(An update from Sugar's family follows her Golden Angel Story.)
When we first met our newest Golden Angel, Sugar Girl, she was in desperate need of our help. Our hearts were saddened when we saw this little girl with no energy and very little personality. There was no sparkle in her eyes and no spring in her step. She was so thin that we could see her spine and ribs. Her coat was thinning, dry, coarse and barely there. She actually looked and felt like a goat. Rarely do we find a Golden who does not have that happy-go-lucky charm, warmth and playfulness that we love in this most wonderful of all breeds. She was truly pitiful and far from pretty. Her condition was quite serious. Only five years old, she should have been full of life. Instead, Sugar looked and acted more like a twelve-year-old Golden.
Sugar’s problems started when she developed allergies early on. Her family’s vet treated her allergies with prednisone throughout her lifetime. This harsh medication had caused her thyroid to malfunction which in turn caused a host of other problems. Her entire body had been devastated by the drugs. Even as thin as she was she had developed a pot belly. The muscles in her head had actually atrophied. We knew her treatment would be extensive, but how could we ever say no to this precious Golden who needed our help. Mary Kenton quickly recovered from her initial shock (it takes quite a bit to shock Mary) and sprung into action, rushing Sugar to Dr. Carpenter.
The amazing transformation that is taking place is a wonder to behold and a delight for everyone who is helping her. Sugar started to come to life just a few days after entering the GRRR program. The very first thing Dr. Carpenter recommended was slowly weaning her off the prednisone and working to get her allergies under control with proper diet and baths. Sugar requires frequent blood tests to make sure her body is able to handle the changes as the prednisone is withdrawn. Some of her skin allergies are bound to resurface and she will then be seen by a dermatologist. Allergy dogs are always a struggle to diagnose and treat. It can take months of trial and error with medications, special foods, shots, etc.
Our little flower has begun to bloom. She was so cute when she started playing with other dogs and warming up to the people caring for her. We actually began seeing her playful puppy side. Her darling little Golden personality was in there all along – we just needed to help it emerge from the fog of the medication -- and what a joy it has been to watch her transformation.
Would you like to play an important role in precious Sugar Girl’s recovery? Thanks to the excellent medical treatment she is receiving, our little Sugar is well on her way to a happy life. She is becoming more beautiful, healthy and happy with each passing day. With your help, Sugar’s treatments can continue and her illness will soon fade from her memory. Your love and caring will ensure she has the wonderful Golden life she deserved all along. This sweetest of all girls will thank you in her heart and will always know it was you who came to her rescue.
