Sluggo gets his "forever home"

Sluggo meets Memphis, as the neighbors gather to watch.

Last night, Sluggo went to Conway to meet the Nichols family, who have a 5-year-old bully named Memphis and other dogs who get special care. They are a wonderful family and all the neighbors came out to meet Sluggo and watch as he and Memphis got to know each other.

The Nichols' home and back yard are very Sluggo-friendly, and he can easily get around. It's easy to see they have a lot of love and care to offer Sluggo, and while it was hard to say goodbye (there were tears as we drove home) we know he has found the perfect home.

All this would have not been possible had it not been for everyone who helped spread Sluggo's story and donated to his care. He touched our lives, and I will update this blog any time I get any information or photos from the Nichols family.

Here's to Sluggo...may he remain happy and thrive with his new family.

Sluggo in action

Can you give Sluggo a home?

Email Dan if you are interested.

Sluggo has been neutered, is doing well, and we are now looking to find him a "forever home."
For anyone interested, here are some details about what to expect if Sluggo becomes part of your family:

1. Sluggo weighs 40-50 pounds, and often needs to be picked up or put down, as he is quite the couch potato and needs help both ways. He can't go down stairs but can go up a few, and seems to know his limitations. When our other dogs run the yard and play, he stays at the edge of the patio and watches. Otherwise, he's very independent, considering his method of getting around.

2. Sluggo still needs a little housetraining, but the neutering should help, as he was peeing small amounts here and there in the house. But I've noticed a big improvement with that in the past few days.

3. Sometime, Sluggo's pooping isn't exactly graceful, considering the angle of his body, and his but needs cleaning from time to time, but not a big deal. Keep some baby wipes handy.

4. Despite his handicap, he's no wallflower, and lets you know what he wants and when. He has scrapped a couple of times with our big dogs (perhaps he feels threatened) but gets along so great with the smaller ones.

5. We've been working with him and his cart, but that's going to be some slow- going. In true stubborn bulldog style, he has had some successful tries in it, but is so used to getting around in his own way. He seems to tire quicky in it, and maybe feels a little constricted. In the long run, we're not sure the cart is going to be the best solution, but a new owner will get it as well as instructions. I'm also going to do some research (some with the cart maker) for some tips on training.

6. Sluggo does very well overnight in a crate, or while you're away.

So, a potential home would need to provide a little extra time and patience for this special guy. Preferably, a way in and out of a yard with no stairs would be best for him (and you...) If you've got experience with "special needs" pets like Slugoo, that would be a plus, but not necessary; all he needs is someone with a big heart willing to let Sluggo be Sluggo, and become a special part of the family.

If you are interested, please email me (Dan.)

Sluggo's wheels

Sorry for the bad camera phone image, but Sluggo's wheels have arrived and this is an impressive device – strong, lightweight, great quality materials and build. Built by Eddie's Wheels.

Here's a report from his first tries with it:

"The cart is here!!! It is a really cool cart. We have had him in it twice, and he is not to thrilled about it yet. He is a little overwhelmed by it, and I think he is just so independent and used to the way he gets around now, he is not sure what this is all about.

We are using treats and keeping it very calm right now, he likes to just sit in the cart, but walking is a little weird for him right now. I will take some pictures with him in it and send them. I hope he will get to the point where he actually likes the cart, but I don't want to push him to much and make him afraid of it, or not want to try it at all.

I think he is ready to be adopted now, and even if he isn't completely ready with his cart, is new owners will be able to work with him. He is doing good, enjoying the weather." – Joy

A note about donations and Sluggo's adoption

Thanks to all the generous folks who have helped Sluggo's cause with a donation, there are plenty of funds that will go to help cover his medical expenses and cart. Any extra funds above his needs will certainly go to help Pet Angels help other animals so that they may be healthy, happy and adoptable.

When Sluggo has been trained and is comfortable with his new cart, I'll put new video and pics up on his site, and an application for his adoption will be available for download. We want to be sure that Sluggo gets the right home with a family that will be willing to tend to his special needs and ensure he lives his life as happily and healthily as possible.

--Dan

Update from Sluggo's foster mom

"Sluggo is doing well. He is enjoying being with my kids ages 6 and 9. He will watch them play for hours. He loves to cuddle and just be with us. Sluggo and my lab Bella are the same age and they play a lot togethor, it is pretty amazing how well he actually can get around and leap!

He is eating, sleeping, playing, and doing really well. I am still working on the house training part. I think who ever had him first, just didn't take the time to house train him, so starting at this age is a little more challenging, but we are getting there. You just have to stay on top of him and be consistent. He is learning his manners, and learning some commands, but I think it will be very interesting to see how he does when he gets his cart.

I talked to Hayde today, and she said the cart has been ordered, paid- for and is being built, but no ETA on the arrival yet. It will arrive at the Jacksonville Animal Shelter and they will call me when it is ready. I have set up an appointment to get him checked for heartworms next week, I have no reason to think he has it, but better safe then sorry. So far so good. I will let you know if anything else comes up."

Sluggo's exam

Sluggo went to see Dr. Dew this morning, and here's what he found:

Sluggo has a congenital condition called "swimmer" that most newborn pups don't survive because it causes compression on the lungs and heart. Dr. Dew called this "the strangest thing he's ever seen in 25 years," because Sluggo has made it this far, and has no compression sores on his elbows or front legs.

As you can see from the x-ray, one of the "forearm" bones meets the elbow, but the other does not, having been twisted over the months, and the shoulder is out of line. Dr. Dew said even if plates were put in, there's no guess as to whether the muscles and joints would even work together with it, since they haven't been all this time. Both elbows could be replaced, a "heroic" measure that has been performed less than 20 times ever. Dr. Dew said that surgery would cost at least $3,500 per elbow and as much as $8,000 per elbow for total replacement.

And the results of all that could maybe work, or even leave him in worse shape.

"There is no right or wrong answer here," Dr. Dew said, adding that if left untreated, Sluggo could do fine until he develops those compression sores or the condition happens in another part of his body. "There's a Bible verse that talks about God's eye being on the sparrow, and dogs do what they can with what they've got," Dr. Dew said.

So, it appears at this point that Sluggo's best case scenario would be to be placed in a home where his people would be his heroes, helping him get around until his quality of life declines, whether that happens at two years old or eight.

Another option would be the cart, as seen here, that would help ease the load off those front legs when he's not sleeping or laying around the house. We've taken his measurements and it looks like the cart would cost between $400 and $500.

It's amazing he's made it this far, and might have the potential to keep beating the odds. While he's here, he's certain to touch a lot of hearts and bring some family a lot of joy. And it's got to be a family that knows he will need special care to help him get around and that the road ahead will be full of uncertainty.