Monday, March 10, 2014

Senior couple surrender their 13 year old dog with heartbreaking note

Little Harley was left in a basket at a shelter with a note attached that his owners didn't have the money to help him.

March 9, 2014
Had it not been for Toby Wisneski of Leave No Paws Behind animal rescue in Sun Valley, Calif. a 13+ year-old dachshund may not have seen another day. Wisneski not only rescued the pooch, but even hopes to reunite the dog with the senior couple who left him in a basket at an animal shelter late last week reports cbs local.com.
In the basket was a handwritten note, which told the story of a senior citizen couple who lived on a very small budget. Their dog, a constant companion for his entire life, had started to present with bloody stools and vomiting.
The couple had no money to take their dog to the vet. His skin disease was bothering him too, and they wrote they didn't even have the money to euthanize their friend. They asked the shelter to put their dog to sleep because he never lived a day without them.
Wisneski rushed the dog, she named Harley, to the East Valley Veterinary Clinic where Dr. Danielle Chapman has been caring for him. Harley is now being treated for a non-contagious mange, bad teeth, joint pain and arthritis. Dr. Chapman says that Harley loves to be cuddled.
As Wisneski stated, not everyone who surrenders their dog to a shelter is "bad."
"I do not believe that all humans who surrender their loving companions are bad people. What I have come to realize is that some, and there are a few, fall on hard and difficult times, loss of jobs, senior and elderly folks who are sick and need help, loss of homes etc. etc. I also believe that they are not aware that there is help out there for their beloved pets and we are hoping to be able to get that message to them. If Harley's humans come forward, we will speak with them, do our standard home check AND if we find that they are indeed loving, kind and genuinely care for sweet Harley, which we do believe, and the only issue is help with medical care and basic needs for him, yes, we will reunite them!"
Leave No Paws Behind is hoping someone might recognize this dog and inform the owners to come forward.
Sometimes older people have no idea where to reach out for help. For most animal lovers, they can not comprehend surrendering their senior pets.
On the organization's Facebook page, one woman however, posted what may have been the heartbreaking truth about this situation:
"I too could never conceive giving up my little old man doxie or any pets. However, I do understand that situations are different for all people. After my mom retired well into her 70's, I see first hand how it only takes one event to send you into financial crisis. And if you have no family or friends to lean on, I can understand the hopelessness someone might feel. A lot of the older generation is not used to assistance, this couple may be in need themselves, as they said in the note they are sick. I do hope they come forward, they have nothing to ashamed of. Besides saving just Harley, they too can be saved."
If anyone recognizes this dog, please get in touch with Leave No Paws Behind, Inc.
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