About Rufus

Ok guys, here is a real tear jerker. This is my newest rescue. This dog was purchased as a puppy from a backyard breeder in Louisiana. The mother suffered with Demodex as did most of the litter. The breeder will be contacted and made aware of the fate of their cute little puppies that lined his pockets with a few thousand. Perhaps he would be interest in helping with the cost to fix him or take him back as his responsibility. The owner offered no help to rehabilitate, neuter or place him. She was going to have him euthanized but a neighbor called me and begged for me to help him. She could not help as she has a couple of Bullies herself who do not accept other males and does not have the facilities to separate them.

He is 3 years and was brought to the vet as a young pup because he had Demodex. They purchased meds to treat him but never returned for a follow up appt. I know all this for a fact because we use the same vet and he went through his records with me. The Demodex was never cleared up. Doc says because the treatment was not consistent or administered as directed. His initial case was routine for a pup of his age. The owner also opted to NOT purchase or administer the recommended HW preventative. As of the record to date, he was last seen over two years ago. He has a moderate to high Heartworm infestation. Both ears are infected, both eyes infected, numerous open infected oozing body sores, 5 large toe cysts.

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He has absolutely no hair from an untreated Demodex attack complicated by a severe staff infection all over his body. Poor baby has no hair, hard dried elephant skin that is very tender. He winces when you stroke his back and when he bumps his legs or sides he cracks open and bleeds in multiple places. He has lived an outdoor life because they found out the new baby had allergies to him. Instead of finding a proper home or seeking help from a shelter or rescue group, he was put outside (where no Bulldog can survive and be healthy). He lived under the house and was badly underweight. He would roll in the mud under the house in an attempt to keep the flies off. He was covered in dried mud when I picked him up which was probably ok because he had no hair to protect him from the sun rays (it was 94 here today) There is so much more I can tell you but it is no different from all the typical neglect cases.

We are going to treat him one thing at a time and hopefully he will survive the HW treatment. We must get his temp down and staff infection under control before HW treatment can begin. I have been trying to get this dog for a couple of weeks but the lady could never bring him to me because they moved and had left him behind at the old house. She stated he stank too bad to put him in her car and she would bring him in the back of her husband's truck when they could. Think she ever heard of shampoo. I ended up driving to there and picked him out of the yard myself. Anyway, he has a very gently, affectionate personality and is just a sweet puddin' pie. He is going to make someone a super great pet if he survives his treatments. By the way he only weighs 40 pounds.

There is no excuse for the horror you are about to see. Words cannot describe. I cried all the way home with him. I ended up having to meet her at the old residence and retrieve him from under the house. Please say your prayers and pass this around in case anyone is offering any help, financial or otherwise. I am willing to undertake the months of therapy but I am a non-working mother with plenty of my own Bulldogs and young boys to look after. I'll tell you, if he would not be such a gentle, loving and forgiving soul, we would have opted to put him down. That is what the owner said she wanted to do. But not here.

He was never given the upper hand one time in his three years of life on this earth until he met me. I'm giving him all the aces and will await my reward in heaven!! Right fellow rescuers? He will he needing daily meds, eyes drops, ear cleanings (they are completely plugged and when he shakes his head he showers you with blood and puss and stinky yeast). His eyes stay dried and crusty no matter how much you clean them. According to the vet, he will require approximately 6-9 months of intensive daily care to make him well again. Anyway, I am weeping again at the thought of those three long years he had to endure. I can assure you he will never have the pain of an empty belly again, will never feel sick for very long, feverish, sore, hot, cold or unwanted. He is such a sweetheart that I know he will repay the humans who came to his aid ten times more--no doubt.

Kim

Date: Friday, August 22, 2003 9:30 PM
Subject: Rufus home 8-22-03

Hello everyone! Here is the update you have been waiting for. Rufus came home
today and he seems like a changed dog. He leapt out of the cage at the vets
office when he saw me and showered me with affection. He lost a couple of much
needed pounds. He actually has the prettiest red brindle fuzz peeking out on
his legs. Ears are still terrible and not much improvement there yet but they
will come around. Proud to say that his eyes are completely clear and have that
healthy sparkle. Still many open ulcers on the feet in fact there are a couple
of new ones. Looks like dead tissue is there and probably wont heal. I'll have
them looked at by his regular doc when he goes for his appointment Monday the
25th. They are going to evaluate him to begin the HW treatment. It is
anticipated to take 12 weeks. We are going to do a reverse treatment and do it
very very slowly. As for the fluid in his lungs, it is minimal now and the meds
seem to be keeping them clear. We are also keeping him on the Antibiotics, and
two other meds to keep the fluid out of the lungs and to open his airways.

We really missed him while he was gone but I know he got lots of love and
attention there. The girls in the office were all sorry to see him go and
walked us out. As I was traveling home he was laying across my lap and I
noticed these two terrible looking red streaks running across his forehead. At
a stop light, I inspected them closer and guess what it was??? It was a big lip
stick kiss he had gotten earlier by someone at the clinic! He wore it proudly
on that big bald head all the way home until we bathed him again. He is good at
stealing hearts. Rufus is eating like a little piggy and begging for more.

I am astounded at the help we are receiving for him and words cannot express my
joy. It sure is a good feeling when you don't have to pick and choose what you
can afford to treat at the time and what you can't. I have had inquiries from
people wanting to help and to give him a home all the way in the UK!

I will do my best to keep everyone updated about every couple of weeks. In the
meantime feel free to e-mail should you want to know earlier. Thanks you
everyone, I could not have done it without you!!!!! You folks are awesome.

It was hard to put such a big list together, If I missed any of your friends
please let me know and pass this on for me.

Love,
Kim and Rufus

Sent: Friday, August 29, 2003
Subject: Rufus Update

Hello to all. I am on top of the world and bursting with good news for all of
you who are supporting Rufus. I visited him today and I must say he was a
totally different dog. Much to everyone's surprise, he is tolerating his
treatment very well thus far. He is full of energy, very alert and overflowing
with affection. He just went absolutely wild when he saw us. Forget wagging
the tail, he wagged his whole rear end knocking a stool over in the process. I
doubt it is from the Heartworms dying (it's only been 5 days) but from the
medications he has been receiving for his other ailments that are making him
feel better. They seem to have given him much relief and he breaths slow and
normal instead of the short labored puffs he had since I got him. His spirits
are up and functioning at 100%. I must say that little guy sure has a spice for
life-Cajun Style!

As for the feet, still not looking good. They are going to try some soaking
solutions and different medication. It doesn't seem to bother him though, I
guess he has learned to tolerate it. I brought several letters that have been
sent for him and he lay in my lap listening to me read each one. He drifted off
to sleep several times as he was exhausted. He would only lift his head when I
would stop reading. He would stare at my face until I would start reading again
then he would settle back into his slumber.

He is almost halfway through the critical part of the treatment. After seeing
what I saw today, there is no doubt he will make it--he just has to. I do
believe in the power of prayer and there have been hundreds praying for him. I
think those prayers have been answered. We ended our visit after a couple of
hours by rubbing his ears until he fell asleep. We quietly slipped off, maybe
he will think it was a dream.

In one of the pictures he is wearing a darling little sweater made by a lady
named Charlotte Bales in Washington. She heard how Rufus chills easily and
thought he would enjoy it. In the picture he looks like a little puppy again.
You can just see the puppyhood he never had just screaming to come out. He also
received a box of wonderful stuffed toys, Nyla bones and yummy treats from a
generous lady in Connecticut named Maryann. I'm sure he has never had such
things. Can't wait to see him enjoy them. From the bottom of my heart, I thank
each and everyone of you who are praying for him and helping to pay his medical
costs. I just wish you could all feel the satisfaction and joy that I do when I
see him improving slowly but surely.

I will visit again early next week and if he is still doing well, perhaps we can
break him out of there!

Kim Carpenter

Date: Tuesday, September 2, 2003
Went to see Rufus today. Good news and bad news. He had a set back this weekend, just was really sick and refusing food. Now he is eating again and feeling a little better. Recent test results revealed that these heartworms have permanently damaged his kidneys. They will get better as he heals but will never be normal. Dr. Woodward does feel it will be manageable with the right diet and possibly medication. As for the feet, no improvement. All we can do right now is work on getting that suppressed immune system up and some better circulation going and they should come around. Unfortunately, he appears to have lost more weight from not eating over the weekend. He did seem to feel well today, just a little sluggish.
I was actually hoping he would say we could bring him home but he said at least another week. I have enclosed a picture of him with Dr.Woodward and one of the ladies who is taking care of him. Dr. Woodward really is doing a great job with Rufus. I think he cares very much for him and wants to see him recover as much as we all do. His spirits remain high.

Date: Monday, September 8, 2003
Subject: Rufus Update

I know it has been sometime since I put out an update but I was really hoping that on this next one I could say he was home. Unfortunately, all the news this time is bad. Last weekend, he had a bout with diarrhea and not eating or drinking. As best we can figure, with his immune system being so weak, he contracted an intestinal virus at the clinic. He was treated accordingly and he managed to get past that. He has lost more weight as the end result. He did real good during the week. I got a call this morning that he "crashed" again. It is suspected that a large portion of dead heartworms has broken loose resulting in a clogged artery. He is fighting for life as I type. His body temperature is critically low and he is in respiratory distress again. They are giving him respiratory support, IV fluids and medication to raise his body temperature along with blankets and heating pads. He is not eating or drinking on his own. Dr. Woodward said he would call me this evening and let me know if he is pulling through this set back. Prayers are needed desperately.

I now have my own website where I will be posting my updates on Rufus. It is
still under construction so pardon some of the missing links and pages. Please
visit the site at www.rainbullbullies.com .

Kim

From: Dan Atcheson
Sent: Monday, September 08, 2003 1:33 AM
Subject: From Dan, Baby and Kim/In Memory of Rufus

Kim Carpenter called awhile ago and told me that Rufus passed away around
noon, C.S.T. He was undergoing heartworm treatment when a mess of them broke
loose from his heart and clogged an artery. The vet and his staff did everything
they could to save him, including inserting a catheter to try to unstop the
blockage. He was conscious and aware that he was surrounded by loving and caring
friends when he breathed his last breath. We're very grateful for that.
We want everyone to know that we appreciate all of the donations and prayers
that were sent in his behalf. Sometimes the Lord just says, "No," to prayers and
I know he has His reasons.
The tragedy of Rufus is that he spent the first three years of his life in
hell; neglected and unloved. The success of Rufus is that he finally experienced
love and care before he died. And after all he'd been through, he had a heart
filled with love for those who loved him.
The compassion and love of Kim for the little fellow, as well as everyone at
the vet clinic, and all the help and prayers from so many others is another part
of the success story. His story also brought to the attention of so many that
even pure-bred and expensive dogs often experience neglect and abuse. I also
believe he made more of us aware that we ALL need become more actively involved
in the rescue of abused pets, as well as children. As the song says, "for they
have no choice." In this regard, I'm going to leave his story up on Baby's
rescue page so others will see it in the future.
This has also created so many wonderful friendships for Kim, and for me. We
will never forget any of you who showed concern and compassion.
I've attached an image of a poem (edited for Rufus) that I wrote a few years
ago, entitled "Do Dogs Go To Heaven?" I prayed for three things during the weeks
it took to write the poem: That it bring tears; that it bring hope; and that it
be an accurate story of where a beloved pet goes after that pet crosses the
bridge. I am convinced that all of these have been answered.
Dan, Baby, Delilah, Kim, Kent and Maureen

Date: Monday, September 08, 2003 4:23 PM
Subject: Rufus-the conclusion

Well, I don't know where to start. I wanted to put something out earlier but
could not bring myself to the computer. This will be short as I have much to
deal with now. Although, I only had him for a month, it seems like an eternity.
I loved him, I felt like I knew him so well...we were so connected. I called
Dan immediately because I knew he would help me put the word out, I was in no
condition to do it myself at the time. I am sorry. I know you all want the
details and I will put them out soon on my website. His cause of death was
congestive heart failure. He died under the tender caressing hands of his
doctor and nurses who have developed quiet a love for him. There were many
questions as to whether or not I would keep him when he recovered. I'm sorry I
never got to feel the joy of that moment. But, yes I will keep him forever now.
He is being privately cremated and his ashes with be kept on my fire place
mantle alongside my beloved Bulldog Ruby and Rufus' memory forever in my heart.

I have tried to find the good in this but I think I am too angry to do that
right now. What I would like for you to do is to go to my website and look at
Rufus' page. As you scroll through the updates, look at the embedded pictures
of him as you listen to the music. These were his happiest moments and the only
memories I hope he left with. I am truly glad I found him and we had those
brief moments to remember. I can't stand the thought that he would have died
under that house without experiencing love.

I am devastated that all the love, time, money, medication, and tears were not
enough to undue the years of neglect he was handed.

Thank you so much for all you have done. Thank you for your prayers, donations,
poems, letter of encouragement, pictures of your dogs, toys for Rufus, phone
calls and your friendship. Well what do you know? I guess I have just found
some of the "good" in Rufus' death....I have many new friends who I will never
forget. Thank you for being a part of our lives.

P.S. Dr. Woodward and his staff has also taken his death very hard. If you find
time, please drop them an e-mail to tell them what a good job they did keeping
him going for these last two weeks and how they offered us hope. Rufus was a
huge case that involved many people and resources. I believe I would have been
hard pressed to find another clinic willing to take on his case.

Email Dr. Woodward
wareagle@xspedius.net

Kim Carpenter

Prologue: Tuesday, September 9, 2003

Hello to all. Just wanted to say a few words before I make my final farewell to
all of you who have been beside me on this adventure. I have received hundreds of
e-mails since Rufus' death-in fact more than my poor little computer can handle.
It is smoldering in the corner right now. It is impossible for me to respond to
all so I'm going to try it this way.

I am ok, it is a beautiful sunny, breezy day her in South Louisiana and my
spirits are high. I took great comfort in snuggling up in my bed last night
cuddling my children and loving the Bullies. I can't say it was physically
comfortable with the two children, 1 adult and the four Bulldogs in the same bed
--but it felt good inside.

My web site creator, Kent Grubbs has written a poem regarding Rufus' death as
his way of dealing with his grief. It is posted on my site along with more
pictures soon to come. I am going to leave his story up as a reminder of his
tragedy. Hopefully someone who needs inspiration or has something to learn from
it will stumble across it in the future. Rufus' story is at:
http://www.rainbullbullies.com/rescue.htm

I must bid my final farewell to you all regarding Rufus now. This has been one
hell of a ride. Glad you were all there with me. I must get back to my very
important work of caring for my family and my own Bulldogs. They have missed me
dearly. As for rescue, this has not dampened my spirits one bit. I will remain
full speed ahead as I always have.

Kim