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Annie's Story
Beginning: July 15, 2004 Happily
Ending: May 6, 2005 A Journey Ends: March 15, 2008
 The
beginning -- Our Feral Cat Coordinator, Caroline, first saw Annie, a 5-year-old German Shepherd, in July of
2004 while on a routine visit to a trailer park in New Orleans East. Her then-owner, who took her in because her previous owner tied her out and beat her with a stick, knew she needed more help than he could give her. He was happy for Caroline to take her. Annie’s sweet personality and gentle ways impressed even this devoted cat lover, and, in spite of her many problems, Annie began worming her way into many hearts.
After a quick vet check, Dr. Wendy Wolfson decided that with treatment, good nutrition and lots of love, Annie had a chance at a good life. Callie, a volunteer and the LA/SPCA Foster Care coordinator, was contacted and a plan was hatched to save Annie.
Annie's Journal
July 15 -- Annie arrives at the LA/SPCA, covered with fleas and so weak she can barely walk. She gets a bath and regular meals while the veterinary staff evaluate her condition. Skin scrapings for mange are negative, but it still remains a possibility. Flea allergies could also have caused her extensive hair loss, so both possibilities will be addressed.
July 20 -- LA/SPCA Foster Care is contacted.
July 21 -- A foster home is found and German Shepherd rescue is contacted. Conversations among all the people who want to help Annie start. Stacie is out of town over the weekend, but will be able to take Annie home on July 27.
July 24 -- Caroline and Toby of New Orleans German Shepherd Rescue give Annie her first of many prescribed Lyme dips. She has gained weight, seems more alert and accepts her bath and dip with her usual good grace.
July 27 -- A BIG day for Annie - Callie takes her to her new foster home. Annie has a bag of medicines for her many troubles – Lyme dip, antibiotics and Derm Caps, a food supplement designed for use when dietary deficiency is a factor. She has an occult heartworm test today, which is, unfortunately, positive. Heartworm treatment will have to wait until she gains some weight, grows some hair and gets her muscle tone back.
 Annie is a little agitated when she first goes into Stacie’s home. She explores the back yard for a while and then comes back inside for another look. When Stacie gives her a rawhide to chew, Annie immediately goes to a chair in the dining room to hide it.
She finally settles down for a long nap, and if she learns to get along with Ozzie the cat, life at Stacie’s will be just about perfect.
A picture of Annie taking a long drink of water shows just how far she has to go to good health.
 July 28 -- Stacie has learned a bit more about Annie. As she so delicately puts it “Annie likes the creature comforts.” She manages to get out of her crate during the night, and sleeps on the sofa. She’s also demonstrated a penchant for vanilla ice cream, carrots and string cheese, but these are all treats to get her to take her medicine. So far, there are no accidents in the house.
August 4 -- Stacie finds Annie waiting for her in the dining room when she comes home. Annie has figured out how to open the door and is enjoying the view out the front windows. She has proven to be wonderful with children, and not quite as wonderful with other dogs. Stacie plans to carefully introduce her to the neighborhood dogs and see if she can make some dog friends too.
It's probably not the most nutritionally sound practice, but Annie and her foster dad Eddie have a little routine now. Every evening they share a bowl of vanilla ice cream on the sofa before bed. Annie's going to be just a little bit spoiled, and she deserves it.
 August 6 -- Stacie continues to learn more about Annie and waits for her to gain weight and grow hair. She is getting more hair on her ears and feet, but her tail still looks pretty bare. Stacie thinks she has gained weight, but Annie still has lots of loose skin over her eyes and hindquarters. Her reddened skin is looking better, and she’ s not scratching constantly anymore.
 Annie enjoying some time in the yard this afternoon while Stacie picks shrimp with a friend.
August 10 -- Annie is growing hair!! Her hind quarters are looking black, her feet are no longer bare, her ears have hair and her tail has a bit of peach fuzz all over. Although her skin is dry, she no longer has red, itchy sores. Stacie continues to take her for short walks three or four times a day. They don't go far. Annie loves her walks, and often won't settle down until she has a spin around the 'hood, but she is still weak. She's making friends with the beagle next door, but hasn't cozied up to Ozzie the cat yet.
 August 13 -- Annie comes to the LA/SPCA clinic for a check-up with Dr. Wolfson. Although Stacie thinks Annie looks great, Dr. Wolfson
is sticking to a firm "better." Annie has gained 10 pounds in
the two weeks that she has been with Stacie. She scraped her
foot pad badly somehow and she's now wearing an old sock, held
on with duct tape.
It doesn't look too
 pretty, but Dr. Wolfson thinks it works just fine and protects her foot. She's starting Annie on some Benadryl today to help with her itching.
On the way out, Annie runs into an old friend. Animal Care Attendant Jarnell took care of Annie while she was in the shelter and recognizes her. Annie seems pretty happy to see Jarnell too.
August 18 -- Stacie and Eddie have a vacation planned, so Annie is going to another foster home today. Stacie has
 Annie's bags packed when Callie comes to get her. There's Annie's favorite canned food, dry food, treats, medications and instructions - vanilla ice cream before bed, extra virgin olive oil on her food to help with her skin, how to attach the sock for her sore foot and watch her around small yappy dogs and cats.
Annie arrives at Loren's house in the early evening. She is a little confused and wants to stay with Callie, but Loren entices her with soft, kind words and Annie is licking Loren's face by the time Callie is ready to leave. Someone will be home with her most of the time for the next week, so the adjustment to her new home should go smoothly.
August 24 -- Annie is adjusting well to her new home. Brian has been home with her during the day, so she's getting lots of attention. She's also discovered the pleasures of sleeping on the bed. With her itching still a problem, a refill on the Benadryl is in order. Since she's going for outside walks daily, Advantage for any possible fleas is also applied.
 August 28 -- Loren and Brian continue to learn more and more about Annie. While on a walk with Brian in City Park today, Annie pulls so hard that she gets away. Brian finds her in one of the lagoons - swimming! She's totally pleased with herself and rolls on the grass to dry off, with moans and groans of pleasure.
Annie's hair has almost totally grown back. There are a few small bald spots on her feet, but that rear end with no hair is a thing of the past. The itching has almost stopped completely as well.
September 1 -- Annie is delighted to have company this morning when Callie visits to bring treats and take pictures. Although she has toys,
 Annie doesn't seem to know what to do with them. She is quite content to lie on her bed or watch the world go by from the front door.
September 14 -- Road Trip! Annie and her family decide to evacuate for Hurricane Ivan. The journey to Georgia, where Loren has family, is long, but Annie is a
trooper. She rides well in the car and enjoys looking out the window at all the new scenery. She even gets to stay in a motel along the way - probably a first for Annie.
September 17 -- Annie is enjoying her visit with Loren's family, but the family dog is another story. Annie is proving to be an Alpha female and the family's large Boxer mix is accustomed to being in charge. He's a little put out by this beautiful girl who is determined to be "Boss Dog." They resolve things by ignoring one another, and Annie's holiday in Georgia continues.
September 19 -- Home to New Orleans - finally. Annie seems a little stressed by all the changes of the last week and is licking her foot. Loren will give her a day or so to settle back in, but if need be Annie will visit Dr. Wolfson for medication.
September 27 -- Toby, with German Shepherd Rescue, is arranging for Annie to have a fancy bath and blow dry. Muddy Paws will soon be tending to our girl and hopefully, helping with her itching.
September 29 -- Annie has a bad night and goes to the vet today. She's having pain in her hind quarters and the vet suspects hip dysplasia. Annie goes home with lots of pills - for pain relief and for arthritis. Her skin problems are practically gone however, and her itching is much, much better.
 October 14 -- No news is good news, and in Annie's case, that's true. She's feeling good and smelling good as well, thanks to the wonderful bath from Muddy Paws. She's still gaining weight slowly, but now Annie looks like a real German Shepherd.
 November 3 -- There's not been much news lately about Annie. She's been gaining weight and growing back her coat, starting to look like a real German Shepherd again. That rear end that looked like a rhino is full of luxurious hair now and that scrawny tail is thick and silky.
Today she goes to the vet at the shelter for a check up. She still is a little stiff in her hind quarters occasionally, but on her walks along the bayou, Annie has plenty of energy. The itching is also still a problem, so a course of antihistamines is ordered. The big news is that Annie is now healthy enough for surgery and can be spayed. She is spending the night at the shelter tonight and will have her surgery tomorrow.
November 4 -- Annie has her surgery today and comes through with flying colors. She's a little groggy for most of the day, but is fine by dinner time.
 November 5 -- Annie goes back home with Loren today, feeling good and ready to rock and roll. The last big issue to address is her heartworm disease. Since her foster family is moving out of town in early December, the decision is made to start Annie on
Heartgard. It's hard to believe, but she is now ready for adoption. Can you believe how beautiful she is now?
November 11 -- Annie's search for a
forever home begins! She has come a long way
since her arrival in July. The loving care she has received
literally saved her life. Annie is now ready for someone to
devote her life to. If you are interested in adopting Annie,
please
come to Japonica Street.
Open 7-days-a-week.
January 26, 2005 -- Annie is patiently waiting for her forever home. She's been back at the LA/SPCA kennel since November and really misses the comforts of life with Loren and Brian. Her heartworm treatment with
Heartgard is underway and she is doing well. Her bed is broken and will be replaced with a new one soon. Annie
is too old to have to sleep on a concrete floor. Volunteers are taking her out of the kennel each day, but this in no way replaces the companionship Annie needs. Annie needs a home.
February 12, 2005 -- Annie received a good brushing from Callie the other day. Her coat remains full and she loved the extra care she received. Annie waits patiently for someone to call her own.
 April
3, 2005 -- Annie had a great weekend. The SPCA, with help from our friends at
Jefferson Feed, participated in the Spring Garden Show at City Park, and Annie
was a part of our display on Pet Friendly Gardens. She spent the whole weekend
allowing anyone and everyone to pet her and give her treats. When she decided
she'd had enough, she started burying her goodies in the display garden. Lots of
folks came just to meet her and ended up buying plants to support the shelter.
We're still trying hard to find Annie the perfect home. Her need to be an only
child seems to be the biggest obstacle, but we just can't believe there's not
someone out there without pets who would love a laidback sweetheart to cuddle
with on the couch.
 April
18, 2005 -- Annie goes to a new foster home. New Orleans
German Shepherd Rescue found her a wonderful family who could
hardly wait to take her home. She will live with them until she
finds the perfect forever home. Here's Annie enjoying a huge
backyard where she can roll in the grass and loll about in the
sun.
 May
6, 2005 - A date to go down in the history of the LA/SPCA
and New Orleans German Shepherd Rescue. Annie has a
permanent, forever, always HOME!!! When Melissa saw Annie,
she fell in love with
her and the rest really is history. It's been a bit more than
9 months since Annie first came to the LA/SPCA - and now she has
a chance to have the kind of life every dog deserves.
When we heard that Annie had found her forever home, there were
more than a few tears shed. If only we could do for all our dogs
what we were able to do for Annie...
A Journey Ends-Annie’s final chapter:
September, 2007-Melissa grows concerned over Annie.
Despite her age, Annie has been full of life and boundless
energy since her adoption. Recently, though, Annie has begun
dragging her right rear leg and showing signs of stiffness.
Melissa takes Annie to the vet, where she’s treated with daily
medication. Melissa worries, because hip dysplasia and arthritis
are common in German Shepherds, but she vows to keep Annie
comfortable and treat the problems as they develop.
 December, 2007-Melissa moves to the Northshore where
Annie has the run of a beautiful big yard. Her health improves
dramatically and Melissa rejoices, thinking the medicine and the
healthy air have given Annie a second wind. Annie loves to have
the run of the yard and enjoys playing with Melissa’s boyfriend
Steve, another kindred spirit.
February 20, 2008-Melissa writes to Toby of
New Orleans German Shepherd Rescue
 distraught about Annie.
Her symptoms have returned and worsened. Her right leg has
continued to degenerate and Annie cannot bear weight. Worse,
there are signs of paralysis. Annie’s new vet in Mandeville is
contacted and an appointment is made to get her checked out.
Annie’s mom says, “I want to make sure I’m doing the best
possible for her.”
 March 15, 2008-Melissa sends word of Annie’s final days.
After consulting with two veterinarians, Annie was diagnosed
with severe arthritis which had spread to nearly every bone in
her body. When she arrived at the shelter in 2004, out vets
originally placed Annie at 5 years old. Based on her recent vet
visit, it was determined that Annie had everyone fooled. She was
much older than anyone knew, and age had finally caught up to
this vibrant and outgoing girl. Because of the ravages of the
disease, Melissa and Steve decided it was time to let Annie go.
Says Melissa about her life with Annie, “Annie…meant so much to
me and I am planting a live oak in our back yard in her memory.”
And about all those who supported Annie throughout her search
for a new life, “Thank you…for allowing me to be a part of
Annie’s life and for rescuing her.”
We thank you, Melissa, for giving Annie the happiest years she
had ever known.
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