Missy’s story: Tied in a dumpster and left to die

In the nick of time… 

      Sometimes things happen for a reason.  Sometimes people and animals are in the right place at the right time to be able to connect.  We always wonder what would have happened if it had happened otherwise, but for these lucky ones, we are glad that it all worked out…. 

      The garbage truck was making its rounds.  It always did the same route and there were not many surprises along the way.  This day however, there was a surprise.  It was Missy.  Tied in the dumpster.  The one year old black and tan Australian Shepherd blend dog looked up hopefully when the truck arrived.  Would these people help her?  Or would they be like her owners and leave her tied up with no food or water in the filthy dumpster.

      The garbage men did help her.  They untied the filthy rope and put her in the front seat of the truck and took her to the local shelter where she could be cared for.  But the shelter was old and crowded with other dogs, the staff was busy and was often too rushed to see her slowly wagging tail, look into her deep brown eyes and tell her she was a wonderful dog that deserved a loving home.  She stayed there for over a month.  No one looked at her.  She became sadder and sadder. 

      But one day something wonderful happened.  She was transferred to a rescue group that was determined to find this wonderful sweet dog a home.  They brought her to Helen Woodward on the very next trip and told us her sad story.  We fell in love with her, this sweet and gentle dog who was looking for a family to love.  And the day after Christmas, Missy’s dream came true-the very day she was available for adoption she was chosen from among all the other dogs by a family who wanted to take her home, look into her deep brown eyes and tell her she was a wonderful dog that now had a loving home. 

      A few more days in the dumpster and she might have been too weak and sick from lack of food and water and exposure to the elements to recover.   A few more days in the first shelter may have seen her been in jeopardy due to space issues.  But Missy is now in her forever home and she and her new family have new memories to make.  We wish them many years of togetherness and are happy to have been able to be a part of Missy’s life along the way.

Read about Buddy who was rescued from a Meth House

Buddy

Eating was torture.  Just trying to close his mouth hurt so he often held it slightly open, making him look like he was smiling.  He was thin and not in good condition.  His legs were a little weak and his coat was dry and stiff.  But when he walked out of the small cage at the Center for the first time, his little tail was wagging and he looked so hopefully up at everyone that every heart melted.

      Buddy was only 3 years old, but he appeared markedly older.  His teeth were in horrific condition.  The tarter on them was so bad that his gums had receded, leaving him with long, loose yellowing teeth that were very painful.  He was thin and walked gingerly.    We were told he had lived in a house where illegal drugs were made and sold, perhaps that is why he was in such poor physical condition.

      We knew he badly needed a dental and perhaps extractions so we scheduled him for surgery right away.  While he was under anesthesia, we would also neuter him.  His teeth were worse than they looked.  The cleaning went well, but almost all were loose and needed to be removed.  One after another, the teeth were examined by the veterinarian and pulled.  Some were already missing.  By the time it was all over, little Buddy had only 3 teeth left.  Two canines on top and one on the bottom.  And the bottom one was not quite straight, but slanted out to the side.  We also did some bloodwork on him and the results showed a number of his values were off.  He was placed on a strong vitamin supplement and also was prescribed antibiotics and pain medicine for the dental procedure.

      After the surgery, we wrapped him in warm towels and made sure he woke up feeling as well as could be expected.  He had many stitches in his mouth to close the holes that his missing teeth left.  He had to eat only very soft food so his stitches would stay intact.

      One of the kennel staff took him home for the night.  She reported that he did fine with her other dogs and cats and slept through the night on her bed.  She is continuing to foster him and he improves day by day.  His little tongue sometimes falls out of the side of his mouth, giving him a comical appearance.  He is proving to be one of the sweetest little guys we have known.  Buddy’s difficult beginning is over and he is well on the road to recovery.

Chip-In for Charity:Buy a ticket to the 2010 San Diego Open and Support HWAC!

Torrey Pines:: January 25-31, 2010

Purchase discounted tickets daily and 90% of your ticket price goes to Helen Woodward Animal Center.

Discounted Ticket Price:  $17 (you SAVE $10 and $15 is tax deductible)

(includes access to tournament grounds and public grandstands)

To purchase tickets contact:

Renee Resko

reneer@animalcenter.org or at 858-756-4117 ext 347

Two Special Cats looking for a home

Ariel: I am a Blue-eyed Lynx Point with stunning good looks. I came to Helen Woodward with my 2 adorable kittens.  I was very scared, so we were sent to a wonderful foster home where I could relax and focus on raising my babies.  They grew up and found their own families, so now I am ready to find mine.  I am 2 ½ years old but you would never guess looking at me.  I am also up-to-date on vaccinations and micro-chipped.  Come let me mesmerize you with my charm!

Clove:  I am a 1 ½ year old beautiful tortoiseshell spayed female.  Helen Woodward Animal Center helped me raise my kittens and they have all found loving homes.  Now it is my turn to find a loving home.  I am very sweet and will sit in you lap to watch TV.  I love to bird watch and chase toys.  Please come visit me.  I am up-to-date on my vaccinations and micro-chipped.  I am ready to spice up your life!!

Puerto Rico in Photos

More pictures and a video to come soon.

Follow A Litter: Lunch Time

Follow A Litter on Twitter

We’ve started a fun thing on our Twitter page (@HWAC) called Follow A Litter on Twitter.  We plan on updating all of our twitter followers daily on the progress of one of our newest litters:  The Flower Puppies!

Gladiola, Goldenrod, Geranium, and Gardenia all came to Helen Woodward Animal Center with their mother, Georgia, from a rescue group in Los Angeles.  That are not quite 5 weeks old yet.  Start following HWAC on Twitter to keep up with their progress.

Georgia

Goldenrod

Gardenia

Geranium

Gladiola

Off To Puerto Rico

Tomorrow, four HWAC staff members, including President Mike Arms, will be traveling to Puerto Rico.  Mike will be speaking at a national conference to animal welfare personnel from around Puerto Rico.  Many people might not realize that Puerto Rico has a 97% kill rate.  The animal welfare personnel have a strong desire to change their ways and to stop the killing at that is way Helen Woodward Animal Center staff members are making the trip!

They will also be touring the Canita Sanctuary which was established by two American Army Veterans.  The sanctuary is need of desperate help.  They have more than 600 animals but no money or food for them.  Each day they find newly abandoned animals at their door.  The small number of people working there are committed into transforming the sanctuary and the Center will be there to help.

Stay tuned next week for an update and pictures.

Home 4 the Holidays: Week 8

 

Cats:  227,718

Other:  20,237

TOTAL:  496,657

Dogs:  248,702

 

 

Winter Carnival at HWAC

 

HWAC’s Winter Carnival will be held on Saturday December 19th from 10 am to 2 pm.  The event will feature:

• Animal Presentations
• a Snow Zone
• Photos with Santa
• Carnival Games and Prizes
• an Animal Learning Center
• Winter Crafts
• and much much more!

For more information, please contact Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Education Department at 858-756-4117 ext 318