I think I first saw the picture of Baldwin in the shelter over a month ago and his face and eyes immediately struck me. I believe he had the same effect on many of us. The shelter had him named Chance, but the rescue (GSP Care of Ohio) named him Baldwin meaning Brave. That was definitely more fitting for this precious boy. Things worked out in perfect harmony for me to receive Baldwin so Cheryl and Matt dropped him off at my home a little over 3 weeks ago today 4-2-12. My husband that said we could never foster again agreed to take him in and I overheard him tell his friends he felt bad for the poor bastard. And really, who could not? He was completely emaciated and had a huge (what appeared to be a) goiter protruding from his neck. He was supposedly found as a stray and the best we can do is speculate as to what his life was like prior to being picked up in Trumbull County, Ohio. But anyone that saw his pictures saw his eyes- his incredible liquid brown eyes that penetrated all of our hearts.
I had very high hopes of having him gain weight and getting into shape to play with my dogs. I knew things would not end well for Baldwin with Thyroid Cancer, but I really wanted to give him the best end of life scenario possible. I researched and found that Flaxseed Oil, Cottage Cheese and a high protein diet were good to try to keep this killer at bay. I was even giving him contraband B-17 from Mexico and a volunteer from the rescue gave me a wonderful pill that was supposed to help fight those terrible cancer cells. All hopes for this went to hell when Baldwin decided he did not want to eat anymore a couple of weeks ago. It became a game of well, what will you eat and please eat the painkillers and pepcid at least that are hidden in your food. He quickly discovered he could eat around the foul pills and leave them in his dish. So, I had to liquify his pills and use a plastic syringe to try to get at least these down his sore throat to ease his discomfort and nausea. He soon figured out he could “run” away from me and gave me quite the run-around the kitchen island and living room to avoid the inevitable bad tasting liquid being poured down his throat. Baldwin would rear his lips back in distate and would give me what I came to call the stink eye.
I also got the stink eye when I would not let him drink the puddle water he so wanted when we would take our strolls. Baldwin loved to smell the spring air. Maybe God blessed us with an early srping this year to let us enjoy the outdoors. Our driveway is 600 ft. long and he would always start off in haste. Even when I thought he would never have energy to make it to the mailbox, he would. He would find the energy. On the way back he would usually stop and we would take our time back to the house. But, I would get the dirty looks when I would not let him drink the puddle water. Someone said on one of my Facebook posts, “Kathy-he has cancer-let him have whatever he wants!!!”. The Thyoid Cancer caused him to have the same symptoms as Hyperthroidoism which causes intense thrist. So, we kept toilets shut and him away from the puddle water (I know-bad foster Mom).
The first week was great and he started to gain a very small amount of weight and muscle. We can only speculate that he was kept in a small area as he had no muscle tone at all. The second week here he started to have what I call bad days. He would not have the energy to get up thus his harness stayed on during the time out of his crate so I could help him up. I would have to hold him as his legs shook and then gain the energy to hold him up. He was supposed to weigh about 75 pounds and he was 49 when I took him to the vet the first 3 days he was here. I would ask him if he had his legs and his tail would wag and he would be on his way. Normally ,he would follow me around the house and then wait to be pet. If he was not being pet he would wag his tail even harder and do his little bark. It was more like a hoarse cough because the cancer robbed him of his vocal cords. I think God intervened again because I ended up with an upper respiratory flu and then an accute sinus infection. All of this allowed me to be recovering at home and with him versus working at the office.
In my vet’s estimation Baldwin was not over 7 years old. That is very young for a German Shorthaired Pointer. He was certainly dealt the unlucky card in life. Again, we can only speculate-but if I were to guess I would say he led a life of complete neglect only to be dropped off when he was no longer able to hunt. Jared and I are almost positive he was a hunter as he would raise his head in glory when he would hear or see a bird. And even in weakness would end up in the most beautiful GSP stance. They are the most regal dogs.
He loved to walk, and be pet. He loved my two dogs and would wag his tail as soon as they would come around. He did not have the energy to eat, but would follow me from room to room to bet pet and loved. Life gave this boy lemons and there was not one bit of animosity in his eyes. He was grateful to be alive and loved.
I will never forget this boy. He was only with us a little over 3 weeks before I had to make the decision to help him to the Rainbow Bridge. I really wish I would have had more time to spend with him, but the time we had was wonderful. I can tell you he went in peace and I held his head and looked into his beautiful brown eyes as he left this world. I wish he would have come to us sooner and we could have put some weight on him and given him a fighting chance, but that was not in his cards for Brave Baldwin. In the end, the best we could give him was comfort and love.
I want to thank everyone that has loved him and supported him. I told him every day that he had people that cared for him. And I told him again today.
He may have come to us as a foster, but as all fosters they never truly leave your heart. I would take any of them back on a moments notice if they needed me. Baldwin left this world with a family and a Mom that loved him dearly. He was my boy when he left. And I hope he is waiting for me at the Bridge wagging his little nub.
- Kathy (Baldwin’s Foster-Mom)