FAQs

I try very, very hard to read every post made on Tad's Facebook Support Page. I try VERY hard. But, sometimes things get missed...forgive me.

I spent the last hour going through tons of wall posts and picture comments. A lot of you have questions that have been answered in various places throughout this blog, throughout his Facebook, etc.

I figured it would make our lives a lot easier to put them all in one place...saves my fingers the typing...forgive me if I just send you the link to this post when you ask a question that has been answered here. I am not trying to be a turd, and I want you to know the answer...this is just the easiest route to take.

What his is name?
His name is Tad. Initially, that was an acronym for 'The Abandoned Dog' for his medical record. We're a paperless hospital, and so he needed a name on Monday to be entered in. Tad has turned into an acronym for many, many things...all of them lovely and all of them right, but the main one being 'Totally Awesome Dog'.

Where was Tad found?
Tad was found just north of a small town in Texas called Willis. It's a little over an hour north of Houston, Texas. Tad was picked up off the side of the road (Calvary Road).

Have his owners been found?
I am Tad's owner now. Tad is mine. Whoever owned Tad before, even if they come forth to claim their negligence, they will not get him. Tad's condition did not happen overnight. He has been this way for a very, very long time. He's been neglected for months; and he's nearly starved completely to death.

Are the cops looking for his owners?
No. Simply because I did not report it; I honestly don't know the animal laws in this little country town. My main purpose is to save Tad's life and to raise awareness for people who feel like this is a one in a million situation. It is not. It happens all day long, every day...only some are more exposed to it than others.

What kind of a dog is Tad?
At this point in time, Tad is severely underweight. He is misshapen and he has barely any hair. It's very difficult for us to determine what kind of dog he is, only time will tell. All I can say is that the is, right now, tan and white and has enormous paws.

What is Tad's history?
You know as much as I do about Tad's history...I found him cowering on the side of the road suffering and in horrible pain. I don't know where he came there or how he winded up there; I have a strong suspicion that he was dumped.

How old is Tad?
It's hard to say because of his current body condition. We believe him to be between 1 and 2 years old. He has not been stray his whole life. There's no way. He belonged to someone at some point. He is completely potty trained, leashed trained, and is very polite and well mannered.

Who are you?
My name is Tiffany. I'm a state certified veterinary technician and I work at Wags 2 Whiskers Veterinary Hospital in Montgomery, Texas. I also own my own photography business, Minha Vida Photography. I'm 24 years old, and I live with my best friend and better half, Charles. We have a cat, 2 guinea pigs, 1 turtle, 1 frog, 3 fish, and 2.5 dogs. Why the half? I share custody of one dog, Pepper, with Dr. Holliday. You can read Pepper's story HERE.


Why aren't there any recent photos!?
Please understand that Tad was pulled off the street on Saturday, March 26. The pictures you are seeing on his Facebook and here in his blog are current/recent photos of him.

When exactly did you find him?
He was found March 26, 2011 around 5pm.


Is there anything you need?
You guys have given me the most respectable and loving support I never imagined. I cannot ask for more. Your care and kind words give me courage and strength to keep pushing. To keep rescuing...to keep trying to save lives.

What does Tad need?
Monetary donations are always accepted; check the upper right hand side of this blog. You'll see all the information you need regarding this type of donation.

Tad loves Cheese-Whiz. He currently has 5 bottles, all donated. Tad also loves chewies, but please do not send him anything knotted, twisted, or tied. You can see a picture of 'safe' rawhides on his Facebook page.

Tad has been donated a bed, which has not arrived yet. However, he has such terrible skin that he is in need of a few fleece blankets so that we can wash and dry one and give him the other to sleep with while they're being cleaned.

Tad is unsure of toys, and not entirely sure what he's supposed to do with them. Perhaps that will change in time. He's been donated quite a few toys.

The most important thing at this point is food. Tad eats Wellness Puppy Food. It's available here in my town at PetSmart and Petco. A gift card to those stores for his food would be much appreciated.

If you'd like to send Tad a 'get well' card, it will be hung on the wall in his isolation room. He will be happy to know that so many care.

If you send Tad objects of any kind, please make sure we have your return address. Thank you.

I want to visit Tad. What are the clinic hours?
Wags 2 Whiskers is open Monday through Friday 7:30am to 5:30pm. We are also open on Saturdays from 8:30am to 12:30pm. You can see our website HERE and our Facebook HERE.



Is Tad going to make it?
We see no reason, at this point in time, for Tad not to recover. However, we do not yet know how his liver and kidneys are functioning after the severe malnourishment, nor do we know his heartworm status. His skin is in too terrible of a shape and too painful to poke around in to draw blood. Hopefully, this coming week, we will run these tests on Tad.

What is wrong with Tad?
In short, Tad is very complex. He was infested with Hookworms and Roundworms. He has since been dewormed. Tad also has a severe yeast infection in both ears. Tad also suffers from two types of mange, which is very rare. He has both Sarcoptic Mange and Demodectic Mange. Tad is extremely malnourished and underweight. We guesstimate him to be about 30lbs underweight, at the LEAST. He also has deep wounds and lacerations around his neck, right front leg, and right ear. His skin and wounds are unfortunately VERY infected.

How are you doing with the donations? Do you need more?
At this point in time, and we are definitely still accepting donations. Eventually, Tad will need to be neutered, vaccinated, and of course, if he's positive, heartworm treatment. You guys have raised a little over $2,000 for Tad's care, and I can't thank you enough. It's going to be a hard road, a long one, but with your help...we are able to treat Tad with no set-backs. Thank you.

Does Tad have a home lined up?
For the next 6 -8 months, Tad will remain with me. I have had one nice woman seriously interested in Tad, and I have been talking with her through email. I have discussed with her the bond that Tad and I share, and explained to her that I was unsure, at this time, if I would be adopting Tad out.

Where is Tad?
Tad currently is hospitalized in Montgomery, Texas.

Was Tad abused?
I cannot say for sure. But, he most certainly was neglected, and that falls into Animal Cruelty, as far as I am concerned.

What is Tad in isolation?
Tad must remain in Isolation because he has Sarcoptic Mange. Sarcoptic Mange is very contagious to other animals and is a zoonotic parasite, meaning humans can get it.

Why don't you wear gloves when you mess with him?
It is a risk I take, and an occupational hazard. If Tad decides to bless me with his mange mites, then so be it. I feel that he needs all the love he can get.

Will all of his hair grow back?
Tad will have some scarring, I'm sure, where the wounds are. His ear, right front leg, and possibly on his neck, however...the hairloss from mange should recover into his normal coat when he is through with treatment.

How long before he's healed?
We aren't really sure. Generally, treatment is 4-6 weeks, but with his extreme immune compromises, it may be longer.

What are the benefits of Cheese-Whiz?
I'm sorry, but this makes me smile. The benefits of Cheese-Whiz are simple...you put pill on the floor, you cover it up and Chees-Whiz, and Tad eats it. Then, he looks up at you because he likes it and wants more. Cheese-Whiz is merely an incentive to get him to take pills, and of course...as a treat for being a splendidly good boy.

I will most certainly add more FAQs as the need arises, so this entry may get longer and longer. Thank you again, for all the care, concern, and support.