Can you find Preston?

This is Preston's favorite place when he is not eating. I know that looks a bit uncomfortable but believe me he loves it in there and in that position.

He is also a bit modest and usually covers himself up.

Preston gets to lead a parade...with SANTA!

Preston is about to make his public debut. And it's turned into quite an event! Santa, the Phillipsburg HS Marching Band, even a press release...it's going to be a big deal!

Preston is ready...he has a new red splint, and a red muzzle, and a Christmas collar with all of the misfit toys...how appropriate is that? Like them, he's not quite right, and all he wants is a home of his own!

I don't get to go :sniff sniff: so I'll be looking for lots of pictures in my inbox to share in the ezine! (Anotterchaos@yahoo.com). Have a greyt time, everyone!



Here's the press release:

Phillipsburg Mall Kicks Off The Holidays With A Spectacular Parade

First State Greyhounds and Phillipsburg HS Marching Band to Lead Santa’s Arrival Parade

Phillipsburg, NJ – Santa’s Arrival is a Holiday tradition at malls across the country but this year there’s an extra special treat in store for those who visit Phillipsburg Mall this Saturday, November 15^th to welcome the jolly fellow with the gentle smile and sparkly eyes. The rescues of First State Greyhound – and the volunteers of their organization - will be leading Santa’s Arrival Parade along with the Phillipsburg High School Marching Band. The parade will begin at Noon at Phillipsburg Mall’s Entrance 4 and wind throughout the entire mall then finish with Santa’s arrival to his magnificent home in the mall’s Center Court , just outside of H&M. There Santa will welcome the gentle creatures from First State Greyhound along with all the other visitors to Phillipsburg Mall into his beautiful living room, complete with fireplace, big cushiony chair and a wide array of toys and gifts.

The Hounds of First State Greyhound will be walking the mall for a very special purpose this Saturday. They’ll be putting their best paws forward to raise money for one of their fellow racers who has had to deal with some tremendous challenges since being rescued from a Florida race track. Preston , also known as Pony Express in his racing days, has had some overwhelming medical problems since arriving in foster care just two months ago and the non-profit organization is faced with thousands of dollars of expense as a result of the care he has needed. Given the label of “the hard luck hound”, Preston has maintained an upbeat and gentle attitude through his many surgeries and rehabilitation requirements. His ordeal is not yet over and more surgeries and medical attention will be required to get Preston back on all fours. To do this, First State Greyhound rescues, fosters along with the organization’s volunteers will be a part of one of the most spectacular events of the year at Phillipsburg Mall in an effort to help one of their own. And, what is going to make the day even more exciting is that the famous hound himself will be making an appearance. That’s right; Preston will make a short visit to Phillipsburg Mall on Saturday, too, in an effort to bring more awareness to his plight. He’ll be holding court at Santa’s home during the parade and will be the first one to welcome Santa to his home when the parade concludes there!

Preston has become quite a celebrity, far surpassing his racing reign, since arriving in foster care in September of this year. His warm personality and courage in dealing with the many challenges he has had to face have created so much attention that he actually has his own blog on the internet. So, those who want more information on Preston before visiting this magnificent creature celebrity on Saturday at Phillipsburg Mall may get more details by going there – www.getwellpreston.blogspot.com.

Thanks to the generosity of Warren Hospital , Phillipsburg Mall will also be presenting a special story-time and craft event on Saturday, November 15^th just before the Santa Arrival Parade. Children of all ages are invited to Santa’s home beginning at 11am for this event that will also include free gifts, compliments of the folks at Warren Hospital . The day’s festivities will conclude with one of three very special Holiday performances being provided by the famous Nazareth Brass, a group of tremendously talented musicians headed by Nazareth ’s own Ian Amidon.

For more information about Saturday’s event at Phillipsburg mall, please contact Pam Richetta, Marketing Director. For more details about Preston or First State Greyhound Rescue, please contact Deb DeLucca at 610 559-9744.

I met Preston!

Doesn't Preston look happy with his Christmas Red bandage?

I'm so excited! I finally got to meet this happy boy. And what a love he is...he is so friendly to everyone, has kisses for all (between him & Josie, I'm covered with dog slobber!). He is so pleasant, even when he's having unpleasant things done to him.

And the news is all good! He had xrays today, which show his fracture healing well. He'll continue to be splinted, and get another set in a month.

AND...his self-inflicted wound is also healing well!! It's filling in and the skin is growing back. We didn't know if it would ever be sufficient to cover the wound, but it's looking as though (paws crossed) thoughts of losing the leg are a thing of the past.

Here is his home away from home, Valley Central. He's down to 3 times a week bandage changes.

Come meet Preston!!

Preston will be at the Phillipsburg Mall, Saturday, 11/15, at noon! Come meet this wonderful guy.
For more information, check here: http://www.1state.dogdrum.com/

In the meantime, no news seems to be good news. He continues with every-other-day bandage changes, a nice change from the every day routine.

Preston gets a break from the vet today

Preston did not have to have a bandage change today, he was happy not to go to the vet today so he slept the morning and afternoon away. He will be going again at 8am tomorrow and then he gets to skip Sunday. He got two well wishes today, Ellen Link called to see how he was doing and Jen Esterly stopped by for some ear and back rubs. Preston does love company and that his original foster mom, Ellen checks in on him almost every day.

Pony Express

By the way...Preston's racing name was Pony Express. The way he's going right now, he's on the Express towards running up the biggest bill in FSGR history! We don't begrudge him a bit...he's going to be worth every penny. But if you're interested in lightening the load, please consider clicking on the button to the right...every little bit will help us get this hound back on the Express to health!

Preston...a brief history

Yup, Preston has certainly had more than any hound's share--more than any two hounds' share--of mishaps. Since 8/29/08, he's had...

--His neuter, which was more complicated than most (Of course, he's Preston)
--A bad happy tail incident, which left him bandaged
--A partial removal of his lovely, long, sweeping tail, as the happy tail wouldn't heal (I'm sure they are still finding the blood stains from that one!)
--A further removal of most of the rest of his tail, since his first surgery became infected

And just when it looked like that was all healing up, on a chilly Friday evening (why is it always a Friday night, just after the vet's office closes?), he broke two bones in his front leg! So that earned him a weekend stay in Valley Central's emergency room... and then...

--Surgery to patch him back up with rods, screws & plates

And just when THAT was healing up, he decided to take a good look at his leg himself...by ripping up his bandage, and not incidentally his leg. I'll spare you the gory details, but it's not good. Poor boy!

So for the past week, Preston has been facing daily dressing changes at the vet's office. It looks like some of the tissue is filling in, but we're still not sure if it will heal up right...there's just not enough skin to cover it! So Preston's story is unfinished...it may end with him being short another limb...we just don't know yet.

Thank doG for the angels that are caring for him...Chris & Christine Guth, and for Toni Cron and the Link family who have also stepped in for emergency care. This lovely boy is only 3 years old...he has a long & happy life ahead of him once we get him past this!

That is...unless Preston decides on a career as a stunt dog...Heavens forbid!!