Gonzo at the shelter. This was after a while of being there…he had actually put on a bunch of weight by the time this picture was taken
Ken’s Comments:
I have often said that I am very lucky to do the work that I do. It enables me to be involved with many rescues and shelters which are doing some fabulous work.
The last year and a half has seen my work with the St. John’s SPCA expand. The staff, volunteers and board of directors are a group of very dedicated people. There is some amazing things happening at the shelter and some very cutting edge work being done. I am proud to be involved!!!
One of the dogs that really caught my attention last year was this guy. His name was Gonzo. He was a black lab that came from a very harsh situation. He was very neglected, undernurished and the veterinarian said upon first visit that he had maybe days left to live if we had not taken him. When he arrived at the shelter, he could not stand, could barely hold his head up. He was severely emaciated but so full of love.
He spent some a significant period time at the shelter where we worked on his manners, his physical rehabilitation and getting him healthy. Slowly he developed some balance and manners. He was so happy in his new life.
He was eventually adopted Susan, Mike and their family. This really pleased me as they were already clients of mine, had attended group obedience and were regulars on the dog walks. It was a win win. I was looking forward to seeing Gonzo develop and mature.
Unfortunately the story does not have a happy ending but the time that Gonzo did spend with the Saunder’s family was full of fun and love.
Here is his story from Susan:
I know we talked about doing a success story for Gonzo and I said I would do one. I guess as everything progressed it fell through the cracks. Sorry about that. But as I read all the awesome work you are doing with the SPCA and all the progress these animals are making, I wanted to bring light to the work you did for our baby boy and many others before the assessments you do now became so well known. As well as all the ways that you and the amazing staff and volunteers have helped him when he was really in need of the special services you could provide. And we needed to thank you above everything else for all you did and continue to do. Sorry it's so late but, it's only now I can gather my thoughts enough and not cry so much. 😊
Gonzo's story begins with the SPCA St. John's. Gonzo was surrendered by the police after multiple reports of abuse and/or neglect but being unable to see first hand. He was finally seen by police and taken immediately. He was brought to the SPCA and both Michael Austin and Ken Reid gave him an initial assessment. He also underwent a full physical examination at CBS Animal Hospital with Dr. Mike Scruton. He was emaciated and close to starving to death. They also found out that he was an epileptic and had never had treatment. Gonzo was then started on anti-seizure medication but still suffered a seizure every 2-3 days. He was put on a high protein, high fat diet and put on a strict regimen to rebuild muscle mass and healthy fat. He started to recover physically and was signed over to the SPCA. Gonzo was with the SPCA for months while the staff, volunteers and Ken supported his physical rehabilitation and worked to control his seizures, which was a struggle because of his changing weight and continual need to reassess his medication dosage.
It was almost a year after the amazing care from the staff, volunteers and Ken at the SPCA that he was well enough to be fostered out to us. After Gonzo passed his blood work test and everything looked ok we were allowed to adopt him into our family. Gonzo became "Gonzo Saunders" in July 2015.
Gonzo was not well liked by other dogs because his seizures caused some "differences" in him so he wasn't "normal". Michael explained to us that dogs look at each other from the tip of the nose to the end of the tail and if something is "off" then they don't typically like the "different" dog. But when we introduced Gonzo to our Lab/Setter Mix, Chrissy who was also adopted from the SPCA in November 2014, they did great. Chrissy was a mom to 3 litters of pups before she came to live with us so, she took Gonzo in as her new "puppy". She was so in tune with him that she would bark like mad to alert us that Gonzo was going into a seizure. It was a huge help in the nights because she would wake us so we could cuddle him and stay with him while he went through the seizures. There was nothing we could do other then make him as comfortable as possible and make sure he didn't bang his head on anything. He would be thirsty afterwards and very lethargic.
We booked a one-on-one with Ken Reid about two weeks after Gonzo was adopted. I remember him coming and asking how things were going and we told him great! We didn't need help for Gonzo at all. He was wonderful with our children as well as the children I took in as a regulated child care home care provider. He just fit right in! But Chrissy was teaching him her bad habit of barking at the door. She was very door reactive and Gonzo was picking up on it. Two big black dogs barking and charging the door well, we needed help! Ken set up a plan for us and said to try it and see how it works. The only thing we couldn't do was take away their couch privileges. Gonzo absolutely loved our recliner and we didn't have the heart to tell him he couldn't get up. Everything else worked Perfectly! We joined the walks and celebrated Gonzo walking the full trail around Bowring Park! And both Gonzo and Chrissy attended Daycare at A Dog's World. Both Jessicaa Short and Jodi Rideout are so wonderful and were advised of Gonzo's condition and they took him in and he got to socialize with other dogs! He made many friends but Jessicaa and Jodi were two favourites of his for sure!
After everything Gonzo went through all he ever wanted was to be loved and to share all the love he had to give. Gonzo was thriving for a while with us but, It was tough because as he gained weight his medication for his epilepsy had to change and it was really difficult to regulate. The staff at CBS Animal Hospital did everything possible for him and us that they could. I knew that I could call them with any and all my questions and concerns. Also, Michael and Ken were always there for us. Also, we often used Ken's "For the love of Dogs" Facebook group for questions we had. Everyone was very welcoming and willing to help in anyway we needed.
In October 2015 at 6:45am Gonzo had 6 seizures within a 45 minute time frame and afterwards was never the same. We went right to CBS Animal Hosptial and Dr. Mike seen us right away. He assessed Gonzo and found that he had lost some of his Motor functions and suffered some Brain damage. The seizures had caused so much damage that we had to make the best decision for him and have him put down. He was at home with us, his sister Chrissy, his favourite Nurse/vet tech Natasha Smith, his Dr. Mike, and his best friend Michael from the SPCA. He knew he was loved! He not only got his family and his furever home but he got to teach us that love knows no bounds. That every struggle only makes you stronger and never give up because there are people in this world who will never give up on you. We miss you baby boy. Heaven gained the most wonderful of Angels.
Mike, Susan, Jaxon, Jayden and Chrissy.
Gonzo with his Furever Family
