Scruffy Update July 2023
Scruffy just submitted his quarterly report (it was late as usual) on his fund-raising activity up and down the sidewalks and medium strips throughout Northern VA. As background, Scruffy had a successful surgery at the beginning of this year to remove two large tumors from his body. (See past Scruffy Updates https://westierescue.com/2023/03/23/scruffy-updates-feb-1-2023/) During the follow up visits, the Vet specialist recommended additional treatments to ensure success. Poor Scruffy has been having chemo treatments the last few months that are now hopefully done with. As with all such treatments, the body takes a hit but if you power through the success rate improves.
Now for Scruffy's side of the story…."Hello from Route 1 in Alexandria, VA. Time is 8 am. My mom (Yep, I am officially adopted!) dropped me off this morning so I could catch a few commuters on their way into their offices in Washington, DC. I have my donation bucket filling up fast with items that people have donated. The best location I have found is the first traffic light north located just after the Krispy Kreme on Route 1 (love the smell of fresh donuts). People see me sitting there looking sad and they drop a hot donut or two in my bucket. I have hit pay dirt! Way too easy. I think I am getting fatter just standing at this light. Today I am wearing my Superman outfit. I love my costume as it helps in getting attention and more treats too! My mom said I am a TRUE Super Dog as nothing can stop me from getting better.
I have been working like a dog (dog… get it? It's a pun) to pay off all my debts as the medical bills exceeded even the highest estimates due to all these follow up visits.
During the past few months, I have been going to a specialist Vet to get some pills and a chemo shot. That process is taking a toll on my body, especially a few days afterwards. The shots also leave a foul taste in my mouth so I sometimes lose my interest in food which worries my mom. I sleep a lot and my "talking" is way down to a mumble once in a while. To make me feel better, my mom holds me every few hours to tell me I am a good little trooper. I hurt all over from those shots and pills. The Vet has been sticking me in one leg or another. Afterwards that leg really goes numb, so I just hobble a bit to go outside then back in to my bed. My girlfriend Westie, Angel, stays close to comfort me. I tell her it helps a lot.
A few weeks after treatment, I feel a lot better. Then zip it's back to that quack for more abuse! If I had a iPhone, I would be calling the SPCA to report these treatments as animal abuse! I wish I knew that number!
Fast forward to June/July: I am feeling my old self now that the treatments are over, so my mom sent me into Washington DC for a few days as Congress is in session (for better or worse). I put on my best and only tie and parked my big butt in front of the Rayburn Building, which is right next to the US Capitol Building, with my bucket picking up a few bucks and quite a few bits of high-power chatter. You know, who is retiring and who is thinking of running for higher office, etc. Typical DC human stuff.
So far, the best donors to my bucket are the tourists. You think they never saw a dog begging before. Gee, Hicks from the sticks. One nice couple from Idaho gave me apple slices from their lunches while another couple from PA gave me a few licks of ice cream. I have my own water bowl, so every food offering is appreciated. My mom told me not to bring anyone home with me, so I had to tell a few kid groups to move along when they wanted to take me home with them on the bus.
There are lots of squirrels up on Capitol Hill so every once in a while when one gets close I chase them across the grassy lawns to one of the big oak trees. I have to find a slower one as I am not as fast as I used to be. Tree rats! They make me quiver just thinking about them.
The Capitol Police and The Federal Protective Service guys and gals are really nice. They are the ones who guard our Federal Buildings here in Washington, DC. They refill my water bowl every few hours. When I get hot, I stick my front paws in the water bowl to cool off. It makes foul tasting drinking water but my feet feel nice and cool. Speaking of water, I was going to wade in one of the reflecting pools near the Washington Monument this morning, but the nice Park Service Ranger said "No Swimming in the Pools". I told her I was just going to wade out and get myself a nice sized goose floating just out of reach of the shore, but she said no chewing on the geese either. There goes that great adventure…
My mom asked all the guards to keep an eye on me during the day especially when I take my nap every few hours. They come by and give me a few scratches and a head pat or two just to let me know there are watching. Nice people. When you come to DC and visit say hello to them as they are everywhere making sure everyone is safe and know where to go. They tell the crowds who stop by that I am a special big Westie and that all the donations are going to pay off my large medical bills. When that sum is reached, all the funds go to other Westies like me who need a little medical help to get ready to be adopted through the efforts of Westie Rescue.
While I was on duty, one of the recently adopted Westies was in Wash DC too! Malcom was in the City too, visiting the monuments and museums with his new family. I missed him but I would have loved to say hello when they were here.
Did you know that Westie Rescue here on the East Coast has helped over 1,300 Westies like me get the care we need and then helps us find just the RIGHT home like I have with my mom? They have helped over 50 Westies just this year! Some are like are like me that need extra Vet care.
You can support my little efforts to help Westie Rescue save more homeless and sometimes helpless Westies like I was by clicking on the DONATE NOW button below."
Ok, that my update for now. I am off to find my soft bed as I am tired ZZZzz….
Would you like to help Westies like me get the Vet care we need and get ready for a great new home? Donate Now