Missy was BC’s first Westie Rescue Dog! She was found wandering the streets of Vancouver in November 2002. She was picked up by the pound and unclaimed. The Pound placed her with a family in East Vancouver. She was fed the least expensive brand of dog food. She developed many skin and ear problems but because the people had very little money, she received no veterinary care.

In February 2003, Missy's former family brought her into the SPCA to be euthanized because she was keeping them awake as she was “scratching her ears all night”. Fortunately the Terrier Rescue person who happened to work for the SPCA called Westie Rescue of Canada. The day after being notified, WRC placed Missy in a foster home. She had serious ear infections, a very sparse coat, an early slipping patella on both  her back legs (one much worse than the other) and weighed 10 pounds. She had a very sweet disposition towards most people. She did NOT however seem to like other dogs. Missy was thought to be about 3 years old at the time of her rescue. With a healthy diet, medication, good care and lots of love, her skin improved somewhat. Her ears took at least 2 months to clear.

Missy’s foster parents adopted her. Now after 5 years, Missy is learning how to socialize with other dogs and finally has 3 or 4 dogs that she likes to meet and greet on her walks. She had obviously never been socialized and was quite aggressive with other dogs and some people. This has been an ongoing battle for Missy’s owners and a learning experience for Missy. She is on a very healthy diet and her skin and ears have improved but her seasonal allergies are still a major problem. Her family has the ongoing expense of keeping her on Cyclosporine which is a very costly drug that works well for some Westie skin conditions. Because of the Cyclosporin, her ears and skin only have occasional flare-ups. She has a beautiful thick coat of hair. Vet bills for Missy have averaged about $2500. per year to keep her feeling happy and looking good.

Missy is a bright, inquisitive Westie with a very strong personality, full of love, playfulness and curiosity. She loves to play Hide and Seek, and has a special trilling call when pleasantly surprised. She “owns” her leash and regularly folds it back and forth, then carries it away in her mouth to her bed where she keeps it with her favorite toys. She takes very good care of her toys and still, amazingly, none of them have any tears or holes in them.

Unfortunately Missy’s back one leg has gotten worse and is to the stage where it is going to require surgery to repair it. This will cost about $3000. to $3500. Because of the ongoing huge expenses Missy’s family has and will have with her care, Westie Rescue of Canada is hoping to assist with the bill for her surgery.