 I
called him "Sweetie" as I gently held him in my
arms....
The morning started out as usual with much to do and several
fosters to care for. Then the call came from a Dallas shelter.
They had an emergency request for a little 7 - 8 month old
Shih Tzu with multiple severe injuries. They suspected he
had been hit by a car and then left outside the shelter. Shelter
personnel had found him placed under the bushes when they
had arrived. Could we help him? They stressed the need for
immediate care as he was in shock and they suspected internal
bleeding. I told them we would be there within the hour. As
I raced to the shelter, I went over the options I had to get
him the emergency care he needed. It was a Friday and both
of our vets that had the equipment to handle this would be
closed before I could reach them. I decided I would have to
take this little one to the nearest veterinary emergency hospital
......
I knew our funds were always stretched to the limit and we
had just funded the medical expenses of several other Shih
Tzu. The emergency hospital would require cash. After
a call to confirm what money was available I prayed we would
be able to get this little one the help he would need. I arrived
at the shelter and rushed in, praying he was still alive and
not suffering too badly. They took me immediately to the area
where he was held. A beautiful little gold and white boy
trembling with fear and pain. They had a baby blanket
draped over him and I could not see his injuries. They went
over briefly what they knew. I asked them to get him settled
into my carrier while I quickly filled out the necessary paperwork.
They handed me our carrier and I hurried to the hospital.
I spoke gently to him during our trip and told him I would
get him help. I could only see his head as they had wrapped
him in a baby blanket. He looked at me with big brown eyes
and seemed calmed by my voice. He rode quietly in the carrier
and only occasionally let out a small whimper. The shelter
had given him a small amount of pain killer and it was clear
he was suffering from shock. His gums were a pale gray.
We arrived at the hospital and they whisked him away as I
filled out yet more paperwork. As I finished, I turned to
see the vet waiting to talk to me. She asked if this was my
pet and would I be responsible for the bill. I explained to
her that I was with rescue, about the call from the shelter
and that we did not know much about this little boy or what
may have happened to him, but we would be responsible for
the bill. She then told me what injuries were visible upon
her initial evaluation. This poor little boy not only had
multiple, severe pelvic fractures but also had a gaping wound
to his body wall through which his intestines and bladder
had herniated. This was the first I had heard the extent of
his injuries. My tears fell as I thought of those big brown
eyes of that brave little boy. I heard the vet telling me
the cost to "fix" this little one could run into
the thousands. Were we sure we wanted to proceed? What was
the prognosis, I asked? She told me his stomach and herniation
could be repaired. They would need X-rays to determine the
extent of the injuries to his legs and spine. He could wag
his tail but they could not be sure he would ever walk again.
She told me if this little one was "owned" by someone
she would recommend we proceed but, because we were rescue,
her opinion was that our money would be better spent on saving
many more rather than just this one. I kept thinking of the
owner out there that this little one had gotten away from.
How would they think our money should be spent and just
what "was" the purpose of rescue if not to save
a little one in need like this? I asked for an estimate
on the cost to get his wound repaired and stabilize him enough
to move to one of our vets to address the injuries to his
legs later because our vets would let us pay this bill out
over time. She quickly told me she thought between $1500.
and $2000. They would need $1500. up front to get him his
surgery. My heart fell as I heard this knowing we had only
$1000. available in our account. For the lack of $500.,
this little 7 - 8 month old puppy would not be saved....
If I had had the money on me I would gladly have donated it
for this little boy right then and there...
I walked slowly back to see this little boy. I asked them
to scan him for a microchip. None was found... I picked him
up gently and held him in my arms. I did not know his name
but I knew he was a sweet, brave little boy. I called him
"Sweetie" and I spoke to him softly. I told
him I was so sorry that this had happened to such a sweet
little boy and that soon he would be free of pain and running
with friends at the Rainbow Bridge. I knew this would be all
I could do for him. I stroked his head as the vet prepared
to euthanize him. My tears flowed freely for this little boy
and he licked my hand as if to comfort me. As I felt him relax
and leave this world behind, my heart promised him that I
would do my best to raise the money for an emergency fund
to help with emergencies such as this in the future. This
should not have happened to Sweetie and need not happen to
another little one we are called on to help....
As I drove home, I knew we had let this little boy down.
I contemplated leaving rescue. After all, Rescue was meant
to help the "Sweetie's" in the world and we had
failed this one. Then I remembered my promise to Sweetie.....
Please have your pets microchipped. Sweetie had no collar,
tags or microchip but was clearly "owned" by someone.
We were unable to locate his owners.
Our goal is to have a minimum of $5000.
in the Sweetie fund at all times.
Can you contribute to Sweetie's Fund and help us keep our
promise?
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