After the tragic Baton Rouge flood in August 2016, Trooper was rescued in such terrible shape, we weren't sure he'd make it to us. He made his way to Companion Animal Alliance. They contacted the sanctuary about Trooper and plans began to come together for an eight-hour transport. Six fantastic volunteers drove Trooper to us and I picked him up in our Walmart parking lot at 3:30 in the morning.
Trooper earned his nickname, “Sir Barksalot” because of his insistence on his meals being ready immediately when he wanted them. His bark and his determination to get well made Trooper a rock star at the sanctuary, and our followers could never get enough videos and pictures of this amazing little man.
We knew Trooper was blind and deaf but we were surprised to learn the next day at the vet that he was also a diabetic. Trooper’s little belly was full of worms, his teeth were rotten, his ears were infected, and his thyroid levels were very low. Our vet began to prioritize his needs and together we began to work on restoring his health.
After several months, Trooper’s glucose levels were under control as were his thyroid levels. Trooper had his teeth cleaned and his body was free of infection. The one thing Trooper never had a problem with was demanding his food on time. Rick fed him at 6 am every morning before his insulin shot, and I would scramble eggs for him every evening so he could receive his second shot.
Sadly, Trooper's little body could not keep up with his spunky spirit and we lost him in the summer of 2018. He is buried at the Sanctuary beneath a memorial bench near one of his favorite napping spots, under a tree. His stories made a great impact on all of us so we have named our new facility Trooper's Dream.
