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When Nita Pickering saw a photo of an ailing Bulldog puppy, she was instantly hooked. "It was love at first sight," remembers the Yuma, Arizona resident.
There was just one problem. Spanky had fading puppy syndrome. With this condition, neonatal pups fail to thrive within the first two weeks of life, often ending in death. Contributing factors include lack of mothering, inadequate nursing or milk intake, congenital defects that may not show immediately, low birth weight, and infectious causes, says VCA Hospital.
At barely five days old, things looked grim for Spanky. His littermates hadn't survived, and he'd been surrendered by his owners to the rescue group Josh and his Critters. Still, rescue founder Tina Lythgoe held onto hope for the little pup they called Spanky. She sent Nita a photo, telling her she had the "perfect puppy" for her.
All dogs deserve to know love even if they aren't 'perfect'—they give back more love than you can imagine because they know you handed them a second chance at life!
Tina is famous for taking on the most impossible cases—accepting last-ditch dogs from people unable (or sometimes unwilling) to help them, or pulling the pups no one else will touch from shelters. She doesn't go down without a fight.
Spanky needed tube feedings every two hours, around the clock. Under Tina's care he also received veterinary treatment, including a plasma injection and subcutaneous fluids, says Nita. An incubator, antibiotics, and plenty of prayers were all part of the arsenal.
And it worked. By eight weeks old, the failing pup was healthy and ready for his new home.
"When we went to pick up Spanky, I was over the moon with excitement," says Nita. "Getting a rescue from Josh and His Critters was the best decision ever! Knowing the hard work Tina poured into Spanky to save his life—I will be forever grateful to her."
Spanky now is the picture of health and needs no special care beyond what all Bulldogs require. As Nita notes, the breed isn't for everyone.
"Adopting a Bulldog does take special care," says Nita. "Their skin can be sensitive. They can also have allergies—every Bulldog is different. After bathing, you have to dry the folds on their face and tail pocket. I also apply 'wrinkle' cream to his nose folds. Some Bulldogs develop 'cherry eye' and need surgery."
For his part, Spanky developed entropion (when the lower lashes roll into the eye and irritate it) and needed eye surgery. To Nita, it was a small price to pay. "Bulldogs are an expensive breed to own, but so worth every penny!"
A passionate rescue advocate, she firmly believes you should take a chance on a second-hand dog too. "All dogs need to know love even if they aren't 'perfect'," she says. "They give you back so much more love because they know you gave them a second chance in life!"
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