| DANTE NEEDS HELP... THIS LITTLE BOY IS ONLY 4.5 MONTHS OLD. |
| Dante was rescued from a puppy mill just 3 short weeks ago. He was taken to our vets for his first shots and he was at that time treated for an ear infection. On Saturday, April 26, 2008 Dante was groomed and was supposed to be going to his new family the following day. Saturday night we noticed that Dante was walking with his ear cocked. Sunday morning we called our vet and we agreed that Dante still had his ear infection. His adoption proceeded. Monday morning the adoptive family noticed that Dante was listless and walking in circles. Their vet told them that Dante would need to be re-hydrated, blood work and numerous other tests. She told them that Dante was very ill and would need to be hospitalized. The family drove Dante back to their home and called Deb. Deb immediately called upon our wonderful volunteers Toni and Veronica. They drove to the new home and retrieved our very dehydrated and sick little man. He was listless, lifeless and totally out of it. Our vets treated him and tested him for anything and everything. They ruled out the middle ear infection, distemper and a myriad of other easily treated issues. Dante continued to slip downhill. On Tuesday morning I went to visit Dante at 8:30 AM at 9:30 AM our wonderful vet walked in and said: "Are you up for a trip to Maryland?" I immediately asked if Dante would survive the trip. We knew that our vet had been consulting with a neurologist in MD so we knew the direction this was going. To make this short - Dante is currently in MD with the neurologist. They did spinal tap - MRI and just about every other test as you can imagine. Here is what we know - Dante has a brain infection - it is the size of a dime with blood blisters surrounding it. Dante was probably ill in the mill - this is not contagious. Dante is still not responding to any neurological tests - Dante is receiving the best possible care that money can buy. Deb actually had to get a credit card at the vets office just to cover the initial cost of $4280.00 - this does not include our vet invoice. This is just for Dr. Schuler. We are a small group - we do not have this kind of money. We are asking 5000 people to send us a dollar or 500 people to send us 10 or whatever you can to help this little man. I make promises to these dogs when we rescue them. I tell each of them that they are free and that they will never suffer again. I tell them that they are going to go on to live long and happy lives. Dante is only 4.5 months old. He needs to run and play - he needs angels to carry him through this. We need angels to help us pay for this. If you have just a dollar to spare please send it to Dante at: A Tail To Tell, Inc PO Box 524 Mount Gretna, PA 17064 or you can donate through paypal by clicking the link |
| Please let this little man survive. I want to see him run in a yard, toss a ball in the air and kiss the faces of the people that love him. He is too young to die. We thought he was just a very laid back and slow guy. We now realize how sick he was. The neurologist told Deb that he was in terrible pain. Much like a human migraine. His brain was swollen and there was water surrounding it. The doctor has been able to get the swelling down and hopefully he is not in any pain at this time. I hate myself for not recognizing this sooner. This little guy came right out of the mill and loved us. He let it be known that he preferred humans over furry friends. This little man gave sweetness a new name... Pray for him... |
| Dante's Angels The following people have sent donations to help pay Dante's vet bills... Patricia Arndt - Jessica Toomey - Jennifer Polito - Jan Accor Paula Rosario (already Dante's Earth Angel) - Paulette Kasmer Joy Cully - Bonnie Maurer - Claudia Galindo - Tania SpendJian Maryann Michelizzi - Jennifer LiBroia - Carolyn Horiel - Brenda Fluharty - Jaryn Trago - Donna Doyle - David Dunkelberger - Cynthia Baxter - Linda Landers - Molly OLeary - Julianne Jones Debra Hunter - Lisa Toothman - Terri & John Gates - Joanne Felicio - Richard Fluharty - Jennifer Jones - Dena & Steve Neff - Debra Brauer Marcie & Dave Bare - Joanne Massage - Mary Meinhold - Kenneth Hall - Amy Wischusen - Andrea Byrnes - Cyndi Cox - Laura Whitman - Randi Weiss - Delaware puppy Rescue - Shari Perkins - Carmela Catalano - Lynn - Lisa Nuzzaci - Cheryl Rhoads - Erin Walker - Jacki Keeney - Bernadine Clayton - Kimberly Hoffman - Farrah Mahan - Brenda Benner - Susana Cortina - Tinypawswetnoses.com - Rich Jankowski - Robin Donaghy - Frank Mercurio - Gina & Brian Lasky - Butterweck - Jennifer Schulte - Ellen & David Mowrer - Gage Ebersole - Carter Eisenhauer - Courtney Eisenhauer - Desiree Nguyen - Jeremy Eisenhauer - Robert Rosato, Jr. - Toni & Jeffrey Collins - Veronica Craig - Noreen Corrigan - Michael Weaver - Mary Matkovich - Scott Picha - Janet (blanket lady) Anderson - Megan Anderson - Susan Maschi - Suzie Gantz - Lori McGowen - Barbara Smith - Amy Bitting - Kathy Styer - Beth Buchter - Helen Ebersole - Melissa Behm - Donna Reinert - Rose Marie Demerich - Sheila Peace - Virginia Smith & Samantha - (Samantha is a young lady that felt compelled to help) - Karen Veltri Our friend from the UK - Graham Battersby - Deb BielBeberg - Joanna Grey - Janeen Stechman - Anne Caracappa - Beverly Green - Marilyn Herczeg - Susan Albright - Candi Lynn - Scott & Michelle Doutrich - Geneva Weiss - Kathleen Cwalina - Puppymillrescue.com - Bonnie Kingman - Linda Hoffecker - Robb Pitkin - Lisa Greene - JL Poag - Deb Phillips - Cynthia Poag Hubbell - Evelyn Koppel - Sheryl Abrams - Dina Melendez - Mary-Ann Porrazzo - William Eichorn Leigh Sullivan - Rita Gilhool - Meagan Bair - Shari Young - Victor & Kate Weber Debbie & Kirk Kushnerick - Dawn Popp - Michelle St Pierre - Michelle Marandola - Ginger Groft & the East Petersburg Boro - Sharon Richman - Jenn Brogan - Lindsay Chenoweth - Dick Bonfanti - Kate Low - Anita Dragani - Kim Delaurentis - Chris Shelderfer - Cathy Brandell - Andrea Greene - Laura Baker - Maureen Mezzetti - Karen Romans - Barbara Klouser - Kay Walker - Shannon Morris - Jane Sackovich - Marie Reichardt - Danielle Giroult - Valerie Reinold |
| Dante is home with us. He is catatonic. We keep him going every 2 hours with syringe feedings. Yesterday he had a seizure - he is currently on 6 medicines. He moved his ear a tiny bit. This was big... Update - 05/07/08 Dante is 5 months old today - May 8, 2008 - Dante had an elevated temperature yesterday. We called the Neurologist and he put Dante on 1 extra pill. His temperature is currently 101.3 - Dante lifts his head now and will hold it upright for several seconds - he can smell and he senses the other dogs when they are close. We bought a baby carrier to hold him close. He actually put some weight on his legs yesterday and lunged at the puppies. This was huge. Dante took 30 supported steps yesterday. We cried... |
Dante beautiful Dante. Aunt Lucinda babied him the entire time we were gone. He learned how to drink out of a bowl. If you hold it to his mouth he will lick it. She received a care package from his Earth Angel (Paula Rosario) it was the most beautiful basket filled with towels with hoods (just like babies) more washcloths than we will use in a year and tons of swaddling blankets. Dante is loved. Dante has a new Geri Curl thanks to Lucinda and her vitamin e (he has a huge scab on his back from the Ivermectin shot he received for his lice) Lucinda put vitamin e oil on his scab and now all the hair around it is curled and oily. He has a geri curl (not sure of spelling on that) When we arrived home there was a case of AD for him (thanks aunt Jamie) have any of you ever smelled this stuff? It is bad.. Dante walked regularly with Lucinda - she exercised his back leg. She exercised his head she held him close to her at all times. She was and is an amazing woman. We could not have enjoyed our vacation without her. She is a true angel. Seeing Dante after 8 days was an amazing experience - he gained over a half pound - he walked a little straighter - held his head a little higher - gave kisses and licked our hands. I think he was showing off for us. He took over her yard. He walked up hill and then back down - he allowed us to hold him close - he snuggled with us and gave us some attitude when we tried to hold his back legs in place - he filled us with hope (once again) he made us feel complete. He is our baby. He was sitting in the sun this morning and he turned back to look at me as I walked away. I thought I saw a tear in his eye so I walked back to him to comfort him and he raised himself up like a lion and opened his mouth and I got really excited and thought he was going to bark and then he did it - he yawned - he stretched out his front legs and yawned. My little man. One day in the not too distant future - my little man will walk straight as an arrow. He will hold his head high - chase balls and butterflies - he will run through our yard with his tail up and ears back - he will retrieve a toy - he will hunger to lick our faces. One day in the not too distant future we will walk him on a leash and collar - we will allow him to bury a toy, he will run after us as we retreat from his eager scratches on our legs. One day he will eat from a bowl, carry a bone, jump into our laps and kiss us. One day he will be totally healthy and someone very special will hit his adoption button and we will await updates on him from his new mommy. Until that day comes we will all be his mommy. You guys are awesome. Thanks for all the emails - calls - gifts and love you have sent for Dante. He is probably the luckiest little man in the world. |
| Dante was back to see the Neurologist - he was literally blown away by Dante - He said Dante is a miracle boy and he also said that Dante is very lucky. Veronica and I were thrilled. They ran tests and yesterday we learned: Dante is back in range for almost everything except protein (this is indication that his brain still has a bleed - damn - damn - damn - damn) We will continue doing all that we can and the Neurologist will do the big stuff. Keep prayers coming for my little man. We had our first donation from the UK - Dante is getting around the world....... . |
| Dante update - May 15, 2008 |
| Dante's vet bills are right at $8000.00 - if anyone would like copies of his vet bills please contact us. |
| Dante update - May 27, 2008 |
| The pictures I have attached are from Dante 2 evenings ago. He was getting his little bath. We now know that Dante cannot smell - we had assumed that but we are now certain. Will he get this in the future? We don't know. We can only hope he does. Dante still walks in circles. He still keeps his head down when he walks. He walks 80% of the day but always in a circle. He had a crumbled treat last night. I hand fed it to him. He ate out of a bowl last night. I held it up to his face and he licked. This is how we intend to feed him from now on. Upright out of a bowl is a much more natural position for a dog. He walked over my legs last night when I was in the ex pen with him. He also curled into my arms. Did he know he was doing this? I don't know for sure but I want to believe he chose this action. He licked my knee last night. I am sure he didn't know what he was doing but I liked it all the same. We are dearly in love with this little man. He will go back to the Neurologist in just a few days. We are excited to hear his opinion. Dante is here and safe and loved. Dante lost his first tooth and the tooth fairy wasn't looking when it happened. I was hoping to put it in his baby book. I sometimes get frustrated because our little Dante isn't getting a chance to be a puppy. There is a puppy mill in PA that prevented him from being a healthy little baby. Dante came out of the mill slow and very subdued. Dante has never had the chance to run and play like other puppies - he has never jumped over another dog in play. He has never raced to a food or water bowl He has never played tug of war. He has never chased his own tail. He has lived most of his life in a box and this part of his life in recovery. I get so angry with the puppy mill owners. I wish someone in PA had the Chutzpah to just say no to puppy mills. Every puppy should have the right to play young. |
| Dante - May 30, 2008 |
| When I look at Dante I hope that someday he will fetch a ball, jump into my arms, lick my face, chase the other dogs and run with his ears back. Last night we had him out for his before bed exercise. Deb was holding his squeaky soccer ball. She places it in front of his face, squeaks it and then she tries to get him to follow it through sight and sound.Deb started to walk down the incline in our yard as she increased her pace so did Dante. I watched in amazement as little Dante galloped after the ball. He was a dog in real motion. His body was going straight as an arrow and his little hind legs were almost out running the front legs. He wasn't just going at a fast pace, he was running just like my vision for him. His ears were back, his mouth ajar and his little feet were flying. It was one of those moments in life when everything stops except the action before you. He ran for at least 50 feet and this at full throttle. He did this 3 times and then he was tired. Deb and I were elated and emotional all at the same time. I couldn't talk to her for several minutes because the lump in my throat would have given way to sobbing. I have tears in my eyes as I write this. You cannot imagine the beauty of that moment. Our little Dante had his "BIG" moment for the week. He showed us that there is life inside that sad and sick little head. He renewed our light. He is such an inspiration. I wish each of you could come here and experience our Dante. Dena, Steve, Cyndi, Jackie, Jeffrey, Toni, Veronica and Lucinda have seen him at his worst. Lucinda had the opportunity to see him as he started his awakening. Deb and I are here for the fullshow. Every little thing is big. Every set back is major. Every breath he takes is shared with us. We are so lucky to live with him and through him. He is truly an Angel. Our lives are richer, sweeter far. He gives us renewed faith in rescue and living. He is our little hero. His war is being fought on familiar soil. His battle is far from over but we are seeing the top of the hill through Dante's eyes. We are in love. I am so proud of his efforts and so thrilled to have him. |
| Dante - June 3, 2008 |
| Dante went to the Neurologist on Thursday. They did blood work - do not have results yet but am hoping all is improved. The doctor was literally laughing at our boy. I think he is blown away by the little man he is seeing. When Dante went to him he was a limp and lifeless dishcloth. He is currently walking in bigger circles (most of the time) running like the wind in our yard, playing with Skully and Cutty - biting Dena's bracelet - biting our hands when he is not into our touch and he is eating his food out of a bowl. He cannot smell but he sees the bowl and he walks to it. The doctor wants us to feed him a mixture of AD and puppy kibble. Dante is spending more and more time upright and moving. The circling continues but we get those moments when he runs and they are the moments we live for. This is what the doctor said: he said Dante is truly a miracle - he said he did not really expect Dante to survive but he does now - he said to give steroids every other day instead of every day - he said Dante is the most Bizarre case he has ever seen - he said that whatever we are doing with him is right and to continue doing the same thing just add new stimulation each day. He also checked Dante's eyes and then we all cried - he informed us that Dante is just starting to get some sight back in his left eye - In closing let me add this. The Neurologist had talked to Toni and I about euthanasia - he also stated that he would like to do the autopsy because this case had his interest piqued - this was 4 weeks ago - since then he has informed us that he gets dogs that are in almost as severe situations as our Dante - he tells their owners that they will need round the clock medicine- food and care - he tells them that the road is long and rocky - he tells them all the things he told us. He told us that usually the owners start out with good intentions but within a few days they are calling him to have the pet put down. I think that is what he expected from us. I think he truly now knows the level of commitment this little group has for our Dante. I think he thought we would do what others have done. Agree to do everything and then just not have the ability to stick with it. A Tail To Tell, Inc is a small but mighty group. When we commit we commit. Dante's life has been saved first by our vet, then by the Neurologist and then by a group of wonderful people that are determined to see him through this. We have donations of food, blankets, towels and wash cloths - we have a groomer that comes to his every hair need - we have people that will show up to babysit when our lives take us away from him - we have the love of a thousand people being spread on our Dante. We have the .light of very special friends coming in via Donna and Joann - We have raised enough money to cover his vet bills to date and we have people spending days and days to raise money for his extended care - we have volunteers driving to the hospital with us just to hold him and keep him comfortable. Dante is one lucky little man. We could not do this without the support of all of the people that are reading this. Look at the pictures enclosed - he is running - he is enjoying the company of other dogs - he is happy - he is pain free and he is loved more than anyone can ever imagine. |
| Dante - Update - June 14, 2008 |
| Dante modeling one of the baby towels his Earth Angel (Paula Rosario) sent to him. Isn't he lovely? |
| The following pictures are all pictures of Dante running... |
| Our little boy is 6 months old and quite a little man. His blood test results came back and everything is in the normal range except the things that are being affected by his steroid consumption. The Neurologist wrote in huge letters - VERY GOOD - Dante will go back in 7 weeks for more tests and in 11 weeks he will go spend the night again so that a MRI can be performed. We are anxious to see that. Last time we saw the swelling - the blisters - the bleed and everything else going on in his tiny little head. Dante is slightly slower since his steroid use has been reduced. Doctor is not expecting much for 2 weeks. If he needs they will place him back on daily steroids. Dante comtinues to flourish and blossom in our home. He can currently recite the Gettysburg address and he is reading numerous books on scientology and pets. Dante likes a good cigar after dinner and he enjoys a single malt scotch. Dante is currently entertaining thoughts of opening a canine clothier. He has been running names by us. Those in contention are: Canine Kleins - Abercrombie and Fetch - Liz Claibones - Neiman Barkus and Bloomingtales. Dante is becoming well versed in poetry and likes to quote passages from some of his favorites. Last night I heard him reciting something about aging and mirrors that are unrelenting and the daily etching continues - much too deep for this old mind but the other dogs certainly enjoyed it. Dante has started a collection of stamps. He just received a package from ebay and inside was a stamp from Vietnam. It was before the wonderful city of Saigon became the new Ho Chi Minh. Dante is an amazing little man and we are learning so much from him. I think our best lesson to date is: Live The Dash - It's not the day you were born or the day you die that counts - just live the dash. |
| We have had a few requests for new pictures of Dante and his friend (Skully). I promise to take a few this weekend and send them out. Skully loves to chew on Dante's long, floppy ears - Dante likes the attention but eventually gets frustrated with Skully and tries to get away from him. This does not deter Skully in any way. He continues to chase, jump over and play with Dante. It is quite a sight to see as Skully pulls at Dante's ear and Dante swings his head from side to side to escape. Dante opens his mouth as if he is barking but no sound ever comes out. Dante still has limited (very limited) sight in his left eye, he is still without a voice and he still cannot smell. He still walks in circles although the circles are getting bigger. He comes when we call him - well at least he attempts to come. He usually starts out heading in our direction but eventually the circling takes over and he ends up moving farther away from us. Dante is eating total kibble now. He is not on any medicines at this time. We no longer have to take his temperature every day nor do we have to listen to his heart everyday. Dante loves to be held. He still likes us to sing to him and he really enjoys playing Texas holdem with the rest of our tribe. Dante gets really excited when our other dogs bark and he will race across the living room in a frenzy. Dante does not like his baths nor does he like having his face washed. Dante will occasionally pick up a toy and hold it in his mouth. I wish I could report that he is 100% better but the Neurologist told us this healing process could take a year or 2. Dante is Dante. He weighs almost 10 pounds now and he feels like a solid little boy. His bones are all covered now.Dante is a true delight and we have faith that one day he will open his mouth and speak, he will walk to us in a straight line, he will lick our hands and beg for treats, he will do the happy dance when we come home. One day he will be living in another home surrounded by a loving family. They may or may not be part of this list. They will share stories of him at work and at family functions, his pictures will adorn the walls of their home. He will have his own bed, maybe even his own child, he will have wonderful treats and long walks on a leash. He will bark at strangers, chase balls with friends. He will smell his treats from 500 yards away and he will make a mad dash to the human that is offering the treat. He will gobble the treat in a frenzied state of euphoria. When he finishes the treat he will stare lovingly at his human. Dante will jump eagerly into their lap and lick their face in an effort to thank them. Dante will be a "real" dog. I know that day will come. I have faith the size of a mustard seed. |
| Dante - August 8, 2008 He is 8 months old today... |
| Just the two of us. We can make it if we try... Building castles in the sky... |
| Dante was neutered yesterday. They had to go in his abdomen and bring down his little testicles. He woke up twice during the procedure and his heart rate dropped - his blood pressure rose and our vets used their expertise to get him back to normal. Dante made it through. Thanks for all the concern you have all shown for our little boy. |
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| Bonnie - Dante and Katie Dante's new family... |
