Tracker Jack- the continuing digest
HEADLINES-- "Tracker Jack Conquers Steps!" (well almost....He did the first 5!)

Steps of achievement

Some how Tracker Jack got himself down the first set of steps from the upstairs floor. ( I shudder to think how he did it, and am glad the steps are carpeted)
Timber ran up and down, trying to show him the way up. Before long I noticed her and went to see what was up, or in his case DOWN.

Jack was standing at the base of the stairs looking rather pitiful.

Tucker joined in the running up and down the steps, all in an attempt to show him how it was done.

I just happened to have my handy dandy camera and got quite a few pics as we coaxed him up the stairs.
Tongue hanging out, breath huffing, one step at a time he climbed to the top!

One small step for mankind
One giant leap for Tracker Jack!

THANK YOU!
I would like to thank my husbands co-workers for the March of DimesValentine basket. It was given to him along with the note "Please forgive us, your cold hearted co-workers".
We hope that the more people that read this blog, the more that people will become educated about puppy mills.
The horrors that these dogs go through is really no laughing matter and the people that rescue them, take their mission very seriously.
My husband has a huge heart and is very supportive of this mission and deserves better than the aggravation he takes because of my involvement.
Here is a photo of the basket.

+



Tracker Jack loves to hear me read his 'fannymail' ( that is his fan email.)

So if you would like to send him an email you can click on the Tracker Jack box link on the right or send it to TrackerJack box@aol.com

Thanks to the good Lord, Jack is no longer the 'Jack in the box' of the horrible puppy mill, but Tracker Jack, the very much loved PomRescue.com, Inc ambassadog.

Saturday Feb 14 at 8:00 pm the MSNBC National Geographic Ultimate Explore "Love those Dogs" was shown again. If there is any way possible in the future please watch it. It is very informative. Education is the key to stopping the puppy mills.

"Our love for dogs also has a dark side. A group of dog-loving volunteers goes undercover to investigate the demand for pet dogs, particularly purebreds. Such demand has fostered an under-regulated breeding industry that is contributing to increased genetic problems in dogs."
MSNBC - Love Those Dogs: "National Geographic Ultimate Explorer"


Tracker Jack thinks he is now becoming a STAR

Tracker Jack 2/7/04



On Sunday, Feb 8 at 8:00 & 11:00 pm Tracker Jack was on MSNBC National Geographic Explorer.

They did show undercover film footage from the very same puppy mill Tracker Jack was rescued from. Tracker Jack, Bubba, Gracie and George the Poms and others were shown.

It was very difficult for me to watch, but I am so glad that the horrors of puppy mills were exposed.

To those that are new to the Pom Springs blog spot - Tracker Jack's story begins in the archives on the right of the page on the 1/16/04 entry.

Our blind Trevor's rescue story starts in entry 9/3/03.
He and Tracker Jack have formed and 'alliance' as the two rescues of the pack.

Tracker Jack on 1/13/04


Tracker Jack's one remaining tooth on 1/13/04


Tracker Jack on 2/5/04
This toothless pup playing with a chewy. He is a true 'Survivor'!

Trevor - Tracker Jack - Timber - Tucker


Tracker Jack- the continuing digest

There was puppy play in this house this evening. ALL the pups joined in. Jack was running and chasing for a little bit.

He has been checking out the toy box too.


Soon- it will be his turn to go to Petsmart to pick out his very own toy, like Trevor did.

He is healing up very well. His feet are still black on the ends of the toes and they still feel cold to me, but his nails are now showing some pink. I can see tiny signs of fur growing in the bare places. He is getting some 'spunk' now.

We have been receiving some very special emails. They have been so encouraging and touching. It was time that our Tracker Jack had his own email address.
If you would like to contact us, you can reach us at :
TrackerJack box@AOL.com

Thank you all who have written. It is so nice to hear about how Trevor and Tracker Jack's stories have touched you in some way.

Tracker Jack has been a sleepy fellow today and just seems to walk from nap place to nap place. Must be this cold, dreary day! His special favorite spot is right here ay my feet underneath the computer, on a rug. He will scratch and scratch and turn around several times before he curls up in a small ball, where he snores like a lumber jack. We may have to change his name to
Lumber Jack. For such a tiny nose he has quite a loud snore.

Tracker Jack- the continuing digest
He RAN!!!!
It was the most amazing thing.

I had the pups in the back yard while the sun was shining and it was fairly warm.
Tracker Jack has been sort of toddling around on his wobbly legs.

Timber was racing back and forth beside the fence.
It must have looked like so much fun that he decided to try it.
Next thing I knew he was running.

He ran half the length of the yard.
The reason I am so excited is that this little fellow is just two days post-op, may not have even known how to run, and surely never had the opportunity to run- living his life in 'the box.'

Can you just imagine how the grass must feel to his little black toes?
Can you just imagine filling your lungs with clean fresh air after a life time of breathing the acrid air of 'the box'?
Can you just imagine how the sun must feel on his little almost hairless back after living years in the dark?
The very things we take for granted, Tracker Jack is showing me anew with his soft brown eyes.
Warmth, good food, clean water, security, freedom, health care, some one to love us, and care for us. A recipe that all creatures great and small - want- and yes- need, in order to not just survive, but to thrive.

Yes- Jack ran today, not as fast as the others, but he ran, and he was free and in the sun.

Today was a good day for Tracker Jack and for me ......

Tracker Jack- the continuing digest

My sister came to visit me and met Tracker Jack today for the first time. He has been with us three weeks today.
He ran behind a wall when he saw her come in. Then I picked him up - and he would not look her in the eyes, trembling with fear.
I held him close as he relaxed and then I showed her the scarring of the hand print on his back, his dead toe nails, sparse dry hair, the black skin from the fungus on his feet and his ears.
I told her the story that the dog rescuers had told me of the puppy mill; the dark building, filthy, stinking boxes, full of dogs, standing in their own waste, all begging to be taken.
Then I told her that I was thankful for Tracker Jack's condition, as the rescuers had chosen the weaker sick looking ones, in hopes that they could save them, and possibly keep them from being thrown in the big green metal container.
Jack just looked at us as we talked, with that sweet, all knowing expression. His little cute tongue sticking out as always. He is alive. He made it. He has made it through his surgery. He has made it HOME.
We have to do more to see to it that more get out. That more of the puppy mill dogs get home where they are safe and loved.

Tracker Jack- the continuing digest

Tracker Jack has had his surgery!

Jack is now back home from the veterinarian's office.
We felt he was strong enough to go ahead and have the neuter, because he has been doing so well.
I dreaded it and am really glad we went and got it over with. This should be the end of all his trauma for a long time (forever I hope). He is doing great and is very alert and sleeping on his bed right now.
The Veterinarian called and he was awake standing in his cage and by 10:30. I was able to pick him up after lunch. This is amazing considering I just took him at 8:30.
It is a good thing we did not schedule the palate surgery, as when she had him under anesthesia and was able to get a good look in his throat, his palate was not as long as first thought.

However he has lots of folds of tissue in the back of his throat, as though he has had some kind of trauma to that area. My thoughts are: either someone had attempted to debark him with a rod, or years of breathing filthy, stagnant air in that small box in the puppy mill had built up scarring on the tissue. It is also a possibility that recurring untreated kennel cough or pneumonia might have contributed to this also.

Dr. Hurlbert had to perform the surgery with him on his belly working upside down in order to keep his oxygen going. He was able to have just one incision and she was able to move the abdominal testicle out through that incision.
Dr. Sue Ann Hurlbert is amazing with what she can do with her tiny hands on these little guys.
He has shown some swelling in the areas of the site of the anesthesia and the surgery but she has given him some anti-inflammatory for this.

I paid to have him micro chipped, so if he is ever lost he can be scanned and it will show that his home is with us. Tracker Jack has embedded himself in our hearts and we want him safe and well.

He is one special, tough, tiny, little dude! I am so glad it is over.

Tracker Jack-

Little blind Trevor and Tracker Jack are getting to be good friends. It's like they understand the bond of being a rescue.



This morning I forgot to move slowly and I reached to pick Jack up from behind with out warning him. He gave an awful yelp, as he thought someone was going to hurt him. Poor boy, I don't have any idea what he has been through.
I gave all four of the pups medicated baths yesterday. The special shampoo must be left on for ten minutes. It was quite a challenge trying to keep them warm and sudsy at the same time.

Trevor fluffed up beautifully and I just had to take his picture.

Tracker Jack- the continuing digest of a PuppyMillrescue Chapter 8


He wagged his tail!!!
Tracker Jack stood there and looked at me and there it went back and forth, back and forth, then stopped. I reached down and gently picked him up trying hard not to cry.

This was the first time I had seen this little boy actually wag his tail. I suppose life in a puppy mill doesn't give you much practice at tail wagging.

It is a funny little tail. Almost hairless on one side with dry brittle hair on the end. Poor nutrition and filthy, damp living conditions have taken a toll on his poor little body, including his tail.

I never thought I would get so excited, or much less write about such a simple thing as tail wagging, but then again, I had never had a puppy mill rescue.

We plan to give Tracker Jack plenty to wag his tail about from here on out.

It is snowing and sleeting outside. Here we are all warm and dry safe inside. Yet I can't help but wonder about those that are less fortunate. Whether they be man or animal. I pray God will give them comfort in whatever their conditions are, and I thank Him for the comfort we feel.

A friend of my husband has found this site very amusing and is telling everyone at his work about it. Now my husband is at the wrong end of a bunch of silly jokes and pranks. Because he has a big heart and opens his home to ones that others might find 'broken' or misfits and allows me to be myself and care for these animals(which comes as natural to me as breathing) and because he is a decent human being with love and compassion. This site has been a great outlet to me, and has allowed me to share these four dogs with others who might have an interest in their stories.
My husband can laugh it off. He is a big man. But I feel his humiliation and I am hurt that I have caused this, by simply trying to help these little fellows. Honey, I am sorry, and I thank you for who you are, and for loving me enough to let me be who I have to be, and letting me do what I have to do, and not trying to change me.
Toothless old, crippled Jack loves you, little blind Trevor loves you, you know Timb & Tuck, me and the kids love you. Thank you, and shame on those who are giving you a hard time.

By the way- if anyone wants to send their dog rescue photos to Buster at jmacks@alltel.net
I'm sure he would love to see them. He is a dog lover himself. ;0)

~~thank you fellow rescuers~~

Tracker Jack- the continuing digest of a PuppyMillrescue Chapter 7


I took Tracker Jack back to the veterinarian's office to have his Distemper combo shot today. She confirmed that he does have ring worm, a fungus that causes skin problems and can be contagious. I have been treating him for that so already he has shown marked improvement. It took the test nearly two weeks to show results.
He has done really great today. On our way to the vet we stopped in to our insurance agents office and I took him inside, for a minute. He was a wonderful ambassadog, as we explained what Puppymillrescue is all about.

Tracker Jack- the continuing digest of a PuppyMillrescue Chapter 6

Yesterday I moved my computer from the basement up to my daughter's old room. It is much more comfortable up here.
Last night I went downstairs to heat a cup of tea for 2 min in the microwave and by the time I got back upstairs(only 2.5 min later) Jack was in a panic! The other pups were up here with him and everything was fine, but the psychological damage of what has been done to him is just beginning to surface.
I suppose in his mind, when I went out of sight I was abandoning him forever. I wish there was a way I could make him understand, that he will never be left forever again.
He went to sleep looking at me, with that precious little tongue sticking out, and my hand on his back.

To get him to rest in his new bed I have to put my PJ's in there. Now this is his devotion and attachment after only 11 days!
He looks good this morning, alert and toddling along behind my every step, on his little wobbley legs.

Tracker Jack- the continuing digest of a PuppyMillrescue Chapter 5

We had Jack's follow up Vet visit yesterday. I am still a little unerved by it. I get nervous when I care so much.

His lungs were clear and he had gained from 4.8 lb to 5.2 lb.

He was able to have his Rabies, and Bordatella vaccines today but she wanted to split the vaccines so he will have his DHLP-PV Friday.

She gave him one dose of Revolution (the flea and heart worm prevention) to help with his skin and ears, just in case he has mites.

Mt Vet told me he was 75% improved and said I was really good for him (as he is for me! :0)

Now the heavy news: My Vet recommends he have a soft palate vesechia while he is under having his chryptorchid neutering. Yes- after all poor Jack has been through, he does have a retained testicle. The good news is she does not think it is too deep in his abdomen and thought she could feel it.

She thinks his quality of life would be so much better if he had his elongated soft palate shortened. He actually 'snorkels' and sounds like he is choking a lot from this. I think it also contributes to all that tongue slipping he does. We thought it was due to the bad tooth, but he is still doing it just as much, even though the tooth has been pulled.
The surgeon specialist (Upstate Vet Specialist) quoated 800-900.
My Vet has only done one, and thinks she could do a good job, for about 450. These quotes do not include the neutering surgery.

I went ahead and set up an appointment for his neuter for next week, nothing else. I want whats best for Jack, but it scares me to think of the surgery, and it scares me to think of not doing it.
My husband and I have discussed this at some length and we really feel like Jack is too frail to undergo the SP surgery right now. He is a very fragile old fellow.
After reading that article, 'IF' it was done, I agree with Linda, I feel it would be best to have a specialist do it. My Vet had said that there is a danger of shortening the palate too much, and causing food to slip in the wind pipe. That would be diastrous.

I spoke with my Vet about Sassy Pants and Jack falling asleep when you hold them, and she said it could be a submissive response. My opinion is, that things have been so bad for them, that when they are thinking something is going to happen, they 'zone out', sort of like taking their minds away from the circumstances
.
He was an excellent patient and everyone made a big fuss over him.

He is doing so much better, but he has had a tough life and still has a long road to recovery.

Today I took a nap on the couch, I had a pup at my feet, one over my head, one on the back of the couch and Jack asleep in my arms. If I think too hard about what has happened to Jack, I get so upset, I can't think about it. I just have to get down to the business of taking care of him and bringing him back to health and happiness.

Tracker Jack- the continuing digest of a PuppyMillrescue Chapter 4

Jack's breathing has been louder today and he has not had as much energy as yesterday. He does not rest well unless he is in my arms. I think he likes nothing better than to sleep in my lap, trusting me enough to watch over him, even with his belly side up. As you probably know this is a dogs most vulnerable position. An enemy could easily disembowel them if they caught them laying on their backs this way.



I have wondered how Tracker Jack ate at the puppy mill. Here I crush his medicine and put his drops in canned pumpkin, peanutbutter, Iams canned lamb and rice and other tidbits to make it tasty. I am adding Nutridrops also. It needs to be a certain consistancy in order for him to eat it with no teeth.


Tracker still is a little wobbley on his feet, especially on slick floors. Sometimes he would rather play laying down!

Tomorrow we return to the Veterinarian to see how his Pneumonia is and hopefully be able to plan his vaccinations, neuter, and get started on heartworm prevention.

I plan to give him a medicated bath in the morning. We won't know for another week if his skin has ringworm. His coat especially on his head, is starting to feel a lot thicker. The baking soda bath worked wonders on the puppy mill smell and it has not returned.


Trevor and Tracker swapping TAILS on what it is like to be rescued!

Jack in his new sweater

It has been interesting seeing Timber, Tucker, and Trevor interact with Tracker Jack. They are much nicer than people when it comes to accepting those that are needy and weak.
Timber was especially interested in seeing where Tracker Jack had his tooth pulled.

They enjoy playing together.


I look forward to posting pictures of T. Jack in a few months so all can see the difference that love makes.
Here are little blind Trevor's before pictures and now several months later. His hair now touches the ground on his tummy and backside.
BEFORE



NOW




Timber really likes the new toys I bought yesterday.



Tucker has just kind of ignored Tracker Jack and pouted ever since his human sister Jenny went back to school.


He just kind of lays around feeling sorry for himself.

Tracker Jack- the continuing digest of a PuppyMillrescue Chapter 3

Little Tracker Jack is on my lap on a dryer warmed blanket I picked him up on. He gets cold easy. His feet seem to stay cold.
He follows me every where.
We worked on the steps yesterday. He did one up all by himself.
He barks at his reflection in the glass doors. It is so cute!

I went shopping yesterday and bought four fleece oval cushion beds and four new toys. When I came in a scattered them all on the floor and it was so funny watching them run and hop in each bed and shake and grab the toys. I got small soft ones that Jack can pick up.


He reminds me of Linda Landers little 'Happy', her little beautiful Pom that she rescued from the puppy millers that had cut her ears off.
He watches me with the most adoring eyes and even though he kind of gets stiff as you are picking him up, he loves to be held. It is so hard for me to understand why he would be so sweet when he was so mistreated.
I was told he came from a dark, stinking, windowless, building that had cages about 3'x3' with six or seven dogs in each box. They were just standing all over each other. The miller would reach in and grab them by any body part she could get a hold of and pull them out. There was a dumpster like thing close by- we can only imagine what she must have thrown in there.

He has run and played and barked with little blind Trevor this morning. They have had a wonderful time. Jack is feeling so much better.


The most remarkable thing happened last night. I was putting an extra blanket down in his bed and was on my knees straightening it out. As I was talking to him and telling him I never wanted him to be cold again, he walked over and gave me three little butterfly kisses on my cheek. I was so surprised I began to cry. Even my husband got all teared up. It was amazing. It was as if he knew everything I was saying to him.