The
Story of Holly
By Heather Carpenter
Here's
the little story on "Holly" as I named her.
Three days before Christmas I received an e-mail from a woman stating
there was a dog chained in a backyard in Orlando that needed help.
She gave me the name a man to call and said that the family was
unable to care for the dog. After speaking with the man, I learned
that a female Rottweiler had
been abandoned at his home by a family member who moved away to
New York. This was six months ago and it was certain that he was
not coming back for the dog and this family could not take care
of her. I said I would come and take a look at her and hopefully
we, Dogs Deserve Better, would be able to help her. Upon seeing
her, it was obvious she needed to get out of there. She was friendly,
although extremely timid and shy. I confirmed that she had never
bitten anyone and she was about three years old, not spayed and
had not seen a vet since she was a puppy. I was sure she would be
heartworm positive, as she had been living outdoors for more than
six months in Florida's hottest and most humid season.
We
took her to my vet and she was amazing. Although she had only met
us once, the day prior to taking her, she allowed us to pick her
up and put her in our truck. She was great at the vet's office and
did not growl or show any signs of aggression during her exam. To
everyone's amazement, she was
heartworm negative!!! She was, however, anemic from hookworms and
a heavy flea infestation. She stayed at the vet's office for two
days and they said she was so sweet. She took her medicine very
well and actually really loved her worm medicine! She got a bath
and her toenails trimmed, which were starting to curl under, and
again she was just so sweet. Then, on New Year's Eve, we drove her
to a Rottweiler rescue group in the Daytona Beach area. They will
work with her on her rehabilitation, obedience and will have her
spayed. I hope to keep in contact with them and learn about Holly's
improvement and adoption.
This
rescue is completely to the credit of Dogs Deserve Better's website
where the woman found my name and e-mail address under the Area
Reps section. It is such a great feeling to know that you personally
helped an animal.
In
the short time we were with Holly, she had already begun to get
attached to my boyfriend, David, who went with me the first time
to see her and then the next day to take her and go to our vet.
David picked her up from the vet on New Year's Eve and when I got
home from work we left for the rescue
place. During that hour or so, Holly became very attached to David.
They walked around our neighborhood and she was already learning
to sit for a treat. David said she was very affectionate and sweet
and even cuddled when they were sitting on the front porch. This
is a true testament of a dog's
will power to survive and continue to be a wonderful, sentiment
being so seeking our love and affection. After all Holly had been
through, it is surprising that she was not aggressive in some way
or at least aloof and not affectionate. She will get a loving new
home where she will live inside and get lots of attention. She certainly
deserves it!!!
 
—Heather
Carpenter is an area rep in Florida. For information on adopting
Holly, email Heather at: tofutticutie@earthlink.net.
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