Smokey climbed on the rescue railroad when he walked into a Houston fire station. Well ... if you were in trouble ... could you think of a better place to go?  Poor fellow was in awful shape!  Emaciated at 10 lbs, starving, dehydrated, fevered, too weak to stand on his own, bite wounds on his thighs/ears/neck, anemic from fleas, a tummy full of parasites, a piece of corn cob stuck under his gum and heartworms! More than any doxie should have to bear. 

The firemen jumped into action and got him fed and to a local vet until we could pick him up.  After 3 days at the hospital his fever was gone and so were the fleas, dehydration and starvation, as well as the corn cob!  Smokey was feeling much better!!  After a round of de-wormer and blood work he went to stay with his new foster family where he is loved, fed and no longer sick.  Even in his weakened condition, Smokey managed to chase a bunny across the yard and the cats out of any room he found them in.  Pure doxie determination from tip to tail!!  But at least we know he prefers a home with no small animals.  He clearly thinks bunnies are here for exercise and cats are here to take over the world and must be stopped at all costs!  ;) 

Smokey has gained 3 pounds now (and will probably gain at least another 2) and is a handsome, calm, sweet boy who loves to take his toys for quiet walks around the house and yard before settling into a lap for a snuggle. He will soon have his heartworm treatment and we expect him to be ready for his forever home by the end of the summer!!  He has come a LONG way from that poor soul who wandered into that hall of heroes, but we are so grateful that he did!!

You can find Smokey on our Facebook page with his own picture album!!

UPDATE 06/18/12 - Smokey started his heartworm treatment today.  He should be ready for adoption @ August 20th!!