Our "Tiggeriffic" Boy
by Pam O'Connor

It's hard to believe that some people can be so cruel to sweet innocent animals but in Rescue you see it all. Unfortunately, we would see the results of heartless people. We received a call about a Pyr whose previous owners left him behind when they skipped out of their rented home. He was left out in the summer heat with no food, water or shelter.

When animal control picked him up he was emaciated, loaded with worms, badly matted, filthy, ears loaded with wax and dirt and infected. He had a large laceration on his neck that also had layers of scar tissue from his collar causing repeated injury to his neck. There were also two cysts on his neck. His collar was so rusty and tight it had to be cut off. The odor from the wound on his neck was horrendous. I told Barb he was a "creampuff," a term I reserve for the sweetest, most laid back dogs. Affectionately she nicknamed him "stinky creampuff."

We didn't know his name but that was OK. Our dear "stinky creampuff" was starting a new and better life so he should have a new name. He likes to bounce straight up in the air. Just play bow or jump and he starts bouncing. So the kids thought he should be named Tigger. He took to the name right away and by the end of the week he knew he was Tigger. He can bounce all over yet never knocks the kids down.

It was a long road to helping him recover from intestinal parasites. It was a few months of loose bloody stools. Once that was under control he began to gain weight. Meanwhile I tackled the mats. After many hours of brushing and careful scissoring I was able to remove the mats without ruining his coat. The mats around his neck had a black oily substance on them. The mats that went from his withers to his hind end were connected so when they were held up it looked like he had a Mohawk. Through all of this Tigger lay in my lap, happy for the companionship.

photo by the O'Connor Family

Tigger and Pam O'Connor