Ian Oconnors story

Ian O'Connor's story

Katrina Survivor, abandoned dog, no hope, no home, no future.

He was called Blackie. But his fear did not allow contact , and it made him so very unappealing at the shelter in Louisiana that had been his home for over 2 years. Then the water and wind came and took what little he had known away. He was in a temporary kennel, set up by desperate people trying to pull their own lives together at the same time trying to help the animals in need. Dr Eric White, his wife Marilyn and his clinic staff had managed to get a safe spot and began gathering the animals. People and shelters from all over the country tried to help. Beverly Animal Shelter in Waterloo was no exception. They packed up a Tractor Trailer truck full of supplies and headed south to Dr Whites establishment. They left the supplies and loaded up the dogs and headed home. The community came forward and all the dogs found foster homes and when able they were adopted. All but 2. They were returned. The other dog will find her home..but Blackie's chances are slim to none. Blackie had been with a kind shelter volunteer and his wife. They tried so hard with Blackie, they even got a behaviorist to come in..but he just stalled and couldn't progress and he was eventually returned to the shelter. The shelter staff worked with Blackie but the stress level of this poor dog just escalated in the shelter. I am on the Board for the shelter, and I also foster for PMR.

I wrote Jean and the Board and asked that they consider taking in this poor soul. He had laid curled in fear for so many months, maybe years ,that he had muscle wasting in his legs, he hide and trembled and couldn't eat in the presence of people. He had many mill dog traits. It broke my heart to try and walk him. You literally had to walk turning in a large circle ..he just couldn't walk in a straight line at first. He has improved very slightly in this area. This morning my heart burst with hope for Blackie. I had a message that PMR would indeed take Blackie into their foster program. This is a gift of life to this otherwise lifeless dog. Blackie will start his new life with a new name..he shall be called Ian O'Connor. His next pictures will be taken in his foster home..his PMR foster home. Thank you once again PMR...you are the most amazing rescue and group of people...."Ian O'Connor" thanks you as well....

With a happy heart I promise to keep you all updated on his progress. Tomorrow is indeed the beginning of his first day of his new life!!!

Eileen and "Ian O'Connor"

Ian O'Connor Spring Update Hi folks, Ian here. Remember me?? I am the Black Lab mix that is 3,4 or 5 years old...you choose .I honestly don't know how old I am..I am not ancient and I am not a puppy. What I do know is I am slowly coming out of my shell. I am able to romp and play with some of the other pups here and I come for pets when FM sits down. I follow her around the house and like it when the other dogs are QUIET!!!!! I have found the toy box, actually there are several around and I like to take them outside and throw them in the air. The toys, not the boxes :)) Silly me. I am still afraid of many things. I am gentle with all the other dogs, and I have to say I am afraid of the Chihuahua's..they are monster dogs. When they give me "the look" I high tail it for safety.. I am a a gentle soul with a long way to go. The path has been hard but I am making progress and will continue to. The next hurdle is to go to the vets and have my legs checked again. While they have improved they are not as good as they should be. FM bought me another new bed but I was afraid of it for 2 days..I am using it now..she had to get on it with me the first time I tried it. It is puffy and nice but it made a whooshing sound when I stepped on it and I was very afraid. I never had a talking bed before... I am still very afraid of other people but FM says that will get better in time..I may never be a brave dog and will most likely need a very quiet household with other kind dogs...no fast moving kids and a nice fenced yard where I can bask in the sun and enjoy freedom . For more info about me please e-mail my fostermom Eileen at cascade@lynnet.com I am fostered in Upstate NY.

Ian O'Connor Medical Update

Ian went in for x-rays on Thursday ( May 20th) and it was discovered he does in fact have bilateral hip dysplasia. The vet wants to try a conservative approach, medications and an exercise program to see if in fact he responds to this. He is also older than we initially believed. He is at least 6 maybe 7 years old. This poor gentle dog has suffered for years. But hopefully now he will have some relief and a quality to his life that he has not previously had.

He is getting braver around the house but continues to be very afraid of strangers or folks he doesn't see daily. We will continue to gently help him with each of his issues. He has gained weight since coming here but now we will be monitoring that. He is at a good weight at 65.5#'s and with hip issues extra weight will not be a benefit!.

Please keep Ian in your prayers and if you have a few extra pennies a contribution toward his vet bills , donated to PMR, would be appreciated. It still may be that he will require surgery to correct this problem..if so it will be quite extensive and expensive as he has arthritis already present.

I am telling him all his PMR friends are pulling for him..he never had friends before..I think he is smiling!!!

Hugs,

Eileen and Ian

Ian O'Connor is loving life!!!

Hi to all you fans of sweet Ian, I wanted to let everyone know he is doing fairly well with his exercise routine and seems to be a bit more mobile. I wanted to show you how happy he is when I come home from work and we all go out into the yard...Ian is a 6-7 year old Black Lab Mix that has hip dysplasia in both hips. He weighs between 65-70#'s and is just a doll.

He is a gentle boy who is just a joy to share my home with. He is wonderful with all the other dogs here and some have given him a verbal scolding and he just looks at them and walks away...he couldn't be nicer!! He is starting to kind of sing a little when he is really excited..it is so cute..then he kind of smiles at you. I know it may not be a true smile because he has a tooth that sticks out crookedly but I swear he is grinning!!!

He is confined to the house while I work because even though he isn't restricted activity wise, we don't want him to over do until he has really had a chance to rebuild the muscles that had weakened in his past situation.

If you are looking for a dog with a heart as big as Montana..here he is..Yes he does comes with some special issues. He is still very shy of new people and situations..and of course his medical issues. But most of us are not perfect either!!

If you would like information on Ian, please e-mail me at cascade@lynnet.com

Ian is still fostered in Upstate, NY

Hugs,

Ian and Eileen

Ian O'Connor enjoys his first summer in Freedom!!!

Ian O'Connor is a 5-7 year old Black Lab Mix that weighs about 70#'s, He is a doll and is a very submissive dog. He is running and playing a bit more with the others. He likes a new buddy here named Murphy O. He comes in when I call him now, he barks for breakfast and dinner and is goof ball at times :)) It is good to see him happy.

With this said he is still very frightened of different people and different places. He will be getting more socialization as appropriate but it will be a slow process. He will most likely need a calm, quiet home. He does not like commotion and will remove himself to a quiet area. He is NOT a biter. He will submissively urinate when frightened by something strange. I had a friend here last week who stayed on the otherside of the room so Ian wouldn't be frightened . But he looked at him and spoke softly to him and he still had the submissive urine issue. I am not sure if there may be a problem with men or if it was simply just because he didn't know him...time will tell I am sure.

Ian is not a well adjusted dog, he has been very damaged by people and is only slowly learning that not all people are bad and hurtful.

If you think you have the patience and love for this very sweet boy, and can meet his physical requirements regarding his bilateral hip dysplasia, please consider pushing the adopt button. He has a heart full of love for the right person...

More info about Ian can be obtained from me, Eileen @ cascade@lynnet.com

I am his fostermom. He is being fostered in Upstate NY.

Thanks,

Eileen and Ian

Ian O'Connor welcomes his first summer in freedom

Well Ian is getting braver and more secure here. He will ask for pets with a gentle nudge of his nose and will jump on the bed and roll for a belly rub. He still gets easily startled and will run for his safe "bed". He is a gentle dog and so submissive with all the others here. He is not food aggressive or toy possessive.

His bilateral hip dysplasia is slightly better, I wish he didn't have this but he does and surgery is not a good option at this point. Ian is a Black Lab mix and is probably between 5-7 years old. He is able to run and hop and "dance" in the yard. He play bows to many of the others and is so happy when I first come home he is just a prancing and smiling.

Ian is still afraid of new people and if I have company he will go to his "safe bed" and stay put. He has even submissively urinated if folks look or talk to him. He has a ways to go but he is on the path of recover thanks to PMR.

If you have a fenced in yard, a quiet home and a gentle nature, won't you consider adding this very special boy to your heart and home?? His eyes are so sweet you could just melt in them..I truly think he may be an angel in disguise!!!

For more information please e-mail me Eileen at cascade@lynnet.com

Ian is being fostered in Upstate NY

Fondly,

Ian and Eileen

Ian O'Connor shares his Heart!!!

Well it has been a couple of months since I have written. Things here have been nice and the weather has been mild. I am still working on some life lessons . If you look closely at my picture you will clearly see a big white heart on my chest. Fostermom says this makes me a very special dog, as I have a heart as pure as driven snow. She says everyday I am an angel in disguise. I am a big goofy guy with a gentle disposition. I am kind to all that live here and that is not an easy job. Some of the pups here can be little 4 legged monsters.

I always potty outside and I rarely bark. I am a good eater and a good sleeper. I love bedtime and and often the first "person" into the bedroom at bedtime. I have a beautiful shiny black coat. I will always have trouble with my hips but I get around, do stairs and actually do some running in the yard when it is time to play. Or when it is time to protect the family from the paperman..I bark at the car when it pulls up to the mailbox. I am brave from a distance...unfortunately I am still very shy with others and will not interact or even stand up around visitors. I can walk on a leash but prefer the yard that is fenced and home.

I am about 7 years young and have come farther than anyone thought I could at first. I weigh about 70 pounds now. I am no longer the terrified dog, laying in a ball and trembling and urinating even at home. I am a good boy and smile often. I push in, gently of course, for pets and am getting more nosey about what is going on with the other pups here. I am getting braver around my food bowl..at first I was terrified by it. I must be remembering being hit by a bowl at one time. Once it is safely on the floor it is fine. But now I don't even run when FM is bringing me breakfast or dinner. I can look right at it and stay put. It doesn't sound like much but for a terrified fellow it is a huge step. I even crawl in bed with FM on the weekend for my hugs and belly rubs...during the week we all have to get up to early to play in the bed..

I love toys and I have a girlfriend here..WELL??? What did you expect from a sensitive, handsome fellow??? I also have a guy buddy that I love to just hang out with.

So, if you are kind and quiet and have another nice pup to play with, no children and little company, a fenced in yard...I am the fellow for you. If you want more information on me please e-mail my fostermom Eileen @ cascade@lynnet.com

I am fostered in Upstate NY 13148

Hugs from my heart to yours,

Ian O'Connor