Follow up: Late Thursday afternoon, January 26, we received a call from Multnomah County Animal Services stating that the two dogs of immediate concern: the senior Lhasa apso mix, and the neglected injured pit bull, scheduled to be killed Friday, January 27, were instead going to be placed on “shelter review” to allow a limited time to seek humane options. Their pictures and brief medical histories are attached. For more information call me at 503.625.4563. I know that the reprieve was the direct result of those persons who wrote or called the county commission on very short notice after our own appeals were ignored. Thank you for taking the time to place a call or write a note that gave them a chance at life. MCAS kills many animals deemed “imperfect” when they are not, and humane options can be found. Notes about the two dogs follow.
Prince: (MCAS 532822) is a fuzzy cream and tan senior neutered male Lhasa Apso mix. He clearly was someone’s loved dog once. He looks a little like a Star Wars Wookie from his picture. Loves to snuggle. He is estimated to be about 18 years old but then no one really knows. He has poor vision because he has dry eye which can be treated palliatively with eye drops; his gait is wobbly but he is able to walk and doesn’t seem painful; dental disease like many old dogs; heart and lungs normal. He still has a life to live even in his sunset years. He sees clearly with his heart and old age isn’t really a disease anyway. He is seeking a retirement home and a good lap and is ready as soon as one can be found. Cats not likely an issue: he is smaller than most cats and can’t see them well anyway.
The young neutered brown and white pit bull mix (MCAS 532858) was taken to Dove Lewis on January 22, found as a stray off NE 118th and Sandy with a lame non weight bearing back right leg. All of his vital signs are normal. He is eating well. The problem is that the head of the right femur is dislocated. Although mildly dehydrated at first and quite thin, he is now eating and drinking well and he is expected to bounce back. His injury was the primary reason given for killing him (and breed always deemed negative even if unspoken). Described as an absolute gentleman where people are concerned; wary of other dogs near him possibly because of his injury. He carries the plight and fate of so many little pit bulls killed en masse across our country for no fault of their own. They bear the burden of society’s carelessness.
Teddy’s Rescue Fund: So let’s just start one at a time to stop the pattern of discarding them and killing them en masse: a forgotten, unwanted, often mistreated breed. A rescue fund has been set up for him at a highly regarded veterinary rehabilitation center in Portland. It is Teddy’s Rescue Fund, named after a particularly resilient cheerful handicapped dog who faced multiple physical obstacles during his three years in rehab. In his own insurmountable way he overcame them teaching us patience and compassion in the face of the unknown. If we believe, we will get there.
This little handicapped pit bull will need an evaluation and medical treatment plan that will include surgery and also fostering. We will post his progress. Any contributions are welcome: monetary of any amount for evaluation and surgery; foster home possibilities; publicizing his plight and progress. The evaluation will likely be conducted within the next ten days. The address for the rehabilitation center where Teddy’s Fund is located is:
Back on Track, Veterinary Rehabilitation Center
9045 Southwest Barbur Blvd # 130
Portland OR 97219
Telephone (503) 546.8994
Gail O’Connell-Babcock
Telephone: 503.625.4563