Diagnosis:  Diabetes
Total amount needed per month to sponsor: $376
Currently sponsored for: $320 - Tanner needs an additional $56 per month
Spayed or neutered: yes
Case worker:  Juli 

Date posted: April 25, 2007

When we met Tanner we were instantly a family. He jumped up on my lap like he was a wee little pup who only weighed 40 lbs more than me! We later found out that the family we "adopted" him from, I say rescue, was in the process of building a much nicer very EXPENSIVE HOME and her husband didn't wanted a big old dog like Tanner to scratch up his precious wood floors. We also found out the this woman gave Tannie away SIX TIMES and he was returned. WE feel we were LUCKY NUMBER SEVEN. WE didn't ask much questions regarding his health because we fell in love instantly, TO complete the story of the six other temporary owners, we found out all kinds of weird stories as to why NO ONE OUT OF THE OTHER SIX kept him longer than a week. Here are some of the crazy stories they told us, 1. a young girl lived in a duplex with her mother and she told her mom she was babysitting Tanner. Well. He is over 100 lbs and needs to go out. There were so many stupid made up stories that made no sense. Well, after about a month some other stories came out about how her husband would muzzle Tanner when he barked, We feel he was barking due to thirst or having to go out. While we were there. I noticed Tanner's water bowl on the deck was employ and took it upon myself to fill it. HE DRANK THE WHOLE DISH OF WATER AND WANTED MORE. How Cruel. We had to get him home to us. Tanner came to us with no problems. We did notice he was very thirsty, but both of us being new to Fla figured it was too Hot for him. Tanner also had ear mites that wouldn't go away. After about a month I noticed that Tanner was Lethargic and not himself. I RUSHED him right to the VET and was told 1st of all... HE HAD PANCREATITIS and probably wouldn't live thru the night. He also had severe Type 1 Diabetes Mellitis and also still the ear mites or a yeast infection. They had me leave him that night and my WONDER DOG was better in the am. He was so happy to see us and we were told he would be put on Vetsulin 2 times a days for the rest of his life. I called the previous owner to get information from her, anything, Well, I found out that Tanner was often just left out side to his own accord and was often sick from being over heated and locked on a wooden deck with NO WATER. He has severe diabetes. This woman told me she took Tanner to the vet quite often as she had a BARTER system with her vet. I truly believe in my heart that she was more that WELL AWARE of Tan's symptoms and conditions and didn't have the heart to put him down so she just kept giving him away to another "sucker" who would do it. Well. Not us, We love this dog with our whole hearts and souls and would do any thing to pay for his care. His love and happiness is worth it, UNFORTUNATELY, I became diagnosed myself with MULTIPLE SCHLEROSIS and had to quit my job. We had just doubled the mortgage on out house, my medications cost $1800.00 a month. just for the MS. My husband has a heart condition and pays over 600.00 a month for his Dr appts, tests and medication copays. He also pays 1000.00 a month in Child Support. I get a big 105.25 from my ex. Its almost funny if it wasn't so sad. Also unfortunately we just put our 11 year old Maltese to sleep with the as she was very ill. My vet is impressed with Tanner's improvement. We got him a puppy and it has been the best time ever for Tanner. He thinks he is a puppy again and she drives him nuts, He is playing again every day and it would warm anyone's heart. Unfortunately, Tanner, being such a LARGE DOG is on an extremely high amount of VETSULIN and also has to use special Vetsulin syringes. He goes up and down on his Glucose count, Some times he is so run down, the next he is my puppy again. Our Tanner deserves the best and we are trying to give it to him, We sold our second car to help pay for back Vet bills and we are running out of options. My husband and I are "newly married" and have 6 kids between us. We are going to be forced to sell our new home and Tanner's meds are over $300.00 per month

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