The Power Of Forgiveness...

I was at work tonight, the last hour of my shift, when Animal Control brings in a dog they found on the side of the road covered in ticks.

'Covered' does not even begin to describe the 500+ ticks we pulled off this dog.

The dog could not walk, could barely lift her head. The doctors suspected tick paralysis. (O rly?) ...Everyone was so grossed out by all the swollen, fat ticks covering the dog--even the doctors!...I was the only one who didn't flinch at gloving up and plucking them off, one by one. I'd been at work on the dog for almost 1/2 an hour before one of the managers who had been talking with the animal control officer said they were just going to euthanize her. I exclaimed "But what if she gets better? They wont even give her the night to see if she'll improve once she isn't covered in ticks???" Nope, evidently they weren't up for that.

I looked down at this dog, who was barely flinching as I pulled tick after tick off of her...her poor ears were bleeding from all the ticks we'd removed! She was not emaciated. She was obviously not spayed, she'd had puppies, but very young (1-2 years) ...and I just couldn't take away the chance, the mere possibility, that this dog may bounce back to it's feet once we removed all the ticks. She was beautiful, she deserved a chance...how could anyone look at this dog and not give her the chance???

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...achment-13.jpg


What do you see? Some BC? Some Shepherd?

So I asked the doctors what they thought the odds were. She was already lifting her head, trying to move her legs, and we hadn't even removed half the ticks, yet. I stepped up and offered to foster her, if they would give her the chance and see if she'd improve by morning. The animal control officer signed her over, and I resumed picking ticks. 2 hours later, she should lift her head, sit up, kick her legs around, she ate, drank, and was heartily giving me kisses and squirming to be in my lap when I'd kneel down to her. That alone brought tears of hope to my eyes, and I was blown away by the thought that this dog was so...grateful. So loving. She had obviously not seen the better half of life during her short time on this planet, and yet she was still so...forgiving.

The doctors and I talked, and we decided that if she had not improved by morning, we would evaluate the possibilities, and euthanasia might be a consideration. If by morning she was up on her feet, or at least greatly improved, our next step would be a heartworm test. If she is heartworm negative, I do my best to get her a great new home. If she is positive...we'll cross that hurdle when we get to it.

I have 4 dogs, and 2 fosters living with me right now...2 of which are puppies, and one foster will most likely be here permanently as nobody wants a dog thats likely to die in the next couple years... I'm at my limit. I was at my limit when I looked into those deep, brown eyes and sighed..."Ok." ...and asked them not to kill this dog and to give her the chance she deserved. I'm lucky I work where I do and that they're so willing to help me and my soft heart in the most inexpensive ways possible...

I will update you all tomorrow on her status. If she is heartworm positive--which is a very strong possibility, in fact almost a certainty!--I will do what I can. Any of you that wish to help at that point please feel free to Email me @ sincereartisan@aol.com

I've named her 'Torah.'

What an amazing job you are doing to give that beautiful dog a chance. Please keep us updated.

Sarah, there's a very special place reserved in the hereafter for folks like you. I'll pray that this lovely dog is negative for heartworm and that she is able to regain her health and that you are able to find her a wonderful forever home.

Does your local tv station do any free spots for dogs in need of homes? A lot of stations do this and apparently it really does help in getting the word out about wonderful dogs like this one and the others you are working with.

God bless you!!! She is absoultly beautiful. It seems that most dogs that have been abused and seen very little love will show the deepest love to whom adopts them. They are so eager to make their new owners happy. She looks like she is an angel. Bless you for taking the time to help her!

"You cannot do a kindness too soon, because you never know how soon it will be too late."
Emerson, Ralph Waldo

Oh she is simply beautiful and lucky to have you there at that vet hosp. I work at vet hosp too:D The things we see are amazing, aren't they?

Please let us know how she does and what happens to her. She has such beautiful eyes and I think she looks like she has goldie in her. Atleast that was my first instinct when I saw her pic. If she does okay through the night will docs also test her for Tick Fever?

The HWT we use also tests for several tick illnesses...so we will see.

I'm going in early this morning, fingers crossed...

Oh Sarah, she's beautiful! She looks like a golden retriever mix to me. Please keep us posted on her.

she is beautiful. My fingers are crossed that she is negative for HW. Yes, please keep us updated on her.

What you are doing for this dog (and all the others I'm sure you help) is amazing. I will pray that she is tested negative and that she can live a long happy life.

She looks Shephard/Golden to me?

'Torah' greeting me at the front of her run this morning on all four legs! She is walking! Like any normal dog!

She is a precious, 30lb mix who appears to be mostly golden, maybe with a lil' shep mixed in. She is thus far a big love bug, and I will know more in the next few days as to how she reacts to my pack at home. So far she is doing very good about pottying outside and not in her run. She loves everyone she meets!

She is also heartworm positive. I will be trying to get her treated and spayed, and funding this treatment out of my own pocket--though donations are glaly welcomed. Message me and I can get you the clinic's information and my supervisor's names so that there are no concerns about this being a scam of some sort.

Just sent you a little bit. I'm posting to bump this thread also so everyone can look at those beautiful brown eyes & maybe give just a bit to help out. :)

That is so nice of you to do that for this dog. I was so amazed when reading all of this, and I wish there were more people like you. Many people throw their dogs in the streets when they don't want to care for them anymore, just like what people do to reptiles. It's really amazing to hear you would do that for that dog. That dog is so cute, and I wouldn't mind adopting it, but sadly I have too many pets at the moment because I'm always buying something lol. Anyway, thanks for giving that dog a chance and thanks for sharing this. :bow::):D:O:gj:

So how are things going for Torah?

Sarah, can you give us an update? Maybe even some new pictures of lovely Torah?

:confused:

You are a super special person to do what you have done for this beautiful girl, I hope she comes thru the heart worm treatment with flying colors!!!

I have so much respect for people like you. People out there fighting to save the lives of animals that have had such a rough life. She is absolutely beautiful and I hope all her tests come back okay. I would adopt her if I could but sadly I'm not even in that area and my place is way to small...Please keep us updated on how she's coming along..

I'm so touched Sarah. We are lucky to have people like you in the world. Whenever I hear a story like this I'm reminded of something I heard years ago... I strive to be the person my dog thinks I am!!!

amaazzinng job!!!! i just brought another new addition home from the pound a few days ago :). Its people like you who i respect more than anything. just simply giving these animals a chance says so much about your heart :D.

:bow::bow::bow::gj:

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