11/12/2025
When a form message comes through on my page, it is almost always about surrendering a dog. It usually comes with limited information and no pictures. However, when I can sit down, I follow with a list of questions. Sometimes I can help. Sometimes I cannot. Yesterday I chose to help.
The owner had a “disabled” dog who had to go due to the landlord’s decision. I will not go into details, but after washing dishes, feeding etc, I sighed and decided to call him. Why was this one different. I have no idea but I felt a tug, and urging I could not ignore.
A few hours later I found myself driving across town and searching for the number on a row of houses. When I pulled into the driveway, a neighbor emerged and asked if I was coming to the dog next door. I assured him that was my plan and he thanked me.
The background is vague, but the owner was in a difficult position and finally agreed to surrender his dog, the right decision.
The “dog” was/is a 15 lb, 8 yr old mixed breed….mostly MinPin and maybe Corgi or Chihuahua. Upon inspection, all four of his legs were paralyzed. His nails were long, curled and one grown into his pad. His skin was raw and red, scabby and it smelled bad. He looked at me with such incredible sadness that I knew I had made the right decision, whatever the outcome.
I loaded him up and called our vet who happened to have a cancellation in20 minutes, and I hit the gas pedal and headed that way.
XRays showed an arthritic spine, possible trauma and the outcome was grim. He was diagnosed with a severe yeast infection from a past flea infestation. The list went on, and we left with several pill bottles and medicated shampoo.
As luck would have it, Kelly worked last night and launched into action. He was bathed over and over and the water was black. He ate wet dog food heartily and we finally got him settled in for the night. He has to be carried everywhere.
In the scheme of things, Ziggy is but a speck, at best, in this universe, but he is a life and a life worth saving. If in the long run we cannot give him a better quality of life, we will make the humane decision. Can he ever regain use of his legs...the back ones no, the front a distant possibility.
But in the meantime, he will not suffer, he will be comfortable and loved. Terry and I always agreed to treat them with dignity and not force a dog to live in discomfort.
But today is a new day. We will worry about tomorrow later. There is much work to be done.
