Phoenix II is a Compassionate Care Case:

Many times a year TBBR takes in dogs that are considered unadoptable and we provide them with much needed medical care, friendship and comfort for a few weeks, months or even years in our homes.  These dogs may be old and frail or have a terminal illness, or they may have a behavior issue that prevents them from finding a permanent home.  This way they can live out their natural life in a home setting.  This form of rescue is some of the most important work we do, although admittedly it is hard on the heart.  We are always looking for people who can provide some temporary comfort to a Compassionate Care dog that comes to our attention.  If you can't offer your home, consider sponsoring a dog in this program with either a financial gift for medical care or special diets and supplements or with a donation of gently used supplies.  

Phoenix II came to us from Putnam county animal control, a small rural shelter located at the city dump.  He had been shot in the front left paw and had a severe eye injury that resulted in rupture of his left eye.  The eye specialist says that there is no chance of vision in that eye and recommends that the eye be removed.  He thinks it is plausible that he was in fact shot in the eye.  Phoenix's paw has nearly completely healed and he is able to walk and run on it.  Sadly his emotional scars will take much longer to heal than his physical ones.  He is extrememly fearful of everything and everyone.  Any movement or sound sends him running and hiding behind the washing machine -- that is if you can get him to come in the house.  He is very good with other dogs and despite what he has been through, shows absolutely no signs of aggression with people at all.  He allows me to manipulate his injured eye to put in the medications and to soak and examine his paw.  That is of course when I can catch him!!  His eye will be removed and will heal up fine with no real sequelea since he can see fine with the other eye.  His emotional rehab will take much longer but we trust that in time he will learn that not all humans want to harm him and that people can be a source of love and affection and fun.  He has recently been caught carrying a tennis ball around in the yard and tossing it up in the air and chasing it!  This is so encouraging because it seems he is learning how to act like a dog afterall!  If you would like to donate toward Phoenix's eye surgery you can make a donation at our paypal link and indicate your donation is for Phoenix.  We are very hopeful that with time and patience Phoenix will be up for adoption and ready to take his place as someone's cherished and spoiled companion. 

UPDATE 2/14/11:  Phoenix underwent surgery on Feb 11th to remove his left eye.  He has done very well and after the immediate recovery period he is back to running around the backyard like a maniac with the other dogs.  He is still extremely fearful of people but making tiny baby steps of progress each day.  

UPDATE 6/16/11:  Phoenix has completely healed from his physical injuries but continues to be extremely fearful of people.  He at least seems very comfortable here and knows the routine.  He will run up close to me from behind but you still can't get less than about 3 feet from him and he runs off if you speak to him or gesture toward him as if you wanted to pet him.  He still will not come in the house but eagerly runs into his crate in a separate building when it is dinner time.  He does stay in the air conditioned room during the day and also at night where he sleeps curled up on his blankets in his crate.  We would basically consider him semi-feral at this point.  And while he may never be someone's cuddly companion dog he seems very happy here and we are content to let him live out his life here.  At least he is safe, clean, healthy, well fed, cool in the summer and warm in the winter, and has a lovely beagle pack to hang out with.  

UPDATE: 7/5/11 - Phoenix is making great progress!  He is coming in the house now on his own.  That only took him 6 months to do but we are so excited that he trusts us enough to start coming in.  He also went on his first walk on a leash on a tripler with 2 other beagles and although freaking out at the beginning he soon figured out how much fun it was and was trotting and sniffing along all the way home!  It may not sound like much but from where this boy started this is monumental progress and we are so excited.  There may be hope afterall for this guy to one day be a part of someone's family.  

All of our animals are sterilized, microchipped, vaccinated, and tested/treated for heartworm disease before adoption.