Dachshund

UPDATE 11/22/06: We are thrilled and proud to announce that in two weeks, Russell will go to his new home; with an individual who has another dachshund about Russell's age. His new owner also has wonderful extended family who lives nearby, so Russell will actually have two loving homes. He is finishing up his vet work, just a few minor things and then he will go to his new home. We thank everyone who followed Russell's story closely; and we know you will celebrate this happy new beginning for a very special little dachshund!

UPDATE: 10/29/06 Russell is coming along just great. He is bored because the heartworm treatment requires another 3 to 4 weeks of crate rest, but his foster home makes sure he gets plenty of lap time to make up for this. He has developed a very definite personality about wanting his meals on time and his special treats. He is just charming and the nicest, and easiest dog his foster parents have ever cared for. Are you reading this, and could you be Russell's forever home? Think about it. :-)

UPDATE: 10/18/06 EVEN BETTER NEWS! Russell went to the vet yesterday and is in good health now, and is able to start his heartworm treatment today. This is the final stage of his needed healthcare. The vet will also microchip him at this time and complete Russell's immunizations. He will return to his foster home on October 24th; and then will be crate confined for about 5 weeks. This is a necessary step after heartworm treatment is given. We anticipate Russell will be ready for his new home just after Thanksgiving! He is such a happy dog now, and feels so much better.

UPDATE: 10/5/06 FANTASTIC news! Russell had his dental cleaning on October 3rd. He had a number of teeth extracted, and his remaining teeth cleaned and polished. All that terrible infection is out of his mouth. He is eating like a champion and trotting around the house. What a difference this has made for him! We thank Karyn P. and Julie P. who donated towards Russell's care, which has been very expensive because of the extensive dental work he required. He will have three weeks to rest and recover, and then will start his heartworm treatment which is the final phase of his veterinary care. It is so wonderful to see this dog feeling better! We are confident he will do well going through heartworm treatment now. We expect him to start treatment around October 17th.

Russell is an 11 pound black and tan smooth male dachshund who is about 8 years old. He was found by a Good Samaritan out in the street on day where the temperature outside was nearly 105 degrees. He was badly overheated and in terrible condition. Despite his condition, this dog was very sweet and grateful for the kindness of a human being. Our rescue vet has determined that this dog has hookworms, badly infected teeth, is heartworm positive, has a respiratory infection and has an abdominal injury, probably from being kicked by someone.

He will undergo three phases of treatment with us: Phase 1: treat and cure basic infections so he can be healthy enough to undergo heartworm treatment Phase 2: treat for heartworms Phase 3: have a major dental cleaning with the removal of any permanently damaged teeth. Russell is being cared for by an experienced foster parent from our organization who has the extra skills to nurse a dog like this back to health. Between our skilled rescue veterinarians and the foster parent, this dog will be restored to health. We anticipate that he may be ready for adoption around the beginning of December. We will post regular updates on Russell's progress and add photos soon! Please check back and read more about Russell, and keep him in your prayers and thoughts for a full recovery.

When he is ready, can you give Russell a loving, permanent home with lots of attention? If so, read the rest of the information below and then contact us for an adoption application. Please be aware that our adoption applications are sent out by postal mail only, and are not sent by e-mail nor are they available on-line.

Before you contact us for an application, you must go to our group's website at: www.dfwdachshund.com and read *all* the FAQ's there. You will find information to most questions that you may have. In particular, please pay close attention to the information about the rescue dachshunds and housetraining. Dachshunds take extra time and patience to housetrain and it is important to know this before you apply to adopt.

Be aware that we do not have a public kennel facility for our dogs; our rescue dogs are fostered with individual families throughout the DFW Metroplex area. We do not permit visits to any of the rescue dogs until an interested household has filled out an application, and had a reference, vet and home check. Only screened and approved applicants may visit dogs available for adoption through our program. We will not hold dogs for homes that have not yet been approved by our rescue committee.

We rarely, if ever, have puppies available in our rescue program. If you are interested in a puppy, please contact us for the puppy referral packet to reputable breeders in our area.

In order to be considered for adoption through DFW Dachshund Rescue Foundation, you must:

Be over 21 years of age and have verifiable identification to that effect.

Be able to verify that you may have a pet where you live.

Be willing to fill out an adoption application, the entire contents of which will be verified upon receipt. Be prepared to have a home visit from one of the rescue foundation members as part of the screening process to adopt this dog.

Be prepared to make a donation to our rescue efforts of $250. You must live within the Dallas/Fort Worth area or no farther than a 50 mile drive from Dallas/Fort Worth to apply to adopt from us. We appreciate your understanding and hope that, if you live outside our service area, you will consider adopting a pet in your local area from a rescue group that services your part of the United States.

Understand that DFW Dachshund Rescue Foundation has the right to deny *any* application for any reason. Reasons for the denial of any adoption application will *not* be discussed with the applicant.

Our adoption application has been designed to evaluate potential adopters to ensure that each person who adopts a dachshund is not only aware of the responsibility that comes with adopting a dog, but also to address the suitability and permanence of each dachshund placed in a new home.

When considering a new home, our goal is to make the best possible match for each of our rescued Dachshunds. These special dogs deserve the stability of a permanent home where they will be loved, secure and safe for their rest of their lives.