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Health & Fitness

Community Update

Kindness, Beauty, and Wisdom - The Older Dog.



I would like to share with you a heartwarming story that could possibly make a difference and save the lives of some older dogs in animal shelters. This is my goal. To speak out and educate people.
I have seen firsthand someone bring their 13 year old dog to the shelter and honestly thinking it was going to find a new home. They seemed shocked that their dog would most likely die there. I do know regardless of what decision they made, they really had no idea. Some know and do not care, but the people that do care may very well have no clue. The older dogs are almost always passed over by potential adopters and rescue organizations when they visit animal shelters.
A lot of them are slow and stiff when moving. Many will have dull or matted coats. They may be painfully thin or grossly overweight. These issues are easily cured with a good groom, a quality diet, and some supplements. Unfortunately, older dogs will often have vision issues or ear or ear and skin infections.
Blind dogs are amazing. Most adapt so well and you will forget they are blind. They can often climb stairs and after only a bit of time to become familiar with their surroundings, they are all over the place. I could go on and on about these dogs. We could all learn a lot from them. They have such a happy wonderful attitude and love for life.
The dogs that were strays or lived outside all of their lives may be heart worm positive. It is not just the older dogs… PLEASE!! educate yourself about heartworm disease. It does not matter how old your dog is, if you adopt, or purchase from a breeder. HW effects dogs of all ages. There are so many people that think heartworm disease is always fatal, or a dog is damaged forever. Some think it is a contagious disease and their other pets will get it. None of this is true. It is curable. A quick trip to the vet will determine the best option. Educate yourself and ask questions. Please do not doom a dog that you find is HW positive. There are options. The biggest favor you can do for your dogs is give it monthly HW prevention. Some older dogs will have old injuries that were never properly cared for leaving them deformed or crippled. What lies under the matted dirty fur and behind the cloudy eyes is a strong and loving spirit full of life and willing to give unconditional love and companionship to its human however, most people will not take the time to see or appreciate what an older dog has to offer. People pass them by never giving an older dog a second thought, as most seem to favor puppies and younger dogs. The big majority only see the cute playful antics of a puppy and not giving a second thought to the care and attention this pup will need to be healthy, happy and housebroken. So often in less than a year the dog is back at the shelter, abandoned somewhere or the owner is knocking on a rescue's door. Rescues are always full, short on foster homes and volunteers, but most will usually find a place for one younger dog or puppy. I am in no way criticizing any rescue. Facts are facts. People want the young dog. Older dogs that are taken in at animal shelters have little hope of leaving there alive. Many many are wonderful, sweet dogs with a lot of love to give. So intelligent and wise and I love them all. I am very partial to two breeds. The German Shepherd and the Cocker Spaniel.
The Shepherds are so smart and devoted and the Cockers are such loving little dogs. These are two very different breeds, but both make wonderful companions. So many wonderful companions are pasted by due to age. Labs, hound, mixes etc etc.. Animal Shelters are full of older dogs that would make perfect companions for the elderly.
Most are calm enough to be perfect therapy dogs for visiting nursing homes and children's hospitals. Petting an animal has been proven to reduce stress. During finals at UGA, various rescues will bring dogs to the University of Georgia campus for students to pet before taking exams. Sometimes a visit from a therapy dog is all a nursing home patient has to look forward to, or a sloppy kiss from a dog is the only thing that can make a terminally ill child smile. Programs such as these can make such a difference in lives both human and canine, but first people need to see past the dull coat, grey muzzle etc .. Of an older dog.
People need to be informed/educated on what they are missing and how this kind of dog might just give some lonely person hope or fit right into their family or even save their life. It would be great if a program was in place for high school students to visit/work at an animal shelter for a week at least. I truly believe this could or would be possibly be a life changing experience for some. I know the dogs and other animals at the shelter would love it. If there is such a program, I have not heard of one.
The main reason I am reaching out today is " Ella." Ella is an older dog that looked a mess, skin and bones, matted fur, and now love, care, proper diet and vet care is slowly transforming her into beautiful, trusting dog. I have been doing dog rescue for several years. I had gone to the Gwinnett Animal shelter to look at a Cocker for the Cocker rescue I volunteer for. This is when I saw her. She looked a mess. If anyone adopted her it would be a miracle. She was such a kind soul. I visited her each day until her time was up. When I say time was up..this means without help from someone such as myself or a rescue, she would be killed. The shelter was having an adoption fair that weekend. I knew if there was any chance in a million she was going to have a chance at adoption, she was going to have to get spruced up a bit. So a bath was in order.
The shelter director pointed the way which took us outside through some double doors to a place where we could bathe her. When the big doors opened, she stopped. She was determined she was not going in there. A look of terror, hurt, and confusion was on her face. I could not bring myself to drag her in, so help came and she was dragged through the doors. I knew what was wrong, but I ask and confirmed. The euthanize room was just down form the groom room. She knew and I am sure she has known what went on here. Dogs have such a powerful sense of smell. She smelled the death. My heart just broke for her. It took her a bit, but she realized everything was OK for now and settle down. After her bath she started to open up. You could see the brightness appear in her eyes and she started following me every step I took. Saturday's adoption fair came and went and of course Ella was even considered. I would never be at peace again if I left her there to die.
There is something about her. She has things left to be done in life. Maybe some of those things have to do with me. I adore her and I was so happy to lead her out of the shelter. I had no idea where this would lead.
I have had a big life change over the year and my salary is not what it once was. I was just doing what I felt was right. For Ella and myself. Health wise, she was in fair shape, but developed a upper respiratory infection the minute she stepped out of the shelter. I started her on a antibiotic right when we got home. Her breathing was becoming more labored. We came home with high hopes all was going to be OK. A vet visit was in order. A lot went on over the next few days,.. Her condition continued to decline. Back to the vet we went. My fears became reality. The infection had led to pneumonia.
Ella had tested positive for heartworm disease which made her condition even more serious. I knew she was HW positve before she left the shelter. Ella had to remain in the hospital for 6 days. I told myself worst case I would use my credit card I use only for vet bills for my dogs. My funds were nonexistent as were my faith in people, but I put her story out there and asked for donations and slowly I had collected about half of what I needed. A kind and caring lady agreed to cover the remaining balance. My faith in people has now been a bit restored and Ella came home feeling better with a zero balance due. Now it is time to address taking care of the heartworms.
The decision of fast kill or slow kill?? Another wonderful person who does so much already to rescue the hardest cases out there has offered a donation that will and has help so much. This donation will make it possible for Ella to get a cardo work up first. We can see then how serious the disease is. I know not everyone will be as fortunate as Ella in getting all the financial help. Her biggest fortune came the day she walked out of the animal shelter. A fortune so many shelter dog never will get. Especially the older dogs. She has been given a chance. She will never have to be dirty or hungry again. Nor will she long for love. It does not matter if she or I leave this world tomorrow, she will know she was loved. Believe me, she knows it now. She is spoiled rotten as she should be.
I have documented her from day one as I see her transform, learn to trust, relax on a soft bed.etc.. She had never been in a house before…you could tell. If so it has been long ago, but she is quickly becoming acclimated to things. She will fuss at me if one of Cockers is on "her" bed. She lets me know when she needs to go even though there has been no formal house breaking.
I think her story could help to inform people and make them aware of the plight of older dogs and all they have to offer. As you can tell, I am not a novel writer. Not even close. By me writing this story for all of you to read, I am hoping Ella will have made a difference. A difference for the older dogs that otherwise would not been given a chance. Even if it is only one dog. That is one Ella will have saved. I would like to close by asking you to visit your local animal shelter. If you have children, please take them.
Gwinnett County has a very clean nice shelter. To me it is like the castle compared to the shack. The Gwinnett shelter being the castle, but all are prisoners in this castle. The staff is nice and the rescue/adoption coordinator works hard for the animals. There are workers in some shelters who will just kill a dog or cat just because. Dekalb may be an old run down stinking shelter. YES they do need another shelter badly, BUT the adoption/rescue coordinators there also care and advocate for the animals. I am sure there are others, but these two shelters are just the two I know personally and have seen first hand their hard work. I will not list the BADDDD shelters I know. Unfortunately it does not matter how nice a shelter is, or how hard someone works to save them, there is always that chance they will not leave there alive. Especially the older dogs.
Educate yourself as well as you children. Your children are the future for all animals. Thank you for taking the time to read Ella’s story.This is a quote that is seen at the end of emails from someone I have the highest of the high respect for. Remember it:)
The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its

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