It all started with a trip to the local county pound; we were asked to find an old basset hound who was on the euthanasia chopping block and see if they would adopt him to me so a friend can find him a home before he dies. The wonderful rescue men and women on Facebook had raised upwards $700 for his rescue.
After I went down there I saw the horrendous conditions the animals were living in; I yelled, screamed, demanded these animals get the proper care, called the news, I did everything I could to be their voice. I located the Basset Hound, he was sad and depressed; looked to be about 12 and not in good health. After the vet took a look at him she told me, "Ma'am this dog is very old and sick; he may have to be on medicine the rest of his life...." I knew what she was getting at; I told her I was aware of his condition and I was trying to SAVE him. They released him to me on a medical waiver and we strutted out of there with our heads held high! (as high as any basset could be) ;-)
We named him Gramps.
I took Gramps immediately to the groomer for some much needed R&R. After about an hour of deep cleaning the groomer was finished and had told me she had never seen so many ticks on a dog. I took Grampsy straight to the vet to get him properly evaluated. He was put on antibiotics for extreme bladder infection and they did some lab work to see what kind of shape he was in internally... he came back perfectly healthy! The vet said that after some TLC and antibiotics he was healthy enough to get neutered and have a dental.. he had 7 teeth pulled! She even said that she would only put him at about 8 age wise. Not only did we save Gramps' life but we shed 4 years off his age!!
Gramps was almost a casualty and the shelter due to lack of funds, staff and concern for his well-being. Did they not see him urinating blood? Did they not see he was covered in tics? Or did they just not care? Gramps is living the good life in New Meixco now at All Ears Basset Sanctuary. He even lives with the owner and goes to work with her everyday. But before Gramps left I walked him into the Animal Control Commission meeting and made them look at him. I made them stare into the face of this sweet soul they thought wasn't worth saving. He was a hit! Everyone loved him, the members of the commission could see the appreciation in his eyes. His appreciation of life and of me for saving him.
I made complaint after complaint about how everything was handled. From the office staff to the conditions the animals were living in. I was even threatened to be "escorted" off the property. Why? Because I was fighting for these creatures? The shelter supervisor made the wrong comment in the end.. he said, "If someone doesn't like it how about they come and volunteer then." And THAT is exactly what I did....
I volunteer twice a week at the shelter now. I am an extra pair of eyes and ears. I am a voice for the animals, a voice for the employees that work so hard and for so little. I attend the monthly animal control commission meetings and have been known to take matters to the Board of Supervisors when needed.
My journey has just begun and sometimes it does feel like I'm David vs. Goliath; but when I look into the eyes of those defenseless animals and I see that they look to us for help, how can you walk by without doing something? Whenever I feel overwhelmed I look at a picture of Gramps' face, I look at his "freedom pic" taken right after I bailed him out.. and I remember that feeling. Complete freedom and bliss.
