Tank

Tank is an older (11 y/o+) large mixed breed dog that was found wandering the streets by Ely Animal Control in early December. At that time, Tank was covered and caked in his own urine and feces, and had urine burns on his feet and groin area. He was also extremely overweight with a large mass on his left side and some smaller masses on his back and neck. He was also walking very far back on his ankles and hocks on all four feet, making it difficult for hm to get around. Needless to say, poor Tank was a hot mess!! While we can’t say what the exact details of Tank’s life were before he was picked up by Ely Animal Control, it was quite obvious that Tank had not been well-cared for (other than being well-fed) and had likely been kept in a small crate or enclosure where he was unable to get out of his own urine and feces. Being an older fella with all of these issues, adoption was likely not a very big possibility for Tank, so BAARX decided to pull him and provide him with hospice/foster care. As soon as we got Tank home, we immediately put him into the bathtub to give him a bath ~ his smell was unbearable!! Tank actually groaned in pleasure as he was being scrubbed down and seemed to feel so much better afterwards.

We got him an appointment to go see Dr. Robin Eldrige. Dr. Eldridge checked Tank out, and after discussing it, we decided that the masses Tank has on his body would not be worth removing at this point, as they don’t seem to bother him, and the recovery would likely be too hard on him. Dr. Eldridge checked him for Diabetes and checked his kidney function, both of which turned out to be fine. Dr. Eldridge also put Tank on some medications and supplements to help with his mobility issues due to walking back so low on his ankles and hocks, and he was put on a diet to get some of the excess weight off of him in order to help him with his mobility issues.

We don’t know how long Tank will be with us ~ he seems overall healthy, but his mobility issues will likely be what takes its toll on him ~ but for however long Tank is here with us, he will be loved and well-cared for as he deserves to be.

February 22, 2024

Today we had to say goodbye to Tank.

Over the last few days Tank started giving us signs that he was ready to move on, so I called and made the appointment. This morning we fed him an amazing breakfast of cooked liver and chicken (Tank LOVED food!!) and then said our final goodbyes to him this afternoon.

We only had Tank for a couple of months, but he knew what love and a caring home was during that time. Run free, happy and healthy across the Rainbow Bridge, Tank!!

Thank you to Dr. Robin Eldridge for helping Tank to have a comfortable, happy life while he was with us, and thank you to Dr. Tom Sanders for helping Tank to cross the Rainbow Bridge today.