A few weeks ago, we at the Ark were asked if we could help a puppy in need.
The puppy was not born into the best circumstances. It was either given away or sold; we are not sure of the circumstances. But the puppy contracted a deadly disease called canine parvovirus, commonly known as parvo, and without treatment he would die.
(Courtesy of Lorraine Monfils)
The owners could not afford treatment. There were two puppies from the same place, both with parvo. The Ark agreed to take one of the puppies and get it the treatment it needed, and the other was taken in by animal welfare.
We named the puppy Alfie and he started treatment that night. Alfie had a long road ahead of him. Treatment lasted for two weeks. He was in isolation at the vet clinic for those two weeks. The first few days were rough, but then he started responding to the treatment. He got his appetite back and his energy. He started acting like a puppy.
During his stay at the vet clinic he had a wonderful vet tech looking after him. Her name is Alyssa. Once the treatment was complete, she agreed to foster him until he finds his forever home.
Parvo is a deadly disease and is highly contagious. That is why it is so important to keep your dogs vaccinated.
Alfie was lucky. We do know other puppies from that same litter also received the life-saving treatment, but some were not so fortunate. The treatment is expensive, but it saved his life.
Alfie is now looking for the perfect home where he will be loved and well taken care of. A pre-adoption form must be filled out and approved, and you must be on file with a vet.
Thank you to Presque Isle Animal Hospital for their exceptional care of Alfie and to Alyssa for being his foster mom.
Thank you for your continued support and, as always, thank you for reading our column.
The Ark Animal Sanctuary is located at 102 Old Woodstock Rd., Houlton. Visit them online at arkanimalsanctuary.org/home, call 532-7387 or check out their Facebook page.
