Preston the Hard Luck Hound

2009-08-20T10:02:00.001-07:00

Here's the latest from Kass........

I talked to Preston's surgeon late yesterday and he had nothing but good news for us. He removed the plate and irrigated the wound. They took a culture of the infection, but they're running him on two antibiotics until they know for sure which bacteria it is. His fever has been down since that first night and it looks like he's out of the woods.The only thing the surgeon didn't like was that the skin over the wound couldn't be completely sutured closed because it is in such poor condition. So Preston is going to have to go to our local vet for epsom salt baths and bandage changes every day for a while. But that's okay because -- since it's after Pennsic -- we're not going anywhere right now. Bob and I are going to be playing tag team with the business and Preston this month.I asked the surgeon about his leg's chances and he told me, "I am not ready to give up on this leg." He said if everything goes as expected, he will regain full function of his leg. He's not someone to take risks with a dog's health for his professional vanity. So he truly believes that the best course for Preston is to save his leg, and that's what he's doing.Preston should really be in a full-time splint because he now has eight screw holes perferating his left foreleg bones. But he needs daily bathing of the wound. So that's going to be a little tricky. We're going to have to watch him constantly because he's a master at tearing off casts and splints and bandages and ripping out stitches. E-collars and muzzles be damned!The next few weeks are going to be trying. I might even sleep downstairs this first few nights to make sure he doesn't get up to anything overnight. Don't expect me to be pleasant.But all news is good news. I'm to call the hospital after 11 am today and see if he can come home

very updated...!!The Update or Our Harrowing Monday Evening

2009-08-18T12:25:00.000-07:00

Sorry to have been so long to update Prestons status, but he was doing fine and recoverying well..slowly but well...he had been in the foster care of Kass and Bob (along with their greys....Sebastian, Melody, Leo)and living in Easton. Here is an excerpt for one of Kass' latest blog.....

"The Update or Our Harrowing Monday Evening Well... Things seemed fine yesterday evening until 6:30 when we took him out to "go". And then he peed brown. NOT good. He also got himself all agitated when he got back inside the house -- pacing and quivering and he wouldn't lay down. So Bob physically picked him up and I swept his legs out from under him. When he was down, he relaxed, but he was panting to beat all. So I had Bob dip some towels in cool water and I placed them on him. I also squeezes a wet washcloth into his mouth like they do to men in the desert. He rolled over on his back ("cockroaching" we call it) and made sure I didn't miss his belly. Such a good boy. Then Bob called the vet.They told us to drive him over immediately for a urine test. They said they wouldn't go home until we got there. Alburtis Animal Clinic is peopled with awesome folks!Long story short: his fever was going up and his leg was swelling more and more. So they sent us to the emergency clinic (where he has an appointment with the surgeon this morning anyway) and we admitted him. Dr. Singh was his physician. He is a very caring man and he explained that the primary mission was to get his fever down.They bathed him in ice water and his fever went up. Then they gave him chilled IV fluids and he started to come down slowly and safely. He got IV antibiotics too and pain killers. Through it all, he's been an absolute angel. The staff at the clinic loves him.As of 8:00 am this morning, his fever was under control.The problem now is that his leg is still huge. They've tried massaging it and "milking" it, but it's still full of goo (the vet tech assures me this is a technical term). He's now been transferred to the surgeon who will make his assessment and call me shortly. I will keep you updated...."

He will be having surgery tomorrow to remove the plate and screws from his leg. This should help releive the infection and hopefully help heal the leg faster....
we will be fixing the "donate" tab for the FSGR account, shortly for those who would like to help...stay tuned for further updates....

bandage OFF!!!

2009-02-25T13:43:00.000-08:00

Prestons bandage is now OFF!! To much surprise at our visit yesterday to the vet. Preston's nurse came out with him with no bandage on and told us we could come beck in 2 weeks to recheck it. he still has a pretty nice scar and still wants to lick his wound, but with the yucky medicine we put around it and his fasionable E-collar he should be well on his way to recovery then on to his forever home...check back for more updates

FINALLY AN UPDATE....

2009-02-07T13:52:00.000-08:00

Preston is doing well..he is still bandaged and is waiting for the wound to heal. He has been hopping around the house with no troubles. He is still going to Valley Central Referral for a weekly check up and bandage change. He then has a bandage change done at home by his foster parents at home every other day. Preston can't wait till spring to arrive so that he can finally have his bandage removed and go for a good long walk.

Preston's Holiday Schedule

2008-12-03T09:10:00.000-08:00

Preston will be attending "Take Your Kid To The Game Day" at Moravian College on Friday, December 12th @ 7pm. Preston would love to meet you, your kid(s) and your greyhound(s). Please refer to our M&G Schedule for details.

Preston would also like to attend several other of our December M&G but will need a volunteer to take him as his foster family's schedule is booked up in December.

If you wish to help Preston get out and M&G his adoring fans please contact Christine.

"Borrowing" Preston for a day is sure to be one of the highlights of your holiday.

Thank you,
Christine Guth
gbink26@enter.net

What did Preston ask Santa for?

2008-12-02T04:49:00.001-08:00

Preston was the first in line to meet Santa at the Phillipsburg Mall! What do you think he wished for...a stuffy? To get his cast off? For a permanent home???

More pictures of Preston & the event at Phillipsburg to come in the next ezine!

Preston after Thanksgiving

2008-11-29T07:05:00.000-08:00

Preston got to stay in PA for T-Day as we had out-of-state festivities for the holiday. Kass, Bob, Sebastian, Melody & Leo opened up their home to Preston and a good time was had by all. He is back at our house and was sleeping but immediately woke up when his picture was taken. He never misses anything.

Kass has added several pics from Preston's Thanksgiving visit to her blog along with a very special offer from her company to help with Preston's medical bills. If you wish to contact Kass, please email me and I will forward your email to her.

Thank you,

Christine Guth,

Placement Coordinator

First State Greyhound Rescue

gbink26@enter.net

www.firstgreys.org

Can you find Preston?

2008-11-29T06:41:00.000-08:00

This is Preston's favorite place when he is not eating. I know that looks a bit uncomfortable but believe me he loves it in there and in that position.

He is also a bit modest and usually covers himself up.

Preston gets to lead a parade...with SANTA!

2008-11-14T14:07:00.000-08:00

Preston is about to make his public debut. And it's turned into quite an event! Santa, the Phillipsburg HS Marching Band, even a press release...it's going to be a big deal!

Preston is ready...he has a new red splint, and a red muzzle, and a Christmas collar with all of the misfit toys...how appropriate is that? Like them, he's not quite right, and all he wants is a home of his own!

I don't get to go :sniff sniff: so I'll be looking for lots of pictures in my inbox to share in the ezine! (Anotterchaos@yahoo.com). Have a greyt time, everyone!

Here's the press release:

Phillipsburg Mall Kicks Off The Holidays With A Spectacular Parade

First State Greyhounds and Phillipsburg HS Marching Band to Lead Santa’s Arrival Parade

Phillipsburg, NJ – Santa’s Arrival is a Holiday tradition at malls across the country but this year there’s an extra special treat in store for those who visit Phillipsburg Mall this Saturday, November 15^th to welcome the jolly fellow with the gentle smile and sparkly eyes. The rescues of First State Greyhound – and the volunteers of their organization - will be leading Santa’s Arrival Parade along with the Phillipsburg High School Marching Band. The parade will begin at Noon at Phillipsburg Mall’s Entrance 4 and wind throughout the entire mall then finish with Santa’s arrival to his magnificent home in the mall’s Center Court , just outside of H&M. There Santa will welcome the gentle creatures from First State Greyhound along with all the other visitors to Phillipsburg Mall into his beautiful living room, complete with fireplace, big cushiony chair and a wide array of toys and gifts.

The Hounds of First State Greyhound will be walking the mall for a very special purpose this Saturday. They’ll be putting their best paws forward to raise money for one of their fellow racers who has had to deal with some tremendous challenges since being rescued from a Florida race track. Preston , also known as Pony Express in his racing days, has had some overwhelming medical problems since arriving in foster care just two months ago and the non-profit organization is faced with thousands of dollars of expense as a result of the care he has needed. Given the label of “the hard luck hound”, Preston has maintained an upbeat and gentle attitude through his many surgeries and rehabilitation requirements. His ordeal is not yet over and more surgeries and medical attention will be required to get Preston back on all fours. To do this, First State Greyhound rescues, fosters along with the organization’s volunteers will be a part of one of the most spectacular events of the year at Phillipsburg Mall in an effort to help one of their own. And, what is going to make the day even more exciting is that the famous hound himself will be making an appearance. That’s right; Preston will make a short visit to Phillipsburg Mall on Saturday, too, in an effort to bring more awareness to his plight. He’ll be holding court at Santa’s home during the parade and will be the first one to welcome Santa to his home when the parade concludes there!

Preston has become quite a celebrity, far surpassing his racing reign, since arriving in foster care in September of this year. His warm personality and courage in dealing with the many challenges he has had to face have created so much attention that he actually has his own blog on the internet. So, those who want more information on Preston before visiting this magnificent creature celebrity on Saturday at Phillipsburg Mall may get more details by going there – www.getwellpreston.blogspot.com.

Thanks to the generosity of Warren Hospital , Phillipsburg Mall will also be presenting a special story-time and craft event on Saturday, November 15^th just before the Santa Arrival Parade. Children of all ages are invited to Santa’s home beginning at 11am for this event that will also include free gifts, compliments of the folks at Warren Hospital . The day’s festivities will conclude with one of three very special Holiday performances being provided by the famous Nazareth Brass, a group of tremendously talented musicians headed by Nazareth ’s own Ian Amidon.

For more information about Saturday’s event at Phillipsburg mall, please contact Pam Richetta, Marketing Director. For more details about Preston or First State Greyhound Rescue, please contact Deb DeLucca at 610 559-9744.

I met Preston!

2008-11-14T14:00:00.001-08:00

Doesn't Preston look happy with his Christmas Red bandage?

I'm so excited! I finally got to meet this happy boy. And what a love he is...he is so friendly to everyone, has kisses for all (between him & Josie, I'm covered with dog slobber!). He is so pleasant, even when he's having unpleasant things done to him.

And the news is all good! He had xrays today, which show his fracture healing well. He'll continue to be splinted, and get another set in a month.

AND...his self-inflicted wound is also healing well!! It's filling in and the skin is growing back. We didn't know if it would ever be sufficient to cover the wound, but it's looking as though (paws crossed) thoughts of losing the leg are a thing of the past.

Here is his home away from home, Valley Central. He's down to 3 times a week bandage changes.

Come meet Preston!!

2008-11-07T12:30:00.000-08:00

Preston will be at the Phillipsburg Mall, Saturday, 11/15, at noon! Come meet this wonderful guy.
For more information, check here: http://www.1state.dogdrum.com/

In the meantime, no news seems to be good news. He continues with every-other-day bandage changes, a nice change from the every day routine.

Preston gets a break from the vet today

2008-10-31T14:29:00.000-07:00

Preston did not have to have a bandage change today, he was happy not to go to the vet today so he slept the morning and afternoon away. He will be going again at 8am tomorrow and then he gets to skip Sunday. He got two well wishes today, Ellen Link called to see how he was doing and Jen Esterly stopped by for some ear and back rubs. Preston does love company and that his original foster mom, Ellen checks in on him almost every day.

Pony Express

2008-10-30T06:41:00.000-07:00

By the way...Preston's racing name was Pony Express. The way he's going right now, he's on the Express towards running up the biggest bill in FSGR history! We don't begrudge him a bit...he's going to be worth every penny. But if you're interested in lightening the load, please consider clicking on the button to the right...every little bit will help us get this hound back on the Express to health!

Preston...a brief history

2008-10-30T06:25:00.000-07:00

Yup, Preston has certainly had more than any hound's share--more than any two hounds' share--of mishaps. Since 8/29/08, he's had...

--His neuter, which was more complicated than most (Of course, he's Preston)
--A bad happy tail incident, which left him bandaged
--A partial removal of his lovely, long, sweeping tail, as the happy tail wouldn't heal (I'm sure they are still finding the blood stains from that one!)
--A further removal of most of the rest of his tail, since his first surgery became infected

And just when it looked like that was all healing up, on a chilly Friday evening (why is it always a Friday night, just after the vet's office closes?), he broke two bones in his front leg! So that earned him a weekend stay in Valley Central's emergency room... and then...

--Surgery to patch him back up with rods, screws & plates

And just when THAT was healing up, he decided to take a good look at his leg himself...by ripping up his bandage, and not incidentally his leg. I'll spare you the gory details, but it's not good. Poor boy!

So for the past week, Preston has been facing daily dressing changes at the vet's office. It looks like some of the tissue is filling in, but we're still not sure if it will heal up right...there's just not enough skin to cover it! So Preston's story is unfinished...it may end with him being short another limb...we just don't know yet.

Thank doG for the angels that are caring for him...Chris & Christine Guth, and for Toni Cron and the Link family who have also stepped in for emergency care. This lovely boy is only 3 years old...he has a long & happy life ahead of him once we get him past this!

That is...unless Preston decides on a career as a stunt dog...Heavens forbid!!

2008-10-29T18:50:00.000-07:00

Preston has had his share of "incidents" since he arrived from a FL racetrack on 9/13/08. He is currently making daily visits to the vet for bandage changes. He does enjoy the car rides and all the attention he is getting at Valley Central. He also loves all the cheese he gets from the 8 pills a day. The saving grace is that he "really" does not know he is in pain from his broken leg & open wound or that he lost almost everybit of his tail in two different amputation operations. He is happy as any greyhound I have known. His recovery will be long and very expensive but we are all determined to save his leg and find him a forever home as soon as he is ready.

Preston just got finished watching the World Series roaching with his big blue bandaged leg up in the air....... On Saturday his bandage was red and his vet wrote GO PHILLIES on it.

Preston is a love!