Martha- ADOPTED!!'s Web Page

Flat-coated Retriever / Border Collie / Mixed (long coat) : : Female (spayed) : : Large

5/22/10 Martha arrived today is a beautiful sweet affectionate girl!!

5/5/10 Martha started her heartworm treatment at the end of April and will finally be traveling to our rescue on May 22nd!! After all she's been through, she will finally be ready to find her forever home where no one will mistreat her again.

4/8/10 Martha is now well enough that she will be spayed next week, and will start her heartworm treatment after she recovers from that.

3/12/10 Update from the shelter: Martha actually had surgery again last week - she started drooling badly again and we were afraid the infection in her jaw was back. Turns out it was another bullet fragment trying to work its way out of her. The bullet fragments are so spread out in her jaw that the vet cannot remove them without removing bone or causing serious damage to her lower jaw. He has said the best thing to do is to allow it to heal and be aware that she may have a fragment trying to push its way out periodically. Normally when that happens the bullet fragment will come out - she may develop a minor infection in the small hole that is left in her skin that will require a round of antibiotics. Just to be safe he put her on a short run of cephalexin this go round. When fully healed she will be spayed and then can travel to Laurie. The foster mom and daughter really love this sweet girl - she has come a long way and is learning to trust again! Long answer, but give her another 2 weeks...

3/3/10 Update from the shelter:Martha is doing well. She had her jaw surgery 1-2 weeks ago - cannot recall actual date now. She had 2 very large abscesses that were going systemic. He mostly removed infection and scraped out as much as he could. She has been on powerful antibiotics and is doing well now. The horrific smell emanating from her face has disappeared (thank goodness!) and she is slowly putting on some much needed weight. She is coming along with getting over her fear issues also -- she definitely has been much abused, needless to say. She loves her foster mom and her little 6 year old daughter. But she does cower and is nervous around men still.

We will be getting Martha into rescue when she is well enough to travel. We are looking for a calm home with caring people where she can be fostered while she is treated for heartworm and continues her recuperation. Look at the smile on her face in the pictures, depsite what she has gone through! Are you the one who can help this sweetheart overcome her past and become the happy nand healthy dog she is meant to be?

Please read her story from the S.C. shelter:

Martha, a 2-3 year old female flat coat retriever, was brought to the shelter by a concerned citizen. Martha had been beaten severly by her owner with a pipe. Martha was understandly very sore and cried when she walked for several days. Her jaw appeared injured - an xray revealed that Martha has been shot in her jaw. Her jaw was abscessing - Martha needs surgery to remove the bullet fragments and the bone fragments, and to remove the abscess of infection. A generous local donor has agreed to pay for this surgery. Martha is heartworm positive and will need heartworm treatment if she heals from her gunshot wound.

Martha is up-to-date with routine shots.

Special Needs: Martha was neglected, beaten and shot. After she recovers from surgery, she will need to be treated for heartworm. She will require a patient and gentle hand to help her overcome the evils of her past.

About Martha- ADOPTED!!