemed to be saying, "Thank you SO much for making me healthy! My world is such a happy place to be in!" The doctor's written orders are for Tippy to refrain from strenuous activity for 10 days. She also needs to return to the hospital on Tuesday, February 14th (Valentine's Day!) to have her pink bandage removed and her foot examined. Well... it's been tough keeping this little girl down and quiet since she's been home! The first thing she did when she walked in the door was to run over to the bird cage to make sure her parrot was in there and that he was minding his "Ps" and "Qs." (This, of course, involved quite a lot of barking!) Tippy has discovered, though, that there is one good part about recovery... she gets to "break" from her diet and eat little bits of turkey meat twice each day! (Please don't tell her it's simply a disguise for her medication.) Again... thank you all for the love and generosity you've so readily shown for Tippy! After having known her for just 4 weeks, my husband, Jeff, and I can assure you that your kindness is well spent on this very special little "winking" Jack Russell Terrier!
February 7 - From Tippy Hi everybody, and thank you for all you have done to help me to get better. I went to the vet today for some pre-surgery bloodwork. They are so nice to me there, and everybody says "Hi" and likes to scratch my back, which is great because I really love that. They said that I lost 4 pounds since I have been with my foster parents just in the past 3 weeks and that I am down to 20.8 pounds (that may not seem like much to you, but it is 16% of my body weight). Pretty soon I will be able to fit through the "terrier door" in the barn and help Gadget get those mice that live in there. My foster mom says that I might even be able to try our agility course once I get better. I don’t know about agility, but Gadget says it is fun because you get to run through a lot of tunnels. I still like it here on the farm, and I like to chase the bird that lives here when he is out of his cage. Some day, I might even catch him. That would a feather in my cap (get it?). I have to go now and rest up because I go to the eye doctor the day after tomorrow, and then on Friday I have to get surgery. Thanks again, and I will write more later. Love, Tippy.
February 5 - From Tippy Hi, my mommy said that nice people are donating money to help my eye get better. She said that I should thank them and introduce myself. My name is Tippy. I am six and a half years old. For most of my life I was the only dog in the house, and I liked that just fine. Now I live on a farm with three other dogs, and do you know what? It is really fun to have sisters! My sister Gadget is another Jack Russell. When we go outside, she shows me where to look for critters in the field and mice in the barns. It is a lot of fun! One barn has a door that is just right for Gadget, and she goes in there after the mice. I try. I am short enough to stick my head in, but I am too wide to fit. My foster daddy says that my goal is to fit through that door. My other sisters are nice to me, too. They are called Border Collies. Gizmo is my age. She is very nice and big and fluffy, and she lets me lay close to her. Kachina is just a kid. She is only two, and she stares at me a lot, and sometimes she follows me around for no reason. Anyways, I have to go out and check for mice, so I will write more later. Thank you all, so much, for helping me to get better! Love, Tippy.
February 3 - From Maureen, Tippy's foster mom It's wonderful to see the positive changes that Tippy is going through! Having been an only dog, she is learning proper pooch etiquette from her 3 foster sisters and is starting to enjoy being "in on the action" of whatever they are doing. She seems to be saying, "It's fun having friends to play with!" She has also taken a special interest in our parrot, Flip. Flip, in turn, loves to sit at the bottom of his cage (eye level with Tippy) and "bark" right back at Tippy when she barks at him. There's quite a game going on between them! In her quiet moments, though, Tippy still enjoys the life of a lap dog... being scratched, talked to and lovingly cuddled. Next week will bring some stress back into Tippy's life, with her Dr. appointments and surgeries, but her feeling of contentedness that she is now beginning to show around her foster family will surely help her get through.
February 1 - From Maureen, Tippy’s foster mom Tippy continues to be a most happy, trusting, affectionate and energetic little girl, despite the misery of her eye and toe and her obesity. (Her weight is already down one whole pound!) She is adjusting well to life on a farm with 3 other dogs, a parrot and 4 goats. She is preparing for her visit to the eye specialist early next week and to her following surgeries by eating well, getting exercise and being “loved-up.” We can tell that Tippy is very grateful to Russell Rescue for giving her this opportunity to start a new, happier and healthier life!
If you would like to apply to adopt Tippy, please complete an online adoption application.