I'm sorry if this is not allowed, let me know and I'll delete it. But it just broke my heart!
***A friend of my family is an animal control officer, and he ususally sends happy little tidbits about his work, cute stories, etc. But this one dog really got to him, and he sent us this email. If anyone can help in any way, please do!
"I don't usually talk about the bad things I see and experience at work. But, this dog really touched me. My partner and I had been receiving sporadic calls about a very thin large black dog running loose in one area of the Township. I was dispatched several times over a 6 week period and never even saw the dog. Eventually a resident called saying it was around his house all the time lately. Well, finally I saw the elusive black dog, and when I did I gasped at her condition. She was the thinnest dog I have ever seen still able to move around. Her hip bones, her spine, her ribs ... everything was just sticking out. When I saw her she was trying to get into a trash bag to find something to eat. She spotted me and fled in fear. I went back to the station and picked up the dog trap and set it on the property where I had last seen her. I told the home owner, a very nice retired man who was concerned for her, that I needed his help and asked that he watch the trap and call me as soon as she was in it. 1 1/2 Hours later dispatch is on the radio calling me. " The resident from XXX Street is on the phone and says he has the dog in the trap". I pull a U-turn, put the call I was responding to on hold, and start toward the house, and there she is, trapped. Now the question is, how will she behave when I approach the trap? She was very fearful before and ran off. Was I in for a fight with an old Doberman who was fearing for her life? Who knows what horrors she has lived through? Was she going to explode at me in a final attempt to survive? Was this going to be one of those ugly scenes with a bloody control stick and a screaming dog? I get out with a leash and approach the trap speaking quietly to her. Well, her tail would have beat you half to death if you were behind her. It was as if she realized it was finally over. Her whole body wiggled as I spoke to her. I opened the trap and she walked out and let me slip a leash over her bony head. The whole time licking at me and wagging her whole body. This was a happy dog, and not showing any signs of fear or aggression. She walked right next to me like we were old partners. I opened the door of the van and opened kennel and she tried to get in by herself but her body was to weak, I wrapped my arms around her and lifted what was left of her up and she walked right into the kennel, tail still swinging. The Voorhees Animal Orphanage is where I took her and they started this special web site to get what they need for her. Read what they are doing and pass this on to anyone who you think would care. I just checked today and I have responded to 720 calls so far this year and this is the first time I have gotten involved beyond personal donations of time and money, I promise not to do this to often but this one is really a sweet creature who deserves better.
Love,
Dave"
Since this email, the dog has gained some significant weight, but still needs several surgeries/special care before she can be at full health. They're accepting donations through this site:
http://www.firstgiving.com/helpgracie
With a bit more care, they think she'll be ready to be adopted. The dog is really a sweetheart, very loving and affectionate, and great in the house.
Here are some photo's Dave took when he first got her to use as evidence against the owner:
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