Sam's story

Sam is the Dal that I couldn't leave at the SC shelter. He had been there since early June, and the Animal Control folks would not allow him to be adopted out locally as he kept escaping his home and returning to one certain house. Seems the lady there fed him and he liked it there. AC would take him in and he would escape and go right back. So he had to go to rescue somewhere and his time was short with all of the others coming in. So he is now a WH's dog. He is extremely shy - more so around men. Abuse case I would guess. He warms up quickly, especially for cheddar cheese and/or cheeseburgers.

To make a REALLY long story short Sam was bitten by what is assumed to be a brown recluse spider. Could have been - but I doubt it. He most certainly would have had to be bitten while in SC as they are rare in this neck of the woods. The more I read about it, it seems there are many critters that bite that can cause serious problems. I have captured two massive spiders in the house - one that was living in Sam's favorite hiding spot - but as far as I can tell from info on Google they are harmless - at least to humans.

Anyway - I noticed his LF shoulder was swollen on Monday night, figured something bit him but didn't think too much of it as he was still running and playing with the others. By Tuesday his shoulder was swollen like a melon and by Tuesday evening it had a small wound "hole" visible near the center of the swelling. By Wednesday evening I could have inserted a pencil eraser into it, so off to the vet he went. They kept him overnight to give him IV antibiotics. By the next morning, one of the Vets said she could put her finger in there and rotate it 360 degrees under the skin. So they open him up and removed all of the dead tissue and skin. And did they ever open him up. I went to get him about 2 hours ago and couldn't believe it. The scar is about 8 inches long and the fur and skin is stretched over a massive pit in his shoulder. They installed a drain to help keep the swelling down. It goes in at his shoulder and comes out at his elbow. He doesn't seem much concerned. He wants to run and play, but I can't allow that until the skins heals some more.

I have to flush the drain 4-5 times a day and hot pack the shoulder the same amount. He doesn't much like me messing with him, Maybe it was a man that cut his tail off. Even so I don't think he has a mean bone in his body.

That is Sam's story for now.

For a peek at what a brown recluse can do take a look here.

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/articles/10729-8.asp#Multimediamedia5

Whatever bit Sam I hope one never bites me… Don't think it was a brown recluse - but the Vets are convinced it was.
The others are doing fine. The little female Beagle is just as sweet as they come. May not be able to give her up. Shares my pillow with me. The Brittany mix is also a doll baby, but more active than the beagle. The male beagle can't seem to pee in here enough to make him happy. He may get a bellyband soon!! The female Lab mix is also a great girl. Housebroken too, so I love her lots! And then there is Sam. Time for some loving Sam! Where is the cheddar???

Update Nov 26 2005:

Sam is now in a kennel. The kennel staff had this to say:

Sam is a young dalmatian estimated to be around 3 years of age. He is up to date on vaccinations and neutered.

Sam's story begins with a trip down to the "Katrina Disaster" to help in whatever way Willing Hearts could.

Sam was in a shelter that was getting full from all the Katrina victims and was on his last days on this earth. The shelter had brought him in as a stray and he had been there for 3 months!

We could not let Sam stay in this situation and know that he soon was to be destroyed. We saw his wonderful personality and gentleness and brought him to Pa to find his forever home.

Sam is very shy and but warms up quickly. This boy has not one bit of aggression in him and gets along fine with all dogs. His tail has been docked so he is tail less which of course just adds to his charm. (thats what his foster mom tells him ;) He is potty trained, very well crate trained. If you say "kennel" he will run right in. No whimpering no fussing from this guy. Riding in a car is a dream also for this boy. He just sets & looks out the window. For long rides he'll just settle right in for a long nap. This is one great dog. So, if Charming Sam is a dog for you please call & meet with him.