As a volunteer with a rural Missouri county animal welfare group, I
have seen animals at their best and at their very worst. I've watched as
these helpless creatures were nursed back to health, helped to adjust to
new people and surroundings, spoiled by their foster "parents" and
eventually, adopted into loving homes. However, I have also been there
when an animal is brought to us in such horrible condition, that the
only way to end their suffering is by euthanization.
Not long ago, I received a call to retrieve a discarded stray dog
from a private residence. Even though I was told the dog was in poor
condition, I was unprepared for the extent of his neglect. He was curled
up in the dirt and weeds, filthy, covered with ticks, quietly watching
as I approached. I saw that he was a male Pit Bull Terrier, who had
suffered long at the hands of an uncaring owner. As I knelt down, his
tail began to wag, and he rolled onto his back coaxing me to rub his
tummy. Amazing, I thought, that after all he'd been through, he could
still trust a stranger not to hurt him as he lay helpless on the ground.
As I stroked his head, and yes, rubbed his tummy, that tail continued to
wag. That was when I noticed he was "smiling." His upper lip curled in
appreciation and I couldn't help but smile back.
When he finally rose on unsteady legs, to stand at my side, I could
see the walking skeleton that he'd become. His ribs and hips pushed
against his dull black coat, and the huge collar he was wearing hung
halfway to the ground. He was beyond emaciation, so thin that one hand
would have fit around his waist. Then I realized, that the oversized
collar probably use to fit!
I slowly led him to my car, gently helping him to curl up in the back
seat, and off we went. When we arrived at the veterinary clinic, owners
held their pets close as we walked in the door. Their well fed, well
groomed, much loved pets were in such contrast to this poor, dirty,
starving dog, fresh from the mean streets he'd been left to wander for
who knows how long.
Even though the exam rooms were full and the phone never stopped
ringing, the staff at the clinic took turns loving on this dear, sweet
creature with the big brown eyes and the great big "smile." Finally, it
was our turn to see the doctor. After a thorough exam, the prognosis was
grim. The extent of his emaciation had probably begun to affect some of
his vital organs, and he had heartworms. Considering his dire physical
condition, and the fact that he wore no ID tags or microchip, after much
discussion and alot of tears, we finally made the only decision
possible. As I signed the consent form, I noticed a line for the
animal's name. It was at that moment, that I decided this poor, dear
creature was not going to leave this earth just a number, with no
identity of his own. So, with trembling hands and tears streaming down
my face, I carefully wrote the name "Smiley."
I held Smiley while we waited for the medication to take affect, and
as we all said our goodbyes. I told him, through my tears, how beautiful
he was and that soon he'd be able to run and play, free from the pain
and neglect he'd suffered most of his much too short life. You see, we
think dear Smiley was only about one year old. The long life that should
have awaited him when he was born, was cut short by someone who never
cared that all Smiley wanted was to be their best friend.
Even now, new animals, each with their own story to tell, are
arriving to fill our foster homes every day. Most will be lucky, finding
their forever home and loving family. A few however, like Smiley, will
leave us way too soon and break our hearts along the way. I share this
with you, in hopes that you will hold your pet a little closer and
respect the trust they put in you each and every day of their lives. You
are all they live for. They love you unconditionally. They think you are
perfect no matter what you look like, no matter how bad your day, how
busy, tired or grumpy you are. YOU are their hero. Don't you think it's
about time you work to deserve that honor? Smiley did.
~ Written by one of the devoted AWA volunteers ~
