VINNY UPDATE!

Vinny has been adopted!!!!

Before I tell you about what an awesome family Vinny has gone to live with, let me bring you all up to speed. First off, many apologies for my failure to keep everyone updated on Vinny’s condition. Vinny’s future on this Earth was very uncertain (at best), so I was hesitant to relay an update unless it be positive. Vinny’s situation was very dire and I didn’t want a description of his morbid condition to be the stand-out commentary on the website–it was too depressing.

Vinny has spent the last couple months determinedly battling a disease called distemper. Distemper is a dreadful, often fatal, disease that targets three vital systems of the doggy anatomy: 1) gastrointestinal, 2) respiratory, and 3) neurological. If distemper is not aggressively confronted while it is festering in the GI and respiratory systems, it will spread to the brain resulting in death. The standard care that Vinny was receiving here in Tehachapi (antibiotics, sub-q fluids and steroid injections) was doing little to halt the rapid progress of the disease. Vinny was leaking from both ends and was not able to consistently hold down food or water. All indications suggested that we were steadily losing Vinny. He reeked of death and we were helpless to remedy his malady.

With all options seemingly exhausted, divine intervention sought fit to lend us the Welch Family. Andrea Welch, the baddest little Momma in Kern County, told us about a progressive treatment for distemper which she had successfully put one of her dogs through. The procedure and associated maintenance was very expensive and could only be done in Simi Valley. Where would we get the money, how would we find the time, and who could transport Vinny all the way to Simi Valley on a regular basis for plasma/interferon treatments? You got it, the Welch’s!!! Andrea and her three daughters (who might be the cutest, most darling and talented young ladies I have ever met) snapped to action and took control of Vinny’s care. Vinny responded very well to the treatments and before long, it was looking like he was going to pull through. And pull through he has; actually more like rocket through! Vinny is the picture of health and vitality. His grown-up teeth are coming in, his coat is beautiful and shiny, and he has energy for days. All indications are that Vinny will live long and prosper!!

The Welch family had originally intervened on a temporary, foster-home basis. They were committed only to fostering Vinny until he had recovered, shed the virus, and was able to go to a permanent home. That plan didn’t last long and their compassion and love for Vinny quickly got the best of them. So, with great happiness and zeal, I report that Vinny has been adopted by the Welch family! Vinny is, and will continue to be, surrounded by love and affection of the highest caliber.  The Welch’s are truly a godsend and Vinny Welch is one lucky puppy!!!