Help Save Walter!

2010-05-11T23:02:00.000-07:00

Walter is doing amazingly well!! He is definitely treat motivated, and is incredibly smart. He is eager to learn and eager to please. We love him so much and are so grateful that is he home and well. He is still on antibiotics and is obviously still undergoing treatment for the mange, but as you can see, his fur and colors are starting to show. I just went back and looked at the video from the first week, i cried for so many reasons, but i cried mainly out of happiness and gratitude that this little life was saved!! It could not have happened without all of your support and love. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!!

WALTER!!!

2010-05-11T22:58:00.001-07:00

2010-05-03T10:59:00.000-07:00

WALTER IS HOME!!!!

We will be posting new pics soon. Right now we just want to make sure is comfortable in his new home! Thanks again for all the support and love you sent Walters way!!

2010-04-29T22:30:00.000-07:00

Our little Piglet!!

2010-04-28T10:41:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends of Walter!! We apologize for the delay in posting, its been quite a busy week.

Walter is getting to be a big boy packin on the pounds. I am amazed when i took at the before photos. He is still at VERG, he is recovering from a touch of kennel cough and the docs want to make sure he is in tip top shape before coming home. I have a couple new videos i will post later this afternoon. For now here is an adorable sleeping shot by Alex Darsey.

The Walter Fund Update

2010-04-21T10:53:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to write a post to thank everyone again for the generous donations towards Walter's medical care. He is really coming along well, which is a testament to the staff at VERG, as well as to everyone who supported Walter throughout his ordeal. He's a really special little guy.

We are happy to announce that we are confident that we have raised enough money to cover the cost of Walter's emergency care. The donation button is still up and active, but please donate knowing that any overages will be donated in Walter's name to the ASPCA, local rescues, and shelters so we can try to help other animals in need.

Thank you all again for all you've done. Walter's life could have been very short and painful, but thanks to everyone rallying around him he is going to grow up a healthy, loved, and happy dog.

thank you thank you thank you

2010-04-20T23:56:00.000-07:00

today the doctors told us Walter weighs 16.5 lbs, which means the boys been packin em on. He's gained 3 pounds in a week!!

2010-04-20T23:19:00.000-07:00

This Wednesday our good friends at The Gate will be "Pouring Beer forWalter" all day long, and donating a portion of the proceeds to aid inWalter's recovery. Stop in for a pint if you can! Corner of 3rd Street and 5th Avenue in Park Slope.

Walter update April 19th

2010-04-20T00:32:00.000-07:00

Hello friends,

Another nice visit with Walter!! As Walter's wounds are healing and drying up, the scabs are falling off and as a result he has lost quite a bit of fur...but as I said in yesterday's post, he is already starting to grow new hair, and his skin is much less red and irritated. His paws are still swollen but they are infinitely better than when we brought him in. This healing process is all about time. Walter's energy level is higher and his tail is always wagging when he sees us. We feed him lots of yummy treats, he walks around and says hello to the room full of visitors and then always goes right for the lap and falls happily asleep. This morning the doctors told us that after he ate his breakfast he got his toy and put it in his empty dish..."he's really starting to act like a puppy"!!! He's an angel face boy!!

Walter!! April 17, 2010

2010-04-18T13:41:00.000-07:00

some pics of our visit with Walter yesterday. His protein levels are up and his skin is really starting to heal. He's even got some new baby hair growing in...He's truly Amazing!!

2010-04-17T10:52:00.000-07:00

2010-04-17T02:13:00.000-07:00

Walter saw the Dermatologist today, she specializes Demodectic mange.
His, is the worst case she has seen but, she expects that with proper care he will have a full recovery!!! Alex said he even saw some new hair growing in.

He will also be getting a plasma transfusion today. It will improve his energy and increase his protein levels, it is beneficial in many ways to his overall health.

Walter absolutely loves "zukes" jerky treats, i took a video today of him chowing down on them. i will attempt to attach it below, its pretty cute.

Thanks again everyone for checking on Walters progress.

2010-04-15T15:28:00.000-07:00

Hello Dear friends of Walter,

Walter was more alert today then yesterday. HE was very responsive to the jerky treats we brought in for him today. Kenan has a video of it and I will will post it this evening. I know its only baby steps right now but hes getting better everyday. below are some pics from today.

2010-04-15T02:51:00.000-07:00

Thank you to everyone who has made a donation toward Walters recovery or read his story.
I truly believe that your support, thoughts, and prayers have given Walter the strength to get better.

The pics below were taken yesterday April 14, 2010. Though he was a little out of it due to pain medication, he seemed to really enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. I included a picture of Walter with his Amazing doctors at VERG Dr. Gibb and Dr. Gavin. The whole staff as been incredible. Not only have they given Walter the best possible medical care, they shower him with love and affection. Because of their unbelievable care and all of your support Walter has a second chance, and for that we are eternally grateful.

Thank You Everyone!!

2010-04-15T02:29:00.000-07:00

Walter's Story

2010-04-13T16:50:00.000-07:00

On Easter Sunday night, our dear friend Alex Darsey was walking by his house on 15th Street and 3rd Avenue in Brooklyn, when a scared little puppy approached him out of nowhere. A neighbor told Alex that they had seen someone throw the puppy out of a car and drive off.

Alex brought him home and named him Walter. Walter was incredibly malnourished, dehydrated and was suffering from a severe case of Mange. On top of that it appears that his previous owners used some sort of chemical (like bleach or ammonia) in a cruel and misguided effort to treat the Mange. The fact that human beings could treat an innocent puppy this way and then leave him on the street to die is unfathomable, not to mention criminal.

We brought him to the emergency room that night and to the Vet the following morning, and while all doctors agreed that Walter has a long road ahead, they felt that his condition is treatable, and that he has a chance to grow up and lead a healthy, normal life. They estimate that he is between 2 and 3 months old. He is INCREDIBLY SWEET AND LOVING.

A group of us collectively decided to try to help Walter get better. The vet put him on antibiotics and anti-parisite medication, we bathed him with medicated soap to help sooth his inflamed, raw skin. After a few days of bathes, good meals and lots of love and attention from his new family, Walter seemed to be doing really well.

However, 2 days ago, Walter lost his appetite, and his body temperature and electrolytes began to drop rapidly. We brought him into the emergency room again, His temperature was so low it didn't register on the thermometer. They put him in a sort of heated incubator and are giving him fluids through an IV. Presently his Mange is so bad that he no longer has his fur to act has an immune defense. His body is like a sponge for bacteria and infection, and he is so weak that he cannot fight it on his own. That being said, Walter is fighting...his white blood cell count is high (which means his body is aggressively trying to fight off the infection), and his general condition has improved since he admitted 2 days ago.

Over the course of the last few days we have had to ask ourselves whether it is in Walter's best interest to continue treatment...He is not in pain, and he is fighting to survive. The doctors feel that with time and care he can beat the infection. Unfortunately emergency care is very expensive, and we simply don't know how long he'll have stay there. As long as he is fighting to stick around, we will fight with him. Any help you could offer would be immensely appreciated. There is no shortage of people to care for this little man and he does have a home waiting for him, we need to get him strong enough to make it there.

We wouldn't want to make a decision about this little guy's future based on an inability to continue to pay for medical care. We are all doing our best to come up with whatever we can, but our pockets are only so deep. Though Walter has only been on this earth a few months, he has suffered greatly and had only known a life of pain, neglect, and abuse until he found us. Please help us give Walter a new start and a chance to live the life he deserves, one filled with love, and happiness (and lots of treats!)

No Donation is too small. You can donate by clicking the button below.
Please pass this along to anyone you know who may be interested in helping save little Walter.

For more pictures, updates an to become a fan of Walter please visit his facebook page.

Walter is being treated at The Veterinary Emergency Referral Group and his primary care doctor is Hope Vet.

Thank you for your help and support

-Walter, Alex, Shawna, Kevo, Ro and Kenan