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Kitty - Houston, TX
ESRA #2005-264TX
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01 AUG 05
Kitty found her way to ESRA in a rather
unusual way. We received an email from a fellow rescuer, Rose, who works with Twyla's Friends in Kingwood, TX. http://www.twyla.org Here's Rose's account of Kitty's rescue:
"I received a call yesterday from a woman who was trying to help a dog that was running loose in the woods
by her neighborhood. The dog came every night to sleep on a pile of insulation behind her neighbor's home. Her front foot
is hanging from the wrist and she will not put weight on it. She runs to the woods if anyone gets within twenty feet of her
but comes back in a short time to this little haven that she has created on top of the debris pile.
"I speak to the woman at length. I tell her who might be able to help her, what animal control can and cannot do, and where
she might be able to find a trap to borrow (I have one in my garage but I just cannot get sucked into this). She begins to
weep as she tells me that she has called everyone already. We are her last hope. The dog grows thinner every day. The foot
is hanging and the little dog is so fearful. That gets me. Sucked in, I am.
"I drive out to this area. I have been to places like this many times. Drive down a country road in these piney woods and
find a $200,000 home sitting next to a trailer. Find the Sanford and Sons look-a-like junk yard right next to a
well-tended, manicured lawn. Dogs are running every where. I ended up in a cul-de-sac of trailer homes after following
Kim's directions to her home.
"The little dog was about 30 feet from us. She was in an area where Kim's neighbor kept all of his old insulation, tires,
wood posts, cement blocks, pipes, you-name-it, and a burn pile. The little dog lifted her head but made no attempt to move
as long as we kept our distance. She looked like a purebred Springer except for the long tail. Beautiful girl. I know from
experience that wasting time doing anything but setting up the trap is just that. Still, she looked so peaceful. Surely, I
could just walk up and coax her to me. I walked about 5 feet forward and just like Kim said, she darted off of her pile and
into the woods like we were after her with a stick.
"Kim got permission from her neighbor for us to walk
into his collection and place the trap baited with some smelly cat food. I was going to head home but Kim said the little
dog would be right back. This time of day she stays all night. So I waited and sure enough a little white flash begins to
appear cautiously through the trees. She winds her way through the debris and finds something different -- something that
smells awfully good. Her nose leads the way into the trap. She steps on the plate and, yes, the trap is set with her
inside. Kim hugged me in delight.
"I caution Kim that these little dogs often have a defensive growl when you approach the trap but that it did not mean
anything. We go to the trap. This little gentle dog approaches us. I am almost 100 percent sure that I could have just
taken her out right there. Still, if she got away from me she might never have gone into the trap again. So we picked up
the trap with her in it and carried it back to my van. Kim again hugged me and told me she would send a donation as soon as
she could. She had regained her faith in humans, etc, etc. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I am thinking. But I have the dog.
"When I got her home, she came immediately to me out of the trap. She is so lovely. Of course, full of fleas. Fixed that.
Fur is very matted but very Springer -- long curly ears, good feathering. Her coat is white with liver ticking and liver
ears and face mask. Classic markings. She is young -- I would guess under one by her teeth. Her coat and body type put her
at a little older. She will not leave my side -- she remembers this -- this human touch. She eats well. I examine her foot
and it is the worst news possible. Whatever her injury was, it is no longer evident. There appears to be no feeling in her
foot. The good news is that she is not in pain. The bad news is that we cannot fix nerve damage and she will likely lose
the leg. She does not use it anyway and will be fine. I just wish we could do better.
"She sleeps so peacefully all night."
Rose took Kitty to her vet the next
day, and a couple of days later we met to transfer Kitty to ESRA's care. We'd love to find a foster home where Kitty can
settle in prior to her leg surgery - tentatively scheduled for June 15. Afterwards, she'll wear an Elizabethan collar for a
couple of weeks until her stitches come out. She should adjust very quickly to getting around on three legs, because that's
how she gets around now!
July 6, 2005: Kitty had her surgery yesterday to remove her useless front leg. She is doing well, and will come home from the hospital on Friday 7/8/05. She is as joyful as ever, trotting around on three legs and giving kisses to all the hospital staff.
July 11, 2005:I'm so happy to tell you all that Kitty seems to have "turned the corner" and is acting more like her old self. She is walking, following me around a bit, interested in the other dogs, wanting to go outside. WooHOOO! She had me worried there for a bit. There may still be some ups and downs, but the vet said physically she is doing great - no infection, incision healing well. More soon.
July 30, 2005:What a
miracle Miss Kitty is. She runs, plays, jumps up on the furniture, tugs at our pant-legs, chews on everything, and is being
a normal Springer puppy again. She attended our ESRA Booth at the Reliant World Series of Dog Shows in Houston, July 21-24
and was the hit of the rescue aisles. Folks lined up to pet her,
drawn by her darling face and personality, only later noticing the absence of her front leg. They were all astonished.
She's quite an amazing girl. I think she has completely stolen our hearts. I'll get some new photos soon. Wish I could
capture her flying through the pasture with her ears aloft!
Contact: Marie Devaney texess@earthlink.net
| KITTY'S GENEROUS SPONSORS TO DATE: | |
 Katrin Owen |
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| Gary Hanes |
In memory of little Maddie in Texas - never forget! |
| Lynelle Jarschke |
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| John and Gloria Kareken |
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| Barbara and Jeff Lipschuetz |
For Marie Devaney, in honor of her tireless efforts for these wonderful creatures! |
| Cathryne J. Slaughter |
In memory of my late parents, who passed on their love of all animals to me. |
| Fred Hackney |
Kitty, may your life continue to get better! |
| Saundra Dean |
In honor of Baxter, our tripod. |
| Marcela Oliver |
A gift from Brandy, our beautiful Springer Spaniel, who makes our life so special. |
| Susan McMullan |
In memory of Barney, he was a wonderful dog. |
| Agnes Moran |
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| Ruth Lugassy |
In memory of my much loved Brandy and Special Needs Yogi. |
| Leo Roinila |
In memory of my Robbie, who left far too soon. |
| Luann Smith |
In memory of Emma Anshutz. |
| Lisa Santora |
In memory of Matty and Mia, two sweet little girl dogs. |
| Vicki Wingo |
In honor of Amazing Grace. She sailed through the same surgery last year and then found her Forever Home! |
| Beth Berman |
In memory of Beryl. |
| Luann Bolk |
In honor of all who help our special friends. |
| Lesley Blyth |
In memory of Yogi, the Rolling Wonder Dog! |
| Lisa Santora |
In memory of Matty and Ranger, two great Springers! |
| Terry and Belle Sprague |
For Melly, in memory of Chelsea, from her friend Charlie and the Spragues |
| Carole Rae Phillips |
I have a 12 year-old Springer, Lady Day, who I got from a shelter and who is my beloved and loving companion. |