Come Meet Theo On Sunday in DC

Theo will be at the Homeward Trails adoption event this Sunday, June 7 from 3:00-5:00 p.m.

The event will be at PetMAC DC (4220 Fessenden Street, NW, Washington, DC. For directions, please go to petmac.org

Theo's Vet Visit

Theo went to the vet last week. Theo had gotten his heartworm treatment at the shelter by the vet there - a nice man in California of all places kindly paid for his treatment. We brought him to the vet in DC to make sure that what he was given was all he needed.

Yep, the vet said but when she listened to his heart, she heard a heart murmur. So she took an x-ray of Theo's heart. The x-ray indicated that his heart was enlarged. This is fairly common with dogs with heartworm and often after treatment, the heart returns to a normal size. But because of the degree of enlargement AND the murmur, the vet thought that Theo should see a cardiologist. Two recommended cardiologists were kind enough to answer our questions on the phone and both agreed that Theo should see a cardiologist soon to get examined and have a echo cardiogram. This will give us a better idea about what's going on with Theo's heart. We are hoping that the murmur and enlargement are from the heartworm and will be diminish after as the heartworms die. We'll know more soon.

This will be an expensive vet visit and so we are hoping to raise some funds and get some sponsors for Theo. If you can help, please let me know and/or donate on Homeward Trails website or Theo's FirstGiving link. Be sure to indicate that it is for Theo. THANK YOU!!!

Sweet Sweet Boy Misunderstands Sweets

Theo must realize he's sweet and mistakenly believe he needs to eat sweets to remain so. It's the only explanation I can come up with for his grabbing a box of treats and chowing down the other day.

I have to admit the first thing I said when I came across him on his belly in the kitchen eating the treats delicately, one at a time, was 'Well played, my friend.'

Then I put him in his crate for 2 minutes to think about what he had done.

Sweet, silly boy.

Seriously, most of the time, he's nothing but a pleasure. He just LOVES food. And who can blame him? He's a skinny guy and he's just doing what's served him well so far: Eating when he can. (That said, he's not food--or anything--aggressive.) He'll learn that his lonely days are over and food --and belly rubs and a warm place to sleep--will always be there for him from now on.

The sweet boy is heartworm positive; it's not uncommon in dogs like him who've seen the rougher side of life. His heart is slightly enlarged (again, not uncommon--I like to say he's the opposite of The Grinch). The meds he needs are working their way through his system and I can't wait til he's cleared to bound around (he's got to keep it to short walks for a few more weeks).

When he first came to stay, he was terrified of his own shadow. It's pure pleasure to see him realize he's safe and embrace life. The other day, he amazed me with his first 'play with me' bow to Bella. I swear, my heart grew at least a size seeing it.

The 'out-of-his shell' Theo loooooves belly rubs, sleeping in the closet, hanging out chewin' bully sticks and staring soulfully with his incredible brown eyes to solicit love from everyone.

Now all he needs is his forever home.









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