SincereArtisan Posted July 9, 2009 Report Share Posted July 9, 2009 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??? 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.' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShoresDog Posted July 9, 2009 Report Share Posted July 9, 2009 Sarah, let us know. I will help if she is given a chance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweet_ceana Posted July 9, 2009 Report Share Posted July 9, 2009 Hang in there Miss Torah, prove them all wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue R Posted July 9, 2009 Report Share Posted July 9, 2009 You have a very good heart, and I hope she will be okay. Very best wishes to you both! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onice Posted July 9, 2009 Report Share Posted July 9, 2009 You are an angel, giving this beautiful dog a second chance! I hope she does not have a heartworm, and I´m sure someone has a wonderful soul like you and take her and make her a nice life. Good luck both! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desertranger Posted July 9, 2009 Report Share Posted July 9, 2009 You have our best wishes Torah. for you Torah. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sea4th Posted July 9, 2009 Report Share Posted July 9, 2009 That look in her eyes would have done it for me. I admire you for stepping up for this dog and that you'll prove them all wrong. How lucky she is that her path crossed yours. I look forward to more Torah tales -- with pictures, of course. As far as what she might be --- the ears aren't really visible, but from the picture, she looks like a golden cross. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allie Oop Posted July 9, 2009 Report Share Posted July 9, 2009 Sarah, you have a kind and generous heart and Torah is extremely lucky to have you on her side. Regardless of the outcome, you have my sincere admiration. I'll be sending good vibes to you and poor Torah. Regards, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bc friend Posted July 9, 2009 Report Share Posted July 9, 2009 Sending good thoughts and hoping Torah's doing better - but even if she can't be saved, she's been so blessed to have had you give her love and kindness even if for only one day. Please keep us posted and hopefully she'll make it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SincereArtisan Posted July 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2009 She is up and she is walking just fine!! She greeted me at the front of her run this morning, pressing her body against the bars to be as close to me as possible! :D She is sweet as sugar, very mellow little thing, and yes, she looks like a 30lb golden mix. She is also heartworm positive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aljones Posted July 9, 2009 Report Share Posted July 9, 2009 So glad to hear that Torah's paralysis went away after her hundreds of parasites were removed. She both looks and sounds like an absolute sweetheart. But the HW news, of course, tempers the positive. Have you and the vets decided what's next for her? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PSmitty Posted July 9, 2009 Report Share Posted July 9, 2009 Sarah, you are an Angel. Seriously. Bless you for giving her a chance. I hope something can be worked out with the HW treatment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildFlower Posted July 9, 2009 Report Share Posted July 9, 2009 Sarah you are truly a compassionate soul. We have fingers, toes, and paws crossed here for good news. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerfulgazelle Posted July 10, 2009 Report Share Posted July 10, 2009 Sending good mojo for Torah....feel better soon! And, Kip says, "Hey, Torah! Your twolegger---she's good people!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
esox Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 Any updates on Torah? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvw Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 I keep finding myself checking back to see if there are any updates. Those eyes really hooked me. Jennifer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SincereArtisan Posted July 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 Torah is doing wonderful. She is up on her feet, and romping about like you'd expect any normal dog to. She is not a loud or demanding dog--not yet, anyway. Surprisingly, she settles quite well in a crate, tolerates leash walking, and is picking up manners very steadily. The estimation for her treatment is $560. This includes the heartworm treatment, her spay, and vaccines. There will probably be some extra charges following her surgery and HWT due to medications...but we're trying to keep the expenses low as possible. Thanks to the wonderful kindness of others, we have $390 in donations, so she is scheduled to go in this week, and I'll cover the rest if I must. If anyone else is interested in donating--even if its just $1-2! My paypal is inking_dragon@yahoo.com ...I have the estimate for her treatment and my vet's information for those of you who would like to verify her story and needs. Thank you all for your good wishes and kind words. This has been one of my most rewarding rescues yet, giving this dog the chance to walk again and be all that she can be. We may have a couple potential homes already in the making... I have pictures, but I need to get them off my camera. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aljones Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 That is such great news! I am so glad to hear that Torah will be receiving all the treatment she needs, thanks to your believing in her! I will gladly send a little PayPal donation along to add to the fund. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onice Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 Great news!! I´m sure you find a good home for her, and thanks to you, she will hopefully live much much longer. You are an angel! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrisK Posted July 14, 2009 Report Share Posted July 14, 2009 That is such good news! I am sure that Torah will make someone very happy when she gets a new forever home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotimus Posted July 14, 2009 Report Share Posted July 14, 2009 Both myself and a friend of mine made a donation. Hope everything is going well. any news? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.