DECATUR, GA......Sweet JAVA is an 18 month old Pitbull that was picked up as a stray in Dekalb County.  Because of the condition he was in when he was picked up and the fact he was so sick, he was going to be put down unless someone stepped up for him quickly.  This wonderful boy didn’t get this way over night.  He has been this way for a while for his skin to be so leathery hard and tough.  He has Demodex which comes from a compromised immune system that is stressed so badly that it cannot fight off the condition.  All pups are prone to have this.  A healthy immune system will fight off the condition and it does not get out of control.  JAVA was kept in an emaciated state for so long without medical care that his poor body didn’t have a chance.  Someone has done a terrible home ear job on this sweet boy.  He is now prone to ear infections because he has no way to protect his ear canal from the outside elements getting in.  We rescued this boy and to our surprise had a very difficult time finding a vet that would take him.  Because he was contagious, no one wanted to risk getting Kennel Cough or the terrible Upper Respiratory Infection (that seems to be in every shelter now) in their clinic.  I understand that but we as rescuers have to have a way to get medical care for these abused animals.   We finally found one of our regular vets that had a quarantine room to put him in.  JAVA will be there for a while recovering.  He is still contagious so he can’t play with other dogs now.  We will have to wait several weeks to see if he has any dog aggression.  Right now, he is happy and glad to be getting food and love on a regular basis.  It will be months before his skin starts to improve.  It will get worse before it gets better but at least he is comfortable while he is getting well.  We know his life was HELL before us.  He now has the chance to be a beautiful loving dog that will be cherished and loved for the rest of his life.

JAVA  is out of the hospital and on the mend.  He is going to look worse before he gets better with the demodex.  He will be with us for several months while she is recovering.

Java is slowly getting his fur back.

Java is doing wonderful.  His coat has come in and he has the most beautiful marks on him.  Sweet dog that loves everyone.  He is ready for his new home.

Wonderful JAVA is finally ready for his new home.  He is the most incredible dog and loves everyone.  He will make a wonderful running partner that will get you up every morning for your run with that wonderful smile on his face.