05/09/2024
When Zena's foster dad posed for this picture Thursday while holding her in his arms, he thought she had less than a day left to live. But he was wrong: She now has 14 days -- and perhaps many years to come after that, but only if she is very, very fortunate.
Zena's foster dad had received a call at work from the administrator of Anne Arundel County Animal Care & Control, who gently explained that Zena's unresolved, uncomfortable skin allergies, her heart murmur and the fact that she had been at the shelter for more than two months without any adoption interest essentially made humane euthanasia the kindest option for her. Her foster dad calmly said he understood and asked if he and his wife could first spoil Zena for one more night. Of course, the administrator said.
Zena's foster dad then hung up the phone and sobbed.
Heartbreak is a fact of life for anyone involved in caring for homeless animals, including those who foster for shelters and rescues. A newborn kitten dies cradled in your hands. An elderly dog, given up by a lifelong owner, lives out his last few days with you.
Among the saddest situations, however, are ones like Zena's: She is only 16 months old, adorable looking, friendly and playful with her fosters and their own dog (also shown in this picture). She was given up by owners who lost her once, reclaimed her, then tossed in the towel when they lost her again five months later, saying they didn't have "enough time to give her (the) care she needs." She loves children, her former owners said, and lived with three, ages 6, 12 and 17 (she can play roughly with toys, so shelter staff recommend a home without very young children). She also intensely adores tennis balls and proudly carrying big sticks around.
But: Zena has a grade 2 or 3 systolic heart murmur that eventually should be evaluated by a cardiologist, the shelter's veterinarian says. And in recent weeks the skin on her face, clean and healthy when she arrived at the shelter Feb. 22, has had a persistent, clearly uncomfortable rash and her legs and feet have swollen. Her skin has not improved with repeated medicated baths, regular wipes, prescription food, multiple oral medications and a donut collar to try to keep her from rubbing her face raw. As both the shelter's vet and its administrator know from personal experience, trying to figure out and resolve a dog's skin problems can be a very long and very costly slog, with no guarantee of success. Adopters willing and able to take on the associated costs and frustrations are few and far between.
Also: Even when Zena was at the shelter in apparent good health for so many weeks before her skin allergies flared up, none of the hundreds upon hundreds of people who walked by her cage decided to take her home. Her fosters adore her but cannot have two dogs long term.
Zena received a temporary reprieve Thursday afternoon when the shelter veterinarian proposed changing up her medications and giving her two more weeks (so they can take full effect) to see if there is any improvement. The shelter also is sending a "final plea" to its rescue partners -- basically a Hail Mary attempt at a time when rescues are struggling to find placements for even "perfect" larger dogs (Zena weighs 50 pounds). If a rescue does accept her, or she is adopted, Friends of Anne Arundel County Animal Care & Control, Inc. will donate $2,000 to help with her medical expenses.*
Zena's foster parents will be keeping her in their home while the shelter sees if this new medical plan helps her and the search continues for a rescue or adopter who can meet her needs. Her foster dad will be bringing her to the shelter at 10 a.m. this Saturday to sit in the lobby, if you'd like to meet a gal who has so much going for her -- and so much to lose.
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Zena is spayed, current on basic vaccinations and microchipped. Adoption fees for all of AACACC's pets currently are waived.
*Our donation to an adopter would be paid directly to the veterinarian practices that care for Zena's medical issues. If a shelter nonprofit rescue partner accepts her, the donation will be sent to the rescue.
