THE TRUE UNSUNG HEROES

I would like to dedicate a short piece to those incredible people who take in our battered and abused dogs, and treat them with such dignity and love that they learn to trust humans again, and learn to accept a kind human touch.  Once every two or three years, we bring in a soul that had been destroyed by human abuse to such an extent that, in such a case, the dog cannot be networked to be homed, due to his/her extreme fear and accompanying behavioural problems.

In each instance, a human angel has come forward, willing to mend the broken spirit with unending and absolute love and commitment.

The most recent of these adoptions happened this weekend, to everyone’s delight.

I was called out to remove a Chow from a property earlier this year.  The so-called caregivers of Teddy, as we came to call her, had left her behind on a rental property when they moved. She had been on her own for weeks by the time we were informed. No-one could come near Teddy, and I eventually reached the ‘owner’ and requested her to help me get Teddy into the car, so we could bring her to safety.  She could not handle her own dog.  Could not even touch her to pick her up and put her into the car.  I left to collect tranquillisers from the vet, and when I returned, the new resident and his family were there, furious about the dog – he had called a certain institution to take her away.  Now, we all know, this would have meant immediate euthanasia, as she was described as ‘vicious’.  I had scarcely started feeding her sedative-laced pieces of chicken, when they arrived.  They could not, with all their equipment, capture this dog, who was fearful to the extreme.  In the end, we agreed to  follow my route with the tranquillisers, and so managed to capture her.  The representative of the institution would not allow me to take the dog, as he had to follow the procedures.  Thus I followed him to the local office, and took full responsibility for Teddy, with the result that the whole case was regarded as closed from their side.

She was taken to our organisation’s  vet hospital, where the horribly matted coat was groomed under anaesthetic, and where she was spayed, vaccinated, dewormed and microchipped.  She slept inside at night and, during the day she had the free run of the garden along with all our other rescues. She would come up and give a quick lick in recognition, but still would not allow anyone to touch her.  And so three months passed, with Teddy becoming an integral part of daily life at the hospital. We could not send out a request for a home on the general network, as Teddy had to go to someone who was knowledgeable about the breed; who had experience of rehabilitating a dog of the same breed; had quick access to our vet should Teddy have any need for vet care; would keep her on the high-quality food she received to build up her system after years of neglect; would be able to groom her regularly; would have the patience and commitment to love her through thick and thin.

Yesterday, Teddy’s world changed.  A lady who had regular contact with Teddy at the vet’s rooms, and who saw her potential and understood her fear, sent her husband around to meet Teddy.  We left the two of them to get to know each other, and carried on with business.  This gentleman had previously changed a Chow with the same fear/aggression behavioural pattern into a loving family member, so it was with the utmost faith in his compassion that we allowed this meeting.

Both our sanctuary vet and myself have known the family for years, and have been to their home several times.  it was a pre-approved home in all senses of the word.  And indeed, when Teddy was unceremoniously taken into the car and driven away, there was no doubt in our minds.

The feedback has been wonderful, the miracle has happened!

Teddy immediately made friends with the other resident dogs, followed her new dad like a shadow all day and, after some coaxing, made the house her home.  Today’s report: Teddy is allowing dad to stroke and handle her, and has even permitted him to brush and groom her…

So, to all of you who take in our very abused and confused rescues, give them unconditional love and help them to trust again:  YOU are the unsung heroes, YOU are the true rescuers.  We salute you.