Tuesday Tails: Manly Stanley

To look at Stanley Anderson Cooper now, you’d think this “adorable malcontent” (his owner’s description, not this writer's!) was a normal rescued cairn terrier. You know the kind, who live with a family for most of their lives and then get shuffled off to the shelter when vet bills get too high or the family moves.

Well, that would have been nirvana for Stanley, compared to what he evidently went through.

The mean streets of Chester, PA – designated as Pennsylvania’s most dangerous city – were brutal to Stanley. This senior cairn avoided or survived the drug-infested dog fighting rings, but living on his own had its own price. It was almost the ultimate price – until Col. Potter Cairn Rescue Network (CPCRN) angels took him under their wings.

It was June 2016, and Chester’s animal control officer picked up the stray cairn in the middle of the night. They brought him to the “night deposit” cage at the local SPCA, where the shelter workers found him, sleeping, the next morning. They took one look at him and named him Motley.

The shelter recommended euthanasia for Motley

SPCA’s vet gave Motley a thorough examination, and the results were so bad that the shelter recommended euthanasia. His problems were beyond extensive:

• Large tumor on underbelly
• Burned sore paws, possibly from urine burns
• Severe cataracts and nuclear sclerosis
• Very obvious ataxia and “myoclonic seizure” activity
• Stiff, uncoordinated, faltering gait
• Heart murmur, grade IV/VI

On top of all that, he was emaciated, matted, and frightened. They estimated his age at 9 years old (although two other vets have said he was probably 13 or 14).

Despite the recommendation for euthanasia, the SPCA contacted CPCRN. Motley didn’t know it was his lucky day. Judith Curcio, partner of CPCRN intake volunteer Julie Greystone, works in Chester and she thought maybe the coincidence was in fact a “sign” that they were meant to foster him. So they did… and within six months, they adopted him.

Stanley (formerly Motley) today

“He’s a pleasant but grumbly little fellow,” Julie says. “He sleeps, he eats, he paces and paces, and at least once, each and every day, he puts his paws in the water bowl and tips it over.”

“You’d think we would learn, but noooo. I suspect he used to soothe his burned feet that way.”

Being a street dog, Stanley is not house-trained and, at his advanced age, will surely never be. Julie and Judith provide a wardrobe of “manly-Stanley pants,” called belly bands in the normal vernacular. Their dedication is evidenced in all the medical attention they give him, in addition to normal wellness visits with his vet, so he can live his last days in relative comfort. Stanley’s schedule includes:

• Cardiologist, twice a year
• Neurologist, once a year (since he has myoclonic seizures that seem to be triggered by sunlight, even with medication)  
• Ophthalmologist, at least twice a year (because of a persistent eye allergy)
• Dental consult, as needed

Stanley's myoclonic seizures have been largely helped by medications

Stanley is very good with other dogs, but he is not fond of being held by humans. Like any street kid, he doesn’t seem to expect much out of life, so everything is a bonus now. 

“Judith and I believe that Stanley has his little life, he likes his life, and we feel he has the right to live it,” Julie says. “He enjoys love, food, sleep, and companionship – and he especially looks forward to cookies. He has let us know that he’s not ready to move on just yet, and the VMDs agree.”

Stanley is a valued member of Julie and Judith’s (mostly) peaceable kingdom of multiple pets. We feel sure his memories of his days on the streets have faded away in their sweet love.

❤❤❤

Share stories about your CPCRN dogs! Send your stories and photos to cpcrnblog@gmail.com.