by Julie & Michael
Rosco came to us by a shelter. He was going to be put down for having epilepsy, but the shelter owner rescued him. She had him for 7 months before we found him. A woman had adopted him for a few weeks and decided she didn't want to deal with his health. No one wanted him because of his serious health problems. I'm so glad we found him.
Rosco was abused as a puppy, beaten fist to head. We adopted him at age 1 1/2 from the shelter that saved him. He was rough around the edges, and not wanting to open up. But with visitations at least once a week he became attached to us. Rosco suffered multiple seizures and it took us over a year to get his medication just right. The seizures were reduced but never gone. About 1 year before his death, he formed IBD so seriously that he almost died. He couldn't eat anything, any treats or raw hides, nothing except his special food. He did well for a while, seemed very happy. But within the last couple months before his death he seemed to decline. The catalyst to his death was when he formed sepsis (blood infection) and he spiked a fever of 106. We tried our hardest to save him; they kept him overnight and gave him IV antibiotics. He seemed to be pulling out of it; he was such a strong dog. He then suffered multiple seizures and he wouldn't eat and he began to turn jaundice. They tested him and discovered he had suffered liver damage. He then started to loose control of his body and got to the point he couldn't walk. During the illness we had hopes that he was going to turn around just like he had so many times before, but when he lost control of his legs we knew we had to do what was best for him.
I have Lupus and he stuck by my side every day I was ill, as I did for him. We understood each other. He was the best dog anyone could ask for. He was a true friend and protector, always alert and ready to defend us. He gave us so much love. We got to see the Rosco no one else did. He didn't deserve this lot in life and it is our wish and prayer that we will get to see him again in a healthy body, he deserves that much. We so wanted to provide that for him and we did our best. Rosco was a strong dog. When he would trip or fall or injure himself, he never whimpered. Rosco always stood back up and kept walking. He's always in our hearts, he is our baby and we are going to miss him for the rest of our lives. We thank God for bringing him to us.
I just wanted to say, when you go looking for an animal to adopt into your home, please consider one from a shelter. Rosco's care was very expensive, and we don't make a lot of money, but somehow we always found a way to pay for it. Dogs with health issues need homes need someone to show them that there is love out there, even if they are not expected to live long. It's the hardest thing to spend so much time and energy on a dog to try and keep him well to watch him suffer and die. The rewards of his life and knowing that he was happy for those few years were well worth the monetary cost and the sorrow we feel. We were afraid when we took him at first, afraid of the expense and not knowing if we could care for him like he needed...but we managed it. It is possible and there are so many abused and hurting animals out there that need a home for the rest of their lives that will love them. Rosco was one and we know he was happy and that makes us happy even in our sorrow.