Glen Highland was well suited to quickly solve this dilemma based on our decades of experience.

The lives of these dogs were nothing normal… they lived outside full-time, going anywhere at any time day or night… and while they were certainly happy good-natured Border Collies from all that freedom, their underlying illnesses went untreated for a LONG TIME - at least 2 years based on the available vet records - including tick-borne diseases and deadly heartworm.

It’s impossible to even understand what they ate except cheap dog food and whatever they found based on all the carcasses on the property. They drank rain water, green with algae, in whatever containers they found. While they clearly survived, the neglectful care takes a toll on any dog.

Even puppy TEX suffered. At only 7 weeks, his lethargy symptoms turned out to be lyme, transferred ‘in utero’ from the mother. He is being treated for lyme as per Cornell Vet Hospital’s recommendations, working with our local vet. In all our history of hundreds of rescue puppies, we have never come across a 7 week old lyme positive pup.

DELLA, TUCKER & TROOPER all need to undergo a four-month heartworm treatment that includes painful injections of strong medicine and 100% exercise restriction to prevent blood clots as the worms break apart into the bloodstream.

However, as “almost seniors’ Della age 9 & Tucker age 8 are not strong enough. Their bodies need a LOT of healing first...

Besides heartworm, Della had numerous litters while also positive for lyme and ehrlichia. Vet notes described her as ‘off and lethargic’ but she went without help. And, she had a serious uterus infection that almost killed her when we met her so she had to be raced to surgery. Plus, a very enlarged mammary mass was removed at that time.

Prior to rescue, Tucker underwent intense surgery on his backend and front legs for a compound fracture. Though repaired, heartworm was discovered and treated but the after care protocol wasn’t followed so the treatment was useless. There is measurable risk to a second heartworm treatment. He also was never treated for lyme or ehrlichia and he needs an orthopedic evaluation since he is still lame on one back leg, presumably due to pain.

Della and Tucker will remain with Glen Highland until we are sure they are able to undergo treatment and eventually be adoptable.

They are now getting real rest inside overnight, eating high quality food, and honestly, living a life suited to their mature age. Now, we can really see their fatigue emerging.

Now three months old, pup TEX has promising labwork showing he has cleared the lyme and is close to ready for adoption.

One-year old Trooper was transferred to another rescue for care and placement and Glen Highland will pay for his treatment. Two adults and five puppies were able to be adopted.