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Rescued dog debuts with dramaRescued dog debuts with drama

This story has a tail-wagging ending, but I was afraid we were going to have to put the dog down. Thankfully, Lola the poodle is healthy and spunky. Except, now we keep a close eye on her behavior.

Whitney Shannon Haigwood, Staff Writer

February 4, 2025

2 Min Read
Two black dogs sitting on a white couch in a living room decorated for Christmas.
Lola the phantom poodle (left), stands tall and happy after surviving an incident that was caused by her mischief.Whitney Shannon Haigwood

A cat may have nine lives, but this is now true for dogs. Or at least in my experience. 

Around a month ago, I happened to find a beautiful standard poodle posted on Facebook, destined to be rehomed. She reminded me of my precious sheepadoodle, Bailey, who is a loving three-year-old girl. Their color and markings were too similar. I just had to rescue this pup. 

Within hours, Lola was at my doorstep, and both dogs got along great. But Lola is young, and a little mischievous at one year old. Seven days later, I realized the level of her mischief when I woke up to the sickest dog I ever encountered. 

It began with the sound of a dog about to heave. You know that sound which brings you directly to attention and onto your feet? Luckily, I got Lola outside in time. However, her stomach sickness worsened. Within an hour she had lost control in all directions – and it was gross, runny, and the smell was rancid.  

My concern heightened, and I called veterinarian offices. Unfortunately, with rural life, most offices are 45 minutes or more away. Plus, we were on the brink of the weekend and the New Year. Appointment times were practically unavailable, and I had no idea how I would travel with a dog so sick. 

I followed their professional recommendations and administered stomach medicine and electrolyte drinks. 

Related:Farm dogs are the best dogs

Amidst this fiasco, an unavoidable errand came up. I had no choice but to leave the house for a bit, so I kenneled Lola. We were gone no longer than an hour. When we returned, the kennel was a complete bloody mess. Fortunately, Lola was alive, but she was super sick. 

I made more calls to my family, another vet’s office, and the local director of our humane society. I also researched symptoms, and we all determined that it had to be Parvo or some contagious parasitic issue. 

Plus, I had no way to prove otherwise. The Facebook transaction to rehome Lola did not include shot records. Lesson learned. Get shot records. 

That is when the goal shifted to containing Lola outside to protect Bailey from this suspected sickness. Honestly, I was afraid we were going to have to put Lola down. We all cried, then we made a trip to the store for a possible remedy and to replace contaminated dog bowls and toys.  

To our surprise, we came home to find a much happier Lola. She trotted around the corner, spunky and tail wagging. We embraced her. Then, upon investigation, I discovered exactly what made Lola so sick.  

Indeed, it was not a parasite. Rather, it was a small, thin article of clothing she had eaten then horridly digested. Yet, another lesson learned – all laundry must make it to the hamper.

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DogsFarm DogsFarm Life

About the Author

Whitney Shannon Haigwood

Staff Writer, Delta Farm Press

Raised in a rural town in northeast Arkansas, Whitney Shannon Haigwood has a passion rooted in agriculture and education. As an Arkansas State University graduate, her career began in 2007, teaching middle school. After four years in the public classroom, she shifted gears to be a dedicated stay-at-home mom for her two beautiful daughters.

In 2019, Whitney took a job with the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, and her love for agriculture grew even stronger. While there, she served in the cotton agronomy program and gained an appreciation for soil health. She later accepted a promotion to be the Technical and Social Media Writer for Agriculture and Natural Resources, which further channeled her energy to educate others about sustainable crop production.

Whitney joined the Delta Farm Press editorial team in 2022, and she is ambitious to share timely stories and on-farm inspiration. “Our farmers and leaders in the ag industry have stories to tell. We learn from one another,” she said. “If we keep our successes or failures a secret, then we stifle opportunities to impact those around us. I aim to tell the story of agriculture in the Delta.”

Whitney lives amidst acres of row crops in Newport, Ark., where she raises her two “farm girls” along with their spunky Sheepadoodle dog.

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