The rescue of a chained puppy named Trip

While visiting a small town on the northern end of Vancouver Island, I came across a puppy who was chained to a clothesline.  I was quite shocked because it was so small, yet on a chain.  The puppy looked to be about 9 or 10 weeks old.  Night was falling and the puppy was howling and alone.  There was no water, no food.  My children and I walked over to the pup and sat with him because he was scared, shaking and obviously desperate not to be alone.  While checking him over, I noticed that he had a herniated umbilicus and was very bloated.

My kids and I knocked on the door of the house to talk to the owner of the puppy and to see if there was anything that we could do to offer help...suggest water, or shelter for the puppy or see if possibly they didn’t want the pup.  The owner finally answered the door, and said that he was keeping the puppy and that dogs belong outside and that it would be fine, and not to worry about the bump on its belly.  He laughed when I mentioned wolves and cougars, which are in abundance on that part of the island.

We had to leave, but I worried about the pup through the night and went back the next morning to find that the pup was still alone on a chain and crying.  I felt awful and called AAS to see if there was any way that if I could convince the owner to let me have or buy this puppy, AAS could help with vet bills and finding a foster home.  AAS said, Yes, buy the pup, Yes, we will pay for it, and Yes we will pay the vet bills.

I ended up buying the puppy off the chain for $40...and with AAS help, took this little pup into the vet for an exam and vaccinations...turned out that the pup, which we called Trip because he was always under our feet, and wouldn’t be out of our sight, had a particularly dangerous and infectious type of parasite called cryptosporidium, which if left untreated can be fatal.  Trip was put on medication, which had to be increased and re-dosed because the infection was so aggressive.  The vet said that there was no doubt that he would have died slowly, on the chain untreated.

After much expense (on AAS part), worry and veterinary work, Trip’s health was finally cleared and he has had his second set of vaccinations and is due for neutering (and hernia repair) in two weeks.  We were able, after much searching, to find an incredible, loving home for Trip, with a family who is active and warmly accepting of a mixed breed pup with potential long term health problems from such a poor start.

Thank you so much to AAS for doing what most don’t.  I was so desperate and so worried and had no idea what to do with about this pup, but AAS, as stressed, limited in resources, money, time and foster homes, literally helped me save another life.  And for this pup, his life is big. 

Thank you AAS.