August 2004: This is MacDoodle. We call him Mac.

Mac was a stray found in March, wandering the streets of Atlanta, Georgia. He wound up at the Fulton County Animal Shelter --- thin, weak and with a host of medical issues. Caretakers at the shelter estimated his age as, in a word, "ancient." Neverthless, they took a shine to him. They had him groomed, had his teeth cleaned and had a sizable tumor behind his left ear removed. Despite their efforts, Mac's age and general physical condition made his prospects for adoption dim. A trio of guardian angels from Small Dog Rescue and Humane Society heard Mac's story and plucked him from the shelter.

He lived for two weeks with his first foster family, who showered him with affection and made him safe. Preliminary examination by vets at Coal Mountain Animal Hospital suggested a previous injury in his hips or pelvis and there was suspicion of some neurological damage.

We learned about Mac as volunteers with Small Dog Rescue. As past guardians of a late beloved Westie, my husband and I were struck by his mysterious history and his desperate need. There was no question. We would foster this aging, ailing old boy.

When Mac came to us in mid-April, he was deaf, slow, exhausted, crooked and clearly in considerable pain. He moaned and grunted when we picked him up. He shuddered at the slightest touch. He wobbled drunkenly when he walked. Mac weighed only 14 pounds. His skin sagged from his bony frame, and his coat was lusterless. He could not lift his head and could barely stand, much less walk more than a few steps. A bit much, even for a dog whose age is estimated at 15 years.

The first week we had him, we took him to see Dr. Susan Wynn, a highly respected holistic practitioner. As we did, she recognized that Mac had a host of difficulties, but she set out to tackle his pain first. When it was clear after a week of pain killers that medication was not enough, we agreed to put him under, so that she and her colleagues could delve more deeply into what might be causing his pain, especially around his head. They discovered a badly decayed tooth and removed it. After the extraction, Mac was placed on a long course of antibiotics and began regular visits with a veterinary chiropractor. He was also placed on daily herbal supplements as well as vitamins and minerals.

There was good news too. There was no evidence of organ failure, and, considering his weakened condition, all his bloodwork has been quite good.

Mac began showing signs of emerging from his terrible pain. He slept more easily and became more playful. He no longer cringed in pain when touched. Nevertheless, he displayed persistent discomfort around his head. During May through early June, he was treated with more general antibiotics for a suspected ear infection.

During a June recheck, Mac's progress was still less than satisfactory. More tests were conducted to get a better picture of the condition of Mac's ears. A culture was taken. Five days later, while we were waiting for the results, Mac gave us a scare. Within a matter of a few hours, his breathing became labored. It worsened in the course of the night, and we took him to an emergency clinic, where the vet diagnosed a probable sinus infection. The following day, we returned to Dr. Wynn. She prescribed a powerful antibiotic to fight the sinus infection and any ear infection that the culture might turn up.

We also took Mac to an internist, on Dr. Wynn's recommendation, to get yet another opinion on what might be going on with him. The specialist, Dr. Pauline Levine, basically supported Dr. Wynn's findings.

When the culture results finally returned in early July, sure enough - a deep ear infection was discovered. Mac was placed on a month-long course of antibiotics. A week later, he was anesthetized one last time for a deep ear-cleaning. We also put him on specially formulated antibiotic drops for his ears.

At last check, his ears looked good, but they will need careful monitoring and frequent washes. And he is still deaf.

MacDoodle has come a long way. His physical condition appears to have finally stabilized. He has put on weight, his coat has a healthy sheen and his step is a little stronger. He still can't lift his head all the way, he does not wag his tail and he still wobbles when he walks and is unsteady when he stands. Three different vets believe it is neurological but agree that it's pointless to go looking for it, considering Mac's advanced age.

Now, Mac can make his way slowly up our driveway. He is in little or no discernible pain. He is incontinent and does sleep a lot, but he has moments of mischief when he romps and plays. Those moments are brief, but they are a joy and allow us to see the puppy he once was. He has great spirit --- that wonderful Westie spunk. He loves people and has many angels watching over him. Thanks to Anne, Sandra and Linda at Small Dog Rescue, the vets at Coal Mountain, Dr. Susan Wynn and the kind folks at WestieMed.

In the months that we have spent with Mac, he has had countless vet visits, numerous tests, some relatively major procedures and a few setbacks in our quest to rid him of his pain and to make him as healthy and happy as he can be. WestieMed gets a big "Thank You!" from Small Dog Rescue for helping us do what it takes to help Mac and other rescued Westies reach that goal. Your generous assistance is a godsend.