A BOOSTER FOR KAREN TRACY? ..a Booster Bath is more like it!!!
Wow Karen…no more groveling around on your hands and knees to bathe your dogs and soak Cyrus’ feet multiple times daily!!! You are now the proud owner of this incredible BOOSTER BATH donated to you by the company that manufactures them.!!!!!
The phone calls went like this………Jacquie Green after talking to you (Karen) about how badly you need a tub, called her friend Carol Sue Yaeger, who in turn called me and mentioned getting together donations for a tub.
After some brainstorming on the phone I decided to call
and see if they would be willing to give us a better price on a tub setup for Karen. Without a moments hesitation, Erica Kersey from Paws for Thought said I could purchase a tub for basically the cost of shipping.
So off went a check from Worldchow , and your tub will be on it’s way on Monday, Karen!!!!! I’m so excited for you to get this tub and please have your mom Jean take some photos of you enjoying your new toy for the Booster Bath folks and Worldchow members to see!!! Enjoy my dear friend!! I had no idea you had to tend to all these wounds at ground level……….and all without complaining a PEEP!! You have so many friends that are watching your back………literally darlin…NO MORE ACHING BACK!!!
Thank you to all who were involved in this whirlwind , 2 day TUBATHON….including the CCCI for their support in this endeavor!!!
There are more surprises on the way Karen , as there are others involved in this wonderful scheme. Updates will be later!!!
Cyrus after laser treatment
Karen sent me some photos of the dogs she is nursing back to health who desperatly need this tub to soak their feet in to help them heal. It looks like they have made great progress since the last photos I saw Karen!!!
Cyrus wearing his protective booties to go outside
I’m so thrilled, Karens’ vet who did all the specialty burn treatments for these dogs will be writing an upcoming article for Worldchow. We can all learn a lot about the immense investment in responsibility, emotions and time it takes to deal with these animal burn victims. I am looking forward to posting the article and so pleased she agreed to do it
Cyrus with his pads burned off of all 4 feet
Cyrus Face
Cyrus at home
Dawson with his back shaved because of burns
Below is Iris…here is a story you may not have heard , but one that really touched me so deeply. This mixed breed girl…If I remember correctly she is 15 years old, was one of the critically injured fire victims. Iris was sent to a different clinic than Karens dogs (too many dogs for one clinic to handle) and was treated with conventional methods.
Iris wiTH burns on back near neck and rump
Iris burns were not nearly as bad as Cyrus’ injuries, but when Karen saw her weeks into the healing process, she noticed that Cyrus had healed twice as fast with the laser /specialty treatments he had been receiving at Karen’s normal clinic. Karen make the decision to take Iris home and bring her in for regular laser treatments and she is healing at a very fast pace now
Iris wandering around
The part that blows me away is this is a boarder’s dog….an elderly woman who has been in a nursing home for 10 years(? am I right on the time Karen) and our Mz. Karen had been boarding Iris for all that time for basically what it costs to feed her. This dog is as much a part of Karens life as any of her chows and she went the extra mile to make sure Iris would heal well and live out her golden years in dignity!
The bonus to the laser treatments is that Iris is arthritic and while she goes in for burn laser therapy, she is also getting stimulating laser on her rear and is making incredible progress in that department too. Kudos to you Karen for giving Iris a quality life . I know she means a lot to you!!!!
Karens house and kennel buildings behind it before the fire. Karen will be taking an AFTER photo to show us soon
Woooooo Hooooooooooooooo Booster bath time for Iris, Cyrus and Dawson…and I bet Journey too!!!!!!!!!!!
I am so excited for you Karen and a Big Thank You to the Booster Bath company Wow!!!!!What a wonderful gift to give…My heart goes out to Cyrus The dedication you show Karen to the treatment of that one dog is well there are no words….May this bath make your dogs recovery faster and safer..Our thoughts are with you Brenda
What GREAT news.
You deserve this!!!!
Louise
WOW!!!! WOW!!!! WOW!!!!
I am speechless. Carol Sue Yeager and her sister Marianne stopped at my house to visit me last night on her way to help bath some rescue chows. As she left, I saw she had a portable tub in the back of her van. I said, “Hey, that is the tub I was looking for”. I literally stood there with my hands on the windows of her van just staring at the tub like a little kid looks at a toy in the store window. I had told her I was trying to fInd a used one somewhere. I told her that I had looked on Ebay and a couple other places. At that point she told me that she would look around and see if she could find something on line too. HA. You sneaky bugger Carol Sue…………Jacque, Sandra, all of you, very sneaky indeed.
THANK YOU so much for this. I have been using rinseless shampoo on my dogs but to be honest with you, they need baths. Some of them still have that smoke smell. With my arthritis, I can’t get down on my knees to give them baths in my regular tub in the house. This will be wonderful. I am so excited for the dogs because they will feel so much better after they have a real good bath. You can’t see me now and most of you are sleeping, but tears are running down my face. Again, thank you to all involved in this “Dirty Dog Project” You truly are good friends.
Sorry, I am half asleep but I forgot to thank the company that makes the tub. I will thank them properly in the morning. Again, thank you everyone. Good night. Have pleasant dreams. I will be dreaming of squeaky clean dogs. haha
Hi Karen; Im so glad you like your tub, I know your dogs will be thankful too. Always thinking of you Karen.
Karen I am so thrilled to see the chow community continuing to come together to help! I personally wish I was closer to help you out in the manual labor way!
Home Depot has a HOMER fund that donates materials to help people too. I wonderf if they would be of any assistance?
Judy, the tub that Carol Sue had was hers. Mine is being shipped on Monday. I can’t wait. AND, I see this is a super duper tub. The tubs I was looking at on ebay did not have the ramp or all the bells and whistles that this one has. I already have plans of getting one of those cheap pop up things so I can give the dogs a bath without the sun beating down on them outside. And Jan, that might be an idea with home depot as I was underinsured but I can’t do any building yet. The kennel, what is left of it, has to remain that way until there is a final inspection by everyone. I cannot believe that almost three months later and the smoke smell is almost as strong as it was the day of the explosion. I will be so glad when I no longer have to see what remains of the kennel or smell it.
I am so thrilled for Karen. She is such a GOOD person & one of my dearest friends. Actually, it was Vincent who brought us together about 7 years ago since we both had litters sired by him. Thanks to all who had a part in seeing that Karen gets this tub. She certainly deserves it.
OMG! I couldn’t stop crying when I read this article. What a brave little boy Cyrus is, and Karen is simply an angel, I can’t imagine all the time ( and love ) she has invested in her animals. No one is more deserving of the booster bath, and I am sending love and good luck her way! I wish all her animals a speedy recovery.
Karen… I’m like Connie – this is the first time I’ve had the courage to look at the physical part of what you’re dealing with and my heart aches for you and the dogs..crying pretty hard to see it… I know you’re appreciating everything everyone is trying to do for you… I’m so happy you’re getting some help and I love to see your emails…
You deserve every single thing people are trying to help you with… and I am glad you are our friend…Lots of love to you and your mom and your chows…. Christine…
Ok I am the ‘sneaky’ one with a HUGE smile on my face right now-does anyone know HOW hard it is to not tell someone something? WELLLLL as I am looking at her furkids in need of a real nice bathy-IT was HARD as hell not to say something. Then as we are leaving Karen spots my booster tub in the back of my van and says OH that is what I have been looking for! I thought DO NOT look into my eyes hehehe-I was about 10 miles down the road and a very indignant Jacque Greene calls me -why havent you and Karen answered your phone? Well the 3 of us (Marianne my sister is another sneaky one) were visiting and well we can always call the caller back right? Jacque had wanted me to be there when Karen read this about the bath. Well it was probably a good thing I wasn’t there I guess as i wonder what would have happened to me LOLOLOL Karen could not get this message last night-BUT the next morning as we were leaving the hotel I get this call and hear-YOU SNEAK-HAHAHAHAHA Well that made my day making Karen happy and knowing she got an important item she needed-a tub to bath the kids and my 5 grandkids. ALL the furkids looked great with the wonderful care of Karen her mom Jean and of course the vets involved. I got lots of kisses. We are all glad to be part of this…
A wonderful idea dear Jacque, a huge thank you to all who helped donate money,Sandra making that call to Booster Bath and Booster Bath who without hesitation is sending this tub….
I’m so incredibly thrilled you like your new prezzie Karen. We all can’t wait for you to get it and to see a photo of you with your new Booster Bath!!!
From a conversation with CarolSue last night, it sounds like you already know that the money originally donated toward the tub will be instead used for other grooming supplies (which was the surprise I mentioned above in the post) since I ended up covering the tub shipping cost via Worldchow.
Here is the list of donators for the grooming supply fund for Karen..thank you CarolSue for the update. .
Jacque Greene
CarolSue Yaeger
Marianne Smart
Patti Mathers
Sue Hassat
Cindy Stone
Barbara Bakert
Kathleen Zins
Christine Farnell
Judy Horne
Caryl Myers
If anyone else wishes to donate toward grooming supplies let me know and you can pay via Paypal. THANK YoU to everyone who has helped out on all levels of this fun “impromptu booster”!!!
Yes, I am very anxiously awaiting the arrival of the tub. I have been giving my dogs baths with rinseless shampoo but it will be so good to give them real baths. They might not like it but I know they will feel so much better after they get them. I want to thank each and every person, or should I say “sneak” ( haha) that was involved in this surprise. You don’t know what it feels like to have to rely on other people for things, even basic things. It is embarrassing to be in this position but at the same time it gives me a warm feeling to realize that so many people are so thoughtful and I appreciate everything everyone has done for me these past couple of months, whether it was financially or just to talk on the phone or send a card or an email to try to make me feel better. I thank you all.
UPDATE – Today Yucky went to the vet. He has developed bronchitis and he has scar tissue on his vocal cords from the smoke inhalation. He is alright if he is just sitting or laying down but when he is walking or running in the yard, he has this dry cough. He is on medication for the bronchitis and I will talk to the vet more tomorrow about the vocal cords. As long as it is not something that is painful to him, I can live with the cough. Cyrus and Iris go to the vet tomorrow, well today actually. They both get their laser treatments but Cyrus is going to have to get sedated and get his feet worked on. As you know, all of the pads on his feet were burned off. The skin grew back but it grew right into his nails. There is nothing that can be done until the skin levels off in the growth. He is starting to lose some of his nails which Dr. Karin anticipated but now some of the skin tissue is black and she has to debribe his feet again. I soak his feet in epsom salt water three times a day and he seems to like that but he does not like me drying them. But he is such a good boy about this whole thing. I wish each and every one of you could meet him personally. He just wags his tail at everyone he meets. Sorry to be so long but I know some of you are interested in these dogs so I will try to keep you informed on their “Healing Journey”
Don’t every be embarrassed to receive and “hand up” in a time of great need Karen. I know how you feel because I’m stubbornly independant too, but there are times when your deepest healing can come from being on the receiving end, and completely opening up to the love and caring your friends have to give.
When we help others, we feel like better human beings. Why deny others the chance to feel the same way? You have been so generous to others since I have known you Karen…..it’s your turn now to let us help you, and we all feel your gratitude and weight off your shoulders my friend. We all need each other right now!.
BIG PURPLE CHOW SMOOCHES!!!! Sandra
Ditto from me Karen-what Sandra just wrote. I have been the recipient of fundraisers and people just wanting to help after the horrible accident my husband Doug was in almost 15 yrs ago that left him disabled. I know how you feel and understand about accepting help as it was hard for us also. BUT good friends want to help and it makes them feel good to do so. Accept what you receive and I am quite sure you have helped along the way-IRIS maybe??
oh and…
we had great fun at YOUR expense teeheeing and surprising you-HOW could ya take THAT away from us??
LOLOLOL
the sneak
Well, I do thank everyone for everything they are doing for me. You are good people.
I just did a tracking on the tub. It is supposed to arrive on Friday. That is fast. Now the big decision is who gets a bath first. I would love to give Cyrus one but he has bandages on all four feet again and I can’t get his feet wet for the time being. So, when I have the tub set up I will see which dog goes up the ramp first, and that will be my first victim.
HEY great news-FRIDAY!
That is funny as I call of mine victims and the grooming room the dungeon LOL
That was lightining fast shipping for such a big item! I can’t wait to hear who gets the bubble bath first!! You need a sign over the tub….WELCOME TO SPA PAZZAZZ. If the dogs read it they might be convinced a bath is a vacation!!! HA!
Karen, You are one of the kindest, most generous people I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing and I am thrilled to have been able to be a part of getting you something that will help you and your chows feel so much better. You deserve all the help you’ve received and then some!!! From the time I first met you I’ve been amazed at how you have been able to accomplish all the things that you have done and I don’t know anyone who can stretch a dollar farther than you so please, don’t feel sad or embarrassed at allowing us (all involved) to help. Speaking for myself, I’ve looked and looked for some way to help and this was the golden opportunity!!! What a wonderful group of friends you have – you are truly blessed in friendship!!! You deserve every ounce of that and more for the manner in which you have handled this disaster and the love and effort you have put into each of the dogs, not just your chows, that were injured in the accident.
I am so glad the tub, et al, will arrive on Friday – that is fast shipping on something that big!!!! NOW – do you have someone you can call to help you put that baby together?
God bless you for being who you are!!!!
Sneaky Pete (aka Jacqué)
Well, it is Friday. You know what that means. The tub arrived today. It just got here.
It is still in the box. The sad thing is that it is pouring here so I can’t take it outside to put it together and my house is wall to wall chows so there is no room in here either. All I can do today is open the box and look inside. But, tomorrow it is supposed to be sunny. Look out you dirty dogs, bath day is approaching………………..Again, THANK YOU to everyone that was involved in getting me this tub. My chows might not like it now, but they will thank you too once they have had a good bath cause I know they will feel so much better.
WOO HOO Karen!!! I’m so glad it showed up and I hope it quits raining soon!!! Bummer you can’t even take it out to set it up but this will give you time to read the instructions…lol!
Can’t wait to hear how you like it in action!! Have a super weekend Karen!!!! Luv you much!!! Sandra
Hi, Karen:
What a mammoth job you are undertaking! My wife and I have been following your efforts to help your dogs recover since the beginning. We have had chows for over 25 years and have two currently. The cold laser for burns is a great idea. When I saw that Yucky has throat/esophageal burns, I thought I would highly recommend that you use cold laser on that area as well if you’re not already doing it. A strong laser can easily penetrate his entire throat. The laser technician needs to be careful to angle it between or beside his thyroid, but it can be done to minimize the scarring and length of recovery. While I have used cold laser on human’s throats, that is one area I have not worked specifically on my dogs with it. By the way, if you or any of your dog’s need chiropractic treatment, we would be happy to make the trip there to help.
Best wishes from Sandra and I.
Mr. Weinhold,
Thank you for posting your comment. I am only doing for my dogs what anyone would do that loves them with all their heart. And to see the improvement in Cyrus and Iris the Old Bat (that is the name the vet techs have “lovingly” given her), is just amazing. Cyrus had such severe burns on his face and a good part of his body and all four pads of his feet were burned off. Now he has pads on his feet and he looks so much better. It is going to be a long haul but we can do it.
As for chiropractic, my vet does that too. Actually, Dawson walked around with his head way down after the explosion. She xrayed to see if his neck was broken, but it was not. He did have burns on his neck but he was in the first run nearest the explosion and I am thinking it may have blew him against the wall with great force. So, she used chiropractic adjustments on him to get him better too. Thank you for the offer though and I will tell my vet about using the laser on Yucky’s throat. I may be wrong but I think that my dogs were the first dogs that my vet used the laser on for burn therapy.
I just wanted to let everyone know that Journey is back home. She was with a neighbor and she finally got to come back home. I still have one more dog that is being kept by a friend and that is Sprocket. Hopefully, I will be able to bring him back soon and then the dogs that survived the fire will finally all be back home. It is very crowded in my house. I live in a double wide and there is only so much room in here. Some of the dogs are blowing their coat now so there is fur all over every day that has to be vacuumed up. It is starting to look like I have mohair carpeting.
I had a setback with Cyrus with his feet but he seems better now. He goes back to the vet on Monday for a recheck and hopefully the bandages came come off of his feet again. Happy Fourth of July to all.
Glad to hear Journey is home-who cares about the hair-we all go through it LOL but crowded or not one more to go and all will be together-I also have a double wide and know what the space conditions are like-Oh yeah you have visited me so you know hehehehe –anyway prayers for Cyrus and I know he will be ok with you taking such good care of him! Give him and everyone else and huge hug from me-and extra squeezes to those grandkids…