We were taking our children to the bus parking area. My coworker, Bambi Hayward, was successful in keeping the pup from the children as they made their way to their perspective buses. I took my children to their buses and immediately joined Bambi. Sweet Annie proceeded to make her way near the buses as they began leaving our campus. We kept her at bay as the buses drove away. By this time, I could
not stop my tears, tears of fear, sadness, anger, disbelief, and the tears of knowing that it was now my responsibility to rescue this poor animal. I knew in my heart that she needed immediate medical care. Tears of facing the facts because knowing I was questioning myself about how would I be able to afford to pay for the care of this injured pup, what about our two yellow Labrador retrievers we have at home now, and the fact that one takes medication for seizures and joint pain? What about the fact that my husband's job includes me on weekends and some evenings during the week? What, what, what do I do? I called my husband "B.B", who was on a job in Fayetteville, and as I cried I tried to explain my dilemma. Of course, being the compassionate man that he is, he agreed that I should take Sweet Annie to our vet in Lumberton. Bambi kept Sweet Annie close by while I rushed into the school to lock my classroom door. I then drove my car to the bus parking lot, made a soft bed for Sweet Annie in the back, wrapped her in my coat, and placed her in my car. I called Dr. Deese at Baird's Animal Hospital to let him know I was on my way. As I drove, Sweet Annie was silent. My mind was playing over the last hour, still wondering what would happen to Sweet Annie, to us. I found myself trying to sing with the radio, a song called Sweet Annie. I knew if I were to name this pup that would be the name for her! I arrived at the vet, took Sweet Annie to an examining room awaiting us, and fleas were hopping joyfully, from her to me, and back and forth. Dr. Deese arrived to look at my precious coated cargo. Things did not look good for her. First was the x-ray of her broken leg. She was patient as Dr. Deese and his son positioned her on the table. Other tests were performed while I waited. The results, heart worms, hook worms, bite wounds, starvation, and a leg that never healed properly after being broken, possibly in a trap of some sort. She now had atrophy in the lower joint of the left front leg and the leg will have to be removed when she is stronger. They will have to keep her several days to see if she will eat and to rid her of the hook worms, and to give her time to adjust to being cared for, probably for the first time. Sweet Annie, they estimate, is two years old. She has had at least one litter of puppies. She has scaring from fights and part of her right ear is missing, as well as hair missing here and there. She is a Pit Bull/Lab mix. She has beautiful, but sad, brown eyes. She has a shiny coat, in places. I talked to Dr. Deese yesterday. He was happy that she had eaten! My husband "B.B" and I are going to see her today! We will post more information later, as we get it on Sweet Annie! Update:Sweet Annie may get to come to her new home after Christmas, but must return for surgery in January. Many people have contacted me who would like to make a donation for Sweet Annie's healthcare. She is in the care of Baird's Animal Hospital. The address is as follows:
Baird's Animal Hospital
Dr. Michael Deese
3169 E. Lumberton, NC 28358
Fax #910-739-4996
Telephone # 910-739-4998
We would like to say that we did not write about Sweet Annie for monetary reasons. We never dreamed that we would receive such an outpouring of support and love from so many people. We are appreciative that there are more animal lovers out there, people who just like us, will never understand why animals, such as Sweet Annie, are treated so horribly. Thanks so much to you all for caring! Much love always, Sandy Nation and Joseph B B Nation
