Forever Care
Seniors and Special Needs Dogs Retired Into The Forever Care Program
Meet our SSR Forever Care dogs.
All the Forever dogs have special needs. We've summarised the basics of their conditions here for you to illustrate the dedication of their Forever Carers.
All are technically 'unadoptable'. Not unwanted. All of them have a name and a story and a rescue team who loves them.
So they stay in care in their Forever homes under SSR. Their Forever Carers give the gift of love and attention in their own homes just like all animals deserve.
Our Forever Care Program has limited spaces and resources. Within this program our Forever Care dogs' health, wellbeing and veterinary needs are paramount. All Forever Dogs are treated with the utmost respect and in keeping with our Code of Conduct relating to quality of life, a stress free environment, stability, enrichment, premium dietary needs and the best veterinary care available.
As far as this little family of dogs are concerned, they have found their forever homes with SSR and permanently under our wing.
All the Forever dogs have special needs. We've summarised the basics of their conditions here for you to illustrate the dedication of their Forever Carers.
All are technically 'unadoptable'. Not unwanted. All of them have a name and a story and a rescue team who loves them.
So they stay in care in their Forever homes under SSR. Their Forever Carers give the gift of love and attention in their own homes just like all animals deserve.
Our Forever Care Program has limited spaces and resources. Within this program our Forever Care dogs' health, wellbeing and veterinary needs are paramount. All Forever Dogs are treated with the utmost respect and in keeping with our Code of Conduct relating to quality of life, a stress free environment, stability, enrichment, premium dietary needs and the best veterinary care available.
As far as this little family of dogs are concerned, they have found their forever homes with SSR and permanently under our wing.
We do receive kind offers of support which are greatly appreciated as you can imagine. Please let us know if the gift is for a specific Forever Dog so they can send you a 'woof woof' thank you note.
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Beetle-Bug aka 'Reenie'
Reenie is sponsored by Yvonne
Reenie came to us from another rescue (who had him for a week) and was offered a place in Forever Care here with us.
His temperament is too erratic to be safely rehomed. And they had trouble physically handling him.
Even at 2kg he can still pack a punch if he wants to.
He is great with other dogs though. And he is perfect for his Forever Carer after months of intensive training and rehab, he will always have some idiosyncrasies that prevent him from being safely rehomed.
2020 has been a hard year for our Beetle, with a lump found on his lip, under vet advice we had is surgical removed and sent away for pathology. It was found to be a Mast Cell Tumour, a nasty, unpredictable cancer that makes any owner shudder. Beetle underwent a second surgery so the vet could get the widest margins possible, being where it was, there is little skin to spare and we needed the best chance for it not to return (at least not in that spot).
Beetle also underwent a barium swallow as he has a regurgitation issue, he is now fed on a liquid diet and will need a second test in 2021 to see if there are any further changes to his oesophagus.
His temperament is too erratic to be safely rehomed. And they had trouble physically handling him.
Even at 2kg he can still pack a punch if he wants to.
He is great with other dogs though. And he is perfect for his Forever Carer after months of intensive training and rehab, he will always have some idiosyncrasies that prevent him from being safely rehomed.
2020 has been a hard year for our Beetle, with a lump found on his lip, under vet advice we had is surgical removed and sent away for pathology. It was found to be a Mast Cell Tumour, a nasty, unpredictable cancer that makes any owner shudder. Beetle underwent a second surgery so the vet could get the widest margins possible, being where it was, there is little skin to spare and we needed the best chance for it not to return (at least not in that spot).
Beetle also underwent a barium swallow as he has a regurgitation issue, he is now fed on a liquid diet and will need a second test in 2021 to see if there are any further changes to his oesophagus.
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Pudding
Pudding is sponsored by Jennifer
Pudding was available for adoption for quite some time. He never did find his home and became so settled that at his age (now 15), it was deemed better to retire him. As an ex breeding dog he so deserved a home of his own and it's very sad that nobody took him in. He's now a loved and permanent member of the Forever Care doggies.
He has 'microphthalmia' aka 'small eye'. Which you can see by the photos. He also has a very very delicate tummy and can only tolerate Prime 100 Kangaroo and Potato. (If you have a dog with a dicky tummy, well worth a go, it's worked like magic for Pudding)
He has 'microphthalmia' aka 'small eye'. Which you can see by the photos. He also has a very very delicate tummy and can only tolerate Prime 100 Kangaroo and Potato. (If you have a dog with a dicky tummy, well worth a go, it's worked like magic for Pudding)
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Missy
Missy is sponsored by Bronnie and her furkids.
This girl is 15 but nobody told her!
She is very much loved here under our wing and will stay for the rest of her days.
She has her Forever Care home now, and is loved and adored.
She went from skinny stress-head to a plump gourmet. Often I find her in the kitchen rolling around on her back, legs in the air. Just celebrating being a happy girl.
I wish I could tell her old owner who had to go into palliative care, that she is safe and sound. And very cheerful.
She does have liver issues but it was only by blood panels that we found this out. You'd never be able to tell otherwise. She is also very deaf!
She is very much loved here under our wing and will stay for the rest of her days.
She has her Forever Care home now, and is loved and adored.
She went from skinny stress-head to a plump gourmet. Often I find her in the kitchen rolling around on her back, legs in the air. Just celebrating being a happy girl.
I wish I could tell her old owner who had to go into palliative care, that she is safe and sound. And very cheerful.
She does have liver issues but it was only by blood panels that we found this out. You'd never be able to tell otherwise. She is also very deaf!
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Max
Max is sponsored by Mimi
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Poor Max, so loved by his former owners but with Max's behaviour issues they were at risk of being evicted despite moving once already.
Max was taken back and forth to the vet, being trialled on medications to ease his anxiety. Absolutely nothing worked. And he remained a highly strung, literally constantly yapping dog. Sadly he then had to be surrendered to our Maltese rescue carer. She also set about trying to help him. We have finally found a drug (gabapentin) to ease his anxiety. In a higher dose it's a nerve pain drug but has proven useful in dogs like Max and appears to have made a considerable difference. to his quality of life. Added on top of that, Max has IBD. Something that has to be carefully managed to avoid excruciating gut pain and passing blood in his stool requiring overnight stays at the vet hospital for rehydration and IV antibiotics. He's a challenge but with a devoted carer and awesome vet care, he's stable. At 15 he's a delicate old chap. |
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Bea-Bea
Bea-Bea is sponsored by Mimi
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After a long conversation with her vet about her test results and the fact that she will always have to be on medication we've been expertly advised she is not a candidate for adoption. Her lung shows areas of fibrous changes, and she must stay on a diuretic. Later on she may need a bronchodilator.
We plan on scheduled xrays to keep an eye on things. In herself, she is happy. And has no idea of her health issues and is getting used to taking her daily meds. UPDATE No news, she's still going strong! Definitely overdue for some more photos. UPDATE Another xray follow-up for our little lady. This time we have decided to add a bronchodilator. |
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Ladybird
Photo soon. *** Ladybird is being sponsored by Donut and his hooman.
Something was 'not quite right' about Ladybird. So she went back for more testing. Despite good results at the start, Ladybird's bloods have changed. She's been diagnosed by ultrasound specialists (VSOS) as having a cluster of growths in her liver. Aspiration of one of the masses revealed it to be non cancerous but her vets feel they will spread and/or grow. We don't know if they are fast or slow growing. But can track her liver function through testing. More detail later but under vet advice she is being retired into Forever Care. To say we are devastated for her is an understatement....
UPDATE MARCH 2021 Doing well :) Eating well, has her routine and her very own human carer to boss around.
UPDATE MARCH 2021 Doing well :) Eating well, has her routine and her very own human carer to boss around.
Stanley
Stan's Journey
ARRIVAL Stanley is an unwell, emaciated little dog. He'll be in rehab a while. He's already had his dental and very very concerning blood panel results which will be re-run in 4 weeks looking for improvement.
UPDATE 1 - Going back in for a weigh and more blood testing. We're hoping for an improvement, even just a little bit would be great.
UPDATE 2 - Great blood results. But it could be another 6 months before his body gets over his starvation.
UPDATE 3 - Little Stanley's cognition is improving as he slowly puts on a tiny bit of weight
UPDATE 4 - Check out the progress photo of Stan! His mind is coming back 'online' slowly and he responds positively to dinner time and pats.
Thank you everyone for your inquiries, Stan still has a long way to go (his vet has told us to be patient and expect his rehab to take a long time).
Because he's not 100%, we haven't assessed him for adoption.
UPDATE 5 - His weight gain has plateaued at a body-score we aren't happy with and further testing is being done. :( Stan is having further specialised blood and fecal testing which can be used to diagnose malabsorption and EPI. Retesting his thyroid function tests. There's also a condition known as 'silent Addison's' that doesn't exhibit textbook symptoms.
UPDATE 6 -No EPI or malabsorption showed up in the pathology. No Addison's either. We're discussing with our vet as to the next move.
UPDATE 7 - Stan's vet has prescribed a long course of anaerobic bacteria specific antibiotics.
UPDATE 8 - Stan is booked in for an ultrasound of his stomach and digestive tract with a brilliant veterinary sonographer. We're praying he finds a reason for Stan's condition as to date, absolutely nothing has given us an answer.
UPDATE 9 - Absolutely perfect results with no abnormalities found! Obviously we've thoroughly quizzed our vets on quality of life and the answer is yes, despite his challenges he is a perfectly happy, somewhat wonky, little dog. But he is being retired into Forever Care, we cannot rehome him.
ARRIVAL Stanley is an unwell, emaciated little dog. He'll be in rehab a while. He's already had his dental and very very concerning blood panel results which will be re-run in 4 weeks looking for improvement.
UPDATE 1 - Going back in for a weigh and more blood testing. We're hoping for an improvement, even just a little bit would be great.
UPDATE 2 - Great blood results. But it could be another 6 months before his body gets over his starvation.
UPDATE 3 - Little Stanley's cognition is improving as he slowly puts on a tiny bit of weight
UPDATE 4 - Check out the progress photo of Stan! His mind is coming back 'online' slowly and he responds positively to dinner time and pats.
Thank you everyone for your inquiries, Stan still has a long way to go (his vet has told us to be patient and expect his rehab to take a long time).
Because he's not 100%, we haven't assessed him for adoption.
UPDATE 5 - His weight gain has plateaued at a body-score we aren't happy with and further testing is being done. :( Stan is having further specialised blood and fecal testing which can be used to diagnose malabsorption and EPI. Retesting his thyroid function tests. There's also a condition known as 'silent Addison's' that doesn't exhibit textbook symptoms.
UPDATE 6 -No EPI or malabsorption showed up in the pathology. No Addison's either. We're discussing with our vet as to the next move.
UPDATE 7 - Stan's vet has prescribed a long course of anaerobic bacteria specific antibiotics.
UPDATE 8 - Stan is booked in for an ultrasound of his stomach and digestive tract with a brilliant veterinary sonographer. We're praying he finds a reason for Stan's condition as to date, absolutely nothing has given us an answer.
UPDATE 9 - Absolutely perfect results with no abnormalities found! Obviously we've thoroughly quizzed our vets on quality of life and the answer is yes, despite his challenges he is a perfectly happy, somewhat wonky, little dog. But he is being retired into Forever Care, we cannot rehome him.
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Frank
You simply must read Frankie's Story to know and understand our very special boy. He has a genetic condition of the cerebral cortex (probably degenerative, it remains to be seen).
On arrival it was obvious by his wonky walk that something was off. Initially diagnosed as a 'White Shaker' - there was zero response to prescribed meds.
So he had an MRI and special blood test in Sydney, but his neurologist could find no tumours, brain damage or other abnormalities. A purely academic answer (meaning it wouldn't find a cure, just an exact name) would only come from a brain biopsy.
So we're just going to let Frank be Frank. He's happy and settled in Forever Care.
On arrival it was obvious by his wonky walk that something was off. Initially diagnosed as a 'White Shaker' - there was zero response to prescribed meds.
So he had an MRI and special blood test in Sydney, but his neurologist could find no tumours, brain damage or other abnormalities. A purely academic answer (meaning it wouldn't find a cure, just an exact name) would only come from a brain biopsy.
So we're just going to let Frank be Frank. He's happy and settled in Forever Care.
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Puppy Farm Dogs
With special needs, these dogs have been retired into Forever Care with their foster humans. We've successfully rehomed puppy farm dogs, by no means does a messed-up past cement their future. However for these dogs, rehoming is not an option.
Never give up the fight to outlaw puppy farming!
Never give up the fight to outlaw puppy farming!
Pretty Girl
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Pretty was from a backyard operation. Small scale puppy farming in squalid conditions. Like their larger scale counterparts no care is taken for the wellbeing and socialisation of their breeding dogs. Pretty spent 7 years in hell and has the mental scars to show for it.
She thrives in Forever Care, her carer and doggy friends have shown her that life can be serene and that it's ok to trust. Pretty says thank you for my sponsorship Helen :) |
Minx
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Minx tries hard but is challenged by anything strange. She did have a couple of trial adoptions but couldn't cope and was returned. With the gentle care and patience of her Forever Carer as well as the good influence of well adjusted dogs, Minx is where she belongs.
Nov 2020 - Minx has been diagnosed with Grade 5-6 murmur. Minx has been started on heart medication, thankfully there was a vast improvement. While no one can say how long Minx will be stable for, we are loving her every day she is here, even if she needs to live life on her terms. |
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Some Forever Care and adopted dogs who have left us.
We've lost some beautiful souls. 💖
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