Today I Cried

[6 Beautiful Pugs]

I was supposed to pick up three dogs from the Baldwin Park (LA) shelter Saturday while driving Miss Daisy, a 13 year old blind, deaf, emaciated pug, a 12+ year old maltese and an ancient chihuahua - I was taking all of them to Elizabeth, our wonderful hospice person. But when we arrived they didn't have the vet deferments done and we wouldn't be able to pull them until today.

They called me yesterday to inform me the chihuahua had died, poor little one had been very sick. So today I went to Inglewood to do a home check and then to Baldwin Park to pick up the two remaining dogs.

Doing the paperwork they informed me the pug was a stray, the girl working the counter said "Yeah, right, a blind, deaf, arthritic pug that can barely walk escaped from his yard and just wandered into your yard, sure, I was born yesterday!". The maltese had been left in a Dollar Store parking lot in the heat, on the pavement. Can you imagine the agony for a dog who can't walk or move barely?!

Oh my god, it was so sad guys! The little pug was sitting in his cage, but so profoundly blind and deaf that he was unaware it was opened until the shelter tech touched him. He startled violently. She pulled him out and handed him to me. I could feel his little old heart pounding away in his chest, so fast. Under his thick coat his bones stuck out grossly, he was emaciated. When I stroked him he laid his head on my chest and let me kiss him. He's a mix of some sort, has a poofy coat and a bit of a muzzle and no mask. But pug just the same.

The little maltese was unable to walk. her belly hugely bloated and her hair matted, with feces caking her underside. When you lifted her she cried in pain. Truly I think this poor little girl needs to be released from her suffering.

I loaded the maltese onto the floorboard, the most stable place for her. The pug onto the seat. I was meeting Elizabeth's daughter halfway and she was taking them straight to the vet. The pug wandered restlessly, pushing his head into corners and standing there, seemingly comforted by the act. The maltese gazed up at me with cloudy, pained eyes. There was not gratitude there, like most shelter dogs look at you when they are sprung, just pain and hopelessness. The pug eventually wandered over to my lap and leaned in tight against me and began to whimper and then to cry. Sad, painful cries that made me cry along with him.

I delivered them to Elizabeth's daughter and they drove off to the vet. I couldn't help but hope they put the maltese down, she was just too far gone, the light was not there anymore. She just needed released with love. The little pug I hope is not too far gone, I hope has some time to enjoy life a little bit with Elizabeth and the special dogs there. To feel loved.

Not all rescue days are joyous or even hopeful.

Take care,
Lisa

[shaynapug]

How heartbreaking!!!

[tall grass pugs]

A bath, some warm broth, and Rimadyl might work the difference in these sad animals. Please thank your hospice person and her family for the effort she contributes. And be careful, my friend, that you do not burn yourself out.

[gopuggo]

Oh the pug mix is so cute. I hope there's hope for him.

I hope the maltese finds peace in whatever form it arrives for her.

Cheers to you for keeping up the good fight.

[6 Beautiful Pugs]

Right now there is only me to transport for all of SoCal outside of San Diego. We have some great people up north, including Christa who pull and meet, but I'm the only one right now who can and will pull and drive these babies where they need to go. Burn out is not an option.

My family is burnt out for me.

The poor maltese was far beyond the reach of rimadyl, her belly so distended that it felt as though it might pop when you lifted her. It was like an enormous, taut water balloon. She just wanted to die, she was ready.

The pug was much better, but his cries were haunting and his heart pounded so hard in his chest. I so hope he can be helped.

Take care,
Lisa

[CountryPug]

Oh my goodness that is heartbreaking, I would have cried too.....I don't even know what to say

[Poochysforever]

Tears are flowing......heart breaking.

[Jodelar]

Heartbreaking... So sad... Bless their little hearts

[pugaddiction]

Oh Lisa, I am crying with you and that little pug. And God bless the little Maltese. What you do is so unbelievably good and quite honestly I don't know if I would be able to do it. Can't imagine being blind and deaf and not knowing where or who I am with, can you just imagine the fear.
Please take care of yourself you are most definately needed.

[tall grass pugs]

You know the story, Lisa, about the rescuer and heaven. How animals unwanted on earth and unwanted in heaven wait for a rescuer to come and collect them all. And the rescuer calls the mob to her and in her reflected light the animals are made whole and well and young. And all of them move forward to cross the bridge together. The little maltese will be waiting.