Drum roll please...RESCUED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can hardly believe it-at approximately 6:20 a.m. this morning the kennel door closed on Teddy's year long journey on his own. Teddy's friends from the shelter, Janine and Liz, arrived bright and early this morning to wait in front of our house. I sat in the jeep, hidden by coverings on the windows, praying for a miracle. I was doubting that he would come as I hadn't seen him for two days (probably due to the fireworks in the area.) I was reading a daily devotional trying to keep my mind occupied and keep my heart from racing. When out of the corner of my eye, I saw a black and white flash. I gently reached for the rope and held tight. He looked in the kennel then walked around the outside, and finally hunger overcame him. When he entered and went to the far end of the kennel I pulled the door close-thank God the posts I planted stopped the door. He panicked a little circling and looking for a way out. But I got out of the jeep and started his whistle and began talking very softly. I grabbed the can of Vienna sausage, and went to call his friends ( my husband had already alerted them and they were on their way up). I quickly went around and locked the door, speaking ever so softly to him. The girls came and with their great expertise walked right in and collared him (with THREE different collars-I love them!) Then we all sat with him. He really was quite calm and accepting of our talks and pats-he even laid down!

Can you believe it? I actually got to HAND FEED him, finally!!!

Look how calm he is-

this me and him on the floor at the vet's office! Of course his friends Janine and Liz were there too! He fell asleep!

This is Dr. McDonald of Mountain Shadow Veterinary Hospital with our Teddy! Surprisingly he said he looked pretty good all things considered! He had blood work and tests done and all was well except he does have Lyme disease (we figured that), and another tick borne illness (sorry I forget what it is), but both are treatable. And...

He IS HEARTWORM NEGATIVE-thank God! He will need updated vaccines but Dr. McDonald felt that he should have some time to de-stress before inoculations-makes total sense!

And here's our boy....after his grooming and bath! Look at that face! And you know what? He was sooooo sweet and actually began wagging his tail at us while we were at the vet's office! He was so good on the rides to and from the vet and while there. He is now at the shelter, for now, and he actually seemed to remember the people there-as he wagged his tail and flattened his ears. He greeted some of the other dogs without fear which amazed me considering he always ran when a dog barked. He did not seem stressed or frightened, a little pensive perhaps, but not spooked. The shelter will take all necessary steps to assure his safety, they were all so glad to see him! I will be returning this afternoon to give him his heartworm medicine and to spend time with him. I will be attempting to visit with him every day to help with his training and rehab as well. Keep tuning into his blog for updates-there's so much more to come!! And....it's ALLLLLL good!

My thanks to all of you out there in "blog reader land" for your prayers and support, to Diane Buhl for her suggestions and her loan of a humane trap, for Cressona Country store for renting us a kennel (for a nominal fee) to capture him securely, to Janine & Liz of the Hillside SPCA for being THERE always, to everyone at the Hillside SPCA for their support and future care of our boy until he can find a forever home, and to those who sent supportive emails and suggestions, donated food, to those who tried to capture him previously as well, and to all who bought t- shirts (tell you friends about the shirts) we want to pay for his medical expenses and hope to raise awareness through education-you can help support that with a t-shirt purchase.

I think I might be able to finally sleep a little later tomorrow morning. We all cried when the door closed and as we petted him. Tears of joy which I'm sure some of you are sharing with us. Thank you all!!!! I'll continue posting updates on his progress!