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Meet Our Current Heartworm Hotel Residents

Meet Some Of Our Past Heartworm Hotel Residents

August 2007: Doc is a five year old boy who lived his entire life in a backyard before his owner surrendered him to Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue. His journey started out the same as those who have gone before him; a positive on his heartworm test. He started treatment and was sequestered, in a crate, in the lobby of Homeward Bound. This proved to be exactly the right place at the right time! A new applicant had come to meet dogs; one lucky one was going home! She met lots of dogs but kept coming back to the one with the soft eyes who was not available yet. The decision was made that Doc could go home and continue his treatment under the supervision of this lady who couldn’t just walk away. Doc has learned the ways of a housedog with all its benefits. Though he must still be kept quiet and only allowed outside on a leash, he thinks he’s living the dream.

September 2007: Doc continues to thrive in his new home; he has responded so well to his heartworm treatment that he was able to be neutered ahead of schedule. He is able to go for quiet walks now which really fit in with his personality. As time goes on he is establishing himself in his home and neighborhood as the “Gentle Giant”. He has found going for rides in the car to be one life’s biggest pleasures and has no problem “asking” to go for a ride. He is gradually losing his excess weight and looking forward to some serious exercise.

October 2007: Doc is on the home stretch now, he gets his final heartworm test the week before Thanksgiving and his family is planning on celebrating with a camping trip! He has lost over 25 pounds, his coat is now glossy and smooth, his eyes sparkle and he finally has toys to play with. He loves to sleep in bed with the people and snuggle up on the sofa. This boy who never saw the inside of a house is now the perfect housedog! His family shed a few tears at the first storm of the season when they realized this was the first time Doc got to watch the storm from inside! Along with heartworms, Doc has suffered through kennel cough, rampart ticks, a serious weight problem, a lick granuloma and an overdue neutering. But all that’s behind him now……he is forever home. 

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June 2007: Sara came to Homeward Bound seeking sanctuary. A local shelter had called and said they had an owner surrendered girl in very bad shape, ear infections so severe that she may lose her hearing, a skin infection so bad that half of her hair was gone. She was taken in and immediately sent to our rescue Vet for evaluation. In addition to her other problems we found that Sara, at only three years old, had been a mommy many times over and she was heartworm positive. The heartworm treatment was started along with an aggressive campaign to save her ears. Sara has a love of live and holds no grudges; she just wants to be somebody’s baby. 


July 2007: Sara has endured painfully heartworm treatment, daily ear treatment and weekly bathsfor her ravaged skin. Never once did she lose her happy spirit and joyful nature, she looked forward to her treatment because it meant people spending time with her! Sara conquered the heartworms and won the battle of the ears…..she was cured of heartworms, she was spayed and her ears were near normal! Her new coat was coming in and the butterfly was emerging from her cocoon. On the day she was to make her website debut, and application came in asking for a girl just like Sara. As visit was scheduled and it was love at first sight all the way around. Sara checked out of heartworm hotel right into the home of her dreams!

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August 2, 2006: Sage is a five year old girl who is prematurely graying. She was owner surrendered (under a different name) to a shelter as a five year old but the shelter thought by her appearance she surely must be a senior. When she was diagnosed with heartworms, it looked like her fate was sealed. That’s until her namesake couldn’t bear the thought of her meeting the end after “spending her last days people-less in a concrete kennel”. Sage was sent to Homeward Bound as “one of the sweetest goldens ever met”. Her rescuer felt Homeward Bound was Sage’s only hope. Sage was given a confirmed reservation at the Heartworm Hotel, so in no time was settled in and starting treatment. Her first stop was full chest x-rays and blood work. The lab work came back promising and the first treatment was scheduled. At the same time it was decided to see if Sage’s true age could be determined. As her seven year molars weren’t present and her general body condition was that of a adult dog, her doctor confirmed that she is between five and six years old. Her first treatment was very hard on her and she took to her bed with no interest in food or company. As time progressed she renewed her interest in both food and company. Sage is on the home stretch now, she just finished her final treatment and is scheduled for an overdue spay. After that Sage will be looking to be the family dog she was meant to be. 

September 2006: Sage has checked out of Heartworm Hotel and has left the forwarding address of her newly adopted family....attention: family dog!

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Diego is a beautiful seven year old boy. He was picked up as a stray and no one came to claim him. In the shelter he was scared and confused by all the other dogs and the daily commotion. He was still in a state of terror when the Animal Shelter gave him a temperament test...he failed miserably and was deemed unfit to adopt and sent to Rescue. Imagine his delight when he arrived at Homeward Bound and found large fenced play yards, warm kennels with blankets and toys and most of all...his own kind of dog. Now that he is in an environment he understands, he has turned into the loving affectionate boy that he was meant to be. Unfortunately his homeward bound journey has been interrupted by the diagnoses of Heartworms. He has started treatment and is already complaining about not being able to run and play. He doesn’t even care if it’s raining he just wants to romp.

June 2006: Diego has been adopted and is happily living the life of family dog. He spends his time romping on the beach and being the special dog his family was waiting for. They think he is just perfect the way he is!

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March 24, 2006: Topaz and Ruby are believed to be mother and daughter. Ruby is between 5–6 years old and her mom, Topaz, is between 7-8 years old.

Ruby is an adventurous, vivacious redhead; Topaz is a cool, stylish, entertaining blonde. Both are small in stature and huge in spirit. For reasons that we will never know, this canine version of Thelma and Louise set of to explore the world. We don’t know how far their journey took them or who they met on the way, but we do know one creature they met up close and personal - a SKUNK! This is probably about the time they turned themselves in to the Authorities. No one ever came to the shelter to claim them so they where surrendered to Homeward Bound. They arrived at Homeward Bound tired, hungry, dirty and very skunky! Those conditions could readily be treated but the medical exam showed both to be infected with heartworms, and neither appeared to be spayed. 

They both are taking up residence at Heartworm Hotel until spayed and heartworm free. At that time “The Gems” will be available for adoption as a “bonded pair” ready to provide twice the love, twice the fun, and of course, twice the adventure. The girls are happily settling in, and are enjoying the company of the other guests. Topaz is an accomplished “pretty girl” and will show off her skill at the mere hint of a cookie. Topaz is also a hearty eater and willingly cleans up after her little girl, if given the chance. Ruby craves attention and uses her paws to let you know she wants to be petted. If that fails she will dance on her back feet until she has your attention.

Update April 20, 2006: Topaz has been adopted and is a much loved family member, she is enjoying her "empty nest" status. There are neighbor dogs to play with, but no one she has to be responsible for. Topaz hopes her daughter, Ruby, will also get the home of her dreams.

Update May 18, 2006: Ruby has indeed found the home of her dreams! She is enjoying life to the fullest with an abundance of attention. She is looking forward to the reunion picnic where she can chat with mom about her new life.

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Holly Ann is a thirteen year old girl who doesn’t know the meaning of quit! She came to Homeward Bound as an owner surrender. She was dearly loved and it broke her families heart when they had to move and leave her behind. They didn’t know that her heart was also in 
trouble. She came in with a severe heartworm infection and a mild bladder infection. The bladder infection turned serious when all she could pass was blood. After several weeks of antibodies she was starting to recover when all of a sudden her body bloated up like a balloon, she was rushed into surgery and a kidney stone the size of a large Grade A egg was removed. It wasn’t removed in time to prevent a perforated kidney. The kidney was repaired but there was little hope given for the poor old girl who had so much to overcome. Fortunately Golden Retrievers can’t read medical charts and she had no idea that she wasn’t given much of a chance. She bounced back with enthusiasm! She will be starting heartworm treatment in the next few weeks and with the spirit she has shown, it should be a walk in the park. This thirteen year old lady has the energy level of an eight year old. She loves to play ball, jumps and twirls when she is happy (which is 98% of the time) loves the company of people and other dogs. You just have to know, with what she has overcome, that there must be a very special place waiting just for her.

Update: December 14, 2005
Holly Ann was adopted right out of Heartworm Hotel! She never made it to the available list…..there was no time, her new home needed her now. Her new Mom had gone into the hospital and wasn’t expected to return. With a spirit very similar to that of her new companion, she recovered and was ready to come home! In her absence her former dogs, not expecting her to ever return had found new homes. Her joy at coming home was muted by the thought of no dog to greet her, that is until she walked in and found a “gift wrapped” Holly waiting for her! Last heard “the girls” are having a wonderful time getting to know each other. Seems that Holly Ann is “just the perfect dog”.

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Emma is a two year old Golden mix. Emma came to us with a litter of Golden puppies, unfortunately the puppies where very sick and only two survived. They have both, happily, found their forever families. Emma wasn’t so lucky, she was diagnosed with heartworms. This teenage mother has checked in to Heartworm Hotel and begun treatment. She was very sick and her survival was uncertain. Thankfully she is a survivor, and is now rid of the adult heartworms and awaiting her final treatment. She will then be spayed and will also be looking for her forever home.

Update October, 12, 2005:  Emma's heartworm treatment is complete! She has moved on to the available dog list.

Update December 14, 2005:  Emma was adopted and is a much loved family member!

Holly Ann and Emma recuperating together in the Heartworm Hotel.

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Darby is a ten year old Golden boy who came in with lots of baggage, not only does he have heartworms but also tipped the scale at 160 lbs. To add to his luggage is a bonded nine year old lifelong buddy who weighs in a 130 lbs. Both boys needed to do some serious dieting. Darby couldn’t begin treatment until he lost thirty pounds, it took him almost a month, but he reached his goal and began treatment. Darby’s infestation wasn’t a severe one so his journey has been fairly easy or maybe it was because he had his best friend Bear by his side the whole time. Darby still has several weeks to go, then he and his best buddy will be looking for a home willing to take both of them.

Update October, 12, 2005:  Darby has checked out of Heartworm Hotel and has moved right into his forever home! He and Bear can hardly believe their good fortune, they are already bonded family members and will live out the rest of their lives together, just as they where meant to. Darby is down to a svelte 124 lbs and his faithful side kick is down to 108 lbs.

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Jasmine is a lively ten year old girl just diagnosed with heartworms. She has completed her x-rays and blood work and is ready to start traditional treatment. Jazzie has some facial nerve paralysis which gives her just a bit of a crooked look. She is not aware of it and it causes her no discomfort. She is very energetic and is going to find the constraints of heartworm treatment as painful as the treatments themselves. She will be the most entertaining companion when she has completed treatment and is ready to check out. 
Update October, 12, 2005:  Jazzy has started her treatment and is just breezing along, she can’t wait to meet her forever family. 
Update December 14, 2005:  Jasmine successfully completed treatment and was immediately adopted…..she is happily home!

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Buck is an eight year old Golden/Chesapeake Retriever who came in with a very serious infestation. The shelter where he had been sent by his relocating family was not able to treat him and Buck’s future was grim, to say the least. His case was so severe that he needed a three stage treatment plan that spanned several months. Buck was very sick and required round the clock care to seem him through the worst part. Happily the ole Buck-a-Roo had all his dreams come true. He has been adopted and is a cherished family member. 

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Alice is a former resident of Heartworm Hotel and personally chronicles her heartworm journey in the Alice Chronicles found on Homeward Bound’s Helping Special Need Goldens Section.

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Goldie is a sweet ten year old girl who also spent time in Heartworm Hotel. Her family took her to the local Animal Control Shelter because they didn’t have enough time for her. Two days later they wanted to reclaim her but upon being informed she was heartworm positive, they decided they didn’t want her back after all. Her story has a happy ending, she was successfully treated and is now a much loved family member...with a family who would never let her go!

7495 Natomas Road, Elverta CA  95626  |  TEL  916-655-1410  |  FAX  916-655-3410   |  Tax ID #68-0442702