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Some things, I'll never understand.

Muddy Feet and More: Some things, I'll never understand.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Some things, I'll never understand.

This weekend we were thrilled to be temporarily reunited with one of our foster dogs.  Usually, once we return them to the Humane Society, we have no idea what happens to them.  Zoe is different.  One of our friends had been thinking about adopting a dog and when she saw Zoe, she knew she had found the perfect dog!  Okay, she may not be perfect, but she is pretty close!  Once she was returned to the Humane Society, our friend rushed in to adopt her.  That was a couple of years ago.  This weekend, they had to go out of town and Zoe couldn't go with, so we happily volunteered to take her.

Zoe 2010, with a favorite ball.

Zoe originally came to us as a puppy.  She was 4 months old.  Her puppy teeth were just starting to fall out.  Anyone who has ever had a dog this age knows how energetic and playful they are.  Zoe was different.

Her back leg muscles were so under developed that she could barely stand.  She couldn't walk much past the driveway without being overcome with exhaustion.  She didn't play.  When she stood, her little legs would quiver with the effort.  That wasn't the worst part though.  She had had an embedded collar.  A wound one inch deep on her little puppy neck that went from one ear to the other.  Of course it had been cleaned and stitched by the time I got her, but it was still pretty bad. 

Zoe 2008
4 months old, after sutures were removed.
How could you not love that face?

How someone can let that happen to any creature is beyond my understanding.  That it happened to this dog, blew my mind away!  This was the sweetest dog imaginable, and she was still a baby.  Something like this takes time to happen and is so easily preventable.  Based on the way she moved and her lack of development, it was pretty obvious that she had been chained or tied up on a very short length for most of her young life.  No one checked to make sure that she was being taken care of.  No one cared.  No one loved her. 

She is loved now though, and is a happy, energetic and still very sweet dog.  She still has a scar, but it is hidden well under her collar.  A collar that is checked to make sure the fit is good.  She can now run for miles and play for hours.  She likes to swim too!  She has come so far from the little pup who couldn't play, let alone walk or stand long.
Zoe 2010, playing with my dog Loki. 
He mostly stood in one place while she zipped around all over the place.
My other dog, Chewy, made a very brief entrance to give a good sniff.

Oh yeah, did I mention that she is mostly Pit Bull?  Many people have misconceptions about the breed, and I wish those people could interact with this dog (and the many other Pits we have fostered) and see how wonderful the breed can be.  She gets along wonderfully with our dogs, cats and kids.  She is smart and respectful, and so very sweet.    She is loyal and protective too, just the right amount to make her a wonderful, well-rounded dog. 

Come back any time for a visit, Zoe!

4 Comments:

Blogger Sue said...

What a beautiful dog she is and it shows again that dogs live in the now and that with good people like you and your friend ,they can come back from such horrible abuse and be super dogs.
I never understand people either that abuse or neglect animals.
We have 2 dogs from the shelter too and I would love to foster other dogs.
Before that is going to happen I still have some work to do with our male dog Gromit though. He doesn't want to socialize with any dog but our other dog Bailey. It will be a piece of work and patience, but I know he can do it.
I totally agree with you regarding Pits and any other breed that get a bad rep. It is always the people not the dogs. Dogs just want to be dogs and their needs are very simple .
Oh, I could go on and on....... I'm very passionate about dogs!
Keep up the great thing you are doing! The world needs many ,many more responsible dog owner like you .

Sue :0)

May 11, 2010 at 10:16 PM  
Blogger Eve's Little Earthlings said...

A touching story with a happy ending!

May 12, 2010 at 4:37 AM  
Blogger woolies said...

We have 4 dogs, some from rescues. 2 horses, 1 from a rescue situation. Her story is a common one - loved by her owners, who had no idea how to properly take care of a horse. My friends said, oh don't get her. My vet said, I'm not sure. I took her, and she is the best horse.
2 cats, one from a rescue. The other one was born to a mom with feline lukemia, all the kittens died, and then the mom did too. I nursed this one through a terrible bout of illness, the vet said put her down, I didn't. Here she is - almost 12 years later, and the funniest cat. I adore animals, and applaud you for your foster care work!!

May 12, 2010 at 5:57 AM  
Blogger Yarn Miracle said...

That's awesome! We foster too, but since we had the baby (and acquired six cats), the rule is that we only foster the strays we personally pick up. Because of that, a portion of my shop's profits go to our local humane society and I end up writing my fair share of "people who are mean to animals suck" posts.

Thank you for giving so many animals the opportunity to have a better life.

May 12, 2010 at 5:07 PM  

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