Defending His Own Pain

After toady's mission I went home and cried. I had a face during the morning that would support others involved, since I know their pain.

We were going to move an abandoned dog from an open Parco. The Italians who lived there didn't want the dog and hit him with brooms and other sharp equipments. Since he was abandoned he returned down to the place were he had once felt secure, outside what had been "his" villa. He could snap at you if you came and tried touching his head but that was just a defence mechanism.

When I came there today he had gotten into an Italian garden and couldn't get out. He sat so close to the fence, happy when we came in. I had a collar and leash and after some minutes I got him, without need to tranquilize him. I got him into the SUV and you could understand he had been in a car many times before. He loved sitting there in the A/C while we drove to the veterinarian to have him castrated.

"Sammie" as we named him, had of course no microchip, no collar, and when it was time to weigh him, he showed his teeth. We tried to put a muzzle on, and it didn't work, he snapped at us. Trying to do the injections in his neck, he bit me and he went after my hand four times.

"Sammie", likely a Husky/Sheltie mix, had been so damaged by people hitting him, and we also don't know why someone abandoned him. Clearly he had been someone's pet before.

We couldn't dare to adopt Sammie to anyone since he bit without a warning; not just once but many times because he was scared. We did the right thing by removing him from his cruel environment, or so some people say. One part of me says that too, but darn it that a dog has to pay a price --- his life --- because of cruelty and stupidity and irresponsibility of humans. I most of all wish the people who loved him as a family member and then left him when they departed, would know that their little friend isn't happily living with some other family, but rather had to be put down after being abused for too long by cruel and stupid people.

Limping Dog Bigger Problem Than Limping Humans

I'm not a veterinarian. I'm the first to admit that. But, I work with some great veterinarians, and I've been doing this sort of work with animals and vets for quite a while, ten years together with strays. Experience is a great teacher.

So, I get frustrated and sensitive when people without the experience start offering their opinions like they have a knowledge beyond their education, training or experience. It happens often. I take someone who is very interested in helping the animals out on a mission, or I meet somebody and help an animal they reported to me. The next thing I know, these people think they are experts. Is this human nature? Ego? Something else?

Some "animal friends" seem to have convinced themselves that this or that dog needs to be euthanized, and call us expecting to be validated in their belief. If we, or our vet, does not agree, they seem to be upset with US! One would expect the "friend" would be happy that they don't have to put the animal down. I don't get it.

Its not like we don't euthanize when necessary. Remember Morris? Remember Flower? Even Lupa, and others I've talked about on this blog. So, when I say that we are doing what is required for a dog to have a quality life, and their condition is under control, why would a novice question me? I'm all for a second opinion... but that opinion should be informed by knowledge or experience, don't you think?

Funny thing is, in this most recent situation... the dog is clearly in better condition now than she was previously, and the issue that is of most concern to the "animal friend" was there before. Yet, now he wants to euthanize?

Strays on the streets have become society's problem. Occasionally, and usually for reasons that have nothing to do with the strays, the problem is trotted out so that bureaucrats can "solve" it publicly. Yet, for the strays themselves, life on the street may be shorter, but it is of more quality during that period than being incarcerated in one of the "shelters" that merely warehouse the animals until their life is over. Their spirit and soul leaves much sooner.

And we do not want anyone to suffer, but euthanize because the picture isn't pretty, that is wrong.

Hit and Left... the closure

[This is a update to the "Hit and Left" entry below. Please read it first]

Sad news this evening.

The Vet clinic called to say that the blood tests on Franz were not good. He had a very elevated white-blood count, and signs of severe kidney and liver damage. They also believed he had tumors in his organ(s), and internal bleeding. They recommended euthanizing him.

Reluctantly, I had to agree. He was old and with these injuries, his life was going to be short and painful. Still, it was a tough decision.

So sad, no micro-chip. No collar or tags. No owner to call, nobody to mourn him, or miss him.

Later this night, they did the autopsy at my request. Here is part of the email I received from Dr. Friz:

Dear Mia,

the dog had a bad tumor in the liver and was hit by a car: bleeding in the abdomen, one of the kidneys was completely damaged. Thanks for collecting him and put him out of his misery.

Dorothea

Dear Franz, we are so sorry this was the end for you. But glad you are no longer in pain. Your work on earth this time is done. Bon voyage. Say hello to Morris for us.

Animals without Limits

Animals without Limits are on the field again.

Now I need all your help and support again, new and old.

Yesterday, me and the animal worker Kath went out looking for a dog I had seen the day before, skin and bones. We drove into a very poor neighborhood stopping and asking people if they had seen this little, beige, bony dog. They pointed at a big garbage pile, his home. But we couldn't find him.

Suddenly, Kath saw a dog laying on the sidewalk. Was it dead or alive? We couldn't tell from the car. We drove up and looked. Yes, it was breathing but in bad condition. Kath held the dog with a towel over its head, since the dog was scared by whomever was grabbing her--some here like to torture dogs, even beating them with baseball bats--

Out with the crate, gloves on, and in with the little "girl." Off to the veterinarian station Dr. Fritz and her crew--they really care.

Our "girl" couldn't be saved, she had distemper. Kath and I payed for the euthanasia (put her to sleep) and the veterinarian put the money in the donation box for helping animals. Euro 50 well spent!

We named her Flower, so at least as she left this world, she had a name. And we know that today she is in a better place, able to run and play without any pain or worries... in fields with a lot of flowers and Amore!