December 2009

Apollo continues to be the happiest dog ever despite his continued skin problems. His main issue is allergies now...his Dermatologist did allergy testing this fall and he is basically allergic to everything, so the recommendation is to do a series of allergy shots to help his body's immune system build up a resistance/ability to fight against these allergens (or at least that is how I can explain it). This will take a couple months and another big chunk of money but he is worth it and it is suppose to make a BIG difference.

He has had several ear flare ups since this summer, but he is so good about letting me keep them clean and taking his medicine that a good diagnosis from the vet and a good antibotic and they cleared right up. His itchiness is pretty much under control with the allergy meds he is on, so that helps a lot, we just want to get started on the allergy shots so that hopefully his hair will grow back and he will look like a proper dog!

Not that he cares whether he has hair or not, he is such a goofy, happy-go-lucky boy who lives to jump in anyone's lap for a good ear rub and face kissing. His main desire in life is to have someone who wants to throw a ball for him all day. We got a Chuck-It and took him out to the farm my sister lives/works on and just let him run and run in the open pastures...boy did he have a good time. Didn't get any pics that time but I will try to get some soon.....

My Christmas wish for Apollo is that we get some fundraising going so he can get started on those shots, so that hopefully he will get to a place medically for someone to want him and he can have a forever home in 2010! His problems are manageable, he will never be a normal dog, but lots of wonderful dogs have allergies...one of my personal dogs does and I wouldn't trade her for the world. I know there is SOMEONE out there that doesn't mind a few extra baths, meds and maintenance vet visits...the trade off is one AWESOME dog who loves everyone and shows people how to enjoy every moment in life with enthusiasm and happiness!

Wag Shag October 2009

Apollo had a BLAST at the Wag Shag in Sunset Beach, NC...a wonderful fundraising event for rescues in NC and since we have several foster homes in NC we were invited to attend. Apollo just LOVED all the attention and was sure this was all put together for him. We entered the "Best Hair" contest and he got to strut his stuff on the stage...sadly we lost, ironically, to a Chinese Crested Dog. I showed the judges his "before" pics so they would see that the amount of hair he has is a BIG improvement, LOL. He had a lot more hair than the practically hairless dog that one :) I have always joked that Apollo is our German Crested Dog since his hair pattern is similar to a Crested's.

His favorite part was after the event when we drove over to the beach...couldn't be that close and not go. Oh boy did he have fun...ATTENTION anyone who lives on or near the beach that has EVER considered adopting, this is the dog for you! He was born to live at the ocean. He ran around on the beach and fetched the ball until we had to drag him back to the car! And the best part is all that time in the ocean was WONDERFUL for his skin...it never looked better than the days following this trip! I wonder if I could make a case for retiring to the beach for Apollo's best interest? Hmmmmmm

Bark to the Park appearance

Noble Shepherd Rescue will be at Bark to the Park this weekend in Columbia, SC and Apollo is very excited to wear his snazzy "adopt me" vest and make the rounds loving on people! See info on our website at www.nobleshepherdrescue.com or at http://www.barktothepark.com/

He still has quite a few bald patches that need to come in but he seems to have some new hair growth thanks to a new med he is on! Will get some pics this weekend at the event and post to the blog shortly!

His ear infection cleared up, finally, after bringing in the big guns with some Baytril abx but all this Spring pollen has aggravated his allergies again and he's got a bit more gunk this week, so we are watching his ears again hoping not to get an infection going! He is still such a sweetie and jumps into my lap for ear cleanings....Auntie Lisa was over Wednesday to help with his weekly nail trimming...Apollo loves the attention and stretches out across her lap and/or the floor and lets me dremel all his nails to a nice smooth tips! Such a good boy! Wish I had a camera for that, LOL!

Hopefully we will see you this weekend....if you can't make it I will post pics!!!

February 2009

Apollo is still struggling with a nasty and stubborn ear infection, we've switched meds and are seeing improvement...he goes back for another recheck later this month. We think he has finally stopped growing and has remained at 101 lbs for his last two visits! Needless to say, Apollo is a bit oversized yet still thinks he belongs in your lap, much to the surprise of most people who meet him! He is having a good time playing with a visiting foster dog and showing me just how much he loves to play with other dogs!!! The resident dogs are not so into playing, so he loves these play dates! Once medically cleared, Apollo will certainly need to go to a furever home with other dogs to play with!!

January 2009

Apollo is enjoying the cold snap we've had and loves to run around like a crazy puppy outside...fingers crossed these brisk outings stimulate his hair to grow faster!! He has been back to the Dermatologist due to an ear infection and was very happy to see his Christmas picture sitting on the doc's desk! We are so lucky to have such a great clinic taking care of Mr. Apollo! He charmed everyone at his visit, and remains just a happy, happy boy even when his ears hurt!

December 2008

Apollo had a great Christmas, got lots of toys to destroy and really loved getting his picture taken with Santa at Noble Shepherd Rescue's fundraiser at Petsmart. Apollo is steadily gaining hair back and has filled out to a whopping 96lbs. His vet could not be more pleased!

November 2008

Apollo continues to improve and is growing lots of hair. He is still struggling with a persistent ear infection, but he goes back to the vet next Friday...its getting better but still isn't gone so he may need some new meds for his ear (he is currently on medicated drops in addition to his oral antibiotic).

He still has some patches that need hair and the coat that has come in is still in the beginning fuzzy stage (mostly just undercoat) but it is coming in and he is gaining weight. His vet is very happy and encouraged by his progress, as we all are! He continues to be just a happy-go-lucky puppy with lots and lots of energy!!!

October 2008

Apollo is responding very well to his new antibiotic and the staff at SC Dermatology Referral are very pleased with his progress. As you can see in these new pictures, he is growing hair back and loving all the attention from the excellent staff! We want to thank everyone at the clinic, and especially Dr. Delger for their top notch care. Apollo is also steadily gaining weight back. He had a small setback with his ear infection, seems he has 'large rod bacteria' in there now, so we are on a new ear medicine for that...like always, Apollo is taking that in stride and comes right up and sits down when he sees the ear drop bottle. He is such a joy!!! He goes back shortly for check up on his ear, will update website in a few days!!! Apollo wants to thank everyone again for their generous support of his medical care.

August 18, 2008

Apollo loved his visit to the Dermatologist, normally people don't want to pet him due to his odd appearance and flaky, scabby skin but the vet techs all loved on him and he ate it up!! He sat still and behaved so well as he was swabbed and scrapped. All the in-house tests came back conclusive to a bacterial skin infection but due to his not responding to the drugs he has been on, cultures were sent off to determine exactly what drug resistant bacteria we were dealing with. We have gotten good and bad news from the Dermatologist. Good news is the cultures identified 5 different bacterial strains in his ears and skin. The even better news is there is a single antibiotics that can fight all 5. But, the bad news is this is a very expensive drug and just the first months worth is $405.00!! We FINALLY have an answer to Apollo's skin issues and a way to fight them but the rescue does not have enough money to even start him on this treatment. With all the special needs dogs we have currently, our vet fund is almost empty. Please find it in your heart to donate to Apollo's fund! He is such a sweet, happy boy who deserves to finally be healthy.

August 2008

Apollo has had a relapse of his skin condition and we have tried several treatment options with no effect so far. His vet has referred him to a Dermatologist specialist and we are working on raising money for this appointment. Poor Apollo has been through so much but he keeps such a happy outlook on life, he doesn't seem to notice that he has no hair and doesn't look like the other dogs. He is only interested in playing ball and running around. He tolerates his medicated baths and all his pills, always with a tail wag and a kiss. He is such a sweet boy and we are dedicated to solving this frustrating and complex skin issue.

December 2007

September 2007

August 2007

These were taken just a few weeks after having Apollo.

July 2007

On the same weekend in July 2007 that Noble Shepherd Rescue took on the task of taking in the 3 German Shepherds in the Columbus County, NC abuse case, we also took in another horrible neglect case. Pictured below is how Apollo looked when we picked him up.




When we were learned of this pitiful boy in a shelter in NC about to be put to sleep because of how he looked, we immediately called to try to rescue him. He was dumped at the shelter by his owners who couldn’t handle his skin issues. We had no idea what medical condition afflicted him, but knew he deserved a chance to be healed or at least to be humanly euthanized in loving arms instead of killed at a shelter if his condition proved to be untreatable. However, in the true spirit of a German Shepherd, Apollo has proved to be a fighter and has an exuberant lust for life. He is a real trooper when it comes to all the medical tests, blood work, medicated baths, eye drops, ear cleanings, ointments, and medications he has had to put up with. He is still being treated and has further treatments to go, but as you can see, he has improved dramatically.