by Lorraine Monfils
They say that things happen for a reason and that people are brought into our lives for a reason. This couldn’t be more true for a dog named Jack. Jack was found running down the road. I am not sure if he knew where he was going but it was clear he was running away from where he belonged.
At first glimpse Jack was thought to be a mangy coyote but as he got closer, it was determined that he was a dog in very poor condition and in desperate need of help. At this point Jack meets his guardian angel who will actually save his life. The young lady is horrified of his condition and the wheels are put in motion to try and help him.
She makes several phone calls to try and get Jack help and each time she is told to return the dog to the owner. She knows in her heart of hearts this is not the right thing to do, but she does what she is told and takes Jack to his owner.
At this point the owner says they do not want Jack along with other harsh comments we will not repeat. Her last phone call is to The Ark, she tells me the story and I have to be honest – I told her we were not in a position to take Jack. She is so adamant about us taking Jack she persists and tells me about his condition and that there is no way she can leave Jack there. I tell her if she is serious about this that she needs to go back to the owner and have him sign an owner surrender so we can legally take possession of Jack. She does not even hesitate. She gets the necessary paperwork and brings Jack in to us.
She arrives at 6:30 that evening and I go out to her truck to meet Jack. My eyes could not believe what I saw. There in the back of the truck was an older dog with the fur missing on the back half of his body and fleas jumping off him. The odor from his skin was horrible, and he could not stop scratching but what was even worse you could see every bone in his body including ribs. He was emaciated. Jack stood up to greet me. He stood there as if to say what do I do next, I need help.
From that moment on I made a promise to Jack that he would never have another worry in the world. Jack went into quarantine that night at a foster home until we could get him to the vet to determine his medical needs. Jack’s nails were so long they had started to curl and turn sideways, making it difficult for him to walk. He was so weak he couldn’t walk more than a few feet.
Jack had a thorough examination at the vet a few days later. The girls doted on him … they cleaned his ears, gave him treats, and marveled over what a sweet dog he was. Then we saw it — the tail began to wag, not much just a slight movement, but it was a tail wag. The result of the examination was he was emaciated; had a skin infection; was slightly anemic, probably from the fleas; his anal glands were full; he was arthritic; but worst of all he was 15 to 20 pounds underweight. Jack was started on a regimen of antibiotics twice a day, medicated baths once a week and treatments of revolution every two weeks, along with a healthy diet.
One week later Jack is a much happier dog. His skin is healing, he is not itching, there is only a slight odor, he is walking more easily and his food dish is never empty and there are always treats! Jack still has a long way to go before he is ready for adoption, but until then he will receive plenty of TLC and love.
Since Jack’s story has been made public, he has received so much support from across the country. We have raised enough money to help with his vet bills. He has been given bags of gifts and a very large and beautiful L.L. Bean dog bed. He has also been given an outdoor dog pen. We will continue to post updates on Jack every few weeks and keep you updated on his condition.
Jack’s rescue would not have been possible without the help of the young lady that found him. She was determined to help Jack and even when she kept hitting brick walls she remained persistent and did not and could not accept that she had to return Jack. She went above and beyond, determined to help Jack. In the end, she did just that. She made a difference for the better for a very tired and neglected dog named Jack. You saved his life that day and he will never forget you. Everyone at The Ark wants to thank you on behalf of Jack. You are truly an amazing individual with a heart of gold.
I would encourage everyone out there if you see an animal being neglected or abused please make a difference and contact the proper authorities. Don’t turn your back and walk away, make a difference. The rewards are priceless.
Please join us for a bake sale on June 7 and 21 outside Hollywood Pet Salon from 10-2. Thank you for your continued support and as always thank you for reading our column.
