May 2004: Hi, Everyone. I'm Rocky!

On March 18th my owner contacted Aunt Suzie (Westie Rescue of Western New York) asking her to find me a new owner. I was adopted at the SPCA when I was a year old for my owners granddaughter who could not keep me at her home. I just turned three. Anyways, my little girl moved away last September and my owner had no reason to keep me. I was restricted to one place in the house and had to watch people from a far away place. No one ever touched me since my skin disorder began last fall. I was kept in a crate a lot and fed once a day. Then on April 26th Aunt Suzie got an email that my owner was ready to release me. The owner mentioned that I had a "slight skin problem." She came right over and stared at me for the longest time. My owner kept me on the front step and threw me half of his hamburger to eat. Then Aunt Suzie contacted WestieMed for help. On May 3rd she came and got me and took me straight to the doctor. All the ladies at the desk stared at me too and made me feel special despite my odd smelling, oily, crusty skin - like they had never seen a thin, hairless, dark skinned Westie before? The doctor poked and prodded and even took pictures. She took me home for a week of those darn baths. She kept telling me that they will make me more handsome and kill all those yeastie beasties. Baths are good time for a wrestling match. I had to listen to Aunt Suzie hum the theme to the movie "Rocky" over and over.

At Aunt Suzie's I got three squares a day and little cheese ball appetizers (meds) before breakfast and dinner. Ritzy place! Then Aunt Suzie introduced me to her Westie named Bridie. She is also three years old and my first friend. I have never played with any other animal before. She sure is pushy and short! It was lots of fun to race around Aunt Suzie's island in the kitchen. Then, there is my cousin Allison. She has a wonderful lap. When I sit on it, she speaks softly to me and strokes my new hair.

So nice of Aunt Suzie to arrange a vacation for me so soon. She says that I will be staying with Aunt Eve, Uncle Ed and their three Westies in South Park, Pennsylvania until I grow some hair and look like a Westie. I need to get ready to find my forever home.

Rocky

Footnote: Rocky was diagnosed with severe Malassezia and was emaciated. Given his young age and wonderful temperament, I felt that he deserved a chance to recover. I knew that WestieMed is very familiar with these critical cases so I immediately contacted them for help. They were right there guiding me in his treatment and financially supporting his rehabilitation. In two weeks time he has gone from 16 to 20 pounds and his coat is beginning to grow back. His prognosis is very good. It wont be long and we will be looking for a very special forever home for him. My thanks (and Rocky's) to WestieMed for supporting me in my efforts to help him. Thanks to WestieMed, Rocky will have a future. I will keep you posted as to his progress.

Suzie Nowak, Westie Rescue of Western New York

Update, May 25, 2004: Hi everybody, Rocky here again.

Well I made it to Aunt Eve and Uncle Ed's. Things are pretty cool here, I have three "sisters." Only thing is that someone forgot to tell me how bossy an older sister can be. The youngest sister is teaching me how to play with toys, the middle one is teaching me to be a gentleman. My Aunt Eve, what can I say...she feeds me, is teaching me how to sit (why? I already knew this), and takes me to see this person called a vet. Well I thought this vet and I were getting along pretty good till she stuck something in my ear, this I didn't like but Aunt Eve, (Hey I have to call her mom, it's easier to say) ...Mom said I had to be good. The vet said my ears look pretty good. Well they should. Mom washes them enough!

The vet also wants to take some X-rays (I found out that's another name for pictures) of my back left leg and hip, I do a funny skip and hop when I walk or run. But I have to be stronger and healthier before they can X-ray me because I have to take a nap while they do this. Then after they look at the pictures of my leg the vet will then decide if I need an operation.

Anyway, the vet ran some test and I have something called Pancreatic Insufficiency - along with the yeast infection on my skin. But mom said not to worry because all I need is a little pill before my food.

My skin must be getting better too because she says I have some pink showing through and some new hair. Just think, someday I will be the same handsome Westie I once was!

I find I like it best at night when the girls and I go hunting in the back yard. There are all kinds of smells. We run across the deck and up the steps, across the hill next to the fence, and boy can those girls run! I go to bed at night like a "good boy" after mom gives me a small snack. I sleep all night and try and be good till I hear someone is up. Then hey it's food time! "Oh, forgot, must go outside first.

My Mom says my new Mom won't have to worry if I will eat or not, "I love food" even that stuff called Green veggies. I go outside after I eat like a good boy, I play with the girls, I love it when someone throws a ball for me. I am learning how to walk my humans on  a leash without making them fly through the air. Oh, I almost forgot the best part, I love riding in a car, I am very good, I look out the window so I can see what everybody else is doing and I don't bark at cars.

I love sitting on my stool looking out the front window. Mom was wondering what I was looking for...I am looking for my new mom...she's coming real soon to get me! I'll let you know how it goes!

Yours truly,
Rocky

Update, June 11, 2004: Hey! Its me Rocky again. I have a new home and its "FOREVER" My new Mom, Bette, saw my story on WestieMed and it was love at first sight. Mom met Auntie Eve in Zanesville, OH and picked me up. I have a little Sister named Sophie Rose and an older Brother named Mr. Magoo. My Mom thinks I'm the most handsome boy there is. My hair is growing back nicely thanks to my Aunt Eve and all her tender loving care. Mom is keeping me on my "Aunt Eve diet" and just knows someday I will have a full coat of hair again. Mom says I've a very good boy and she's so happy to have me.

More later! Gotta go play with Mom. Magoo is 15 and doesn't play much with me. My sister Sophie Rose age 4 will play with me but she hurt her leg and has to rest for a while.

Update, August 18, 2004:

Here's a recent picture of my Rocky with his hair.

He goes to the Groomer on Friday to get a "touch up."

Again, I thank WM for helping me to find my fine Boy!

Bette

Update, December 3, 2004: Rocky has been with me almost 6 months now. What a JOY this little Guy is. Very spoiled and thinks his place in life is on my lap. In October, Rocky was the "Guest of Honor" at the WestieWalk in Gahanna, Ohio. He lead the parade and was quite proud. Everyone there was saying how very handsome he is. Rocky has a full coat now and his health is excellent. He loves playing with his little Sister Sophie Rose and his Brother Mr. Magoo.

Rocky and I would like to again THANK WestieMed for helping this little boy and bringing him to me. I truly love this little Guy.

Sincerely,
Bette Heidorn

Update, May 2, 2005: Dear WestieMed Folks!

It's me Rocky MacDuff. Just wanted you all to know I'm doing GREAT! I have a full thick coat, no health problems and I'm so very happy in my forever home. Mom says I'm spoiled but I deserve to be. I'm just so well loved and my place is on my Mom's lap. All the time! I just turned 4 on April 22nd and Mom got me a steak. Boy, was that a surprise.

Mom is always singing "You Light Up My Life" to me. And she's always telling me what a Special Handsome Boy I am! My sister and I get along so well mainly because I allow her to be the Alpha Diva! My 16-year-old brother even plays with me sometimes.

I truly want to thank all my friends at WestieMed for helping me to get healthy and to my Mom for keeping me healthy.