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Rusty

Updated: Dec. 15, 2002

Rusty, aka RJ Brave Flyer, is an almost three-year-old red brindle male, born February 2000, and is the most recent addition to GALT's Injured Reserve.

On Friday, Nov. 15th, we received a call from a couple that lived near Weatherford. The evening prior, her husband had gone to get the mail, and a very thin and weak greyhound wandered up to him. He immediately brought the grey back to his property, and his wife made him a bed of quilts on the front porch. The grey was so weak, he laid down immediately and let her cover him up. She cooked him scrabbled eggs and rice, and over the next 20 hours or so, the dog proceeded to eat approximately 9 bowls, as well as drank numerous bowls of water.

GALT's volunteer and foster mom, Kristin Fields*, arrived on Saturday to pick up this boy. "When I came up to him, I pulled back the quilt to find the thinnest and weakest animal I had *EVER* seen. It was all I could do to fight back the tears. He had numerous open sores, as well as older scabs all over his body and feet. He was too weak to stand and greet me, but his eyes glowed and his tail wagged. Somehow, I think he knew he was going to be okay. He couldn't stand up and walk to the car, so we picked him up and laid him in the back seat. He slept the entire way home - basically throughout the entire weekend, he spent the majority of the time sleeping. It didn't take him long to learn to appreciate the warmth and comfort of a nice fluffy dog bed. And of course sleeping in the bed next to him is Maverick. I have explained to Maverick that this is now his time to give some love back to another greyhound in need, just as he was in need months ago. In just a few days, we have already seen Rusty's strong will to live. When we come home from work or enter the room, he gets up and runs his thin frail body across the room towards us wagging his tail with excitement. It makes you wonder how such a pathetically thin, sick and neglected dog can still have that kind of spirit - they are truly forgiving creatures."

Rusty's left shoulder has a huge open wound on it, and he has a severe limp with his left front leg; there is also another open wound on his left hip. It is suspected that Rusty has suffered severe trauma on his left side.

He weighs only 45.9 pounds, which is probably at least 25 pounds underweight. His CBC shows he is anemic, and of course his chemical serum panel is that of a starvation victim. Rusty is positive for Babesia, but we will have to wait for treatment until he gains some weight. The sores will continue to be treated with antibiotics, orally and with ointment, and hydrotherapy.

The special medical treatment cost needed by Rusty is why the Miss Mesa Fund was established. Can you help with Rusty's care? Please take a moment to write a check (Greyhound Adoption League of Texas, P. O. Box 680, Addison, TX 75001) and note Miss Mesa Fund/Rusty on your check.

Alternately, you can make a donation using PayPal by clicking on the
button below. (The PayPal screen should appear in a new browser window;
to return to GALT, close the PayPal window when you're finished making
your donation.)

You WILL and CAN make a difference in Rusty's life and the lives of other
greyhounds in need of special medical care. Rusty's life up to now has obviously been a very hard one; it is up to all of us now to make it better.
Please check back here periodically for updates as Rusty progresses in his
medical treatment.

*Kristin and her husband, Lewis, fostered and nursed Sloan, now Maverick, back to health……it is their gift to help and nurture the very sick and neglected greyhounds. They officially adopted Maverick on November 17, 2002, as a tribute to their beloved Grayson. Rusty will be in the foster care of Kristin and Lewis until he finds his forever home.

Update on Rusty: 12/15/02

Rusty has gained enough weight to medically tolerate being neutered. His procedure and dental went well, and he is recuperating in his foster home. The open wound on his shoulder has been closed. The stitches will be removed soon. His treatment for Babesia has been performed.