A few weeks back our local county run shelter took in several dogs from a hoarding situation. ( total around 30 including puppies) I am now trying to figure out what in the world this person ( or people) were thinking? How did they think they were helping these dogs? How did they think it was right to let them live like this and to suffer like I am sure many did? ( these dogs were running loose, no vaccines, no one spay/neutered, no vet care at all and very little socialization. None were the least bit aggressive but all were very frightened and confused)
We got a call from the shelter stating that a nursing mom had rejected her puppies so as soon as we were able to that day, we went to check. Asked immediately about the pups, we asked immediately about the mom. We found mom in a kennel alone, huddled in the corner, scared to death. The kennels were loud, lots of barking as the shelter was busting at the seams. After a few minutes in the kennel with her, we got her moved to a more quiet spot and then brought her babies back to her. We took the whole family ( as it should be) and a day later went back and got another dog from the hoarding situation.
We named the mom and litter Mae and the force (luke, hans, vader, chewy, and rey) . Mae had already lost one pup ( that we know about) as the shelter had found one dead in pen that morning. Rey was very frail and small and we were immediately worried about her. Mae broke out in a severe upper respiratory infection, green running out her nose, sneezing, coughing, runny nose, horrible. All went to the vets on a couple occasions, and unfortunately Rey did not make it. Vader got sick next, and was rushed to the ER where he spent several days, came home and ended up going back. Vader had pneumonia, intestinal parasites, ( even though he had been dewormed) anemic, and coccidia . This poor three week old pup was battling for his life. Back to Mae, she was some better but not well, and the other dog we pulled, Vikki, also now had a terrible upper respiratory infection. Luke got sick next, throwing up his milk. He was taken to Carolina Veterinary Specialists where he remains. Vader arrested at CVS and we lost another beautiful soul.
Vikki and Mae are both improving and getting much better. Chewy and Hans are doing great so far too. The pups are actually starting to eat food and milk blended up. Luke is still in the hospital and we are hoping for good news today.
Dogs have suffered, have lost their lives, some have survived but if someone had simply had their dogs vaccinated and spay/neutered, those babies would not have went through what they did. ( some paying the ultimate price of losing their lives) . IF YOU CANNOT TAKE CARE OF THEM, don’t get them. They are not able to take care of themselves. STOP THE MADNESS! having a dog is a responsibility! Ask for help, if you are in over your head. Don’t let the dogs suffer because of your lack of compassion, caring and/or income. People will help.
Rescues clean up where other people neglect. Its not only emotionally hard. The tears we shed for all those we lose, is unreal, the lives lost devastating. The vet bills enough to bankrupt us. Through all this, we continue to try to clean up where others fail.
So I will ask people again, if you cannot provide for them as they deserve, leave them be and lot those who can, do so.
