I realized it had been quite a while since we had an update on this adorably cute little boy, so I took that photo after lunch today for this post. I added the ear-flip for an extra dose of cute. Wally, or Fuzzy as he is known to his fans, or Mr. McDuff as he is known to his household staff, is doing great. He just had his second monthly "pre-treatment" for heartworms yesterday at our vet clinic in Whitefield.
This is the treatment to kill the heartworm larvae which are not killed by the Immiticide injections that will kill the adult heartworms. As the American Heartworm Society describes it, "The logic for this approach is to kill susceptible heartworm larvae and thus prevent re-infection of the dog, while allowing less susceptible juvenile worms the opportunity to develop into more susceptible adult worms. This tactic increases the chance for removal of the existing heartworm infection when the adulticide injections are given later." This treatment involves Ivermectin, plus an antibiotic (doxycycline) and an anti-inflammatory (prednisone).
In other news, we have licensed Fuzzy's image to the toy manufacturer Hasbro for a new line of children's toys modeled on Fuzzy. Expect to see the first toys in stores this coming Christmas. (Just kidding. But can't you see some stuffed children's toys looking just like him?)
In other (real) news, Alayne and I have decided Fuzzy's a "keeper." Yep, we're keeping him. (Hey, listen, we're entitled every now and then, you know?) He's just too cute, and is such a wonderful ambassador for disabled dogs with his happy-go-lucky, meet-and-greet style, that we realized we were going to fold him into the family.
Not that this changes the relationship, of course. He's still Mr. McDuff, and we're still his household staff.
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Can't say as I blame you for keeping him! He's adorable!
Posted by: Chelle | February 22, 2011 at 06:11 PM
My little Mr. Wiggins, adopted from a gassing shelter in Lousisana, came with heartworms. It's been a long haul to treat him and he's got to go in for a follow up in April. I have learned that Interceptor (heart worm meds) are more effective at killing off the larvae than Heartgard. Heartworms are strong and difficult to kill off, but of course it's all worth it.
Much love to the little guy and all on your ranch.
Posted by: adele | February 20, 2011 at 11:25 AM
If that isn't the cutest face on the planet, I don't know what is! So happy you are keeping Fuzzy. What a lucky boy he is! He'll be the best ambassador for RDR.
Also happy that his treatments are going so well. That is always good news!
Posted by: Ann | February 18, 2011 at 11:15 PM
If you didn't adopt The Fuzz, you'd have to have your heads examined. Congratulations on a no-duh decision! :-) Give him some kisses from us out here.
Posted by: Miranda | February 18, 2011 at 03:15 PM
Congratulations on your adoption of Mr. McDuff....he is definately a keeper. Of course, they all are aren't they.
Posted by: Ev | February 18, 2011 at 02:23 PM
--Fuzzy Wuzzy is a dog
--Whose cutest picture's on the blog
--I love his smile; I love his ear
--Wish that I could hug him near.
You can see what this blog does to me -LOL - this is what popped into my head.
How lucky the lil Fuzz is to have his home with you guys!
Many happy snuggles to come.:)
Posted by: Angela | February 18, 2011 at 12:21 PM
He is so adorable!!! I don't blame you one bit for adopting him yourselves!!!!!
If a toy stuffed doggie was modeled after him, I would purchase one!
Posted by: Rhonda | February 18, 2011 at 12:08 PM
I don't know how your heart's take letting any of them go, but this guy ... he's especially darling! Congrats on the new family member! Always room for one more, right?
Posted by: Lisa K. - San Diego | February 18, 2011 at 11:58 AM
Wow..congratulations to all of you!
This little guy will put a smile on your face no matter what is going on around you.
I remember from an earlier post how happy he was the moment he arrived at RDR. And now he gets to know that it is his forever HOME!
He won't have to bother training a whole new set of staff now too.
Posted by: Chloe | February 18, 2011 at 11:54 AM
A keeper, indeed! What a very dear boy! Hugs!
Posted by: Margaret | February 18, 2011 at 11:30 AM
"You" decided!! "You" decided!!! He had you wrapped around his paw from the first moment. Congrats that you two finally realized what HE knew from the first moment!
Posted by: Kathleen Rivard | February 18, 2011 at 10:27 AM
He is so precious! And hey, I think a toy with his face would be a wonderful teaching tool for children... in so many ways!
Posted by: Barbara Techel | February 18, 2011 at 10:23 AM
Steve, you had me there for a moment. I was already imagining how many of the Fuzzy toys I was going to have to get for all the people in my life. Then in the next sentence you dashed my hopes. That would have been a hot seller, especially with a story book to go with it!! Hmmmm.. I am also SO happy to hear his status has changed to "not available for adoption". What a lucky dog.
Posted by: Anne in FL | February 18, 2011 at 10:11 AM
THIS IS JUST THE MOST WONDERFUL STORY I'VE READ ALL WEEK & WHAT A CUTIE FUZZY IS. CONGRATS ON YOUR NEW MEMBER OF THE FAMILY.
Posted by: FELICIA | February 18, 2011 at 10:09 AM
So glad that Wally (I love that name) is doing well with his treatments. He is a cutie. And I think there is a big potential for him to be a spokesdog for disabled animals. You need to get that face out there and show the world. One question. Now that he's a keeper, where does he get to sleep at night? :)
Posted by: Barb Ribinski | February 18, 2011 at 09:03 AM
Fuzzy! Congrats on keeping Mr. McDuff! He is so cute it hurts. The ear flip definitely puts it over the top. He will be a great ambassador for Rolling Dog Ranch! What a lucky guy he is to have you two.
Posted by: Sue Heaps | February 18, 2011 at 09:01 AM
Such a handsome boy!!! But steve to make money for the ranch I would make stuffed animals of some of your dogs to sell...Who wouldn't want to own a Widget!
Posted by: gayle | February 18, 2011 at 08:59 AM
He is too cute! Love the pic!
Posted by: the Heartbeats | February 18, 2011 at 08:49 AM
I agree with Jerry...I would absolutely buy a fuzzy little Fuzzy dog for my grandchildren (actually, I'm lying...I would keep it for myself)....the toy company could even market him as blind, raise awareness....and donate some of their profit to you guys!
Posted by: Debbie | February 18, 2011 at 08:02 AM
Fuzzy is adorable. I'm glad to hear you are keeping him.
Posted by: Ashley | February 18, 2011 at 07:43 AM
I can see why he's a "keeper". Congrats Mr. McDuff on your fantastic Forever Home! You won the Lottery, little guy! Yipee! Yes Steve, you & Alayne can certainly choose to keep a precious ambassador.
Warm hugs all around,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit
Posted by: ginger | February 18, 2011 at 07:27 AM
How could you possibly let someone as utterly adorable as Wally/Fuzzy/Mr. McDuff go?;-)
I'm sure he's delighted at the prospect of spending the rest of his life with you two (and all the other furkids, of course).:-)
A big hug to you all from Italy.
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | February 18, 2011 at 02:06 AM
What a darling! I can see why little McDuff is a keeper!
Posted by: Leila - Washington | February 17, 2011 at 10:25 PM
YAY Fuzzy McDuff! You got a permanent spot at the ranch! And you are just SO DARN CUTE! BTW, my Emmett went through heartworm treatment last summer and had to do the pre-treatment as well. He came through it with flying colors, and I know you will too. :-)
Posted by: Heidi, Emmett the Beagle, and Moxie the kitty | February 17, 2011 at 10:08 PM
This is a true win-win situation! And it's no wonder you fell for this darling dog, even just based on his looks alone. Hurrah for all involved, and many happy days to you all.
Posted by: Moon Rani | February 17, 2011 at 09:56 PM
So happy for his progress and congratulations on the newest member of your forever family!!
Posted by: Linda | February 17, 2011 at 09:06 PM
Everyone should have staff. It's just that most of us don't! Mr. McDuff, you're are a keeper.
Posted by: Janet in Cambridge | February 17, 2011 at 09:01 PM
Congrats! There's a new baby in the family! But... WHO'S THE NEXT? :)
Posted by: Mauro Salles | February 17, 2011 at 08:50 PM
They just don't come any cuter! Congratulations on this lifetime commitment... for all of you.
Posted by: Linda | February 17, 2011 at 07:08 PM
ADORABLE! One big happy family!!! Makes me SMILE!!!
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | February 17, 2011 at 06:37 PM
Dang..I know if I didn't have three dogs already, I would have had you ship him out to Montana when he first arrived!! Yes you are entitled.!! He is to cute for words!!
Posted by: Laura, Levi & Timmy | February 17, 2011 at 06:29 PM
Why kid about the stuffed toy? Lynn Johnston of the comic "For Better Or For Worse" commissioned a toy of the sheepdog Farley that she draws, and it came out quite well. You could raise awareness of the Ranch and a few bucks at the same time. I know you have plenty of free time to spend working on this project.
Posted by: Jerry S. | February 17, 2011 at 06:12 PM