HOLLY THE DEAR OLD RESCUED DOG

All animals and their suffering profoundly moves AAS, but old dogs are especially dear to us.  For many years, we have rescued and looked after them. But we can't bear to "rescue" a dog only to put it down before it's had all the happiness we can give it.  Maybe it is those calm, accepting, old-dog-eyes; the eyes we can't resist. So it's time we told you a bit about some of them.

This is Holly's story:
Holly is one of Animal Advocates Society's "Dear Old Dogs".  She was rescued by Lyn MacDonald, to keep her from going to the local pound, after her owner died.  Lucky Holly's life improved drastically under Lyn's care.  She went from being largely sedentary and overweight with chronically painful infected ears, to being a lively, active, healthy, old girl.
 
Animal Advocates took on Holly's bills because Lyn already has a lot of rescued cat bills to pay.
 
Holly and Lyn go for daily hikes in the woods, and sometimes the cats even tag along.  But as Holly's hips became stiffer, the hikes became more difficult for her.  So when Lyn found a dog-swimming pool she asked AAS if we could pay.  We said Yes of course, that is what we do.
 
Here's Lyn's heartwarming account of Holly's first swim:
 

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Holly had her first swim today.  She was a bit dubious about the life jacket with a handle on it, and going down a ramp (she does not like ramps) into warm water in a warm room.

 
She dutifully swam around though, and all the stiffness of her joints seemed to melt away. She swam more happily without the life jacket, and then she relaxed and caught a toy - after that it was pleasure.  She even enjoyed her rinse off and dry, at which time she was so sleepy, she might've stayed if it hadn't been her dinner time!"

 

There has been such a flood of appeals for help this year that we may not be able to reply very quickly or at all to more appeals.  AAS is now so well-known for its experience in all animal welfare and rescue matters that we are asked for advice and help from all over BC, Canada, the U.S. and the world.  For years I have answered each and every appeal with detailed advice that I have learned from 20 years of rescue, advocacy and animal law. Our high standards are well-known to the public, that is why we are so often asked for help and advice.

We are currently working on so many projects that I am sorry to have to say that we may not be able to respond to all the cries for help we hear as quickly as we want to.

AAS ethical standards are simple and straightforward, but a lot of work: Every rescued dog is given the exact same love and care that I give my own dogs.  Anything less can't be morally justified.  To weigh the costs, to kill, or to rehome without paying to make the dog well in body and spirit is not true animal welfare: it's moving as much product as fast as possible and to demand money for unwell product is a business, not a calling. 

Judy Stone

Please donate if you want to help us help more needy animals.
Restore your faith in humanity. Heart warming stories of brave people and how they have rescued abused and neglected dogs. Many happy ending stories and video too, right here.

 

 


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