Archie and Diane go out to play in the snow!   Archie on his first day. Archie not feeling well. Mouseover the images for a larger view.

Visit often for the latest news, events and information from Happy Dog Healthy Dog.

Spring Tips

Dogs on Paw-rade!

Cold Weather Tips for your pet

Dogs for adoption!

Good Fortune brought Archie to our store, just in time.
He was being sold on the streets of Wilmington at only 3 weeks old. Those who purchased him brought him into the store, knowing he needed help. When he arrived he was severely malnourished and very frightened. Knowing he had a slim chance at survival, we poured our hearts into him.

After we showed him that dirt was not a food, he slowly began to accept a bottle and be hand fed. He slept most of his early days and everyone who came into the store gave Archie words of encouragement and love. He was improving daily, gaining weight, increasing his energy and even chewing bones. We thought we were well on our way to health, when we noticed a red bumpy rash all over his tummy. It developed quickly into sores that spread rapidly. He had developed Demadex mange which is inherent in all puppies. But since Archie was taken away from his mother at such a young age, his immune system didn't receive the necessary antibodies usually provided from mother's milk.

We decided to treat him homeopathically, and so Archie soon met Dr. Shelley Epstein of Wilmington Animal Hospital. She explained to us that antibiotics might clear up his condition in the short run, but for his body to gain overall strength and heal from within we needed a different treatment plan. Over the next 6 weeks we fed him a whole food diet and the proper homeopathic remedies. He steadily improved. The sores eventually went away and his coat started to grow back. Dr. Epstein told us that Archie was too weak to get any of the normal vaccinations a puppy would receive and that we should wait 3-4 months for his immune system to strengthen. Just before Christmas he developed diarrhea and became very listless. We ended up at the Veterinary Specialty Center of Delaware and he was diagnosed with Parvovirus. He fought for his life those three days, not accepting water or food and was kept in isolation. We were not allowed to visit. On the evening of the 5th day without food or water we were told that if he did not eat the next day we had a very difficult decision to make. We asked everyone, his caregivers, customers, and friends to send him all the "good energy" we could that Monday night. On Tuesday we got one of the best phone calls we have ever received. Archie turned the corner over night. He wanted food and water and he was going to make it!

Currently he is doing GREAT and lives with us and our two rottweilers, Ms. Tee and Walter. He has many mothers and often has overnights with those who have helped him along the way. He is a true love. He gives us all the love in the world and has a feisty streak in him that is beautiful to watch. It is the fighter in him that has kept him alive to this point. We have to keep an extra special eye on him still, until his health is fully stable, and it sure looks like we are headed in the right direction. We celebrated his first birthday this May 1, 2005.

We want to sincerely thank the staff of Happy Dog Healthy Dog, all the customers and especially the veterinarians and technicians who have been there for Archie giving him all their love and support.

Sites Archie Likes