Why?

As I mentioned in Ruby's post, you need a really hard shell to do rescue work. If not, then the constant barrage of unwanted animals would suck your soul dry.

Recently, I have employed the "keep calm and carry on" method of coping. Originally used as a public service announcement (in the form of posters placed around The United Kingdom) from the king of England while London was being bombed during WWII, these days most people seem to use it as a reminder not to sweat the small stuff. For me, it is a mantra I have to repeat to myself in order to get through the toughest days of rescue work. I used it every time Ruby's face would pop into my head and tears would well up in my eyes. 'Keep calm and carry on', along with a big deep breath, would allow me to refocus on the task at hand - more dogs, just like Ruby, that need to be saved.

Sadly, there are dogs whose stories are so horrible and grotesque that even the most special, most magical mantra cannot help. Oscar was one of those dogs.

Oscar was found barely alive in a dumpster by Denton Park rangers on February 10. Severely malnourished (between 40 and 50 lbs underweight) and clearly very, very sick, Oscar was originally thought to be about seven years old and a definite geriatric case. After careful review and consideration, the vet treating him determined he was really only 18 months to 2 years old.

Oscar's body was racked with infections - including a UTI so severe, wretched smelling pus poured from his urethra. Even with massive antibiotics, his body would not heal. Then he started showing signs of neurological issues - things like vomiting and seizures. Over the next several days, other neurological signs pointed to the probability that he had Wobblers' disease. By this point, Oscar was completely incontinent, though we have no idea if it was caused by his time in the dumpster (lack of water will do terrible damage to a body) or if it was a tied to his neurological issues.

Now, here is the kicker, three different vets confirmed that Oscar could not have gotten into the dumpster by himself. If we was able to jump INTO it, then he would have the ability to jump OUT of it too. This means that a human being tossed this dog into the dumpster. Oscar was very literally thrown away.

The Animal Control officer who handled his case would like to press charges, but with little evidence of who dumped him, it is unlikely that anything will ever come of it.

Oscar's condition continued to deteriorate, even with the best medical attention available. Twelve days after he was found in the dumpster, the vet treating him called to ask permission to humanely euthanize him. He was beyond repair and the vet truly felt it was unfair to prolong his pain and suffering any more. While the vet was on the phone seeking permission from GDRNT to end his misery, Oscar died from cardiac arrest. Yet another dog that died from a broken heart.

Knowing that someone intentionally threw this dog away - while it was still breathing - and knowing that this person didn't care that the dog might die a long, slow, painful death makes me embarrassed to be a human being.

Then I think about all the people who work behind the scenes at GDRNT, all our fosters, transporters, donors and vets who work their butts off to save these animals - and I think about Heather Hardin, GDRNT volunteer extraordinaire who was in charge of Oscar's case, who worried and fretted about who would meet Oscar at the Rainbow Bridge since he didn't have a forever family when he died - and these things help to soften my annoyance at the human race.

But, like the 'keep calm' mantra, it is not enough to abate the anger in my heart over the senseless pain some of these animals suffer through. I'll continue saying "keep calm and carry on" quietly to myself over and over because it does help in most cases, but I think the only thing that will really work right now is slowly and methodically ripping apart a voo-doo doll with the words "Oscar's Former Owner" written across its chest. Anyone know where I can pick one up?