Last May, Rescue Ranch agreed to take a neglected young dog saved from a fake “rescuer.” The giant Tibetan mastiff was sad, shut down, underweight, and had trouble walking. He would need evaluation by our vet. Yes, we had another Kitu’s Fund case on our hands. The fund covers out of the ordinary and high-cost veterinary treatments, including more involved evaluations such as this one. Happily, the results were encouraging: he would need the right care but no surgery.
A dog saved from squalor and neglect
Titan “was a mess” when he reached Rescue Ranch Sanctuary. He was shut down, sad, and having trouble walking. Although not emaciated, at 125 pounds he was underweight.
When I visited in early June, Titan had already put on 10 pounds. His evaluation was still pending.
Operations Manager Laura Finley shared his backstory, and it wasn’t pretty.
Poor Titan was kept in a 15×5-foot kennel for two years! Not nearly enough space for a dog his size. He was never able to build up the muscle and strength he needed for his large frame or to compensate for the weakness in his hind quarters. No wonder he has mobility issues.
Executive Director John Golay tracked down Titan’s original owner through his microchip. The owner was devastated about his dog. He’d surrendered Titan because he was moving and couldn’t take him along. His intention had been to find his pooch a good home and to address the mobility issues he noticed developing in his young dog. The so-called “rescuer” told him they specialized in large breeds and would find him a good placement. They promised to have him seen by a vet and said they would raise funds for treatment if necessary. All they asked for was a contribution with the surrender. The owner paid the “rescuer” believing Titan was in good hands.
Titan was only a year old when he stepped into that 15×5 kennel. As a giant breed, he still had a lot of growing to do. He needed good nutrition, exercise, veterinary attention, and love. He received none of the above. Without the intervention of animal control, he would still be there.
Now, the good news: no surgery
When I visited again this week, I could tell Titan was continuing to improve. His coat was shiny and he seemed happier. Laura reported that although he definitely has mobility issues aggravated by his two-year confinement, he won’t need surgery.
Kitu’s Fund covers vets costs that fall outside the norm. In Titan’s case, this included full anesthesia of a giant breed, x-rays, etc., totaling about $400. We feared the worst and were thrilled to learn his prognosis is good. He’ll never run any marathons, but with a good diet and stronger muscles to offset his structural weakness, he can have a full life.
Titan is also coming out of his shell with staff and his canine friends. Laura described him playing and being silly with fellow Kitu’s Fund pal, Kiwi. At night, he gets the entire play yard to himself to encourage movement and give him space. Freedom. She added that every evening at sundown, Titan treats the Sanctuary to a brief “deep woof “serenade before he turns in for the night. It’s very cute.
Kitu’s Fund helps dogs like Titan
Kitu’s Fund was established to cover high-cost, out of the ordinary, veterinary expenses. These can run from several hundred to many thousands of dollars. The cases just keep coming in and we never know what to expect: broken bones? Parvo? Heartworm? Foxtail infections? Prolapsed uteri or rectums? Pregnancy complications? Crush injuries? Heart defects? What we do know is that without your generous donations and our belief that every dog deserves a chance, many would suffer needlessly or die. Our special campaign has ended, but you can still give to Kitu’s Fund.
