With so much negativity regarding animal rescue, ie. we cannot save each and every one unfortunately, it is heartwarming to see a success story. Unsung heroes exist among us, Angels, Guardians of ‘The Voiceless” without whom so very many innocent lives would be lost forever. This is one such story below, there are countless others yet to be told. In her own words, with the pictures she has provided: This is Leroy’s Story.
Leroy is a survivor and yes he is truly “Lucky Leroy” joining the loving Lawson family which includes Lulu, Leroy, Fatboy, Diablo, Luther and Lily.
“Leroy’s situation was the most life threatening of the many animals I have helped to rescue over the years and of the six that were meant to be my family forever. He came to us in a strange and serendipitous way as many of them do. A woman, who I did not know very well, approached me at our small town post office and asked if I could give her dog a bath and a haircut. She had heard that I like to help people and their pets. It is really only the pets I want to help, but don’t tell them that.”
”I was very busy at the time (getting married) and said it would have to wait a few days. However, her sister called and said the dog was in rough shape and that someone had been asked to come and SHOOT him. We live on the very isolated island of Haida Gwaii and unfortunately, many people are still pretty backward about whose life has more value. I told hubby to be to hang tight and drove there to see what was happening.”
”It was not good. It was very bad. The woman had been drinking and looked pretty mean and hostile so I just asked where the dog was and tiptoed past her. I found what looked sort of like a dog tied up on their uncovered back porch. He was on a short leash hooked to the wall about two feet up so he could basically only move around in a two foot area. I found out later that he had been tied there for about 3 ½ years. Feeding him had consisted of giving him raw fish heads occasionally. Did she think he had some yearning for rotten sushi?!? He had no water on a very hot day and really didn’t even look like a dog, more like something that had crawled out of a swamp. He was matted from head to toe and both his front and back legs were melded together so he couldn’t walk, just hop around a bit. I cut the leash from the wall, wrapped him in a blanket I’d brought, gave her a few obscene gestures and words, then ran for the car. A bath and a haircut indeed!”
” I took him home and called Dr. Don, our most awesome vet, only to find out he was away for the weekend. It’s a small island and he is the only game in town. I called some rescue friends and started frantically googling. The most urgent needs came first; get him hydrated, warm and a little healthy food into him. I cooked him steak. When he seemed a little stronger, I started cutting away the giant globs of his hair matted with mud, actual sticks and of course, his own urine and feces. He was constantly shaking and his eyes would roll back in his head so we had to take breaks often. When I finally got down to skin, I found oozing sores everywhere, ears filled with mites, bugs and fleas rampant, and blood clots were dropping from his penis. This was a nightmare, but I was determined to give him some happy time, even if it might be short lived.”
”Eventually I got him into a warm bath, medicated what I could, then just held him through the night, giving him bits of food and water when he woke up. This had taken the whole day and much of the night so I eventually dozed off for a bit. When I woke up, he was gone! I yelled for my husband to tell me where the dog was. I feared the worst.”
Boy, had I underestimated this little guy’s strength and character. Where did I find him? Chasing my twin rescued kitty cats, Fatboy & Diablo.
He and Lulu, my first wee rescued mutt were CHASING each other.
He was stealing toys from her box, running around with them in his mouth as though he’d just struck gold! I asked my husband what we should call him and he said, Lucky. Lucky Leroy it is, the newest member of he Lawson family.
Not the last though…
Luther and Princess Lily were soon to follow.
The saga continues….
Thank You Leanne Lawson for this wonderful story.
You are one of the ‘Silent Army’, Guardians of the Voiceless
Filed under: Commitment, THE IMPOSSIBLE IS POSSIBLE Tagged: Commitment & Devotion, Family Members deserve the Best, Guardians of the Voiceless, Immunization for a Healthy Pet, LOKI Sole Survivor, LOKI UPDATES, Philly's Corner
