Andy Flaten - Saved By a Kind Heart

       Andy's story is a very special one. His early life was filled with unthinkable fear, anxiety, and finally abandonment. And then one day, his life changed forever. Here is the story of Andy and his new family, as told by his loving mom Gayle.

       "For fourteen years I had a Dalmatian named "Adie", short for Adirondack. We lost Adie over a year ago to bone cancer. Finally I was ready to raise another Dalmatian. Much to my surprise it was very difficult to find a Dalmatian puppy, even though I had my church and many others helping me search. One day I was told that there was a purebred Dalmatian at the shelter in San Leandro. After work I stopped to check out this Dalmatian. He was so cute, a small Dalmatian with a lot of spots. He had been dropped off in the night box at the shelter with a note saying he hates kids, and he bites when they pull his ears. He was so traumatized and scared that you could not even look his way without him giving out a cry. But I wanted a puppy! And so I left this cute little Dalmatian at the shelter. I could not stop thinking about him, though, and finally went back to the shelter to get him. I got there just in time. They were talking about his fate, and it was not sounding good. Somehow he knew I was there to help him and he stayed close to me as though I were a magnet. It was then I knew why I couldn't find a puppy - this Dalmatian was meant for me. I named him Andy.
       We took Andy to Pleasanton Veterinary Hospital for his check up. We had a huge surprise. Andy tested positive for heartworms! This was serious, life threatening. Andy started heartworm treatment immediately. The staff at the hospital quickly turned into Andy's biggest fan club. They not only treated his medical condition, they loved him too, and he started to respond to all of the people in his life who cared about him.
       Andy has now recovered fully from his heartworm disease. Andy and my husband Larry have really bonded and they sleep together every night. My other dog Laika and Andy are getting along much better with our positive reinforcement that I had learned in a dog training program. Andy makes us laugh when he sits up like a chipmunk. He comes into the hospital to visit the friends he has made there. Andy's past is behind him now. He's playing more and has more confidence in himself. He's more trusting and really good at obeying us. He's happy and healthy. I know we would have Adie's paw of approval on Andy. She would have loved him."

       Heartworm disease is contracted through a mosquito bite and has become more prevalent in our area. No longer can we be complacent thinking that our pets won't be affected, that heartworm disease does not happen here. Heartworm disease is life threatening and must be aggressively treated if contracted. The good news is that heartworm disease is easy to test for and easy to prevent. If your dog has not been on continuous monthly heartworm prevention, a simple blood test will give quick results. Prevention consists of a monthly oral medication that is very easy to give your pet at home. Consistency is the key. Every month, please take just a minute to give your pet the protection he needs against this serious and deadly disease.