When we found Shadow she was wandering
around the country road we live on, she was dirty, smelly, and very
FRIENDLY!
We could tell right away that she hadn't been taken care of. We assumed she was a stray, and she followed us home, literally!
We felt sad for her and fed her and bathed her and put up "found dog" signs. We figured no one would claim her, as the neighbors said they saw her around here last year.
So, we took her to the vet only to find out she had heartworm, mange and a skin condition. We knew that we wanted to get a dog someday, but we couldn't afford the vet visits it would require to get Shadow well. We were afraid we would have to have her put to sleep.
But she was so well mannered and sweet! She even let my 3 year old walk her! I went online to see if I could find a Labrador Rescue Society in my area. I called many of them only to find out they were full. Then I saw Labrador Life Line, and filled out an application with hope in my heart. After all she was a stray. It wasn't like I was asking for help for my own dog!
It turned out that she had an owner, who lived down the street from us. He had been passing our house for three weeks with my kids playing in the yard with his dog, but never noticed her.
However, he did see our signs, and called to come get her. We told him that she had heartworm, and I realized that if he let her get it, he probably wouldn't feel she was worth trying to save. I told him to contact me "if anything drastic was about to happen." That was on Good Friday. I worried about that poor girl all Friday and Saturday. I was worried he wouldn't take care of her, or that he would put her to sleep for treatable illnesses because he didn't want the bother and expense of treating her. Poor thing! All she wanted was someone to love her!
Then, on Easter Sunday, the owner stopped by to ask if we wanted her! Apparently, he didn't want to take care of her problems, but remembered what I said about calling me first before doing anything drastic.
We said "YES!". And she has been ours ever since! What a way to go from potential death, on Good Friday to life on Easter Sunday!
Then we started working with LLL again, to see if they could help us. I worked with one of their people on a daily basis until it was all worked out and they said they could fund the heartworm treatment. Shadow went for the treatment and has made it through!
The people at the vet's office commented that she was so friendly that she wagged through the whole procedure! And her health has made such a drastic jump! She has turned into a new dog! She has so much more energy than before, and says "thank-you" with all 70 lbs. of her !!!
Thanks Labrador Life Line!!! We couldn't have done it
without you!
Ellen Evans, May 2000