Foster Mom: So Leo, tell us a little about yourself.

Leo: Well, my name is Leo. You gave me that name because I’m courageous as a lion!

FM: Now Leo, I actually named you that because we got you in July in the sign of the Leo…but you are right, you are a courageous pug!

Leo: I’m a pretty good looking fawn and I’m told I weigh about 25 pounds but I’m not a bit fat!

FM: I agree, you are a very handsome pug! How did you come to SEPRA and to live with us?

Leo: It’s a sad story with a happy ending really…4 or 5 years ago I was just wandering around and found myself living with some folks. I guess you could say I was a stray but I’d like to say that I was making my way in the world as a young pup. Believe it or not, I was not allowed in the house…I lived in the yard. Boy, it was hot last summer, cold this winter, and HOT again this summer!

FM: I just do not know how you lived like that Leo…pugs are supposed to be indoor dogs!

Leo: It’s true! I lived outside in all kinds of weather but it’s all I knew. Anyway, my “brother” was a BIG dog. Maybe my panting in this heat was driving him crazy but he attacked me and when he did, my left eye proptosed.

FM: Your eye popped out?!

Leo: Yes, ma’am…it sure did. I was hurtin’ bad but my owners didn’t take me to the emergency vet until the next day. It was a very long and painful night and my eye really got swollen.

FM: Well fortunately, those owners finally took you to a vet that happens to work with SEPRA and his vet tech is also a SEPRA foster mom!

Leo: Yeah, my owners didn’t want me any more so the nice lady vet tech got me turned over to SEPRA.

FM: That must have been pretty traumatic Leo!

Leo: Not nearly as traumatic as waking up after anesthesia with my eye put back in and my eye lid sewn shut, some teeth pulled out, and my man parts REMOVED! I got x-rays, blood work, and shots too!

FM: Those are called vaccinations Leo and you’d never had any before so now you are up-to-date. In addition, being neutered means you’ll be a healthy boy a lot longer. That blood work was looking for a nasty infection called “heart worm” and you are negative. What happened next?

Leo: After a week, I travelled four hours to St. Louis to live with you, foster pop, and my new pug brother and sister. I even like your cat and he doesn’t seem to mind me either so I’m liking this home a lot—especially the yummy kibble, the belly rubs, my brand new and very own special chew toy, and the AIR CONDITIONING! Hey, I even got a wonderful bath at the pet boutique’s dog wash station…I’m living in style! I love you Foster Mom…

FM: I know you do…I love you too my little lion!

As you can see, Leo is a courageous pug that has been through a lot! He will be returning to SEPRA’s vet in St. Louis for suture removal and to assess the status of his eye…it may need removal but we are unsure at this time. If he keeps his eye, he will most likely be blind in it. His vision appears to be good in his right eye and his hearing is excellent. He does have weak rear extremities and it is uncertain if this is the result of the attack or due to some arthritis…we should know more in a few weeks but he can stand up on his hind legs, can maneuver a few stairs without difficulty, and appears to have no pain. The vet estimates that he is six years old. He pants heavily in the heat and when excited…this can go on for quite a while but it appears to be improving a little now that his anxiety level is decreasing. Leo is a wonderful pug with an extremely sweet and likeable disposition. He is everyone’s best friend and is just so appreciative of any affection. He is good with his foster pug brother and sister. Although we have only had him for a few days, he has not marked in the house nor had an accident…crate training is going extremely well!

Please note, as Leo’s foster parents, we will insist on strict adherence to SEPRA’s requirement that the adopting family have no large breed dogs.

Update: August 4, 2011

FM: Leo, could you give us an update now that you’ve seen the vet today?

Leo: Well folks, I just got home from the dogtor. My left eye is looking okay but I am blind in that eye but not to worry as I started life with two eyes and the other one works just fine! My left eye is kind of cloudy blue now…how many blue eyed pugs have you met? X-rays show that I have a subluxated hip and some arthritis and that’s why my backside appears a bit droopy and weak sometimes but I can run and play with my foster pug brother and sister and am always ready to jump onto a lap for some loving so it doesn’t bother me a bit. Since you noticed that I seem to be more stable and comfortable on my medicine (rimadyl) the dogtor says I should just keeping taking it. It’s yummy like a treat so I like taking my medicine!

Now for the real news…the dogtor in Springfield noticed something in my belly on x-ray and my St. Louis dogtor showed me that it’s still inside my belly. They are not sure what it is but it’s something pretty big that I ate and could cause me to get really sick whenever it decides to pass. SEPRA and the dogtor have discussed it and I need surgery to get it out. This will involve going to sleep (for the third time in a month) and having a big incision made from my ribs all the way down my abdomen. I’m a little nervous so I’d like everyone’s prayers that the dogtor will have extra special skills next week! Also, I don’t have any insurance and my pockets are empty (well, I don’t have pockets either) so I would really appreciate it if a few of you would consider being my Virtual Foster to help offset some of my bills.

FM: Thank you Leo and I just want to let everyone know what a great pug and “little lion” you are! Leo is the happiest, gentlest, sweetest and most affectionate pug ever…he loves being part of a family and is content to lie quietly at your feet (or in your lap), enjoy your kind words and a belly rub, and get a treat every now and then. He’s so happy to greet us when we come home! Imagine our surprise to discover Leo was completely housebroken—NOT one accident or attempt to mark in the house! WOW! Please keep our courageous Leo in your thoughts on August 11th!

UPDATE: 8/14/11

Hi Folks!

Foster Mom (FM) wants me to let you all know that I’m feeling great! FM and SEPRA decided to consult a special “referral” dogtor at the last minute because FM said I’d been through too much in such a short time. So, instead of the big surgery where they cut me open, that special “referral” dogtor gave me some medicine to make me take a nap and then put a big tube down my throat and into my tummy. He then scooped a rock out of my belly and now I’m good to go to my new home!

Just to remind you—I have excellent manners, I’m completely housebroken, up-to-date on shots, and heartworm negative. I can be trusted to be out in my foster home without any accidents (I’m proud to say that I’m a big boy and have NEVER had an accident)! My back end is a bit droopy due to some arthritis but the special dogtor says my hips don’t look too bad but I do have a little subluxation (or loosey goosey hips). I take a yummy chewable treat (pill) twice a day that helps to keep me comfortable and mobile. My hearing is good but I’m blind in my left eye. I used to have fleas but my skin is healing nicely and now my looks match my personality!

I fit in so well with my foster family and their puggies that I know I’ll make a welcome addition to your home. You can bet my foster family will miss me when I’m gone because I’m such a good pug. I’m friendly and loving and can’t wait to own you so just put Leo on your application so that I can come home!

Thank you to our virtual fosters for Leo:
- Gina W.
- Doug S.
- A. Jones
- Rebecca W.
- In Honor of Daisy
- Kari B.