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Pasado's Story
Pasado Newsletter
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Editor's Note:
Rita Morgan, who typically works on animal cruelty legislation and
cases, had spent a long day at a food bank, helping volunteers
distribute dog and cat food and toys. It was a welcome diversion from
the office.
Driving back the two hours from the near-Canadian border town, Rita
decided to check in on Sarah, who had taken a turn for the worse earlier
in the week. It was Rita who delivered Sarah a few nights ago to the
emergency veterinarian when Sarah's eyes begun sinking into her head,
and she lost so much energy. She was going down fast.
What Rita found was
not what she expected. It was time for Sarah to fight no more. Rita
called us, in tears, needing help to make the decision to let her go.
The vet thought it was best, but those who fought for Sarah here, were
the ones to consult. Everyone agreed. Sarah was readied, as Rita held
her in her arms. As Rita spoke to her and caressed her, Sarah slipped
away, knowing that she was loved.
The following, is
written by
Rita... |
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Sarah fought so hard, but when we realized that she was fighting more
for us than for herself, we had to make the painful decision. I was
with her in the clinic’s consulting room, holding her enormous paw, and
whispering messages of comfort.
My
plan was to just drop in to visit for a while and give her some love on
my way back from a Home for the HOWLidays giveaway. She was a very
lovable dog and extremely appreciative of the attention, even when
ill.
The
wonderful people at Pilchuck Veterinary Hospital were happy to
accommodate my unannounced visit and even allowed Sarah and me to spend
our time together in a comfortable, warm consult room. Sarah had a nice
soft bed to cushion her large, thin frame. When I got down on the floor
and cradled her head in my hands, I saw something in her eyes that
struck me right away. The staff had informed me that she was not eating
and provided me a variety of food hoping I could encourage her to eat.
I tried and when she finally did take a morsel, I knew it was only to
please me. At that moment, Dr. John entered the room. The lump in my
throat told me our discussion would be a very serious one.
Since
my prime responsibilities at Pasado’s Safe Haven involve a focus on
national issues, including legislation and cruelty cases, I don’t get
too involved in A.A.R.F.F. animal issues, at least not professionally.
Personally, I know the animals all very well. I play with them and know
all their quirky and cute personality traits. I knew Sarah and her
sweet disposition. You couldn’t help but to be drawn to her. As with
everyone else who knew her, I was worried about her condition. I was
there to bring her some comfort, as a friend. I was not used to being
the position I found myself in at that moment, but I knew what had to be
done, as a friend. I made the phone calls I needed to make. I received
calls asking that I give Sarah a kiss from her friends. I did.
Afterwards, driving back to the sanctuary with Sarah where she’ll be
buried in our memorial garden, I thought about the symmetry of the
week’s events. I had taken Sarah to the animal hospital on Christmas
night when our vet tech Amber called me from home. She had been out all
day with the Home for the HOWLidays team, but stopped at the sanctuary
to check on Sarah on her way home. Sarah’s condition was unchanged so
Amber headed home. However, “unchanged” was what nagged at Amber that
evening and prompted her to phone. Sarah should be getting better by
now. Instead of Amber returning to the sanctuary, I said I would drive
Sarah to the 24-hour emergency animal hospital as I was much closer.
Five days of an aggressive treatment of antibiotics proved unsuccessful
and the conclusion was Sarah’s condition was likely due to cancer.
She
fought to stay with us through our Home for the HOWLidays week. I can’t
help but think this was for a reason. She was picked up as a stray and
knows what it’s like to be without a home or food. But she knew about
hope and love at the end, and we got to know a beautiful spirit.
I
don’t know why Sarah chose me to be part of this journey. I’m honored
she did. Thank you to all people who sent their good wishes and
blessings. You would have been proud of our girl. |
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Over the holiday, the
humans here at Pasado's have been "sitting up and begging" for the
animals - using something called a "Wish List". We hope that at this
time of year, when stockings are being filled for animals and loved ones
at home, those animals who have so much less, can be remembered.
But this week, our biggest wish of all, materialized, in the moment of
one phone call. |
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Her name is Sarah. We
don't know what her life brought her before we met her. All we know is
that someone dumped her at a shelter and said she was a "stray". Was
she? Really? When an old dog or cat, with medical problems, is brought
in - the front desk staff told it was found as a "stray", we have to
wonder. |
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What we do know is that
she is emaciated. She has pneumonia. And x-rays reveal two large masses
in her abdomen. Was she so sick she was no longer wanted? Every
Christmas, thousands of animals - the old, the sick, those who haven't
mastered house-breaking, are given up. "Company is coming" or new
carpeting or furniture for the holidays are purchased, and the animals
who haven't been wanted for a very long time are finally dumped at
shelters across the U.S. It's a holiday fact. And we think that's just
what happened to Sarah. |
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Why wouldn't we just let
Sarah go? Why "invest" time, resources, love into her?
Our answer is simple: Sarah faced her remaining days, maybe only hours,
at a shelter in
a cold kennel, on a concrete floor. She no doubt faced euthanasia. After
all, who would want to adopt an animal like her? On her last breath of
life?
Thanks to our miraculous volunteers who scour shelters for animals just
like Sarah, Pasado's Safe Haven was called. And although she hadn't
eaten for the first four days once she was at Pasado's, and x-rays found
those large masses in her gut, her blood work doesn't indicate that
cancer has riddled her body. So give up? No way. |
Amber, above, Pasado's
veterinary technician, was here late last night - again, tending to
Sarah. Amber has Sarah set-up in a make-shift humidifying tent, where
Sarah can breathe, warm, moist air, just like any human would have
afforded to them in a hospital if they had pneumonia. Sarah is also on a
24/7 IV pump, pouring nourishing fluids, vitamins, and electrolytes into
her blood. |
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What is our Wish List
item, that we truly hope for? It's a chance for Sarah is be around long
enough to know that she was loved. That's it. Nothing more.
People like Katrin,
left, one of Pasado's dedicated volunteers is here, despite it being the
holiday season and having loads of commitments in her own personal life.
People like her are tending to Sarah, hugging her, holding her, letting
her know she is not alone.
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We always wonder if
animals like her are still waiting for their Master or Mistress to
return, to pick them up. We know, no matter how much we do for her, how
much we love her, she will wait for her guardian to turn the corner, and
come to her. But we know, they will not.
Sarah
ate today. For the first
time. Please, please keep Sarah in your thoughts. Pass this story around
the world if you can, to the people you know - and ask them to
share their strength for
her. She needs everyone's guiding light, energy, thoughts, and prayers.
E-mail this page - and
title it, Pray for Sarah. It's easy, go to the top bar of your browser
bar and click on the envelope. We'll let you know how Sarah is doing in
our next update. |
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