esmeree

Labrador Retriever
Approx 2yo
45 Pounds
Spayed /Microchipped
UTD on vaccinations
Heartworm / Flea Preventative

INSTRUCTIONS for ADOPTION:

Please read the bio in its ENTIRETY. If you feel your family is a perfect match, please send a completed application to gateway4paws@gmail.com. Applications & FAQ regarding adoption can be found here on our website.

Only completed applications that meet requirements will be reviewed. Since we are 100% foster-based rescue, only approved applications will be contacted. We do not allow shipping & do not transport. You must live within 350 miles from Maryville, IL & be able to drive for a meet & greet.


If you follow our socials, you may remember Esmeree's intake story:
Esmeree was found in an abandoned house with several newly born puppies by an individual. Unfortunately, all her puppies were deceased. She was doing everything she could to take care of herself let alone care for her puppies. She was posted on several social media pages for several days and no rescues offered to help her. After seeing these posts day after day, we knew she could not be left to suffer any longer. So we sprang into action and made plan even though we don't take normally take medium size dogs.

When she arrived in foster care we started accessing her injuries. She was scared, bleeding on her ears and face, and holding up her back leg. Was she bitten? Did she get caught in barbwire fencing? Did she get into a fight? And she was skin & bones. We did the best we could at the time to treat her wounds, but Monday came and we dropped her off at the vet office first thing. She weighed just 36 pounds. They took blood and ran it for everything. Thankfully it came back unremarkable and heartworm negative. They took urine and it was normal. They ran a fecal test and she was positive for whipworms which is easily treatable. They took x-rays from head to tail & everything became heartbreakingly clear. Esmeree left hind leg (femur) is severely fractured due to being shot. She had shrapnel present in her leg. We had no idea as the outside wounds had already healed but the bones were not healing on the inside. After several discussions with multiple vets and orthopedist, amputation was the best treatment in this case.

Now we know what her medical condition is, we need to get her good nutrients and weight healthy so she can be spayed and have her leg amputated. In about 3 weeks, she had gained 10 pounds so she was ready for her surgery. Her leg was removed and she went through several weeks of physical therapy and has recovered wonderfully. She is not hindered by only three legs.

Since coming into our care, Esmeree has received all the medical care she needed and we have learned all the things that scare her from being abandoned. She knows she will be fed good food, clean drinking water and a fluffy bed to sleep on. We have learned she is scared of thunder or loud boom noises and ATV's. Esmeree is a very loving girl and just wants someone to love her back.

She does walk on a leash and harness but she also loves to be outside on nice days. So she will need a fenced yard so she can enjoy her outside time safely. Esmeree does get along with other dogs but we do not recommend her with small dogs because she really has not learned how to play with them safely.

Bringing home a new dog is a huge responsibility. It requires lots of patience & time! But it is very rewarding if everyone is invested. Please apply if you meet the requirements & would like to adopt Esmeree. Please don’t apply without speaking to your spouse/partner first.