Radar, A Chihuahua with the Heart of a German Shepherd:
This
is Radar, he was found semi-conscious at the K.C. Hall on Friday
October 10th. When delivered to the Warren Billhartz Animal Shelter of
Collinsville on the afternoon of the 11th we noticed the dog was weak
and very thin. Humane Officer DeeAnna Beckham took Radar home and
spoon-fed him tiny bites of strained baby food – it had been so long
since he had eaten – he simply couldn’t anymore. Radar was severely
dehydrated; he needed fluids administered under his skin and tube fed
into his mouth. There was no fat left to keep him warm, he shivered when
he was not held or on his heating pad. Every 2 hours Radar was the main
focus in the Beckham household. Had Radar not been found – he would have
certainly died alone in that dark parking lot.
On Monday, it was learned Radar was anemic to the point of near death – why he was not dead already was a miracle in itself! Radar was placed on IV fluids at Horse Shoe Lake Animal Hospital. Late that evening a life saving blood transfusion was given at the Animal Emergency Center. Radar is doing much better and has begun to eat on his own – he will be placed in foster care until a complete recovery is made. Radar had been implanted with an AVID microchip, which allowed Collinsville Animal Control to locate the dog’s owner. An Arkansas truck driver adopted Radar from the Lafayette Animal Control in Louisiana 21 days prior to him being found at the K.C. Hall.
The owner claims to have lost the dog somewhere in Tennessee on the night of the 10th. He has no idea how the dog got to Collinsville and could not locate his D.O.T. travel log to determine where his truck was on the evening of October 10th. He stated the dog had not eaten since he got it and he did not have time to take it to the vet. He stated the dog looked “like it had cancer” the last time he saw it. Charges are pending at this time.
Radar still needs you! He is not out of the woods yet and has very large
medical bills that will continue to grow as he travels down the long
road to recovery. Starvation and severe anemia take a toll on a young
dogs body, mind and spirit. Please help by making a donation to Radar’s
Fund.
You may drop off donations at the shelter located at 119 United Drive in Collinsville or mail them to FOCAS P.O. Box 562, Collinsville Illinois 62234. Please make checks payable to FOCAS and write “Radar’s fund” in the memo line of your check. Please visit our website at www.wbasc.com to learn more about the shelter or call 346-5213 ask for Humane Officer Beckham or Animal Control Officer Reiss.
Radar would like to thank the following people: The folks who found him and brought him to the shelter for help, the Beckham Family, Animal Control Officer Anthony Reiss, Friends of Collinsville Animal Shelter – FOCAS, Downtown Collinsville Fire Department, Dr. Randla and the Horse Shoe Lake Animal Hospital Staff, Dr. Mollet and the Animal Emergency Center staff, Traci Butz and most importantly Ian the German Shepherd for his gift of love that will flow through Radars veins forever.
UPDATE: October 23, 200988 All~ I am sorry to say that at 11:38p.m. Radar crossed the Rainbow Bridge. He had a seizure at 8:30 and another at 9:30. I held him in my arms the entire time, by 10:30 he seized again. So many seizures after 10:30 that I could not tell when one ended and the next began. I looked in his eyes and he was not there any more. I asked myself if this was right - I knew he was suffering, I knew it was wrong to let it continue. At 11:22 I loaded Radar into the car and drove him to the shelter for euthanasia. The only moment of peace I saw was when the pre-euthanasia sedative took effect, I knew for certain this was the right thing to do for him. There are many gifts we give our pets, treats, toys, good food, beds and blankies but nothing compares to the last gift.
The word euthanasia means "good death". That is the last gift, to
ensure your furry friend leaves this world peacefully, quietly, painlessly
and in the arms of someone who loves them. We can all take comfort in the
knowledge that before his seizures started he felt well enough to run and
play. He stole toys and had a ball destroying a couple rolls of toilet
paper. He chased the other dogs and slept on human tummies. He snuggled with
children, rolled in the grass and warmed himself in the sunshine. He was
happy and he felt loved, you could see it in his tail and in his big old
ears that would shoot straight up when he was excited. Your gift gave him 2
days of everything a doggie deserves - he got to truly live before he died.
If you have questions or need our services, please contact the shelter
at
618.346.5213 or contact us today via
e-mail
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