Pet Tails Pet Guardian Angel Welfare Assocation El Paso

Nicole

   It is Christmas Eve day and the Jones family has a new puppy. The children are excited as the puppy romps and plays amid the packages as colorful lights flash on the tree. The children are laughing and happy. Behind the scenes things are not so beautiful. Dad is taking their pet, a 9 year old dachshund, Nicole to a lonely dirt road outside town and puts her out of the car to fend for herself. The kids, ages4,6, and 8 have been told she will find another home and a new puppy is better, more playful and younger.

   After being shoved from the warmth of the car, Nicole is bewildered. She reasons a mistake has been made and soon her family will notice and come back for her. No one would deliberately abandon her like this. She whimpers and walks in a small circle. Her dark eyes peer down the road as taillights fade away. She has never been out of her yard without a leash. She stands rigid, afraid to sit down and wanting to be alert when her family returns. By standing she can see further and better. Snowflakes balance on her long eyelashes. From time to time she shakes them off as she strains to see the road in the fading light. Finally too weary to stand, she lays down. The ground is cold and wet and she shivers. Her stomach aches but it is not as empty as her heart. Way in the distance she spots headlights and reasons it is her family coming back to her. She is very excited and dances around in anticipation of the reunion where she'll be picked up and snuggled and warm. She is barely able to step back to avoid being crushed by a car that never notices her. Hours pass, Nicole shivers from the bitter cold, her short coat offering no protection. She howls like a wolf trying to get another dog to respond to her cries.   She knows she must find a human if she is to survive but is reluctant to leave the spot where she lost her human. In the distance of the cold night she can hear music. Music means humans so she finally decides to try and find them. She is incredibly scared and her wobbly legs barely support her soaking body. The music is streaming from a small mobile home in the desert. A small light shown inside. Hesitantly Nicole whines, barks, once, twice, three times.

   The door opens and she can see the silhouette of a young boy, his name is Juan. He shields his eyes to search the area and spots Nicole. Quickly gathers her up and snuggles her to his chest. Nicole's heart is bursting with gratitude. He speaks in Spanish to his mother who is equally drawn to Nicole. They will love and share all they have with Nicole as long as she lives. Although they have little, they are indeed rich in spirit. Across town dad returns from his trip to the desert. The storm clouds are gathering and it is sleeting, the roads freezing over. He is drinking. In a miscalculation, he spins out and strikes a light standard and dies instantly. Later in the week his widow sobs out of control at his funeral. One of the little children seeks to ease her pain. In his child voice he whispers, "Don't worry mom, dad will find a good home and we can get another daddy who will be better and younger, everything will be okay."

Yorkies

   In rescue work we seldom see Yorkies so I was surprised to find one has come to our shelter. She looked up at me with soft brown eyes that could not belie her pain. A cursory examination of the dog was disturbing. She had several mammary tumors and one leg was permanently rigid from birth. More than anything, she was panting hard indicating a pet in distress. Her temperature was soaring and she refused water and food. She was laboring to breathe. In rescue work, the decision maker must weigh the cost of saving one pet at a high veterinary cost against saving several pets which are proven healthy and viable. People who donate to us like to believe their money is spent wisely. I couldn't bring myself to put this dog down. The veterinarian gave her the shots, he looked across the table and said "This is one dog you might want to think about not saving." She was put on a nebulizer.

   To bolster her spirits we went everyday to see her and finally started picking her up at night and taking her home. Dozing in a recliner she laid on my lap often seeming not to breathe at all. I'd lift her up and her tail would barely wag. I started calling her Yorkie Yay. Her fever stayed high and an operation was necessary to remove a badly infected uterus. Obviously some puppy mill had bred the life out of this dog squeezing the last possible dollar out of her and then discarding her like trash. Eventually she came home and one day she met me at the door.

   Progress was slow but steady and I knew I'd have to find her a home but who would want a crippled, sickly dog that might require more medical care along the line. It was Christmas and I was hoping but not expecting another miracle. A miracle did arrive form of a wonderful couple who took Yorkie Yay into their home to live with others of the same breed. Today she scampered up and down stairs and smiles that special Yorkie smile. What value does one life have? I personally paid the bill for this dog which wiped out my Christmas budget. There are many things that bring happiness and that year she was my gift, for everything else there was Master Card!

Save The Dog!

At a veterinary office one day there was a frantic woman and two children with a beautiful Spitz dog which was obviously in distress. She was in labor, and she whined pitifully as her black eyes searched for someone to help her. She was turning to her human friends knowing they were the only ones to save her and her family. Two puppies had been born dead, and a third wedged in; the birth canal would seal her doom if the veterinarian did not help her. I have heard it hundreds of times.

The veterinarians have invested time, money and effort into their profession, and they must charge for everything. While some do help behind the scenes in needy cases, many do nothing. As the family sobbed out their story to the desk clerk, the owner was told to remove the dog as the woman was unable to pay for its care. Being a bit snobbish myself, I asked why she hadn't gotten her dog spayed. I was not expecting the story. The dog had been left with her by a friend who never returned. The family had grown to love the dog and tried to get it spayed at the spay mobile, but there were so many people there ahead of her, hundreds. Many of the people in line had driven from affluent areas of El Paso for the free bargain. She was unable to get to see the vet until three weeks later. By then the dog was too far pregnant to spay. When the dog went into labor, she encountered problems. The mother loaded the dog and kids in the car and went to the vet.

Weeping, begging, pouring out her story, she pleaded to let her pay the charges over a period of time, but to no avail as each turned her away. Playing somewhat of a big shot, I guess, I said I'd accept financial responsibility for the dog if she failed to pay. Still a flat "no". Knowing the dog was dying and being a true humanitarian, I got out my credit card and said, "Save the Dog"! The mother and one puppy were saved. I felt this was one more behind the scenes thing we do while everyone else gets publicity that assures them donations and respect.

Many pet owners wouldn't have been grateful or appreciative, but this family was. I instructed them to bring the puppy to me in 6 weeks and turn it over. During that interval, Pet Guardian Angel received "thank you" notes from the children and mother. The puppy and mom were brought to our adoptions to admire. At the end of the six weeks the children, weeping but keeping their word, presented a pure white, adorable, healthy puppy as agreed. I decided to let them keep it and was rewarded with hugs and kisses from everyone including the puppy. Dr Robert Colvin did all the work on the puppy without charge. There is much to be said about veterinarians who do good when no one sees it. I found out also the children of this family have a rare blood disease which saps extrs money from their resources. Pet Guardian Angel now has a benefactor who considers needy cases on a one by one basis to assist with emergency vet bills. There are rigid requirements to apply.

Pet Guardian Angel Inc. By Martha Williams Copyright 2003 Reuse ok give credit to author.



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	Nicole It is Christmas Eve day and the Jones family has a new puppy. The children are excited as the puppy romps and plays amid the packages as colorful lights flash on the tree. The children are laughing and happy. Behind the scenes things are not so beautiful. Dad is taking their pet, a 9 year old dachshund, Nicole to a lonely dirt road outside town and puts her out of the car to fend for herself. The kids, ages4,6, and 8 have been told she will find another home and a new puppy is better, more playful and younger. After being shoved from the warmth of the car, Nicole is bewildered. She reasons a mistake has been made and soon her family will notice and come back for her. No one would deliberately abandon her like this. She whimpers and walks in a small circle. Her dark eyes peer down the road as taillights fade away. She has never been out of her yard without a leash. She stands rigid, afraid to sit down and wanting to be alert when her family returns. By standing she can see further and better. Snowflakes balance on her long eyelashes. From time to time she shakes them off as she strains to see the road in the fading light. Finally too weary to stand, she lays down. The ground is cold and wet and she shivers. Her stomach aches but it is not as empty as her heart. Way in the distance she spots headlights and reasons it is her family coming back to her. She is very excited and dances around in anticipation of the reunion where she'll be picked up and snuggled and warm. She is barely able to step back to avoid being crushed by a car that never notices her. Hours pass, Nicole shivers from the bitter cold, her short coat offering no protection. She howls like a wolf trying to get another dog to respond to her cries. She knows she must find a human if she is to survive but is reluctant to leave the spot where she lost her human. In the distance of the cold night she can hear music. Music means humans so she finally decides to try and find them. She is incredibly scared and her wobbly legs barely support her soaking body. The music is streaming from a small mobile home in the desert. A small light shown inside. Hesitantly Nicole whines, barks, once, twice, three times. The door opens and she can see the silhouette of a young boy, his name is Juan. He shields his eyes to search the area and spots Nicole. Quickly gathers her up and snuggles her to his chest. Nicole's heart is bursting with gratitude. He speaks in Spanish to his mother who is equally drawn to Nicole. They will love and share all they have with Nicole as long as she lives. Although they have little, they are indeed rich in spirit. Across town dad returns from his trip to the desert. The storm clouds are gathering and it is sleeting, the roads freezing over. He is drinking. In a miscalculation, he spins out and strikes a light standard and dies instantly. Later in the week his widow sobs out of control at his funeral. One of the little children seeks to ease her pain. In his child voice he whispers, "Don't worry mom, dad will find a good home and we can get another daddy who will be better and younger, everything will be okay." Yorkies In rescue work we seldom see Yorkies so I was surprised to find one has come to our shelter. She looked up at me with soft brown eyes that could not belie her pain. A cursory examination of the dog was disturbing. She had several mammary tumors and one leg was permanently rigid from birth. More than anything, she was panting hard indicating a pet in distress. Her temperature was soaring and she refused water and food. She was laboring to breathe. In rescue work, the decision maker must weigh the cost of saving one pet at a high veterinary cost against saving several pets which are proven healthy and viable. People who donate to us like to believe their money is spent wisely. I couldn't bring myself to put this dog down. The veterinarian gave her the shots, he looked across the table and said "This is one dog you might want to think about not saving." She was put on a nebulizer. To bolster her spirits we went everyday to see her and finally started picking her up at night and taking her home. Dozing in a recliner she laid on my lap often seeming not to breathe at all. I'd lift her up and her tail would barely wag. I started calling her Yorkie Yay. Her fever stayed high and an operation was necessary to remove a badly infected uterus. Obviously some puppy mill had bred the life out of this dog squeezing the last possible dollar out of her and then discarding her like trash. Eventually she came home and one day she met me at the door. Progress was slow but steady and I knew I'd have to find her a home but who would want a crippled, sickly dog that might require more medical care along the line. It was Christmas and I was hoping but not expecting another miracle. A miracle did arrive form of a wonderful couple who took Yorkie Yay into their home to live with others of the same breed. Today she scampered up and down stairs and smiles that special Yorkie smile. What value does one life have? I personally paid the bill for this dog which wiped out my Christmas budget. There are many things that bring happiness and that year she was my gift, for everything else there was Master Card! Save The Dog! At a veterinary office one day there was a frantic woman and two children with a beautiful Spitz dog which was obviously in distress. She was in labor, and she whined pitifully as her black eyes searched for someone to help her. She was turning to her human friends knowing they were the only ones to save her and her family. Two puppies had been born dead, and a third wedged in; the birth canal would seal her doom if the veterinarian did not help her. I have heard it hundreds of times. The veterinarians have invested time, money and effort into their profession, and they must charge for everything. While some do help behind the scenes in needy cases, many do nothing. As the family sobbed out their story to the desk clerk, the owner was told to remove the dog as the woman was unable to pay for its care. Being a bit snobbish myself, I asked why she hadn't gotten her dog spayed. I was not expecting the story. The dog had been left with her by a friend who never returned. The family had grown to love the dog and tried to get it spayed at the spay mobile, but there were so many people there ahead of her, hundreds. Many of the people in line had driven from affluent areas of El Paso for the free bargain. She was unable to get to see the vet until three weeks later. By then the dog was too far pregnant to spay. When the dog went into labor, she encountered problems. The mother loaded the dog and kids in the car and went to the vet. Weeping, begging, pouring out her story, she pleaded to let her pay the charges over a period of time, but to no avail as each turned her away. Playing somewhat of a big shot, I guess, I said I'd accept financial responsibility for the dog if she failed to pay. Still a flat "no". Knowing the dog was dying and being a true humanitarian, I got out my credit card and said, "Save the Dog"! The mother and one puppy were saved. I felt this was one more behind the scenes thing we do while everyone else gets publicity that assures them donations and respect. Many pet owners wouldn't have been grateful or appreciative, but this family was. I instructed them to bring the puppy to me in 6 weeks and turn it over. During that interval, Pet Guardian Angel received "thank you" notes from the children and mother. The puppy and mom were brought to our adoptions to admire. At the end of the six weeks the children, weeping but keeping their word, presented a pure white, adorable, healthy puppy as agreed. I decided to let them keep it and was rewarded with hugs and kisses from everyone including the puppy. Dr Robert Colvin did all the work on the puppy without charge. There is much to be said about veterinarians who do good when no one sees it. I found out also the children of this family have a rare blood disease which saps extrs money from their resources. Pet Guardian Angel now has a benefactor who considers needy cases on a one by one basis to assist with emergency vet bills. There are rigid requirements to apply. Pet Guardian Angel Inc. By Martha Williams Copyright 2003 Reuse ok give credit to author.