Dog News

The Things We Do For Love

by ADMIN

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love

I am the foster and rescue coordinator of the Dog Program at Forgotten Friends of Long Island Animal Rescue.  On Sunday, 5/12, we pulled a severe neglect case from the Manhattan (kill) shelter.  Love was left tied to the railing at the entrance of a subway station in a horrible part of Brooklyn.

When she arrived at the shelter and underwent a brief medical evaluation, they discovered she was very emaciated, had open wounds on her rear left hip and right front limb, and was struggling with a mass in her mouth.  Needless to say, Love’s future looked very grim.  Being an approved New Hope Rescue, we receive pleas for numerous cases on a daily basis.  One look at her face and I couldn’t help but feel her pain, loss and loneliness.  We pulled her from the shelter, knowing that her prognosis could be poor and we would possibly only have her for a limited time.

Despite our broken hearts, already expecting the worst, I promised this girl no matter how much time we may have, she would be given the world and all she lacked until the moment she was tied to that railing.  Within a couple days she started making enormous strides: what may seem like small achievements for normal dogs, walking steadily on her own, was an achievement in itself.

Now a week later, she is slowly putting on weight, is starting to walk with her head held high and with a purpose, and she’s slowly starting to open up and accept all the love that’s pouring in for her. She is in a wonderful foster home with 3 dogs and a cat, whom have all accepted her, and she them.  She is now learning to appreciate a soft bed, a cozy blanket, a good meal, a gentle touch and most of all, love.

My reason for writing you is that, as you know, there are far too many cases like Love’s that go unnoticed, or unheard of on a daily basis.  The stories of this resilient survivor and others like her need to be told.

Sadly, after visiting the oral surgeon, we’ve been told she is not a candidate for surgery –  Love has inoperable, terminal cancer.  At this point it’s just a matter of ensuring she is comfortable until she lets us know that she’s had enough.  Even though she isn’t a candidate for surgery, her medical bills have already started to add up.  She will also require continuous medication, high quality food and other comforts.  But no matter what, we will do whatever possible to give her the chance at a “normal” life, and provide all that she’s lacked prior to coming into our care.

With that said, I was wondering if you could do Love the favor/honor of sharing her story and her fan page?  Being a rescuer every animal that crosses your path is a special one.  But Love has touched me in a way I never thought possible.  Many others who don’t even know her are touched by her story and how “far” she’s come in such a short time.  Her time may be limited, but we will give her the world, show her sympathy, kindness and of course, love – no matter how briefly she may be with us.

Milena Apath
Foster/Rescue Coordinator
Dog Program
Forgotten Friends of Long Island Animal Rescue
www.forgottenfriendsoflongisland.org