Hi, my name is BOO and I'm about five years old. If you'll indulge me, I'll tell you what I remember of my story...
I don't recall exactly where I was born, but I think it was nothern Indiana somwhere, and on Halloween. Anyway, I went to live with a family and stayed there for a long time. The family fell upon hard times, and couldn't afford food for me, so all I got was canned soup. I was losing weight fast, and was not getting proper nutrition. I didn't look very good, and I felt pretty bad, too.
This family saw me at the swap meet, and felt sorry for me being so thin and all, and offered $25 for me, so off I went to live with my new family. Thank goodness they could buy food for me!
Well, being a typical Irish Setter, I was kinda exuberant, and I starting jumping around acting the fool because I was feeling better and was happy again. Anyway, that scared the family since they had little kids. The next thing I know, I'm living outside behind the barn with this old Beagle, and with no human contact except during chore time.
I was both cold and lonely, and I really missed being with my family. Having nothing else to do all day, I decided to let them know that I really missed being with them. That didn't work out so well, as apparently it got on their nerves. Maybe they felt guilty for making me stay away from them - I dunno. Anyway, they started talking about shooting me. YIKES!!!
A really nice lady heard about it, so she took me in. At last, I was back inside a house just like every Irish Setter should be! Once again, I was happy, I was well fed, and I got to be with people!!
Then my new mom got hurt, and she couldn't take care of me since she couldn't stay at the house all the time like before. Once again, I was outside in the cold, with someone dropping by to give me food and water. This new mom was super special, though, and she knew how special I am. She wanted me to find a home where I would truly be appreciated. Before I knew it, I was on my way to live with a Save Our Setters foster family!
Somewhere along the line, one of those mosquitos that had the heartworm thingy bit me, and I was not on heartworm preventative at the time. Ruh-roh...
Everyone knows that heartworm preventative can be purchased for about $5.50 a month, right? Well, I bet everyone doesn't know how much heartworm treatment in South Bend, Indiana costs! Well, here is their estimate to make me all better:
Geez! For $971.40, I could have had over 175 doses of heartworm preventative. Let's see... 175 doses would have protected me from heartworms for pretty much my entire life, up to 14 1/2 years of age! (I had thought that people were smart, but I now know that they can be pretty stupid at times.)
Anyway, I went to Illinois for treatment since SOS knew a place that would take really good care of me and make me all better for less money. That means the money they saved will help another Setter just like me get all better, too! Don't get me wrong - it was still several hundred dollars. I sure am glad that they know that I'm worth every penny!
So here I am, in Michigan, spending almost all of my time in a crate until the heartworms all die so that they can't hurt me any more. I really would like to be out running around and acting silly, but for now I have to be a good boy and let the medicine do its work. Being sick is no fun at all. At least I get lovings, treats, and toys to play with. Oh, and I know that I will have the bestest family in the world when I am all better. Is that you?
Fostered by Jim and Mel in MI.
Save Our Setters, Inc.
BOO
