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?
@#$%%^$##$
I haven't been on the board in a week or so, new job has got me running so I'm trying to catch up. I agreed with Kim, what I want to say is rated R, soooooooooo @#$%#^%^&*%$##%^&&^%$@@$%&&**%$##$!!!!!!!
I don't always know everyone that takes care of things behind the scenes and I'm sure there are alot of things that happen that most of us never know about. I just want all of you to know that you are MY HEROS!!! I'm VERY PROUD to be a part of such a WONDERFUL GROUP OF PEOPLE!!!
Jana, Addie & Argos
uuuuugggggghhhhhhhh
I can't say anything PG or even pg -13.... I know you all can fill in the blank.........
Oscar
I wish you guys could have met him. He was such a doll. In fact, there are a very few cases that I have had that I just can not sleep well at night thinking about all the "I wish I could have..." I carry my sweet baby Conner and now Oscar's tag on my key chain. I have to remember the ones who I do this for because this week has been especially hard. mELla had a tradgedy this week that made me step back and look at if rescue is really for me. And even with everything we are going to thru this week with Ella, and all the tears, we have worked too hard to show Ella and our extended family who thinks I am a horrible mother because I rescue, that we are here to help God's creatures. Great or small. Geoff, Don, Lynn and I have had tried so hard to show Ella that we can make a differnce and we should respect all of God's creatures and take care of the ones who are unable to do so. Oscar was one of them. I cried and cried over him. I know that we can not foster or do transports any more but we will still be apart of this because with out the love and care of our volunteers at shelters and GDRNT, Oscar would have died a lonely, cold and horrible death surrounded by TRASH. And even though I have this image of his sweet little face sitting at the bridge waiting and waiting for someone to carry him across, because Lord help if the ppl who did this think THEY have that right, I know he went surrounded by as many ppl possible who wanted to right by him. My dear Oscar, you will forever be on my heart along with so many that never made it into their rigthful forever home.
Heather
Baby Oscar
Oscar will have many loving GDRNT volunteers to take him over the rainbow bridge
Outrage
I too am outraged at the worthless people who don't take care of their animals.......I say animals because they don't understand that they are our babies and fur children, but only animals to them.
I would propose a law that requires euthenisia of the owner of an abused "baby" that has to be euthanized. They are the scum of the Earth and have no place in my world.
Humans are screwing up the planet and everything else......maybe it should just go back to mother nature. I think it was better off without humans.
Of course you're right
But Geeez, enough is enough. I get so mad at the people that do these things. I think that if they could do this to animals......they could easily do it to humans also.
Not a very comforting thought.
But yes, you're right Jamie, without humans the babies wouldn't find those of us who want to love and take care of them.....so I guess waiting a few days on that law is ok.
I hear ya...
but I'm not quite there yet. After all, without humans I wouldn't have those lovely pictures of my Valentiney Hiney (oh my, that'll sound weird to anyone who doesn't know Molly's story!) ;-)
I'll settle for just getting rid of the bad seeds. No need to throw the baby out with the bathwater....yet.
jamie
Tears
Absolutly horrible that that poor guy had to suffer like that, and it totally breaks my heart when they don't stick around long enough to know love and know that not all humans are complete a**holes.
It's all about education so even if we cant take all the homeless abandoned and abused dogs in we can educate every chance we get and stop supporting any business that supports the sale of live animals and puppymillers etc.
Education
You (and Sandi who mentioned education in her post below) are so right - reminding people every day what it means to be a resposible pet guardian is so important.
I have to believe that dogs like Oscar know, somewhere deep inside, that not all humans are bad. Now I'm going to go visit our Success Stories page so I can remember how many dogs are now living the good life...
VooDoo doll
I can make one and help you pull it apart and share my kleenex with you too.
People suck.
Agreed
There are an obnoxious amount of sucky people in the world. That just means we have to work extra hard to make up for their ugliness.
And remember
What Jamie's not saying here is we've had an exceptional number of cases recently that no matter how much love and great medical care was given, the pups lost their brave battles.
We all know the toll this takes on us but of course it's much much worse on the terrific people who went the extra mile to help them.
Most of us feel pain and wish we could do more. Many of us are not brave enough to actually do this work but we can still help.
These cases have eaten up HUGE amounts of money even though our amazing vets offer their services at severely discounted rates, it has taken a grave toll on GDRNT finances.
Please dig deep and do anything you can to help support GDRNT now. Even if it's $5, it all helps.
If you can do a little fundraising at work or in your neighborhood, (bake some cookies and sell them, babysit for neighbors, ask your kids to donate birthday money etc.) it all adds up.
Donations
You're absolutely right, Nina, we do still have a responsibility to pay for the veterinary care given to Oscar - and all the other dogs like him. It's not often talked about, because we like to focus on the success stories, but a significant amount of our fundraising efforts go to dogs that will never get the opportunity to find their forever family. In response to Heather's question about who will meet Oscar at the Rainbow Bridge, I like to think it'll be all the people who donate in his name and the volunteers with GDRNT who helped him and the vets and vet techs who fought so hard for him.
Amazing Heros
After reading a story like Oscar's, I'm not sure who could not be wishing horrible, awful things to happen to his former "owners". It really makes you doubt humanity.
I don't know how the wonderful people in this resuce, and rescues all over the country do this day in and day out. The heartbreak and inhumane treatment is overwheleming to me. I want to be strong enough to really get involved, but the best I've done so far is rescue my danes and kitty cats, give some money to various rescues and animal organizations, and try to educate others about rescue, training, and care of their pets. It's not enough, and I think the part that gets me is that for every forever home story and happy pictures we see on our boards, there are how many others, like Oscar, that go without that love and will never know it. And the hateful people that cause them to go without love....and worse, cause them pain.
Sandi, Dharma, and Logan
Don't count yourself out...
The work you do is so important Sandi! Heck, even if you didn't donate to rescue and even if you didn't talk up poper pet care and the importance of rescuing, just saving Dharma, Logan and those silly kitties of yours made the world a better place. Not long ago deaf dogs, like Dharma, were euthanized because people didn't believe they could be pets. You and Scott saw clearly that Dharma would make a great addition to your family and viola! she had a fantastic home. THAT'S what makes a difference.