Hi, my name is CIAN and I'm about ten years young. CIAN means “ancient, enduring”. I was originally named Clifford, but it was not a fitting name as I am a tiny Irish lad, standing roughly 21 or 22 inches tall - definitely not a Clifford the Big Red Dog!! I'm not "ancient", but I have been enduring too much pain and neglect for far too long.
The bestest thing to happen to me in the past couple of years that my Dad, who has had declining health, took me to the shelter. Of course, the folks at the shelter knew that Save Our Setters would take me into their program, and get me all fixed up, so here I am!
When they came to get me the next day, I was skin and bones. I was embarrassed cuz they could tell that I had not had care for quite awhile. A phone call to my previous vet confirmed that I had not been seen there since June of 2008.
I was also embarrassed cuz I was matted so badly, I could not stand up properly, and honestly, no one could tell if I was neutered! Although I tried to wag my tail, I couldn’t even hold my tail up due to the weight of the mats much less wag it. Once groomed, during which I was a perfect gentleman, I stood up and stretched, and began wagging my tail to say "Thank you!", and yes, I am neutered! I am so grateful to not have my hair pulled every time I move - even by simply breathing, and not only can I walk normally now, but I can also RUN!
A trip to the vet brought good news and bad news. My senior blood panel was awesome! No flags signaling declining health. The bad news is that I have those nasty heartworms. I was tested in June of 2008 and was negative at that time.
I also have the most horribly infected teeth. I've never had a dental, and at 10 years old, I am in desperate need of one! I have several broken off teeth with at least one abscess, and most likely will need several teeth extracted. My teeth are a blackish-green color and I will spare you a description of my breath. I have so much trouble eating, even on a strong pain reliever and eating canned food, it breaks my foster mom's heart to watch me! The dog-ter said that I cannot wait on getting a dental, even though I am not a good candidate for anesthesia due to my poor body condition. It's a Catch-22 - I need to be able to eat to put on the much needed weight, and I need the weight to be better able to handle the anesthesia.
I was born 7/5/1999, so I just turned 10 years old. Now don’t let that number lull you into thinking I am an old dog going from one nap to the next. I love to go on walks, and if you turn me loose in the yard, watch me run! I know that once I am better, I will run circles around those youngsters!
I don’t really know how I ended up here, but I am so glad I did! My dad took me to this noisy place with a bunch of other dogs and left. I was so scared! I stayed there one night and then my foster mom came and took me home with her. I was used to living in the backyard, and just seeing my family once a day. Now I get to live in the house! The other dogs do too, and they told me that is the way it should be! I still get to go out and play, but I get to come in whenever I want! How cool is that?! I have my own door that is my size and I can use it all by myself! Apparently when I need to go potty, I am supposed to use my door and go outside. I am still trying to remember that rule. Oh, and guess what else? I have a big soft dog bed to sleep on! It is so soft on my bones - I just love it! I get to sleep on this great bed, inside where I am warm and dry! WOW! I never knew such comfort.
I remember being an outside only dog ever since I was a little puppy. My foster mom keeps stroking my head and telling me how much I am loved, and that I will never be too hot, or too cold, or hungry, or in pain again. She brushed me and trimmed me up so that I will look nice. I haven’t been to the barber in over a year, I was so ashamed. I am supposed to be a proud Irishman, but I had fallen on hard times. My foster mom saysd SOS helps a lot of Setter like me, so I am asking all of you to support SOS so they can reach out to others who, like me, fell upon hard times.
I am very kind and gentle soul. I'm ashamed to say that I didn't know what a food bowl was, cuz I had been eating off the floor. I think bowls are pretty cool, especially since I now have one of my very own!
I am a wonderful senior boy who needs SOS to help me return to health and to find that special home who will cherish me for life. In spite of all my issues, I am full of energy, excitement, and love. Won’t you help them help me?
Fostered by Becky in KS.
Save Our Setters, Inc.
CIAN
