The Truth about Ellie

Hi!!! My name is Ellie. You know how every person has a story?! Well every dog does too. and here is mine.

If you are here, you obviously have some interest in me. Enough interest to call Animal Control. Was it my hair that interests you? or my scars? or my tumor? or because I am always chained up?

Lets go back. April 24, 2008. I arrived at my current home. (where you see me) I was adopted from the Animal Shelter. My owner saw me and couldnt resist. I was so happy that I got adopted. Just a frail, 7 year old, 70lb, female Giant Schnauzer. I couldnt believe it, someone wanted me! I was not a looker, I had badly matted long hair. I was named "Ellie" because I was big like the mammoth on Ice Age 2.

Here I am on my first night in my new home.

As the shaving process began, it was discovered by my new owner that I had terrible scars on my body and legs, I had so much poop in my fur by my butt and on my legs that the hair just fell right out. and then it was a revealed, a mammary gland tumor. Yes a tumor.

I was taken to the veterinarian to get my shots and check me out. The doctor was quite nice to me. He said that my tumor would some day need to be removed, at a hefty fee of 300 dollars. but until the tumor started leaking, or gave me pain, I would be fine. My owners would love to get it removed, but an extra 300 dollars is out of the question right now. because they have their many bills, and an infant daughter to take care of.

anyways, I was very skinny for lack of being fed. I was picked up by the pound police over by a park. just running around with no home to go to. That is all I can remember (aka all my new owners know)about me.

see how skinny I was?!

The shaving process took 3 different days, because I have a TON of matted hair and a few hours each day. But boy did I LOVE the shower afterwards!

me on my bed inside!!

notice my legs are shaved?! I had so much hair on my legs that it took hours just to do my legs.

me meeting my new sister Phoebe!

My new owners are very good to me. I eat well and sleep in the house at night. Now the reason that I have to be tied up with a short chain.

Here is what I do when cars are too close to me:

Yup thats me. on top of the car.

And here is what happens when I am tied up with a long chain:

Yup, I get tangled. and this goes for ANYTHING that I can wrap myself around. I tore the skirting on my owner's home and that is why I cant be tied to the kennel the other dogs are in.

Lets see, oh yes, the food issue. I cant have a big thing of food because the neighborhood dogs come and eat it. That and sometimes I can go on eating forever. I do get fed twice a day and always have clean water.

I cant be an inside dog because I pee on the floor. and at 83 lbs (yes I gained 13 lbs in 1 year!!) it is ALOT of damage to nice carpet when I pee on it. I am aloud inside during a hot day and a snowy day.

oh dont worry, I am cuter when my hair grows out a little

yes, thats me. chillin on the COUCH last summer on a very hot day!

and me bundled up on a cold day last winter.

So in recent weeks, I have been shaved again:

Hideous, I know. And there are the scars from my previous, unknown, life.

Aside from my appearance, I am a healthy dog. I have been to the vet twice since April 2008. My owners love me very much and they did give me a second chance at life. If it wasnt for them, I wouldnt be alive.

Thanks for your concern for my well being. Now you know my story.

Love,

Ellie