"Mr. Bo"

Please read!  

This is the story of a beautiful animal that was owned by an irresponsible owner!

Jan. 18:(Thurs.)  This young un-neutered male Shar Pei was an owner turn-in.  The man told the shelter workers that he had purchased two of them as guard dogs, but that this one had not worked out because he was "too big a baby" to be a guard dog.  So he dumped him at the local pound to an unknown fate!   When I discovered "Mr. Bo" at the shelter I immediately began inquiring as to when he was available to be adopted/rescued.   I wanted to make sure he did not fall into the hands of someone who might chain him inside a junk yard or worse yet, use him in dog fights.  This morning (the day I was told he would be available), I was parked outside the shelter 1/2 hour before opening time.  I succeeded in pulling the Shar Pei and took him directly to the vet.  He was examined and declared very healthy in general.  He tested heartworm Neg, received a Rabies shot, and 1st. DA2PCPV w/ Corona.  He is due a 2nd. DA2PCPV w/ Corona plus Lepto on Feb. 8th.   The vet's scales were temporarily out of order, but estimated weight is 75 lbs.   The vet remarked that he is the largest Shar Pei he has ever seen!  I wanted to leave "Mr. Bo" to be neutered, but because there have been cases of parvo from the shelter the vet wanted him observed for 10 days first.  

Jan. 18:  "Mr. Bo" in foster care at my home.  
He has been furnished a large dog house with straw, but had to be placed in an area away
from any of the other animals for the 10 days observation.

Update Jan. 25: (Thurs.) I had decided that my preference was to place "Mr. Bo" with a Shar Pei rescue group that is familiar with the breed and therefore best qualified to choose a good home for him.  Even before pulling him from the shelter I began communicating with Shar Pei rescue groups by email and phone.   Virginia Shar Pei Rescue (Virginia Beach) is presently checking with their foster volunteers who may be able to care for "Mr. Bo" until his forever home can be found.  Posts have been made to bulletin boards which are read by volunteer transporters to begin arranging for his trip from the southwest tip of Virginia across the state to Virginia Beach

Update Jan. 27: (Sat.)  Transport is being arranged for Sunday Jan. 28. 

Update Jan. 28:  (Sun.) Transport does not take place because we cannot fill all "legs" of the trip to Charlotte, N.C. where a volunteer was going to take him all the way to Virginia Beach.   "Mr. Bo" seemed a bit droopy today and did not eat well.  Late evening just before dark I observed him throwing up. Several times I saw him "humping up" - straining as if to have a bowel movement.  He seemed constipated - no bowel movement.   (Note added Jan. 30.  This was day 10 - things sometimes do not work out   for a reason - so glad we did not get the transport arranged!)

Update Jan. 29:  (Mon.)  Early this morning I checked on him and discovered he now has diahrrea with blood!  Actually not so much diahrrea as fluid w/ blood.  Symptom of PARVO!  He was admitted to a veterinary clinic at 11 a.m. and treatment began immediately.  Parvo causes the animal to become dehydrated because of vomiting and diahrrea.  Treatment is to put the animal on interveinous fluids and antibiotics.  Very young puppies and older dogs often cannot survive parvo.  The vet is very hopeful for recovery for "Mr. Bo" because he was in general good health and is receiving early treatment.  

Update Jan. 30: (Tues.)  This morning the vet phoned to report he is doing well on treatment but now does have diahrrea.

Update Jan. 31: (Wed.-7:45 a.m.)  Received a phone call from the vet.  "Mr. Bo" took a turn for the worse last night and his condition is critical.  His only chance to live is by having surgery - they think he has a "looped bowel".  This was a difficult decision to make.  Besides myself (founder of Save Just One), I have one wonderful volunteer, Melinda (a nurse), that is being very active in helping out - in time, labor and money.  The two of us discussed it and said how it was a shame we are so new as a rescue group with no funds - that hopefully 6 months from now we might have emergency funds through donations which could have paid for his surgery.  The vet says that his chances are not "the best", but would not tell us that he had NO chance.  We asked them to try their best to save him - and the operation will take place at 9 a.m. this morning.  Please pray for "Mr. Bo".

Update Jan. 31: (Wed. 10:30 a.m.)  "Mr. Bo" had his surgery at 9 a.m.   He is sleeping now and will be watched carefully.  We will hear from the animal hospital later today when they are able to tell us more.

Update Feb. 3: (Sat. 9:45 a.m.) "Mr. Bo" is doing well towards recovery! He began eating some yesterday and although he still has diahrrea, the consistency of his bowel movement is better.  It is expected that he will remain at the vet clinic until at least Monday or Tuesday.  However, we may not be able to arrange picking him up before Thursday.

Update Feb. 5: (Mon. 10 a.m.)  The vet says "Mr. Bo" is almost fully recovered from the parvo.   After having been through so much he really deserves a forever home where he will get lots of tender loving care!  

Update Feb. 8:  (Thurs.)   "Mr. Bo" was released from the animal hospital today.  He is eating well, but his bowel movements are still loose (not runny diahrrea) which the vet says is to be expected for a few days.   He looks great but lost a little weight.  Virginia Shar Pei Rescue (Virginia Beach) has been in touch by email and phone making plans for transport and foster care for "Mr. Bo".  (I understand that they have begun referring to him as Bojangles - and Bo won't mind as he now seems to respond to "Bo".)  

Update Feb. 9: (Fri.)  It was a beautiful warm day here (high about 70).  "Mr. Bo" seemed to enjoy sunning himself.  He ate well again today.  We solved his water container problem (he takes a drink and tips the pan over).  Solution: Larger pan which is really a plastic storage box about 2 feet long and add a large rock the size of a basketball.  No tipped water pans today!   I have had inquiries about Bo's "personality".  He is so sweet and loves attention.  Today he somehow unsnapped the clip of the chain and was loose.   He made no attempt to run away, but came to me when I called him and followed me up onto my deck where I put a leash on him.  I thought it rather amazing, especially since a couple of other large dogs were barking at him when they saw him with me.

Update Feb. 10: (Sat.)  "Mr. Bo" leaves our foster care here in southwestern Virginia today.  By tomorrow evening he will be in the very capable hands of a foster mom in the Virginia Beach area (a member of the Virginia Beach Shar Pei Rescue).  Thanks to everyone who has been supportive in so many ways - the vets, Melinda of our rescue group, volunteer transporters, donations for his medical care, and Virginia Beach Shar Pei Rescue.  For those who have been following the story of "Mr. Bo", for any further information about him (or potential adopter) you should contact Virginia Beach Shar Pei Rescue.  Their web site is:   http://www.virginiasharpeirescue.org/index.html

Update Feb. 11: (Sun.)  We have been notified by Virginia Beach Shar Pei Rescue that requests for applications to adopt "Mr. Bo" have already been received - from as far away as Maine!  

Many thanks to:

Contributors: We wish to thank those who have sent contributions, and a special thank-you to Vicki Goldrich of Virginia Shar Pei Rescue.  We have received a total of $250.00 towards "Mr. Bo's" medical expense.  

The final bill for medical care for "Mr. Bo" which included abdominal surgery, treatment for parvo and hospitalization for 10 days was a total of $449.80.