Jethro and his 3 siblings were born in August of 2008. Their mom, Martini, was heartworm positive and a dapple dachshund. She was bred to another dapple dachshund; thus the puppies were double dapples... An invitation for many potential health problems. One of the puppies did not make it, and the 3 remaining puppies were turned in to rescue, with the message that they were blind. After much urging, Martini was also turned in to the Humane Society. She was treated for Heartworms, and soon after scheduled for her spay. She had a chance because she was on her way to rescue, but sadly, she passed away soon after her spay.

Jethro and his 2 siblings were sent to their foster home, with Andrea and her pack of dogs called the Anipals. Rufus and Kaylee grew by leaps and bounds, but alas, Jethro couldn't shake the cold that he came with. They were evaluated by Dr. Moore and found to NOT be blind, but Jethro had serious sinus problems going on.

He was put on several different meds, but his tonsils and glands were greatly swollen, and there was the possibility of a cleft soft palate. All related to the breeding of double dapples, it didn't have to happen. He was so congested, that he rattled when he took a breath.

As time went on, his breathing did not get better. Dr. Moore said that the shape of his noggin didn't help his breathing either. His tonsils were removed when they reached 5 times the normal size!

After the tonsils were out, clearly there was a hole in his soft palate. A huge hole and off to the side - not easily repairable - the tissue was so delicate. It was patched and prayers were said that it would heal. He didn't bark, Jethro nyarked !!!!

The antibiotics continued for months. They would help for a bit, but as soon as something out of the ordinary hit the air - his sinuses would congest back up.

Although he was sickly, Jethro was very quickly adored by his foster mommy, and all his cyber aunties and uncles. He was so The.Most.Adorable - you couldn't look at pictures of him without your heart melting, or your brain exploding with skittles!

He may have been a genetic mess because of the poor breeding of dapples; but he was simply the most precious of babies. He was elected the poster child of Gulf Coast Dachshund Rescue, and had many people pulling for him.

Andrea, Jethro's foster mommy, took him to a rescue event, and when many were bowled over by his cuteness and asked if he was available to adopt, she said "Yes". This soon turned to "No", that he was there to educate people about irresponsible breeding. She FINALLY realized that Captain Jethro Monkeypants belonged to her. From that day forward Jethro was hers.

As Jethro grew, he had good days and bad days... Through it all, he was The Captain Jethro Monkeypants, the round headed, nyarking endearing little boy that kept his mommy and siblings entertained. It was determined that he would need a MRI to see what exactly was going on in his sinuses to cause such horrible congestion, snottiness and rattly breathing. After the MRI, surgery would be scheduled to fix him right up! This was in April of 2009 and members of the Doxie Lovers Club, along with family and friends of the members, held several fundraisers to raise the approximate $3000 that would be needed for the MRI and surgery. Funds were raised, and the appointment made.