By Sara Whalen -
[email protected]
Executive Director - Pets Alive Inc.
http://www.petsalive.com
Dignity is the word that probably describes his demeanor
best. He came to Pets Alive today with his friend Bob who has nurtured
him for 8 months since the day his frail and sickly body was found tied
to a fence in Plainfield NJ.
His history is unknown. Judging from the "clues" one
would guess that his previous family cared not at all that a loving soul
stared out at them from an ordinary black and dirty body. He was
physically traumatized - so much so that the nerves which govern his
continence were no longer working, his fur was dull and sparse. He
weighed less than 30 pounds. Maybe he had been beaten, maybe hit by a
car and not taken to the vet, maybe just plain left out on a chain to
starve. But still his tail wagged and as Bob walked him home to shelter
him, he tried to be jaunty.
Weeks of veterinary intervention determined that nothing
could be done to cure his incontinence, he would forever need to be
cleaned multiple times in a day. His pancreas does not function
correctly and he needs to get enzymes which digest his food for him.
Every known parasite lived in his intestinal tract and they needed to be
eliminated. The medication further debilitated him. But love and
kindness and patience (the qualities that Bob denies having) paid off
and today Jude came home to Pets Alive. He clung to Bob until he met all
of the people here, then moved from one lap to another, reveling in the
affection that was offered and giving tons of kisses in return.
Yes he has accidents and yes he will be a difficult
management problem but YES he deserves to LIVE. We will not play G-d and
consign him to be euthanized because there are other "normal" dogs that
need homes. He IS normal, he IS loving, he is a needy soul. He is just
as important as that cute and fuzzy purebred whose owners no longer have
time for him.
His dignity will be maintained here. He will live a
happy life and all those who meet him will learn that "perfection" has
many definitions. "Jude" is one.
UPDATE:
This morning, when the air was still fragrant with dew
and the scent of wild roses, I visited Jude in his new environment. He
was fast asleep in his house. I hesitated to wake him after his
stressful move yesterday but needed to assure myself that he was ok. I
called his name and he looked up at me with sleepy eyes. "Friend or
Foe?" they seemed to ask. Then he recognized me and he literally
grinned, stretched and bounced up to greet me!
He will be fine, he is already peaceful and already
looking forward to making new friends. I am so glad to be able to say
"He is ALIVE and WELL."
His buddy Bob is a member of a wonderful organization in
New Jersey - People For Animals. They are a 100% no-kill organization
which relies on volunteers to help them save the lives of so many dogs
and cats. They also operate a very inexpensive spay/neuter clinic in
Hillside, NJ. If it weren't for this great group of people Jude would
not have been vetted and cared for until we were able to take him. If
you live in their area and can assist them in any way by becoming a
foster home or volunteering in some way, please contact them (a special
request from me) at:
People for Animals
433 Hillside Avenue
Hillside, NJ 07205
Telephone 908.964.6887
Go on to Hands Up For
The Clod With The Prod
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