Mr.Two Bits has dental surgery and his "two bits" removed

Mr. Two bits had pretty extensive dental surgery yesterday. The owner of the vet hospital pulled me aside into a room to talk with me. He said that Mr.Two Bits teeth were some of the worst he's ever seen and that his skin was awful. He said he gave him an injection to help with the itching. I'm pretty sure he brought me in there to read me my rights for letting the poor little dog get that bad. Once I explained that I suspected the shelter had shaved his fur to treat his extreme flea infestation, and that he hasn't been itching in the week that I've had him, the vet's whole demeanor changed. He put his arms around my shoulder and rubbed my back and said he was looking for angel wings. He said he didn't know that I'd only had him for a week and was glad that he was in good care now. He never said he was going to fuss at me, but I'm pretty confident that's why I was brought into the consultation room. I don't know why, but it makes me like that office even more.

They extracted 3 of his remaining teeth and are working to save one. The root is totally exposed, but he packed the area with an antibiotic to help save it. He has an awful infection in the bones of his mouth and has started antibiotics to help clear it up. On top of the "severe" dental surgery, Mr. two Bits was also neutered. The vet said Mr. Two Bits lacked a lot of the clotting agents in his blood that he should have, so he's going to be pretty bruised and that I needed to watch for any swelling. He also said that he would be in an awful lot of pain. He gave him an injection before we left to help with pain management.

Mr. Two Bits slept most of the evening, and moaned when he moved. I tried to get him to drink a little water, but he wasn't having it last night. This morning, he seemed to be feeling much better. I took him out to potty and he happily wagged his little nubblette when I picked him and carried him back inside to eat. I took some of the Sojos rehydrated raw and put it in a food processor to make it more of a disgusting custardy looking concoction and he excitedly licked his bow clean. He then crawled into my lap as I sat on on the kitchen floor and he took a little nap before I had to get up and get ready for work. I'll post photos of his before and after his dental when I get home from work today.

Mr. Two Bits Goes to the Vet

We had Mr. Two Bits vet appointment today to check him out, get his wormer, get vaccines and a heartworm test. He was a little trooper, per usual. He did not care for the vile way that lady took his temp though. The vet took one look in his foul little mouth and said they were the worst teeth she has ever seen...and so was his breath. His teeth, the ones that are left anyhow, are so covered in plaque and tartar that she said she'll have no idea how many will need extraction until after they start the process of cleaning. She said some may just come out on their own. We're going to plan on getting his dental done and his neuter at the same time, so he doesn't need to be put under anesthesia twice.

She listened to his heart and said it was incredibly strong heartbeat with no murmurs or anything to be indicative that he's over 8-9 years old. He just had a crappy 8-9 years on this earth. That's all changing for MR. Two Bits now! His heartworm test came back negative, which was awesome news! We're going to get him scheduled for next week for his neuter and dental cleaning/extractions.

The Transport

Mr. Two Bits made friends on his transport

Mr. Two Bits started his transport on Saturday, 10/5/13, bright and early. Seven

A little nap to recharge on the final leg of the transport

different families took different legs of his transport so that he could his make his way to Florida. Some of these families adopted from New Rattitude, some are New Rattitude volunteers and some are just good Samaritans that offered a couple of hours of their weekend to ensure he made it safely to me. I thank you all so much for that. He is in Gainesville, FL napping, which, from what I hear, is what he does best.  I drove the final two hours of the transport, from Tifton, GA to home. I've found him to be very affectionate within minutes of meeting him. He did great with my dogs, and took Remy's butthead-ishness in stride.

He did excellent in the car. 

His new buddy at his slumber party in TN

 He's getting a bath in a few with some Dermagic to help sooth his
irritated skin. When you pet him, if feels more like you're petting an elephant or rhino that a little dog. His once white fur is stained yellow/brownish color from scratching until  he bled in the past. The hair is patchy and very thin over his whole body. His coat and teeth are in pretty poor shape, but he's already on the road to recovery. It never ceases to amaze me that after all this dog has been through,
and he must be so uncomfortable with his teeth, that he is just the happiest little guy. He has the funniest strut when he walks. He keeps his head up high and looks so proud when he's walking around.

I'll update further once we get to the vet.

Still working on filling his transport

We still need several legs to fill before our transport is cancelled tomorrow at 8pm. If anyone can drive the needed legs, pelase contact transports@newrattitude.org. Anyone in Kentucky, Illinois or Tennesee, pelae look below to see if you help out!

LEG 2: Salem, IL to Vienna, IL - NEEDED
9:55 am CST - 11:25 am CST
90 miles
1 hour, 30 minutes

LEG 3: Vienna, IL to Eddyville, KY - NEEDED
11:35 am CST - 12:40 pm CST
65 miles
1 hour, 5 minutes

EG 6: Manchester, TN to Chattanooga, TN - NEEDED
*TIME CHANGE FROM CENTRAL TO EASTERN/Ahead 1 hour in Chattanooga, TN
3:50pm CST - 6:00 pm EST
69 miles
1 hour, 10 minutes

OVERNIGHT IN OR AROUND CHATTANOOGA (this is F-L-E-X-I-B-L-E!)

-SUNDAY 10/6-
LEG 7: Chattanooga, TN to Cartersville, GA - NEEDED
8:00 am EST - 9:20 am EST
79 miles
1 hour, 20 minutes

Mr. Two Bits gets saved!

Artie in his Shelter block

Artie was found on the side of the road in MO. He was brought to Rolla Animal Shelter with red irritated skin, missing teeth and underweight. Rolla is not a rescue, nor a humane society, but a high kill shelter. Typically, people who work at these places become jaded or learn to distance themselves from the animals that come in because their fate is somewhat inevitable.

Just sittin' in a bucket

However, Artie somehow managed to sneak his way in with his graying muzzle and sweet, laid-back personality. Seniors don't fair well in the shelter and are less adoptable because people worry about their age Someone brought him to the "Strut Your Mutt" affair in hopes to get him adopted and out of the shelter. He sat in his bucket and posed for photos, and even won a 3rd place ribbon.

Doesn't he look proud of his ribbon?

While there, the Griggs family met Artie and started advocating for the little guy to New Rattitude. After seeing his photo and seeing how hard Rolla
Animal Shelter was trying to get him outta of there, I cautiously put my hand up to take him in. Somehow that little gray, fuzzy muzzle worked his way into my heart...all the way to Florida.

We immediately got to work on setting up a transport. Anna H. took the wheel and has started pleas to everyone along his path to get him to Florida...after all, all seniors should get to retire to Florida, right? I've renamed him to Mr. Two Bits in honor of the University of Florida's Mr. Two Bits.

Out of the shelter!

The Griggs family picked him up and let him crash at their place until Catherine, a New Rattitude volunteer from IL could pick him up. Once in Catherine's care, he got a nice oatmeal bath to soothe his poor red itchy skin. He's waiting at her house for his ride to Florida. He put in a plea to Pilots N Paws and are still requesting help with his ground transport, hoping it will fill. His "run sheet" is posted below. If you're able to help drive any of the legs of the transport, it would be greatly appreciated.

This is a New Rattitude temp foster to foster home transport. This run is scheduled for Saturday, October 5th & Sunday, October 6th. Please help us get Mr. Two-Bit (formerly Artie) to his destination safely. New Rattitude is a 501c3 non profit Rat Terrier Rescue 

New Rattitude requires all dogs be crated during transport for their safety.

PLEASE SEND ALL OFFERS TO: transports@newrattitude.org 

Please include your car make and model, license plate number, cell phone number, and recommended meeting spot.

Passengers:
Name: Mr. Two-Bits (formerly Artie)
Breed: Rat Terrier
Age: 10 years
Weight: 10lbs
Gender: Male
Altered: No (will be altered upon arriving in foster care)
Vaccinations: Yes
Paperwork: Yes
Health certificate: Yes
Collar & leash: Yes
Crate: No, transporters please provide
Temperament: Sweet and laid back

-Saturday, October 5th-

*Transport starts on CENTRAL STANDARD TIME/10 minutes Between legs for potty break

LEG 1: Taylorville, IL to Salem, IL - NEEDED
8:00 am CST - 9:45 am CST
81 miles
1 hour, 45 minutes

LEG 2: Salem, IL to Vienna, IL - NEEDED
9:55 am CST - 11:25 am CST
90 miles
1 hour, 30 minutes

LEG 3: Vienna, IL to Eddyville, KY - NEEDED
11:35 am CST - 12:40 pm CST
65 miles
1 hour, 5 minutes

LEG 4: Eddyville, KY to Nashville, TN - NEEDED
12:50 pm CST - 2:25 pm CST
101 miles
1 hour, 35 minutes

LEG 5: Nashville, TN to Manchester, TN - NEEDED
2:35 pm CST - 3:40 pm CST
65 miles
1 hour, 5 minutes

LEG 6: Manchester, TN to Chattanooga, TN - NEEDED
*TIME CHANGE FROM CENTRAL TO EASTERN/Ahead 1 hour in Chattanooga, TN
3:50pm CST - 6:00 pm EST
69 miles
1 hour, 10 minutes

OVERNIGHT IN OR AROUND CHATTANOOGA (this is F-L-E-X-I-B-L-E!)

-SUNDAY 10/6-
LEG 7: Chattanooga, TN to Cartersville, GA - NEEDED
8:00 am EST - 9:20 am EST
79 miles
1 hour, 20 minutes

LEG 8: Cartersville, GA to Hampton, GA
9:30 am EST - 10:50 am EST
70 miles
1 hour, 20 minutes
FILLED - Thank you, Kristi!

LEG 9: Hampton, GA - Cordele, GA
11:00 am EST - 12:50 pm EST
117 miles
1 hour, 50 minutes
FILLED - Thank you, Patti!

LEG 10: Cordele, GA - Valdosta, GA - NEEDED
1:00 pm EST - 2:30 pm EST
90 miles
1 hour, 30 minutes

LEG 11: Valdosta, GA - Gainsville, FL
2:40 pm EST - 4:25 pm EST
108 miles
1 hour, 45 minutes
FILLED - Thank you, Amber!