RESOURCES —  Success Stories

Colins Story

ATRHC was contacted by HSWV concerning a protective custody case involving an abused 2 year old Scottie dog named Colin.

The physical injuries Colin sustained were the result of several blows from a hammer. Our organization received Colin 10 days after the abuse directly from the veterinarian that saved his life. ATRHC highly commends this veterinarian for compassion he showed with Colins severe injuries.

Colin looked like a little "Frankenstein" dog, black and blue bruising all over his head and no hair. It was shaved off to suture his injuries. His little ears had bits of scabs here and there where the flesh has been crushed. His scars ran from his ear to the bottom of his jaw. Another line ran across his forehead and down the side. The bone and cartilage between his nose and forehead were crushed. With every breath you could see his flesh move in and out. His hips and rear leg suffered some trauma. He looked horrendous!

Colin sat in corners and walked around with his head down. He cringed against the floor every time you went to give him a love. Many days Samantha took him to work with her so she could monitor his recovery needs. Also so he would start to learn to trust all over again. Yet the most important point is that the public would see the tragedies that do happen to innocent dogs.

The day Colin was released out of protective custody was a great day of celebration at ATRHC! Because of all the love and tender care that Colin has had he now runs to the door to greet you with an "AROOO! AROOO!" and a face full of kisses as soon as you pick him up in your arms. He loves to go for walks and he loves to cuddle next to you for head rubs and biscuits! No one would ever detect that he is blind and deaf on his right side. He does have a limp in his left rear leg, but he is a very happy boy now!

We are thankful to have had the opportunity to help with Colins rehabilitation and healing process. Also for the staff at HSWV for having the trust in us to aid in putting his life back together!!

Thank you so much!

From

Sandy - Her Story

She is a 5 year old German Shepherd purebred. Sandy was abandoned on the road. She was picked up and taken in by one of our previous adopters. She looked pretty bad, her coat was tattered, her weight was a very thin 45 pounds. Her worst problem was a gaping hole 3 inches by 4 inches where her rectum was supposed to be. You could literally see into her body cavity. We called our best veterinary, Dr. Laird Goodman, he was amazed the dog was still a live.

Dr. Laird was skeptical but told us what we needed to do and gave us the means to do it. Everyday she kept getting worse. She had a reaction to the medication which made the soft spots of her skin peel off. Her nose, foot pads, and ears were a gnarly mess and now she couldn't walk. But we kept at it, in constant contact with Dr. Laird. Flushing and packing the wounds was a daily treatment. Carrying her out to go potty and moving her limps so they wouldn't cramp up. Seven days into treatment she stood. Two weeks she was walking. Three months later her wounds were nearly healed and five months later ready for adoption.

She topped out at a lean 105 pounds and we kept her close to home. She lives with one of our board members and is a truly fantastic dog with a heart of gold!

Layla's Story

This is a story about a special little dog named Layla and how she finally found a loving "forever" home.

Layla was born into a very rough life. She lived with over 500 other dogs in Harper, Oregon, located in Malheur County. Layla and her brothers and sisters were badly abused and neglected - the objects of animal hoarders. They lived in a house filled with dog excrement and without access to dog food or drinking water. These poor creatures had to do what you and I would consider unimaginable in order to survive. Infested with fleas, lice, fecal fungus, and other diseases, these dogs were in dire straits.

On Wednesday, January 29, 2003, their future brightened. The dogs were rescued and taken across the border to Fruitland, Idaho. Sadly, over 100 of the dogs were euthanised due to their very poor health. The healthier dogs (fortunately Layla was one of them) were dispersed to Humane Societies and Rescue Units from Oregon and Idaho.

With the help of my sister, Mandy, I found the website for All Terrier Rescue - Hunter's Crossing, which is located in Aloha, Oregon. After contacting them, I learned that several of the dogs would be at an Adoption Day event at the Petco in Aloha. I went there looking for a different dog, but then I found my Layla. As soon as I held her and she clung tightly to me I knew she had to be mine! I put a deposit down on her within minutes.

The following day, Sunday, February 9, 2003, Layla came to live with my sister and me (and Mandy's miniature dachshund, Baby). Jeri and Samantha Miller, founders of All Terrier Rescue, brought Layla to the house and took the time to make sure that she was being left in capable and loving hands. I know that it was very hard for them to leave Layla as they had both grown very attached to her.

Layla is a Terrier mix between 2 and 3 years old, and weighs about 11 pounds. Because of her past, she isn't used to being around many people. I've been making a concerted effort to introduce her to new activities and new people so that she can become better socialized. She is developing more of an appetite every day, and is also doing very well with drinking water. She does have some very dry skin, and a few thin patches of hair, but I'm hoping that will improve with better nutrition. She is beautiful, regardless.

Baby has been so great with Layla! They haven't started to play together yet, but that will come in time. I truly believe Baby understands that Layla needs special care. Baby is doing a great job of showing Layla how to use the doggie doors to go potty outside. It also helps Layla to eat when Baby does.

Layla's personality comes through a little more each day. She's only been with us for two weeks, but she's already starting to wag her tail and prance around like she knows she's home. Layla is also starting to play with toys (or at least pay attention to them), chew on bones, and talk. Mandy and I heard her bark for the first time yesterday! She is obviously adjusting well to her new home.

To anyone who is considering adopting an abused or neglected animal (they have cats too), I would highly recommend All Terrier Rescue - Hunter's Crossing. Jeri and Samantha are a mother-daughter team who run the rescue out of their own homes, so the dogs are in a loving environment while in their care. They immediately start working on housebreaking and any other behavior modification training that is needed. They charge an adoption fee, which covers the cost of the initial vet care the animal receives, including vaccinations. It also covers any costs associated with spaying/neutering as all animals are fixed before they are eligible for adoption. For more information, visit their website at www.atrhc.org. I am so happy that Layla came into my life and I look forward to a life-long friendship with her!