Heidi Hardman, VP of A Forever Home Animal Rescue, a no-kill organization with 15 years experience rescuing, fostering and adopting out animals, went to the shelter last week to save a few lives.
In her words:
“I came upon Dex. I almost didn’t see him. There he was, this tiny black ball, all curled up on a filthy, wet concrete floor right against the gate door. I could smell Dex from three kennels away. He reeked of yeast infection, urine and feces. I thought he was dead. He just didn’t move even when we opened the door.
Image source: AFHAR
After a little nudge from the kennel worker (he was gentle), Dex ever so slowly lifted his head and revealed his pitiful condition. His eyes were so severely infected and ulcerated that he could not see. He could barely stand. His tiny body was covered in bruises, hot spots and lacerations. The yeast smell was overpowering. Dex was in excruciating pain and terribly emaciated.
I begged the shelter to let me take him right then but they were waiting for his owner to reclaim him. He had until the next day at 5 pm. So I had to leave him and I was crying while I had to walk away. It got worse. The owner DID come. He looked at pitiful Dex and said “no, we don’t want him back“. Does it get any more heartless than that? But by that time it was after 5 pm and now Dex was having to spend yet another night suffering.
I drove back the very next day and got Dex. By this time his eye ulcer ruptured and he lost all vision in his right eye. He was finally on painkillers and antibiotics and had a bath. I scooped up that little body and got him out of there as soon as I possibly could.
Image source: AFHAR
In the car, Dex just rubbed against me, craving any human attention. He loved just to be caressed and held. He was so gentle.”
Image source: AFHAR
Despite a restful weekend being loved and nurtured by a rescue team member in which Dex started to come out of his shell, the damage had been done.
On that Tuesday morning after he was rescued, Dex was again screaming in pain. They rushed him to the vet.
Image source: AFHAR
His right eye was beyond saving. They took him to a specialist and then an ophthalmologist to remove his eye and to focusing on saving his left one and relieving his pain.
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“It is such a horrible shame that none of this had to happen” Hardman adds. “Responsible owners along with proper nutrition and care could have saved his eye.”
No charges are being made against his owners, though the rescue group suspects this is a case of neglect.
Image source: AFHAR
“Dex is now recovering with the same loving foster parent who has adjusted her schedule to be there for him every four hours for his meds so he has the best chance at regaining the sight in his remaining eye,” Hardman says. “Happily, he is doing remarkably well. Dex has started playing with toys and dancing around and feeling absolutely terrific. I think back at that pitiful little boy who was almost dead and I am forever grateful that our rescue took the chance and saved him.”
The rescue expects Dex to make a full recovery and he will be up for adoption to FAMILIES IN FLORIDA STATE ONLY. If you are interested in Dex, you can contact them here.
If you can’t adopt but want to help, they have a YouCaring.com fundraiser up to help cover his medical expenses. Have a rescue story to share? Email me at Kristina@Homelifemedia.com
