Ryker's Story

Ryker was caught on August 31. What we know of Ryker's story starts around Stampede Weekend. We know there were initially some reports of a young male black and white, possibly pit mix running around. The Omak Animal Control officer had been following him, trying to find a pattern for over 3 weeks. The day before he was caught, he had been seen with visual injuries, chasing a female, in heat, lab who had also been reported. The following day, there were reports of him just "laying in the road". We later received messages from a friend of ours, who had just seen an injured dog, and he hunkered down under one of their cars - asking could we help. They took amazing photos for us to quickly identify and our "Boots on the ground" Christeena drove quickly to keep eyes on him while the ACO finished his other incident and was able to report. They were quickly able to catch him and our vet was able to see him immediately.

Huge thank you to Omak City ACO, Christeena with Okanogan Angels, Okanogan Valley Vet, and Racie a foster, specializing in special cases, for Okanogan Angels. 

Ryker will be available for adoption soon!!! Keep watching for updates!

All blurbs are by Foster Racie McKee unless other-wise noted:

September 12 - Ryker was my lunch date in Conconully today. He enjoyed his hamburger patty. 

September 12 - Ryker went shopping at Paws and Petals today. He got a nice soft blanket with the gift card from Beth Giese. Okanogan Angels said he could put a toy on their tab. He enjoyed some pets and beef treats on our visit. We are going out for lunch now.

September 11 - Ryker is having a bad dream. I talked to him and he has settled back down to sleep.

September 11 - Ryker has two toys from the box of toys and treats sent to us from Lisa Dybfest VanderWeyst. They each had a treat after supper for dessert. They are all feeling very special. Thank you, Lisa!

September 11 - It is a happy day for Ryker! He has his cone off! The wounds no longer have scabs and there is no muck coming from his eyelids/eye. He isn't scratching at his face so it can stay off He is thoroughly enjoying laying down without the cone. 

September 9 - 2:29pm - Ryker is very happy with the marrow bone he got at lunch time. He is managing just fine with the cone on. Luna and Glenn also got one. The two new outside boys each had one yesterday. 

September 9 - 7:16am - Ryker has figured out a chin rest for his morning nap. Most of the scabs are gone from his face. There are a couple areas near his eye that need a little more healing before the cone can come off. We don't want to risk him damaging his eye when we have come so far. 

September 8 - 8:47pm - Home a bit late from fair. I took the dogs out one-by-one to potty. This is what Ryker had to say. It is dark because I hadn't turned the lights on. Turn the volume on and you can hear him talking to me. (see video below, in the dark)

September 7 - 6:50am - Ryker is starting to talk to me when I ask him questions. I asked him, "who's my good boy?" He responded with an ooo-ooo. I'll try it later today to see if he does it again. 

September 7 - 7:04am - Today is Ryker's last day of antibiotics. I'll probably still give him a piece of the beef and cheddar sausages with his breakfast and supper. He has healed so much on his face during this time. The very best part is his eye looks healthy and unimpaired 

September 6 - 7:01pm - Ryker enjoys our walk times. He wags his tail much more now. He knows he is safe and his needs are met. (see video below, out walking with a cone)

September 5 - 7:29am - We are thankful for answered prayers! Just look at Ryker's eye this morning! He was even playful and silly with me when we were on our morning walk. 

September 4 - 4:57pm - Ryker after his afternoon Epsom salt soak and crust removal. He is blinking! Part of his upper eyelid is gone. His eye looks healthy. His ears are bit up. None of the bites appear to have pierced through. 

September 4 - 11:22am - After lunch I asked Ryker if he wanted to go for a walk. He got up and started wagging his tail. He even trotted most of the way back to the house. He is ready for a nap. As you can see, his eye is more open now than it was this morning. 

September 4 - 9:55am - These are some of the other wounds Ryker has. They are clear of infection and healing nicely. The one in his thigh is the largest. It is probably what is causing the pain in his left hind leg. He trotted a little when we went outside a little while ago. Slowly, but surely he will heal. He remains calm, quiet, and gentle. 

September 4 - 7:34am - Ryker slept all night until almost 6 this morning. He hasn't tried to scratch at his face since I un-crustied part of it last night. More of the crusty had loosened and I was able to gently remove it this morning. I smiled big when I saw his eye was more open today. His eye is clear and not cloudy. 

September 3 - 6:36pm - Before I applied Ryker's ointment this evening, I held a cloth damp with warm Epson salt water on his face wound. He rested his chin in my hand and was still. I'm sure it felt good. After four soaks, the dried oozey crust softened and I was able to gently remove some. He didn't cry or try to pull his face away. He walked with less limp again tonight. He has a ways to go, but I see improvement and healing each day. 

September 3 - 8:46 am - The raised feeder/waterer accommodates the cone Ryker must wear for 12 more days. I use slices from the beef and cheddar smoked sausage for pill pockets. Ryker enjoyed a treat after he had his morning application of ointment. His eye is open a bit more this morning. You can see some of his eye in the video. He is still content to rest. When we go on potty walks, we stay out a bit longer for him to walk around. He isn't limping as much on his left hind leg today. 

September 2 - 5:33pm - Sometimes Ryker has bad dreams. He cries a little and jerks around. I speak softly to him to give him reassurance.

September 2 - 7:05am - Ryker had a good night. He is eating well. I give him a cup of food four times a day. I have added a tablespoon of powdered pumpkin apple pectin to help him with the antibiotics he is taking. The cone is necessary to keep him from scratching his face wound. He will need to wear it for two weeks. I bought him a raised food and water dish setup to make it easier for him with the cone. He is still for me when I apply the medicated ointment to his face, even when I know it must hurt. Ryker is a good boy. Please support Okanogan Angels. Without them, Ryker would not have any hope for a future. 

September 1 - 7:10pm - Getting ready for bed is a process. Each dog is walked one at a time until they pee and poop. Ryker took a bit longer since this routine is new to him and he had to find a spot he liked. He was cautious. I'm sure he hurts. When I praised him, he did get his tail wagging. 

September 1 - 5:28pm - He is a sweet boy. It makes my eyes leak looking at his wounds. They are very painful.

September 1 - 5:03pm - by Rita Kessel - Ryker just got released from Okanogan Valley Veterinary Clinic and YES he still has an eye! He is on medication and his recovery is going to be long. Who knows what trauma this poor boy has endured.

He is being cared for by foster extraordinaire Racie McKee for Okanogan Angels. Please go to their FB to donate directly to his recovery!

If it seems like there is always an animal crisis in Okanogan County - you are right, we are drowning….. Thank you in advance for your generosity