Brutus

Hello, my name is Brutus and this is my story as told to Shannon Schiller (she is the lovely young lady holding me):

About 2 years ago my mom and dad left. I saw the moving truck and all of their belongings packed up. They walked out to the back yard and tied me to a tree. They left a bowl of food and water, walked out the gate, got in the truck and drove away. "Where are you going?! You got all of your belongings except for me! Are you coming back?" I didn't get an answer. I listened until I could no longer hear the vehicle, thinking for sure they would be coming back. I waited and waited but I never heard the truck return.

Several nights passed and I was out of food and water. I saw many people walk by and heard many cars and trucks, but never the truck they left in. I was very soon out of food and water and was beginning to get hungry and very thirsty. I was hot, it was summer time and I had little shade. I kept waiting for my mom and dad to come back, I thought for sure they didn't forget about me. Every time I would hear a car come down the road. I would get up and prick my ears thinking, this must be them, they've come back. But, it was never them, and I began to get sad and scared. How long could I stay here?

I don't know how long I was there, tied to that tree, but I got very weak from not having any food or water, and something happened to my foot. It hurt real bad and started turning black. The flies, mosquitoes, fleas and ticks wouldn't leave me alone. I thought they were eating me alive.

I had about given up, when, "Who's this? Someone is coming through the gate." It's not my mom but she seems real nice and she's talking to me real sweet like. I was scared, was she just going to turn around, and leave me there too? She left, I knew it, and I'm going to die here, tied to this tree. "Wait! She's back! What's in her hands?" It's food and water. I drank and drank, gosh I was thirsty. The food tasted so good. She untied me and tried to get me to follow her, but I couldn't. I was so weak and my foot hurt real bad. The nice lady petted me and told me I was going to be ok. She then picked me up. I was surprised she was so strong. I used to be real big, but I guess I got small. She walked to her car and put me in the back seat. She petted me and told me I was going to be ok and I was going to see someone named "Dr. Greg". I hope he doesn't hurt me. I don't know if it matters, I hurt so much already.

We eventually stopped and she left the car, but came right back with someone who picked me up and brought me inside a building. I've never been inside before, and I started to shake. I was scared. It's a bit of a blur what all happened next. Several people were around me; they poked me and touched me all over. They said I weighed 41 pounds. That can't be! I wanted to tell them that I used to be so much bigger. I used to be handsome. I didn't use to look like this. I was real happy when they got all of the fleas and ticks off of me.

They picked up my foot, and I got real mad then, it hurt so badly. I growled. I was confused. They were talking to me real sweet, but they were hurting me. They scrubbed my foot and soaked it in some warm tea colored liquid. That felt gooood. They put some ointment on it and wrapped it up. This was the routine for a couple of weeks. They said I had some worms in my heart, and I had worms in my belly, Hooks, Rounds and Whips they called them. Maybe that's why my tummy's upset. I got some yellow liquid; they called it pudding and told me it would make me feel better. I felt much better.

My foot was getting worse. I could see that. The black was now up to my knee. There was a lot of whispering around me and everyone was giving me sad faces. "Please don't give up on me. I'm trying to get better." Everyone started petting me and loving on me. I got poked in the arm then I fell asleep.

I don't know how long I was sleeping but when I woke up, I felt much better, but something wasn't right. "My Leg is GONE!! Where did it go?" When I went to sleep it was there, I woke up and it was gone. A very nice lady named Shannon told me I was better off without it. She said it was gangrene. I don't know what that is, but it sounded bad. Maybe I am better off without that gangrene. I started to feel lots better, but about a week later my other foot started with the black. Shannon started with the soaking and wrapping. Once again I had to take a nap and when I woke up, Shannon told me that they were able to stop the gangrene, but not before it took my toes. She told me that I was going to be ok without my toes and that Dr. Greg fixed it up real nice.

A while went by and my foot healed up real good but, because I didn't use my back legs for so long, the one leg I had left didn't have any more muscles in it but I got around good by scooting.

A week ago I got a BIG package in the mail. Everyone was real excited. "What was in this big box??" Shannon opened it up and pulled out this scary looking contraption. They told me it was my wheels, and I got the cream of the crop "Bentley" model. Shannon and Dr. Greg picked me up and set me in it. I haven't "stood" straight up in so long. I didn't know what to do; I looked around and started to back up. Everyone encouraged me to go forward. We went outside, "Wow! This feels GREAT!" I got a BIG grin on my face and I started walking. Then I walked faster, I picked up trot and Shannon had to run to keep up with me. The wind was in my face and I couldn't go fast enough. I got tired quickly but I didn't want to go back inside. They told me I had to build up my energy so we went back to the A/C. We now go out every day so I can build my muscles and every day is better than the last.


Shannon shows me off in my new wheels!

It's been a year and a half since that woman rescued me from that tree. I never saw her again, but I am forever grateful to her for bringing me to Dr. Greg's. They told me that they got rid of the worms in my heart and every now and then I catch a glimpse of myself in the window. I weigh 84 pounds know and I look better than ever. Everyone tells me how handsome I am.

They tell me that my "Bentley" came from a wonderful company called Eddie's Wheels (page opens in a new window). I didn't know, but Shannon had been trying to find me some wheels for a while but had been unsuccessful. Another patient of Dr. Greg's had a set of wheels from Eddie's Wheels and Shannon called them and spoke with a most wonderful woman named Leslie. She told her my story and how all of my donation money, that had helped to cover the cost of surgeries and all my treatments, had run out. Leslie and Eddie's Wheels took it upon themselves to make a "Bentley" just for me. It even has a counterbalance on it so I don't topple to one side since I lost my leg.

I am so happy here at Winter Animal Hospital. I didn't think that life could get any better; I've known nothing but love since I got here. I never knew there were "wheels" for dogs, but thanks to Leslie and everyone at Eddie's Wheels, I KNOW it doesn't get any better than this.

Love,

BRUTUS



Brutus (with Shannon in tow) shows off his new wheels while exploring the great outdoors.

Note from Otis: As the semi-official greeter and first dog in residence at Winter Animal Hospital since it opened, I know first hand that Shannon, Dr. Greg and all the staff greatly appreciate the generous support of friends, and especially the wonderful folks at Eddie's Wheels, for the care and treatment of Brutus!

Page updated: 03/07/2009