UPDATE: As of Sept. 15, 2015, Dax has been ADOPTED!
UPDATE July 29, 2015 – After 25 days in the hospital, Dax has been discharged and is recovering in foster care with Mr. Bones himself! It was discovered that Dax suffered ocular trauma, suspected to have been unintentionally cased by a littermate due to being confined in a crate with many other puppies. Dax is permanently blind in his left eye. Because of this same confinement, Dax is also undergoing physical therapy to correct his carpal (wrist) issues, which force him to walk on his forearms as opposed to his paws. Dax will be fitted for corrective braces on August 5. While his lungs have suffered permanent scaring, the extent is currently unknown. Dax will be closely monitored and rehabilitated over the coming weeks and is expected to be available for adoption around Sept. 15.
DAX’S STORY:
Dax, 12-weeks-old and 9lbs., as of July 8, was pulled from NYC ACC after being brought on June 11 in as a cruelty seizure by the NYPD, along with his entire litter. Dax is currently being treated for sever bacterial pneumonia and has been hospitalized since July 3, when we were allowed to pull him from the city shelter. He was set to be discharged on July 5, but suffered a major set back and as of July 8, is still hospitalized. On x-rays, healthy lungs should look black (filled with air.) The white parts on his x-rays is infiltrate into the lungs, which is the pneumonia. On the lateral views, the pneumonia is obscuring the ability to see Dax’s heart because of how severe his sickness is. Dax’s CO2 was high, which can happen in cases of severe pneumonia. For comparison, normal levels are around 35-45mmHg. Dax’s level, as of July 8, is 68 which makes him critical. We are hopeful that he will make it, because we know he is a strong little fighter.
Dax has been named in honor of Duncan, a dog who belonged to two very important people in the Mr. Bones & Co. family, Dr. Daniel Spector and Dr. Abbie Lebowitz-Spector, two of our trusted and highly regarded veterinarians. Duncan was adopted by Dan after being surrendered to a shelter at only 9 months old because “he was getting too big”, though it was suspected to have been because he had very bad hip issues and arthritis. Dan was in vet school at the time and had surgery on both his hips done. Over the years, Duncan went on to be a blood donor for other animals in need, and touched the lives of countless humans along the way. He was a gentle and loving soul. When Duncan passed suddenly of terminal cancer, the Spector’s generously reached out to us to sponsoring a dog in his honor. Given the strength we see in little Dax, who we named in honor of Duncan, and how hard we are fighting to save him, we felt this puppy was the perfect dog to pull in his honor. We can’t wait to see all the big things Dax will accomplish in his life. We know, just as Duncan did, Dax will move mountains for the people in his life!
Our city shelter system is overwhelmed. Please encourage those you know to go to the NYC AC&C and adopt, foster or find out how they can volunteer. The pet overpopulation crisis starts long before an animal enters their facility. The system is not perfect, but if we do not support, and be fair and open communicators, with our city facilities, our shared goal of contributing the success of the animal welfare movement will not be accomplished. It is important to not simply react, but to act as well!
Dax will be available for adoption once he healthy and cleared. He will no doubt be a sweet and loving dog and we are eagerly searching to find a wonderful home where the lengths we went to save his life will be appreciated every day. For more information about adopting Dax, please email elli@mrbonesandco.org and fill out our adoption application on our website.