Confetti

Every dog rescue affects me, but when the situation is terrible, and they have a rough start, it hits even harder. Confetti’s story will be shared in updates and pieces to help follow the journey over time.
Biscuit and Confetti Spaghetti are at the top of the list. Over a year ago, many lives changed. Here is the story of Confetti, pulled from a puppy mill over a year ago, to follow step by step.
Immediately after her rescue from the puppy mill, Confetti was hospitalized.

This rescue trip was tough; I was unsure what to expect. When I arrived at the animal hospital in Louisville, KY, it was busy. Eventually, I was called in: to see Confetti, a puppy just rescued. After waiting, Confetti arrived. Alone, I cradled her and gently rubbed her all over. Being at the hospital for over a week has been hard on her. She’s endured dramatic changes: vomiting and diarrhea have improved, but last night her symptoms returned and worsened today. Adjustments were made, and we hope she’ll recover. Visitors are welcome; I spoke with doctors and nurses. If you go, hold her, love her, and encourage her to come home soon!

Coming from a background of nothing, let’s help her have everything.
Confetti… also known as Confetti Spaghetti

Confetti, a young dog, was rescued from a puppy mill with little hope of survival. Something seemed off during her foster care because she kept falling ill. I received a call late one evening, and after hearing her symptoms, I told the foster to take her to the emergency room at a veterinarian’s office. This could be serious. Many tests were performed; some conditions were ruled out, while others remained unclear. Expecting her to only stay a day or two was unrealistic; she ended up staying nearly two weeks. It was a 24-hour vet hospital, and I received updates several times a day, even at night.
After my 12:32 am update late in Confetti’s hospital stay, hope was slim. It looked unlikely she would survive the night; her condition had worsened. I prepared to visit the hospital the next morning, expecting to bring her home to be with Clancy. Sleep was restless.

Confetti struggled but survived that critical night. The next morning, she underwent canine endotracheal intubation, where air was gently pumped into her lungs through an ET tube, which improved her condition; she began eating and drinking, seeming to start her recovery. Throughout her hospital stay, Confetti received minimal human contact, so the doctor suggested that she have visitors. We quickly arranged for visits to boost her spirits.

A mother and her young daughter from the neighborhood wanted to visit. “Of course,” I said. After that visit, Evelyn, the daughter, wanted to see Confetti again and made another visit a few days later. Shortly afterward, Confetti seemed much better; human contact appeared to lift her spirits, and soon, she was eating and following the doctor around the clinic during her rounds.
Confetti became ready for release from the hospital but still needed a caretaker for necessary home treatments and several check-ups scheduled in the coming weeks, after her nearly two-week hospital stay.

Some of the updates I got throughout the week
The Vet hospital was open 24 hours a day. I was continually updated in the middle of the night when they were less busy.
UPDATE: The vet called again just before midnight; she managed to eat a few small bites of chicken. Hopefully, this indicates a turning point. There will be more tests and bloodwork until the morning.
UPDATE: The little girl has been at the vet for nearly a week. Last night, I got a call saying she had eaten some small bites yesterday morning, but had thrown them up last night. This morning, she tried again. Hopefully…
UPDATE: After seven days at the hospital, some things are improving for Confetti, while others worsen. She is eating a little, but her pneumonia has gotten worse. Breathing treatments have continued for several days, and medications have been changed again.
UPDATE: On a visit, I was taken into a room and waited for her to arrive. This little bundle came to me, and after the nurse left, I cradled Confetti in my arms and gently rubbed her tiny body. Being there for over a week has been hard on both of us. She has gone from one extreme to another. The throwing up and diarrhea are a bit better, but last night, she experienced some symptoms, and today, she has double the symptoms. Changes were made, and hopefully, she will bounce back!
Confetti Update 10-22-24. I just received an update from the doctor about Confetti. Her eating has improved significantly, and her bowel movements are getting better. One lung has cleared on X-rays, but the other shows Empyema, also known as pyothorax or purulent pleuritis. Treatment involves gently blowing air into her mouth roughly every hour to help expand her lungs. If her lungs haven’t expanded by late afternoon, she will be lightly sedated and intubated by inserting an endotracheal tube (ET) into her mouth and into her airway (trachea) to keep it open. X-rays will be taken frequently to monitor her progress.
Everyone at the clinic loves this little dog and is rooting for her!

Mom, Dad, and Evelyn were fostering Confetti. It was a perfect fit because they lived near the vet hospital and could continue Confetti's home treatments and schedule follow-up appointments. It was a win-win situation; it doesn’t get better than this, or does it?
Unknown to most, Evelyn has autism and sensory issues. I received this a few days ago from Evelyn’s mom.

Note from Mom.
Confetti got her Emotional Support Animal letter approved since she’s helped Evelyn so much with the autism and sensory issues, among other things. She just left the therapy clinic, and they were amazed by the videos and stories. Even her speech sounded much improved, they said. The little crazy dog is making a difference in the world!

A small dog from an unwanted puppy mill was surrendered to Clancy’s Dream along with 15 other puppies and found a safe home. By God’s grace, they were saved, and we just happened to be in the right place at the right time. The family and Evelyn had lost their dog Ben less than a year earlier. I’ve always believed that things happen for a reason, and they do!
Norton Children’s Medical Group

12/6/24
To Whom It May Concern

Evelyn is a patient at this clinic and under our care for Autism Spectrum Disorder. As a licensed mental health APRN, I have evaluated and assessed the functional limitations that Evelyn’s autism imposes, such as anxiety, frustration, and stress. In order to enhance her ability to cope with everyday challenges, she is prescribed an emotional support dog to reside with her on a Full-Term basis. The ESA should accompany her in daily activities as her symptoms are alleviated by the soothing presence of her dog, Confetti.
Sincerely

A little dog with no hope changed the life of a very precious little girl and her family.
Clancy changed my life and the lives of thousands of other Border Collies. It was Clancy’s Dream. 

Biscuit

 Biscuit’s story is a little unusual. She was part of the 79 Bowling Green Border Collies that were confiscated from a breeder. She had already been adopted and had a hold tag on her kennel before we got to the shelter, so we didn't take her. A few months later, I got that call for help again.

August 21, 2023:

I was sitting at a Hooser Football game in Bloomington, IN, when I received a call, "Can you help?" The caller explained the issue, and the pieces of the puzzle started to fit together. When we pulled 38 dogs from Bowling Green, Kentucky, a few months ago, we visited every kennel where they were being held. One dog caught the attention of one of our members, but she had already been spoken for. This was good news because she had been saved, adopted, and found a home.

The caller explained that a dog from the same group we picked up had been recovered after being hit by a car, suffering lacerations to her neck and both feet, which left her unable to walk. The owner was contacted, but decided to relinquish her because they couldn't afford the medical bills.

"Can you help?" was answered in just a few seconds, and after that first phone call, Clancy's Dream was ready to step in and assist in any way possible, bringing her into our fold.

Indiana Football lost, but Biscuit, the little Border Collie we originally wanted, was on his way home.

This journey was long, difficult, costly, and extremely stressful because of the injuries and rehabilitation Biscuit needed to return to daily life. After the shelter called, arrangements were made to pick up Biscuit, and Kim Pike Wiseman drove her to the farm. After parking her car, she turned to me and, with a sad look, said, "You won't believe this." Having seen many things in my years of law enforcement, I thought I was prepared for anything. The back door was opened, and my hands immediately flew to my mouth. "Oh my God, this poor dog. How can this be?" Tears instantly filled my eyes, and my heart broke. "This poor little dog."

Biscuit was skinny, weak, and underfed, with both legs bandaged, and couldn't walk. She had been hit by a car and was found sitting alone in a field when animal control rescued her. She was microchipped, and the owner was contacted, but they wanted nothing to do with her, so we were called. One leg had nerve damage and was useless, while the other had torn skin on the foot with bones showing. I worried she might lose both legs, which had always been on my mind.

Time would tell, and we started trying to put her back together the best we could. The next day, a vet visit was necessary, and her leg was restitched and bandaged, but two days later, it rejected, and the skin came off. Cleaning the wound several times a day and applying bandages was necessary, but at times, Biscuit would pull them off, and we would start again. Many people offered toys, puzzles, and medical assistance. State-of-the-art medical procedures were performed, and some had just come on the market and were provided at no cost. Every week for over three months, Lou Anne Denny and I would make a two-and-a-half-hour round trip with Biscuit to the vet for therapy, and usually, Biscuit was in Lou Anne's lap.

In mid-December, the Doctor and I set a timeline for Biscuit's overall health. On Christmas Eve, I sent this email to the Doctor. "In my opinion, because of my experience with the bandage changes on her injured leg with Biscuit, I believe we should move forward with amputation. I now think we are doing more harm than good. I understand others are trying to help with different options, but they are not seeing the reality of her situation. If she were my dog, I would go ahead and amputate the leg. The Doctor agreed, and on January 4, the surgery was completed, Biscuit pulled through, and once she recovered, she went to her permanent home.

I knew this time would come...

We knew it would eventually happen. We had a meet-and-greet for Biscuit and her potential new owners at our house. Of course, Biscuit was an angel and hopped onto the couch with them. As usual, she stood on her back legs and placed her only paw around their neck, just like she always did with me. They arranged to meet us at the veterinarian's office, where they could ask the doctor any questions about her future care.

Biscuit was going home, and it broke my heart. Elaine and I discussed what needed to go with her. The blue puzzle, which I didn't think she would like but did, her toys, blanket, presents, stuffed animals, and special food were sent with her and carefully packed so she’d have them in her new home. After gathering a few things, it quieted down last night. Sitting on the couch, I said, "This time tomorrow, she will be gone."

Before she left, and as she does several times a day, she ran to me while I sat at the kitchen table. I knew it was her because I heard the kerplunk, kerplunk, kerplunk of a three-legged dog running. She got close, slipped under my arm, and stretched up on her hind legs so I could rub her head while she placed her one paw on my cheek. She closed her eyes and pointed her nose toward the sky as if she smelled heaven, and I knew I did. I often wonder if she will remember us in a few months. I hope she doesn't, because she is in a new home with loving parents, but I wish that when my time comes, and I cross "that" bridge, a little three-legged Border Collie runs kerplunking up to me. When Little Biscuit gets close, she goes under my arm, stretching up on her hind legs so I can rub her little head again, and again Little Biscuit puts her paw on my cheek. She closes her eyes and points her nose toward the sky, smelling heaven; I know then, I'm home too. How can one dog touch so many people...She is a spark that melts hearts and focuses our vision on what a rescue is: Never give up, never give in, and know your mission. It's all about the dogs!

The thing about Biscuit is that she was so broken when I first saw her that I honestly didn't think she would survive. The spark was gone from her eyes and her spirit. She couldn't walk on her injured and battered legs; she was lifeless, and nothing seemed to matter, and I knew her future looked bleak. We probably took her to the vet about 30 times, and some visits brought uncertainty and bad news. Good news was not in her future.

After months of rehab and trials with devices, along with cutting-edge technology, it was decided to remove her useless leg. Biscuit was Clancy's Dream dog, and we all carried, coddled, and loved her. Not only did she need it, but we did too. She was a lifesaver to those who touched her and still is. All vets will tell you that every dog is born with three legs and a spare; little did we know how true they were. Things happen for a reason, and some will never know. Biscuit taught Clancy’s Dream what a rescue can do, should do, and will do. Little Biscuit went to her real home with Heather Almond and Mary Helen, and we see her often.

"Rescue is not about what we have done, what we should have done, or what we could have done; it's about what we can do and what we will do." This is Rescue!