On day two, Manson and Heather had a long talk and he agreed to try and eat everything she put in his bowl. He ate one cup of food every two hours and held it all down. That night Manson started coughing a hideous cough that we found out was kennel cough. The vet started him on medication that night.

On day three, Manson got his first bath. Poor boy, all the hair on his body was pretty much dead due to his malnutrition. So much fell into the bottom of the shower that we were worried he would be bald. The bath proved to be a very good thing because, for the first time since Manson had come to his foster home, he wagged his tail!

By day five, Manson was eating all the food in his bowl every two hours and keeping it down. He spent most of his days sleeping in his crate, and didn't really have the energy to do anything else. That evening, his foster parents watched as he lifted himself from his bed and walked outside his crate. He picked up a toy and brought it back to his bed. The effort was so hard on his weak body that he collapsed and fell back asleep for the rest of the evening. In the morning, Heather found him chewing his toy and waiting to be let out.

After that, Manson followed Heather everywhere she went. He only wanted to be near his humans. But this was exhausting work for him and he coughed the whole time. Manson had never seen stairs before and watching him try to manage them for the first time was heartwarming and sweet. Manson has a funny little walk which I'm sure has something to do with the fact that his nails were so overgrown for such a long time and also that he had no muscle tone whatsoever.

By day 10, Manson was no longer coughing and had found a way to traverse the stairs in his own little style! He was eating 3 cups of food four times a day and enjoying lots of good treats in between.

Day 13, Manson ran for the first time today! He ran through the snow and wagged his happy tail and seemed to say, "Look at me, I'm feeling better and better!" Manson is now eating full meals three to four times per day and he is almost done with his kennel cough medications. We are amazed at how much better he looks, but he still has a long way to go. We aren't sure what he weighs now, because we can't bring him back to the vet until his medication is completed, but the pictures are worth a thousand words!

Manson is a sweet, sweet boy. He's beautiful and unique in his markings, a mixture of fawn and merle. He's patient and gentle and loves to be with his people. He adores the cat and they snuggle throughout the day together. Manson goes to the door when he wants to be let out and he sleeps on his big dog bed at the foot of his foster parents' bed. He is hardly ever vocal, but his deep brown eyes say a million beautiful things every time he looks at you. He is not destructive at all and his energy level is rising slowly with every passing day.

Please continue to keep Manson in your thoughts and prayers. He has a spirit that never gave up!

Sampson (formerly Manson)

Adopted 11-2-05

Manson went to his forever home with Jorge and Betty and their daughter in Colorado Springs. Jorge is a doctor, so he is in good hands to continue nursing him back to health. Betty is home during the day, so Manson will rarely have to be left alone and they will continue his feedings several times a day. They have decided to use East Springs Animal Hospital, so we know he will receive top of the line care for the rest of his life. The family was so excited to meet Manson that they could hardly contain their excitement! They have decided to rename him Sampson and he will be the only child and spoiled rotten. It was love at first sight and the perfect match.