Angel Is Sick.. Options

[MickeyandAngel]

I have 2 dogs, Mickey I raised from a puppy, now 11 and Angel, a rescue that I did about a year and a half ago, older, age unknown. I decided I wanted to get a second dog and felt after already picking a pure breed and raising from a baby, a rescue was the way to go. I loved every minute of raising Mickey to the great dog she is now.

I picked Angel sight unseen, just a few lines of a description "Small Black Senior Terrier". I got in touch with the rescue center and told them I was intrested, they asked for me to come in to meet her. I did not bond with her, I did not fall in love with her, I did not instantly "KNOW" she was the right dog for me but I felt sorry for her. She was taken from abuse and neglect. She was not a pretty dog, she looked worn and bewildered and she still sort of smelled. I believed that she would be a good dog if someone took the time to care for her properly. After a few days, they dropped her off at my house and she and Mickey got along OK wich was my biggest concern.

She was very quiet, did not make a sound, did not explore, she just laid down on a large floor pillow and rested for the first few days. I let her sleep on the foot of the bed the first night, she laid quiet but I could tell she was comfortable by how she snored that first night. I made a promise to myself to do the best I could to help this little abused dog. I got her vet care, grooming, good food and toys ( which she has never learned how to play with them). I did not take long for her to blossom, she became very excited to see me, was THRILLED at dinner time, and jumped up on 2 paws to go for a walk. She looks so much better today, glossy coat, clear eyes, shy but happy temperment and very very attached to ME!..

Angel stopped eating about 2 weeks ago, I can coax her to eat, but I knew there was something off. She also seemed tired, so of course I took her to the vet. We now know after may tests that she has Hepatitus. I have tried to find out what I can and it seems that she may be able to survive a while but then she might not. I am preparing myself for something bad, I don't want this to happen but I am trying. I am so pleased that I was able to turn her life around for the last year and a half but I was hoping to have it last longer both for me and for her. I thought telling Angel's story here would help me address the real possibility that she may be taken from me. I also wanted to tell people that there are SOOOoooo... Many deserving dogs, Living in cages, with nobody to play with them or care for them out there. I know a lot of you are in such pain, something that I am preparing for but I swear I will rescue again. To see a dog go from scared and shy and looking a wreck and to transform them is a great gift, a great feeling that YOU saved this dogs life. I hope some of you would consider doing this as I did for my little Angel.....

[AngelCareOne]

PLEASE PARDON ALL CAP LETTERS. I'M TYPING WITH ONE HAND AND IT'S EASIER FOR ME. THANK YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING ...

DEAREST MICKYANDANGEL, BLESS YOU FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE AND CONTINUE TO DO BY RESCUING THESE ABUSED FUR KIDS. I WOULD HAVE ANOTHER RESCUED GREYHOUND NOW HAD BUDDY DOG NOT COME ALONG NEEDING TO BE RESCUED FROM ABUSE AND NEGLECT. I'VE HAD HIM AROUND NINE YEARS. HE'S HOMELY LOOKING BUT HE'S VERY DEAR, SWEET AND LOVING. PRETTY DARNED SMART, TOO.

YOUR ANGEL SOUNDS SO MUCH IN PERSONALITY LIKE MAIDEN, ONE OF THE GREYHOUNDS I RESCUED IN 1987. SHE WAS 6 YEARS OLD AT THE TIME, HAD BEEN FOUND IN A PILE OF DEAD AND DYING GREYHOUNDS CUZ I GUESS IT'S JUST TOO MUCH TO ASK SPENDING $5.00 OR LESS TO EUTHANIZE A RACE DOG ONCE ITS OUTLIVED ITS USEFULLNESS. AND TO THINK THAT ONE DOG ALONE HAS COLLECTIVELY MADE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR PEOPLE AT THE TRACK. EVEN THOUGH MANY OR MOST GREYHOUNDS ARE NOW GIVEN TO A SHELTER BY THE RACE TRACK WHEN THEY NO LONGER WANT THE DOG, THIS SORT OF THING STILL HAPPENS. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I DON'T SUPPORT DOG RACING AND WONDER HOW MANY GAMBLERS WOULD IF THEY ONLY KNEW.

MAIDEN WAS A WHOLE LOT LIKE YOUR ANGEL. SO QUIET, WOULDN'T PLAY WITH TOYS, WOULD LET ME PET HER BUT LOOKED SO SCARED. HECK, SHE WAS TRAUMATIZED FOR GOSH SAKE AND SCREAMED ALMOST EVERY NIGHT IN HER SLEEP. I'D GENTLY WAKE HER THEN SPEND THE REST OF THE NIGHT CURLED UP WITH HER ON THE FLOOR. MY COCOA KITTY HELPED MAIDEN A BUNCH ALONG WITH ME. STILL, IT TOOK ABOUT A YEAR OF LOTS AND LOTS OF TENDER LOVING CARE BEFORE SHE CAME AROUND, ACTUALLY SMILED AND WAGGED HER TAIL.

SHE WAS A JOY NOT ONLY TO ME BUT THE ENTIRE NEIGHBORHOOD LOVED HER, WOULD TAKE PHOTOS OF THE OTTER THAT LIVED IN OUR SMALL LAKE HERE AS IT TRIED ITS BEST TO GET MAIDEN TO PLAY WITH IT. SUCH A SIGHT TO BEHOLD. THEN THERE WERE OUR DAILY WALKS ON THE LEASH AND ABOUT 10 OR MORE KITTIES WOULD FLOCK TO MAIDEN EACH TIME. SHE WAS SO CAREFUL NOT TO STEP ON THEM. YEP, NEIGHBORS TOOK PHOTOS OF THAT AS WELL.

I AM SO VERY SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR ANGEL FUR KID. HOW FORTUNATE THAT YOU CAME ALONG AND GAVE HER SUCH JOY, SO MUCH LOVE AND MORE. MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU AND YOUR PRECIOUS ANGEL FUR KID. YOU ARE VERY SPECIAL!!! THANK YOU AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN FOR WHO YOU ARE AND ALL YOU DO.

PLEASE COME BACK TO TALK MORE ABOUT HOW ANGEL AND YOU ARE DOING WHEN YOU'RE ABLE. I DO SO MUCH WANT TO KNOW. THANK YOU FOR CARING AND SHARING.

MANY COMFORTING HUGS!!!

ALWAYS,
DOTTIE xoxoxox