RUSTY IN VIRGINIA 4 NOVEMBER 2016
Cathy Biersack of ATRVA (Airedale Terrier Rescue of the Virginias) writes:
An 11-year-old Airedale mix was dumped in a Georgia shelter with the comment that the wife did not want him anymore. We were messaged by Cyn Mobley that a senior Airedale mix in Georgia needed rescuing and would we help. Of course, the answer was "Yes", if she could help transport him to Virginia. ATRVA sprang him from the shelter on 4 November.	Rusty on PetFinder
It took a few days, with several overnights in Marietta Georgia, Abington/Radford/The Plains, Virginia before finally arriving his foster home in Arlington, Virginia on 9 November. Rusty settled in nicely and politely with FosterMom Cathy's two dogs. He found a red squeaky ball that he adored. He plays fetch and if you do not pay attention, he flips the ball to you. He lies down with his legs stretched out behind him. He cuddles, walks nicely on a leash, takes treats gently . . . what is not to like or love?! Everyone who has met Rusty likes his perky personality. FosterMom quickly developed her to-do list list: Groom, vet appointment and find the best home for Rusty. After his grooming, we discovered that Rusty is a Schnauzer- Airedale mix and a handsome chap indeed. His initial vet appointment on 15 November went well. The veterinarian and staff could not believe Rusty was 11 years old, but that is what the shelter intake form stated. He was found to have a slight heart murmur, but nothing else abnormal. He was rechecked for heartworm, Lyme and Ehrlichiosis and thankfully he was found negative. My vet also drew blood for a senior wellness panel as a precaution.
Rusty's tail is always waggin'
The next day, and to our surprise, we were informed that Rusty had a single very elevated blood test. My vet recommended an abdominal ultrasound as this could mean cancer or Cushing's or nothing. Of course, we hoped it was just a spurious test. Two days later, the ultrasound showed a mass on his right adrenal gland, which was three times the size of his normal left adrenal gland. It was impossible to know if this tumor was cancerous without surgery. We consulted our vet and the vet surgeon who recommended surgery. Surgery could be curative and we agreed, since Rusty acted healthy, we would give him the best chance. Through all this, he acted healthy, happy & playful. He loved walks and fetch. He snuggled and his tail wagged constantly. Surgery was done on 25 November, and a discrete mass was found, involving his right adrenal gland that extended into a small vein. The surgeon carefully removed the entire mass and the involved vein. The pathology report came back as a malignant Pheochromocytoma. That is a cancer involving the adrenal gland and known to excrete epinephrine hormones. His liver biopsy showed no cancer and he had no evidence of cancer in his lungs. However, there is always a worry of microscopic spread.
He did not like his cone of shame,	but was always a good sport (treats help)
Rusty recovered without a hitch; he was home within 36 hours and was hungry the moment he walked in the door. Best of all, a family fell in love with him. They did not care that he was 11 nor that he had a cancerous adrenal gland removed. They told me that they fell in love when they first saw his photo and knew they needed him and he them. They visited him several times and he even spent the night (FosterMom hosted a party with 25 Airedales and it would have been too crazy for him). Rusty will live with Bob, his mother and their 12-year- blind Airedale, Gonzo. A new chapter in Rusty's life began on 8 December, the day the 18 staples (yes, the incision was long) were removed. There is a 50% chance it will recur, but we choose to concentrate on the 50% chance it will not. We know with 100% certainty, that he will be loved every day of his life with his new family.
Please consider giving Rusty a bit of Howliday Cheer; the donation button is located HERE. OR SEND A CHECK TO: RUSTY IN VIRGINIA ATRVA 6592 SMITTEN FARM LN THE PLAINS VA 20198 PREPARING RUSTY FOR HIS NEW LIFE ARE . . . CATHY BIERSACK GIULIANA & RUSSELL ALLEN SIDNEY HARDIE SWAT (SOUTHWEST AIREDALE TERRIER RESCUE) MARJORIE OCHS DENISE ST JOHN JUDITH BEST MARY O'CONNELL BARBARA MORRISON LEE GROSSKREUZ JACKIE IKE TURKEY, TAGGER & JAFFA More Howliday Cards can be seen HERE SHARILYN KMECK NHI FINLEY BECKY PRESTON KSENIA BOITSOVA MARNIX VAN GEMERT PAULA MORIN DON YUSKO CHRISTINA MARIN CARA WELTY SHARMAN CORLETO CAROLYN GECAN STEPHANIE CLONINGER BOBBI PROCYK TERRIER FOR LIFE AUCTION SUE FORRESTER & BILL MOLYNEUX BECKHAM & CHILLI in Australia BECKHAM (smooching Sue), EMMA (@RB) at Sue's feet & CHILLI More Howliday Cards can be seen HERE JACKIE & RICHARD PARKER MAHRI, ELLE & HAMISH in England
HAMISH's new togs, November 2016
THE WILD BUNCH, 29 JULY 2016 Read all about Jackie & Richard's wedding cruise HERE See all of Jackie's trips HERE JANA GOLDMAN SUSAN & JOHN LEWELLEN
NEAL SKRENES ANDREA DENNINGER THE SKRENNINGER QUARTET In Memory of MISHA AIREDALE RESCUE CRUSA (CAIRN RESCUE USA) Click on Misha's picture to go to her IN MEMORIAM pages.
2016: Read about [top to bottom; l to r:] Santa Neal's Dive Trips HERE; SWEETEA HERE: BUDDY (@RB) HERE DAISY2LEGS HERE; RICOBADBOY HERE & HEATHER HERE More Howliday Cards can be seen HERE
PAM McKUSICK SANDY NESCI
COSTS SO FAR - $5,515 CHECK HERE TO SEE HOW MUCH WE'VE DONATED TO HELP RUSTY IN VIRGINIA If you have donated to RUSTY IN VIRGINIA and are not listed, would like your dog(s)' names and/or pictures or Rescue affiliation(s) added, PLEASE contact me HERE	GOAL: $6000

The Airedale can do anything any other dog can do and then whip the other dog.
-- Teddy Roosevelt

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INTRODUCING MISHA (@RB), APRIL (@RB), CARI (@RB), RICOBADBOY,
ROSIEVI THE SHY (@RB), DAISY2LEGS, LUUCEEE YOU GOT SOME 'SPLAININ' TO DO (@RB),
CHRISSI-ONE-EYE (@RB), HEATHER, SERVICE DOG SWEETEA & BUDDY (@RB)

Remember to bring along your virtual pooper-scooper!