Scruffy Updates

Scruffy wanted everyone to know that he just had a second major surgery. 

Scruffy says, "Hi, I made it through another surgery and now with my extraordinary efforts, I have paid off my Vet bills! I did such a good job raising money that now I need to raise money for all the Westies that are coming in to the program. Can you help me?" Scruffy's Updates 3/24/2023

Scruffy says: I am back on patrol this morning in spite of the drizzle coming down. I am down on the Parkway hitting up the morning commuters to raise a few more dollars for Westie Rescue's Vet bills. Since I did such a good job in the past 60 days, Uncle Stephen called last night and said Westie Rescue needs more money to pay off the bills from the 36 Westies who have coming into the program just this year.

So many of them need extra Vet care that the Vet bills for February alone were over $13,000! I thought my bills were high. Woo Woo! Westley (14 years) needed help to get ready for his new adventures in Berryville, VA. Ruby (5 months) needed a new collar and food before she went off to her new home in Baltimore. Bella and Duke (age 7-10) needed extra Vet care as it had been a long time since they had been to a vet. Westley and Snowy came in needing lots of care too. Then there was Teddy who need lots of dental work ($3,200) to be ready for his new life and on and on. Plus we had a mom come into our program who gave birth to a bumper crop of 7 puppies! Just thinking about those little monsters gives me the willies. They all are placed now but their bills needed to be paid off too. So you see why I am back in patrol with my sign and mug asking for donations to help these guys and gals get the care they need so they are ready for a great new life and home like I have.

Please take a moment to give a few dollars to help me help Westie Rescue. Now I have to get back to looking sad and wagging my tail at the cars stopped at the light so I can fill my daily quota and then get back to Westie stuff like guarding the back yard from squirrels and taking a long nap in my soft bed near my mom.

Please donate now: Westie Rescue Donation Link

Scruffy says: "Hello everyone! Through all my efforts and sad looks begging on that street corner in Northern VA, I have surpassed the goal to pay off my Vet bills from my two surgeries. It was hard work standing on little patch of grass day after day, rain, cold, and wind with only my happy disposition to keep me going. My poor little butt shivering begging for $ from the passing traffic. Oh the humility!

Westie Rescue would like to interrupt this tall tail of Scruffy's exploits as his fat butt slept the past weeks in a warm bed getting better and better every day, growing fur, and getting, no demanding, snacks, on a regular basis as he was a good patient. He is now back to "talking" to let you know when it is food time and time to go out side for a potty break. His mom says "He is back, so watch out squirrels!"

All of us up and down the eastern seaboard, who help these little ones get the medical attention they need to be ready for new homes and the adventures that a new life brings, we are all truly grateful for the out pouring of support to push the fund raising past the goalposts.

Our program has been getting more Westies needing homes this year so far than any quarter before. The great news is we have a large back log of applications who are ready to open their hearts and arms for these little ones. Westie Rescue News Updates have been going out to all on our waiting lists as soon as the dogs are ready for new homes. I will be postings their stories here shortly including some special ones who came in as a package from a puppy mill. This last group needed socialization and basic doggie 101 training, to be ready for those special homes. The adopters will be picking them up this weekend to start their own special adventures for life with a Westie.

Our Vet bills this quarter has already surpassed $13,000 meaning Scruffy's support was definitely needed.

Stephen – March 2023

Scruffy says: "Hey, all my efforts have gotten us close to the paid in full mark. Only a few more $ to go. My paws are tired as I have been getting up early to be at my assigned intersection before the commuters start. I have raised over $6,000 making the final goal within reach this weekend. It has been raining a lot here, so I looked really sad and wet standing there with my cardboard sign and my donation cup. Everyone is taking piety on me. I got McDonald's French Fries from one car. It was lunch time so I took a break and wolfed them down. My mom said I did good this week so I can have Sunday off. But on Monday I will back at the curb waiting for you to drive by. 🙂

Uncle Stephen says I may have to work all next week to pay off the Vet bills, as we have been getting in so many Westies who need Westie Rescue's help. Teddy (a mixed breed Westie) who came in last week needed his shots updated, health check, blood testing, teeth cleaning and more than a few extractions. His bill came to $3,300!

I hope the tooth fairy has raised her rates since I was a pup. I told Teddy to put those teeth under his bed and donate the proceeds to his bills. His butt will be taking my place at the curb for months to come!

So far over 29 Westies have come asking for new homes this year. Bella and Duke just got new homes today with a nice couple in Virginia. Their dad got deployed and could not take them overseas. Everyone is happy with the new arrangements as they are total suck-ups.

Winston, a guy who was in a shelter, got a new home today also. Poor guy, dropped off at 11 years old as he did a chew on a special needs kid. Good dog in the wrong home. He is safe today due to Westie Rescue and his new mom!

There are more Westies coming into the program every week so get your adoption application in to be on the waiting list. This is the way to get notices as they come in and are ready to be adopted. I am going to have to build a list of all the Westies that Westie Rescue helps each year like me so people know about us.

Scruffy has been working overtime standing on a street corner with his cardboard sign collecting funds to offset his medical bills. His sad face has worked wonders and he is now at 71% towards the goal. We gave him this weekend off as many Westie owners have donated online pushing the goal ever closer. Scruffy says he is grateful as there is rain scheduled for Monday so we gave him that day off too. But by Tuesday he will be back on his corner begging for change from the morning commuters. Wave as you drive by!

To help payoff Scruffy's Vet bills please donate today: Please donate now: Westie Rescue Donation Link

Scruffy also wanted to say that while standing on that corner, he has had three offers to be adopted, two offers for a job at a local grocery store, and one offer to join a group of kids from Ohio visiting the National Capital Smithsonian Museums. He told one and all that his mom was coming to pick him up at 4 pm to take him home for a good body rub and some dinner, so he was good to work his begging shift.

Scruffy Update 2/07/2023

A follow up visit with Dr Justin Ganjei, DVM, DACVS-SA Veterinary Referral Associates, Gaithersburg, MD.

Scruffy version:

"I went to the Vets once again today. This time it was only to get my pathology results from all the cutting and chopping that the Vet did on my sorry big body a few weeks ago and an inspection. My scars are healing well and I am beginning to become my old self. When I think back on all that was done for me, all the people who wished me well, and the hundreds who donated to offset my bills, I am truly amazed at the out pouring.

The Doc said all looks great and my follow up care should be minimal. All the tumors were caught early so there is little reason for concern. Thank goodness for early intervention and annual checkups! I told the Doc he was forgiven for hacking on me, so I licked him. Previously as I was hurting right after surgery, I would have called him many bad things including "Cat Lover!" I even sat on his lap to show him all was forgiven and to thank him personally for doing a great job on my body.

When I got back home, I had a treat and a walk in the yard. I really wanted and thought I deserved McDonald's French fries…..Yummmmmmm!

Thank goodness I did not have to stay and get more work done for me and on me!"

Scruffy Update February 1, 2023

Westie Rescue wants to provide an update on Mr Scruffy as he had to undergo a second surgery recently.

During routine examinations in November prior to a teeth cleaning, blood work screening caught something suspicious which prompted a series of additional follow up tests and imaging to get to the root of his problem. After some time, it was determined that the poor guy was fighting not just one but TWO sizable tumors. One in his lower body and one in his upper. The surgeon determined that the lower one would be easier on Scruffy and, if all went well, the second one would be done in a few weeks. He made a remarkable recovery from the first one and now it was time to schedule the second.

Last week Scruffy's second surgery was performed to remove a very large tumor that was growing fast but appears benign. A pre-surgery biopsy was unsuccessful. We all have our fingers crossed on the final results.

Scruffy is recovering nicely with no complications (Yea!) and reports his mom is doing a great job in the nursing department and keeping him quiet as he is forced to endure a collar of shame and 100% leash walking in the backyard. Yep! Squirrels are back and taunting him again and they brought some friends!

He sent over a few pics to show off his new scars and his surgery grooming hack job. He hopes it grows in quickly as the cat next door was laughing at him as he walked along the fence line.

Scruffy said he has been used, abused, and wanted to know the license plate of that truck that ran his butt over. "Momma, I B hurting, call the SPCA!"

This second round of surgery came at a large cost financially to Westie Rescue so your help is needed to pay off his bills. The second major surgery will be in excess of $7,400 some of which we raised during the first pleas for funds. Your help is needed once again so Westie Rescue can help the next round of boys and girls coming in.

We currently have two Westies that came in last few days with horrible skin infections. Little Miss Daisy is currently getting daily meds and baths while Mr Scooby is at our Vet in Annapolis undergoing medical analysis and testing to make sure we are on the right path to recovery.

Miss Daisy will be looking for a new home soon as she is in foster care getting better daily.

Our Vet bills will be high this month. Your help is needed and greatly appreciated.

Please donate now to help Scruffy, Miss Daisy, Mr Scooby, and the many other Westies who will be needing help in 2023.

Please donate now: Westie Rescue Donation Link

Checks can be mailed to: Westie Rescue PO Box 342 Dunn Loring, VA 22027