Sophie’s Happy Ending

Subject: Please help this balcony dog--URGENT!---URGENT!

Sophie got the help she desperately needed from AAS after the SPCA told the neighbour to stop giving Sophie water until she was dehydrated and then phone them again!

(See below for why this could have serious consequences for a dog)

Sent: Friday, September 28, 2001 6:27 PM

Subject: Please help--URGENT!---URGENT!

The dog in the house next door to me is dying. I believe she is a 2 year old golden lab. She is always left on the balcony, never taken off the balcony, not even to go to the bathroom or for a walk. She has been there two months. In the summer the balcony is really hot, I can't walk barefoot on mine. She has no cover from the pouring rain. She is RARELY given food or water. Her only toys are the two old bones and a sock I threw to her. I usually throw her ice and she licks it as it melts. I throw her larger size dog treat bones to eat. On Tuesday when I threw her her treat, she tried to get up to eat them but fell down twice and crawled over to eat them. I got a ladder and got some water and put it up on the deck, after she drank it I refilled it and also gave her food, she was then walking. I have asked the owners if I could walk her. I also offered to go in and look after her, give her water or food if they would give me a key. The answer was NO. I have asked the boy living there to feed her and give her water, and he said "she goes pee on the balcony when I give her water". I went to the SPCA about it on Wednesday and they advised me to stop giving her anything and when she is dehydrated and has no water to phone them. I'm afraid it will be too late. Last night there were 2 small round poos, she kept going over to them, then finally ate one. My heart is just breaking for this dog. PLEASE HELP. I don't know what to do.

G. P.

Sophie at Marine Drive Vet

Sophie's calluses from inactivity and too much lying on hard surfaces

AAS is good at this.

We've spent many years of real hands-on rescue, networking and building an organization that gets things done, and we have dedicated dog-lovers to call on when help is needed. AAS'er Emma went immediately to ask for Sophie, or to pay whatever was necessary to get her off that balcony. We were given Sophie (whose unloving name was Murphy!) and Emma drove her halfway to North Vancouver where she met up with AAS'er Cindy who drove her the rest of the way to our vet, in North Vancouver.

Poor Sophie showed a lot of signs of severe neglect: toenails overgrown (this causes painful walking), overweight (no exercise) arthritic joints that were not being treated or relieved, calluses from lying down so much (nothing to get up for), but worst of all was her poor skin. It was red and inflamed and painful (she flinched when touched) and putrid smelling from years of poor food and neglect.

Cindy offered to foster Sophie so she could get her on to a raw food diet for her skin, arthritis and general health.

Here is what Cindy has to say about this dear, friendly dog...

Sophie has been here for a week now and is doing really well. She's such a sweet girl and she loves everybody she meets. She's very affectionate (wet kisses for everyone!) and loves attention as most dogs do. All I have to do is look at her and she'll come over wiggling with happiness. She follows me everywhere and likes to lie at my feet when we watch T.V. At night, she sleeps on a soft bed in my room with the other dogs. Her favorite game is "tug-of-war", she'll happily play that all day if anyone is willing or able. She's actually very strong (there's the weight advantage). She also enjoys chasing a ball, always brings it back and drops it on command. She tires easily and can't go for long walks yet, but every day we go a little further. She really did well tonight though, only because garbage day is tomorrow and there were a lot of cans out and she could hardly wait to get to the next one! She's definitely got some arthritis in her joints, but it seems to be all over, not just in one leg. I think it's a combination of her weight, lack of exercise and poor diet. Most people we've met think she is elderly and can't believe she is only 3 or 4 years old. Her skin looks a little better, it's less red and doesn't seem to hurt when I touch it anymore. She smells much better too except when wet! Feeding her is easy, she'll eat anything, she loves raw food and is doing well on it. We have a plum tree and every morning she rushes down the back stairs with the other dogs to scoop up all the fallen plums!

Sophie truly seems grateful, little things like just a pat on the head make her so happy. If she could, she'd like to thank everyone who offered their kindness.

I'll keep you posted,

Cindy

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