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.
