Karly

Profile

Meet the adorable Karly. Karly is a 4 month old purebred Golden Retriever and the usual phrase to describe her is "stinkin’ cute!" Karly was surrendered to a shelter by her owner when he realized an active puppy was more than he could handle. She spent a week in a shelter, then came into RAGOM’s care for placement with some fortunate family.

However, by the time Karly got to our foster home Sunday, she had a runny nose, sneezing and coughing. At a vet visit the next day, she was diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection. The first antibiotics didn’t do the trick, and by Wednesday she was a very sick puppy with pneumonia. With another vet visit, more antibiotics, an IV to fight her dehydration, and four 20-minute sessions a day of chest pummeling to loosen the gunk in her lungs, little Karly is ready to make the turnaround from sick pup to delightful bundle of mischief!

Fostering RAGOM dogs is a family affair at our house. Daughter, age 18, says this must be what it's like to be a parent--holding a sick dog, listening to them breathe, noticing that you are now covered with globules of green snot--I said "yes, I remember those nights with you too!"

Today Karly started to eat, and by evening she was eager to play with our resident Golden, who is getting over her disgust at the puppy invasion and is ready to engage as well. Karly wears out quick though, and still needs those pummeling sessions on her chest to loosen the gunk. But I'm happy to report we are now headed in the right direction. Easy for me to say "we"--daughter is doing ALL the work, thank God for semester break!

Karly is beginning to show signs of being a spitfire puppy—we will have to see how her personality develops as she recovers! We know she will need an active family who will give her lots of exercise, and take her to puppy class and obedience training to get her started on a well-behaved life. Her perfect family will understand that the next year or more of Karly’s life will require a big investment in time and training, with the payoff being a rewarding relationship with Karly as long as she lives. Puppies are definitely not for everyone, but we are looking for that special family willing to commit to the challenge.

Karly is a great example of RAGOM’s willingness to pay medical bills for sick dogs who need some special care to get over their hurdles and ready to live the Golden life. The RAGOM donors who make this possible are the greatest!