Along for the ride:

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Beating the Odds

A stray collie was collected by animal control services and brought into the pound a couple of months ago. Her coat was so matted that it was not easy to determine if she was male or female. She held her head down and as still as possible. This dog's ears were leaking black pus from entrenched infections. She looked as though someone had poured sticky black treacle down either side of her shoulders.
The pound kept her for the standard amount of time in case she was claimed by an owner. It is hard to believe that she was not treated medically during that time. I guess they'd written her off.
Collie Rescue picked her up, named her Lucy, as every dog deserves a name, and took her to a vet. The vet established that one reason she was so thin was that her ear infections made it too painful for her to open her mouth, or swallow.
Lucy was estimated to be around 8 years old, deaf and probably incurable. Her ear canals so calcified that antibiotic drops could not penetrate. Major surgery, with painful extended recovery. would be required to attempt to improve her ears. Outcome uncertain. Euthanasia was a serious consideration.
Against the odds, Lucy improved with oral meds. Although still deaf, she started to take an interest in her surroundings. I saw a picture of her, all cleaned up, lying on the couch, which she had to be helped up onto, across the laps of her new foster family.
There is a hospice program through collie rescue that supports the needs of dogs like Lucy, so that they can live their last few months or years in loving homes. The people who embrace these dogs are very special. It seemed to me that this was the best outcome that could be hoped for.
This morning I saw an email update from Karen, founder and current president of our group. Lucy underwent eight hours of surgery at UC Davis yesterday and is resting comfortably. The University Vet School financial aid department is donating $2,500 towards her care. They said that they have never had so many vets, students and faculty so compelled to offer help to a dog. Lucy, apparently, has a fan base and a following. Now she also has a chance at life.


25 comments:

  1. What a heartwarming story. Reading this really made me feel good for the first time this holiday season. Mrs. Chatterbox and I changed our wills recently so that, if something horrible happens to our son, all of our assets would go to the Oregon Humane Society. Animals give us nothing but love and we need to do whatever we can when they need us.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Go Lucy, go.

    As you know I love dogs too and a story like Lucy's makes me feel good.I am sure that, given half a chance, Lucy will repay the care she is receiving tenfold.

    ReplyDelete
  3. A lovely story and one that restores my faith in humans. I hope she is able to live out her remaining life quite happily. She deserves nothing less.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks so much for posting this heartwarming story. I'm dreadfully disappointed that the first rescue didn't give Lucy any of the real care she needed, but the important thing is that afterwards, at the Collie Rescue her life turned around.

    Bless all the people who take on needy animals like Lucy. I hope she recovers well from her surgery--also an overwhelming kindness--and lives a good, happy life with her rescuers.

    I am smiling!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Stephen, there's so much to do, every kind thought and gesture helps. I'm impressed by your foresight.

    Friko, Lucy has a lot of supporters. She's already inspiring great things.

    e, I almost wrote about Lucy a couple of times but the early story was too dark. I'm happy to be able to share this good outcome.

    Jean, I don't understand it either. I know that she was picked up in a rural area with no funding and a lot of stray dogs. I think they may have been guarding their resources for one who was considered a potential survivor. I'm glad Lucy is proving them wrong.

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is a dark story indeed, but one that has a beautiful turn to it. It's kind of rare for old, infirm dogs to inspire this kind of attention, and I am so glad to read this tonight. So glad.

    ReplyDelete
  7. A heartwrenching story with a happy ending!

    ReplyDelete
  8. A heartening story. I hope Lucy continues to go from strength to strength.

    ReplyDelete
  9. You have the most compelling way of telling the stories about these special dogs. This just touched my heart so, and makes for a truly wonderful holiday tale. Thank you for sharing it. Many blessings to Lucy this Christmas. Many blessings to all the wonderful people who helped her.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I can only echo what others have said. It just goes to show that we should never give up on a life, no matter if there doesn't seem to be much hope. Thanks for bringing us this lovely uplifting tale.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Kerry, It's bitter-sweet, if you think about all the other needy dogs (and people) that are out there. All we can do is help the ones we have at hand. We make a difference one life at a time.

    Di, it's obvious that Lucy suffered for a long time. She deserved some good times. I think that's what touches so many people.

    Steve, Thanks, I hope so too.

    Lydia, Blessings back to you and your furry friends.

    Argent, Too true.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'm so happy for Lucy and her new lease on life.
    I think it's wonderful that so many people have stepped up to help her. Collies are such smart and loving dogs she must have felt unloved and lost until someone took and interest.

    Hard to believe the first rescue didn't even try and give her a bath or help her ear problem.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Grey Horse, She really was discarded by her initial, supposed rescuers. If it were not for the volunteers who visit their local shelters regularly and alert breed rescue organizations, she would have been destroyed.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Unbelievable, how heartless people can be to animals, wild and domestic. But happily there are still a few caring people out there... (and one marvelous one to write about it all)

    Merry Xmas to Lucy, may she live long and prosper, and all the pain and misery fade away into a forgotten dream.

    And Merry Xmas to you to, in case I don't get back here before... work is keeping me a little too busy these days...

    ReplyDelete
  15. Fantastic story. Thanks for sharing. Go Lucy!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Owen, Lucy is up and was able to eat and go for a small walk today. They are keeping her for observation but so far so good. Thanks for the wishes. I know you're busy helping Santa. A bright Christmas to you and yours.

    Wally, Thank you, on her behalf.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Lovely story. I admire those that give their time to these animals. Perhaps an area I might hold some interest.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I just can't get my mind around hurting a dog. I know everyone says that, but seriously..it sucks the big one.

    I was never a pet person until Socks came into our lives. Then it was clear to me that this dog had feelings, had a presence, wasn't just some clueless animal.

    If someone can hurt an animal, they can hurt a child. And vice versa. I have always felt that people who are unkind to animals should NEVER have children. Sounds like it should be a given, but so many do.

    ReplyDelete
  19. as in - yay for the fact it was saved. We owe Giles the cat to someone else having abandoned him. For myself i can't imagine ever doing that

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hoping Lucy continues to recover & is able to enjoy being loved for many moons.

    ReplyDelete
  21. M-J, I'd love to work in the non-profit industry. There are so many good causes. Fostering dogs is my small contribution.

    Maria, all I can say is that it's a "them and us" world and we get to decide which side we're on.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Pixie and Pauley, Late breaking news is that Lucy was discharged and is on her way home to her foster family.

    ReplyDelete
  23. What a remarkable story and what kind people! In such contrast to one I heard last week, about a young man who is 'tired' of his dog and intends to shoot it if he can't find a home for it. My son, who is an acquaintance, was horrified - I won't be surprised if he takes the dog.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Deborah, shooting it is better than turning it out to fend for itself.

    ReplyDelete