So when a friend tagged me in a photo of a found Hairless Chinese Crested on the night of 2/16, I knew I could help. This poor dog looked pitiful, scared, and extremely shabby. Having two rescued cresteds of my own, I was drawn to this little pup. I got in contact with the organization who had it, and was approved to foster her. I picked her up the following Thursday at New Leash on Life as soon as I got word I could.
They told me she was heartworm positive - having never had a dog that was, my first concern was for my own, to make sure it wasn't contagious (as I quickly learned it wasn't). She came with a ziplock of dry food, one heartworm pill, and some eye drops for her dry eye. They informed me that her microchip was not registered, but her name was 'Callie'.
I brought with me a dog bed, blanket, and some fleece jammies to dress her in. After all - it's February. Even in the south, it gets cold. I knew she was found in someone's garage, and I pictured this tiny, scraggly pup, naked, shivering, scared in an unknown place. Based on how she looked and being heartworm positive, with an unidentifiable microchip, I assumed she'd been on her own a while.
I couldn't have been more wrong.
I got her home and right away got her in the bath. I trimmed her face, and cut the mattes and feces out of her tail. Some of these dogs are considered a 'hairy hairless' which clearly she was because of the matted hair on her backside.
I got her all cleaned up, in some fresh fleece PJ's and her tiny little personality started to come out.
'Don't get attached' I tell my husband - knowing it's just a matter of time before we can help find a home for this little girl. Later that night I see where someone on the Lost and Found Pets of Wilson County posts this ad on Craigslist for a lady missing her Crested. "Our sweet little girl Callie went missing a few days back. I awoke a few days ago to discover our neighbor accross the streets big dog was in our back yard. I chased her off and then shortly realized our little girl was nowhere to be found. I am hoping that maybe someone found her and took her in ....I've had her for about five or six years now ...she was my first "child" .....if you have any information please feel free to contact me at my email or text me at 615 318 9126 ...we live in the area of Thorne Drive and Thorne Court in Lebanon . The picture of the chinese crested alone is not her actual picture just a closer picture of one so you can tell what she looks like...that is her in the little orange dress beside our other dog ...Marley "
Wait.....missing a FEW DAYS back? Had her for ABOUT 5 or 6 years? You don't know?? And you mean to tell me you don't really have a photo of your own dog? I'm sure I'm in the minority here with 5,000+ photos of my dogs, but if you own a dog, surely you must have ONE clear photo of it?! This ad wasn't even posted until the dog had been in the care of this group for a WEEK!
I'm told by the rescue group that has her, she must be returned. Despite she is heartworm positive. Despite her skin is darker than it should be (even for being exposed to the direct sun with no sunblock, which yes, is required for hairless dogs). Apparently they were able to trace the microchip even without it being registered. Am I doubting this? No. Do I doubt the validity of a 'rescue' organization that believes in returning a neglected dog to it's home? Abso-freakin-lutely.
Knowing that this dog was more than likely left outside for long periods of time (based on skin and her pads), I take her to my vet. I wanted a full report on all the things that were wrong with this dog that the owner apparently had no interest in taking care of. $300 of my own money for a dog I knew was going to be handed back over to an irresponsible owner.
Heartworm positive, dry eye, ear infection, rotting teeth, sinus issues (resulting in congestion and difficulty breathing), cracked pads on her feet.....this poor animal. I cannot imagine feeling the way she has been.
The rescue organization gives me grief for taking her to my vet. They wonder why and I remind them that I was told they told that they cannot afford to treat her heartworm without a sponsor. If they cannot afford a $250 treatment (as quoted by the amazing Dr. Hollis) how would they ever afford the other medications she needed? I further doubt the ability of this organization.....
I call the director this morning with my opinion - that this dog not be returned to a home with an owner who clearly cannot take care of it.
Too bad.
'The dog still has to be returned to it's lawful owner'. I cannot tell you how many people and places I called today to keep this irresponsible person from getting back this innocent little pup. Everyone I spoke with was appalled that they would get the dog back, yet there was nothing anyone could do.
so tonight, at 8pm, I watched them load sweet Callie into a cage. Where she will likely have to spend the night after 5 days of clean house, warm blankets, and comfy jammies, only to get returned to the conditions she was lucky enough to escape from. All this, so the owner could be 'educated'. If you were not responsible enough the first 7 years of this poor dog's life, why on earth would you change for the second 7?
I held myself together until I glanced at that cold metal cage she was in.....knowing I could no longer protect her and keep her warm. Still wearing the jammies I put her in.......
I will never, never understand how a reputable organization can release an animal to a home that is proven to not provide adequate care for it.....just so they can 'educate' an ignorant individual. Never.
Should you ever wonder why I have a negative outlook on people and society......remember Callie.
