The following article is part of an ongoing effort to help homeless dogs in and around Toronto/Hamilton area find suitable and loving homes. Currently, the need is great but the homes are few. Your help is desperately needed.
Pomeranian and Small Breed Rescue of Hamilton, Ontario would like to tell you about a l3-year-old Shih Tzu named Merv, who has been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease.
“Although he suffers from a compressed disc half way down his spine, Merv is unfortunately not a candidate for surgery to repair the compression and as a result, his foster family must be very careful to keep him from putting any strain on it,” says his foster mom. “For the time being, both of Merv’s back legs are working well: he is very mobile and progress is being made with pain control, comfort and reduced swelling in his disc.”
Due to this disc problem, Merv cannot climb stairs but he is just 12 lbs, so he’s easy to carry.
His foster mom adds that Merv appears to be suffering from “increasing signs of dementia.” During the day, he has been “obsessively licking the coffee table, the backs of his foster siblings and sometimes even his foster mom!” However, she notes that he does not show signs of anxiety that often occurs along with this illness.
Overall, she says Merv is “a very sweet and happy little fellow” and the vet thinks he may not be suffering due to the dementia.
This dear little fellow also has a permanently damaged eye but it does not cause him any discomfort. However, he needs to be monitored to ensure there is no pressure build-up or that the eye becomes inflamed. Merv has also lost many of his teeth but it does not seem to bother him as far as eating is concerned and he sure loves to do that! He will need someone who can say no to him sometimes.
“Merv is a happy boy with simple needs: food and a warm blanket or sofa to curl up on. He is not a lap dog and is not demanding of attention but he welcomes affection. Mostly he welcomes food."
He is also relatively clean in the house.
"He does have some accidents but most of the time he goes outside or on the pee pad.”
Merv also has a “quirky habit” that will make you laugh, she adds. “He wakes up very, very early in the morning and stands about four feet away from my bed, and starts to bark his deep gruff bark. This silly habit of his would be annoying in another dog but in Merv, it's just quirky and adorable. He wants to eat, unfortunately at about three in the morning. Granted, it's breakfast time somewhere in the world, so who can blame him? He will do this about three or four times until he tires of me getting up and putting him back into bed (and) then he happily sleeps until we all are ready to get up.”
Overall, his foster mom says, “Merv is a wonderful companion and a really sweet boy. He gets along well with other dogs and is very docile. Did I mention he is adorable?”
Merv is currently in a foster home in Bolton. He is neutered, up-to-date on his routine shots and housetrained. Due to his health concerns, he is consider a special needs dog and should go to a home without young children.
To enquire about adopting this sweet boy, email psbrescue@yahoo.ca and put ‘Pet Inquiry: Merv PFId#17282402’ in the subject line.
For an adoption application, go HERE.
Pomeranian and Small Breed Rescue is not a kennel. All dogs live in the homes of volunteer foster parents. For their security, only approved adopters are allowed to visit them.
Did You Know?
Pomeranian and Small Breed Rescue urgently needs new Foster Homes. If you can help us, please visit the site HERE to complete a Foster Application Form.
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