Happy Ending –Ty's Story– Adopted January 8, 2012
By Pam Erickson in Normal IL

On January 2, 2011, Ticonderoga (Ty) was rescued by Col. Potter.  He had just turned 2 yrs. on 11/11/10 so he was young and rowdy and had been kept outside in a dog run and hadn't received the love, attention, training or care that he so deserved.
 
Ty was THE FIRST entry in my Blanket Auntie database for 2011. 
 
He went to his foster home on January 8, 2011 AND I assigned his blanket on January 8th, 2011.  I was Ty's Blanket Auntie.
 
Although Ty had some adjustments to make from being an outside dog to an inside dog, he did make those adjustments and was getting the love and care he needed.  One of his big problems was his weight.  He was 24.3 lbs. at intake and a perfect weight for him is 16 lbs.  Can you imagine how he must have wondered - "Where's all my food" when CP started him on his "diet".  With good nutrition he started loosing some weight.
 
The first of March, 2011 Ty had a seizure and was diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy.   He had a bit of a struggle adjusting to his first meds and then was switched to meds that were more suited to his body chemistry.  The next few months were ones of learning how to be "the best dog he could be".  It seemed as if he were at a standstill as far as his training and with no applications or interests for adoption, we were contacted in early October and were asked if we would consider taking Ty as our foster.
 
On October 8, 2011 we drove half way to pick up Ty  and he started a new adventure with us.  What an adventure we had with this boy.  We were immediately drawn by the cute face, 1 ear up & one ear down, and the most amazing chocolate brown eyes that could look straight into our hearts.  Our family and Ty seemed to have an automatic bonding and his blooming into the most AWSOME cairn boy began. 
 
Although Ty was seizure free on his meds, I decided to have his thyroid levels checked to see if this could have been the cause of his seizures.  After going over all of his intake records and med records, it seemed to me that a 2 yr. old cairn that was outside all day in a dog run should not weigh 24.3 lbs.  Could there be another cause behind his struggle with weight and seizures?  The lab work showed that Ty did have hypothyroidism and he was started on meds.  His energy level became normal as he was able to run and play for extended periods of time and take long walks and not tire out.  He started loosing his extra pounds and is now at his perfect weight.  The thyroid meds did such a great job that we actually had to increase his food intake as he fell below is ideal weight of 16 lbs!  We were also able to decrease his seizure meds with hopes that someday, i n the near future, he will be off the seizure meds and that the cause of his seizures was the low thyroid.
 
Ty became the most obedient boy who always comes when called, sits when he's told to sit, shakes hands, stays when he's told to stay and runs and gets in his crate when told.  He also is 100% house trained and runs to the door to go out.  He does not bark at the door so any accidents have been at the back door because we didn't see him sitting there (our fault).
 
SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO,
 
So, on January 8, 2012, one year to the day he started foster care, and 3 months to the day he came to us,  Ty began a WOND ERFUL new life.  TY WAS ADOPTED TODAY!!!!  He was adopted by the most WONDERFUL family and will have a perfect life from now on.  He will be going to work with his mom and fur sister everyday and will have the love and attention that he so deserves.  
 
CONGRATULATIONS Ty!!!  We love you and miss you.