Dr. Lee Windham and Abbie

So, Abbie is a small six year-old Min-Pin who was adopted from here last December. Mom had to bring her back - no fault of hers. A lot of tears but there were some personal issues that could not have been predicted or helped. We noticed Abbie was not acting right on her second day back at the shelter. I blamed it on the fact that she was really upset and had been jumping about and barking all of the first day. But Sunday morning I knew if she didn’t get to the vet she might not make it through the day. I could not pinpoint what the problem was because I had never seen these symptoms.

I was alone at the shelter and not where I could just up and leave. After thinking about it I took the chance and called Dr. Windham at his emergency number. Mind you, it was before 7am. He answered and promptly came to us and picked up Abbie. I am amazed and impressed at his work and moral ethics. One can’t help but love this man. Mind you - he is just human. He will make mistakes as we all do, he is not perfect as are none of us. He is, however, a compassionate and good man who will do the best he can for every pet and their human.

He called me later in the morning to tell me that Abbie was actually bleeding to death since her blood had lost the ability to clot. The swelling and the bruising we had noticed were the results of this issue. He said only two things cause this - rat poison and snake bites. Abbie did not show any sign of a snake bite. We can only presume that she was exposed to the poison a few days before coming to the shelter. I am absolutely sure Mom didn’t know. I am sure we will never know what happened nor do I intend to pursue this.

Abbie came back to the shelter today. She looks and acts like a new little dog. She is a sweet dog and her life was saved by a wonderful doctor. I know I give him a hard time each time I go to his clinic, but that is just the nature of things. I may not ever sing his praises again, but this one is on me and well-deserved. I am sure we will have a hefty bill and I am just as sure that it will be a fair bill for a little life saved.

Thank you, Dr. Windham from Abbie and the ODCHS.

​---the Poop