Cassady was contacted with a story that has absolutely broken our hearts, in more ways than one. An elderly woman living by herself in rural Missouri had no one checking in on her. When someone finally did, they found several souls – human and canine – living in horrific conditions. The woman had three little dogs, all horribly neglected and locked in one of the rooms. Since she is unable to care for herself or others, the dogs were compassionately seized and brought to us.
When they came through our doors at Stray Rescue, cockroaches scurried out of the crates and ran up our walls. After being neglected for months, the dogs are so horribly matted and covered in thousands of fleas just depleting all their energy. They have about a half inch of flea dirt on their little faces and backs. They are caked in feces and urine, and their nails are so long, they are curled over.
Because they are infested with so many fleas, they are severely anemic. Their gums are white and their blood is so thin we can barely get it to register.
These dogs are drained and utterly defeated. So much so that we didn’t even need to sedate them to shave them. They could barely move, so we went to work right away. We didn’t want them to have to endure one more minute of the discomfort they have been in for so long. We found so many flea “nests” all over them – in their ears, their anus, their paws, and on their backs.
Our team was thoroughly covered in fleas by the time they were done, and one of our Vet Techs even needed to rub Vaseline under her nose because she couldn’t bear the smell.
After being shaved, given a bath and a little comforting sweater, they fell asleep immediately. They’re depleted and exhausted. The fleas are all dead or dying, so they will finally get relief and stop itching and scratching their skin raw.
Red Fred is a chihuahua, so with his short hair, he was in much better condition since the fleas had nowhere to burrow and “nest.” We’re thankful this little one has left for a loving foster home to get some much-needed rest, nourishment and comfort while he waits for his new forever home.
We vow to find wonderful homes for these three sweet little dogs, so they never know heartbreak again. This is just an absolutely devastating situation all around. We can’t stop thinking about the elderly woman who was also living in these conditions. It absolutely breaks our hearts for anyone who is alone and living in deplorable conditions.
Please check on your elderly neighbors, friends, and family. Offer to help them or request a wellness check so they can get the help they need. We’re so thankful to the people who finally did check on her and are getting her the help she needs. She remains in our prayers.
Please give today, to help the little dogs we named Blue Zeus, Red Fred, and Rosey Roxanne (the “color” trio). You can help heal their broken hearts with your donation.
They are resting comfortably now, and we will continue to update you on their progress. This is also the perfect opportunity for us to remind you to give your dogs monthly preventatives so they never suffer from the devastating effects from fleas, ticks, or heartworms.
