Nina - an example of a will to live ADOPTED

One of the adult female dogs in the shelter, Nina, had a neurological problem (she suffered a stroke) in November last year and she could not walk for a month. Her eyes were moving but her body could not. She was at the vet but she was not improving. We took her to another vet who decide to try physiotherapy sessions. She stayed at this vet for a few months. She was sleeping in the clinic on a thick mattress on the floor with a cover. It was like a bed. Every day they worked with her. Quite soon she started to lift her head and she started to walk! Slowly but walked. She walked freely in the clinic and she has become a part of surroundings there. When the vet "gave her the clearance" she went to a friend's house. (The staff of the clinic was actually very sad to see her leave but she needed to move on) There she is, the friend goes for long walks with her and feeds her with home cooked food. She is getting better and better. Look at our webpage and compare the two movies that are there to see the progress she has made:

http://www.bianca.pt/english/index.php?view=article&catid=40%3Adogs-urgent-cases&id=714%3Anina&option=com_content&Itemid=96

Now she needs a permanent home - someone that would care for her and appreciate her will to survive.

Astrid ADOPTED

Astrid was found on the road in the begining of March. She had a bite on her neck then but has been cured by now. Now, on the 19th of March (tomorrow!) she will have her leg operated. She must have been hit by a car and her thighbone was broken. It grew badly, when we found her it was already grown but she is limping. The vet whom works with us, a specialist in orthopedics, says he can correct it and she will be able to walk normally. Then we hope she'll find a new home. It is like this, a limping dog does not find home easily...

We need "fostering parents" to support her operation. For this month we already have 5 orthopedic operations scheduled!!!

Faustina ADOPTED

Faustina is another case of abandonment. She was found wandering on the beach on the 12th of February. She was very thin. We took her for the blood tests and we found aout that she had anemia and heart worms. Both treatable but the heart worms treatment is expensive: she needs two injections, the first and the second one 24 hours later. The injections are not cheap and we need foster parents/ sponsors for her.

So far we were nourishing her so she would put on weight and regain forces. Than we will treat the heart worms. Soon, because she is getting a bit better.

She is beautiful and has blue eyes, light blue like ice. When she puts on weight a bit, we'll have her sterilised and the look for a home for her. The best would be a home without other female dogs because it seems that she is a bit jealous and not friendly to other girls.

Orlando DIED.....

December 2010: Orlando was cured of sarna and became a beautiful dog but unfortunately it died in December 2009 from the problems relating to his intestines......

Orlando was found a month ago in Lagoa de Albufeira, obviously abandoned. As if by coincidence, a Saturday before a Brasilian family (father and two small sons) came to the shelter to "leave" this dog because he was sick. We did not take the dog, the space is always a problem, but we offered to arrange for the treatment at the vet (the skin disease he had was advanced but treatable) and pay for it if they would like to keep him. They accepted but a few days later this dog appeared abandoned not far from Bianca....
The dog has an advanced sarna, the skin disease caused by parasites that took months to develop to present stage. Who on earth leaves an animal like this, without treating it? These people have no heart.
It is a young dog, he is around one year old. Fortunately he does not have another health problems. We had dogs in a similar state before, nearly naked without fur and it is treatable. Takes long time but one day he will be a beautiful dog and will find a new home.

He is actually an extremely affectionate and sweet dog. He always cries for our attention always and he only stops when he gets it.... Only when he is eating we can not touch him, he doesn't trust. It is normal for dogs who suffered hunger, they are afraid to loose the food again.

We have started the treatment. he needs to go to the vet every 2-3 days to take a special bath. So all the time we need people available that could take him to the vet.