02/02/10- As we wrote on the 29th, Jude is in the care of another rescue group. We will continue to post updates on him as we receive them.  

01/29/10-  We want to thank EVERYONE for the well wishes and emails for Jude!!!!

Jude will be going to a foster home with a different rescue group as we simply do not have a foster home in Florida in which to place him and he is way too fragile to be transported (and boarding him is certainly not an option that we would even consider for this baby). Jude is very special to us and we will continue to follow his progress and post updates on him. Here’s a note from the ABR volunteer today that’s been visiting him at the vet’s office:

Jude’s doing VERY well and has quite a personality. He walks like he is billy bad (explicative) and then some. People give you weird looks because he prances around like he’s 200+ lbs and it’s this little skeleton bouncing down the road. Unfortunately, as he’s feeling better, they think he’s a little too interested in cats so he can’t go to the original foster they were planning. They are working out alternate plans as we speak, but he is feeling great and will tell you all about it (he told me off the other day because I was taking my pit out and not him). He hurries right to the front of the run when anyone comes near (no more wooing him with treats) and he’s just doing fabulous. They have him on a raw and Orijen diet so the weight is coming on consistently and he is feeling great.

01/22/10- from the volunteer checking in on Jude:

“I went and spent time with him last night. He was tired because he went for a short walk. He is eating VERY well and takes treats so gently. He’s been sleeping a lot. I gave him a big comforter to sleep on and he hopped right on it. I think he’s conserving his energy at this point and trying to heal. It just breaks my heart with ones like him, so utterly and cruelly “cared” for but still so kind. Most people could stand to learn some valuable lessons from dogs.”

Tonight we’re not asking for donations (though it would be greatly appreciated)…… we’re asking for prayers and lots of positive energy for this poor soul who has lost his will to live. He came into a Miami shelter yesterday and was pulled today by ABR. Here is a little more about him-

From one of our volunteers yesterday at 11:43 a.m.:
Just came into MDAC by an officer. His collar is very tight so the fluid is stuck around his neck and he is entirely emaciated. My vet office is full as far as isolation. I emailed the shelter to put a do not ER bc I’m afraid they will want to euth him. Jessica said he is just so depressed and he just stands and stares. She said he let them examine and didn’t peep a word and is standing with the other dogs.

And from Carey today:
A vet is staying late to take him in tonight.  He is down to less than 1/2 his body weight and has a LOT of fluid around his neck..probably from collar that was too tight.  He really has lost his will to live.  He’s completely shut down emotionally from all he’s endured….   If he doesn’t want to live, it’s going to be really hard to save him.  He’s bound to have a myriad of medical problems and I hope he doesn’t go into kidney and/or heart failure.  …He needs lots of prayers and lots of donations.

As this is being written (6:01 p.m.), he is on his way to the vet. Our volunteer, via cell phone, says he is a love and she got a little bit of a tail wag from him.

We’ve decided to name him Jude after Saint Jude, the Patron Saint of “lost causes” and “cases despaired of”. “When all other avenues are closed, he is the one to call upon, and his help often comes at the last moment. Saint Jude is one whose aid is sought when all hope is lost, especially in grave health matters and life-and-death situations”. We decided on this name after a search for male names meaning hope and this is what came up. We think it is very appropriate.

Please send some positive energy and well wishes Jude’s way tonight. He could sure use it.

Jude sleeping on the way to the Vet’s office- sweet dreams baby.