With the Holidays fast approaching, Animals Abused & Abandoned has been paying vet bills and buying food for these four pets to help them get closer to their dreams of a safe and protected future with new forever families.
Playful RIPLEY
Ripley did not have much luck with his first family. He was a favorite toy for the children for a few months but was thrown away when he broke his leg. Not only did the family not want to pay for his surgery, but they also did not want him inside the house during his recuperation period. So, their response to Ripley’s injury was to wash their hands of him and turn him over to a local volunteer rescue group.
This small rescue organization took him immediately to see a veterinarian. Ripley had waited 7-10 days without any medical care after being hit by a car. The radiographs confirmed a fractured leg. He had surgery on his right rear limb which required plating and 5 pins. The surgical intervention was a success, but Ripley became well known to the clinic for bandage changes. Even wearing an e-collar, he was most resourceful at reaching his dressings and tearing them off. 
After many trips to the clinic and added expenses, he is now bandage free. He remains with a foster family until totally healed. He is described as having a great attitude, a wonderful personality, very active and playful with a mix of mischievousness. This beautiful and innocent six month old puppy would make a wonderful permanent addition to loving and caring family!
Kitty SHELLY
Shelly was the cause of great concern to a caring lady who called a rescuer. She described a young feral cat with trauma to her neck. Shelly was taken to a veterinary clinic. There, the infected wounds were washed and cleaned, and an embedded collar was discovered. Even in pain, Shelly showed she had the sweetest temperament. She was also most thankful to finally be off the streets! She was given cold laser treatments which promote faster wound healing and little need for pain medication. She was spayed and given all her vaccinations. She was adopted after she transferred to another rescue organization.
Little COPPER
Copper’s story is like so many other homeless dogs who end up in a municipal shelter, but he was one of the lucky ones. The shelter staff called a rescuer pleading for help. They were full beyond their designed capacity and were about to euthanize him. The rescuer went to the shelter to pull a few small dogs when she saw his little face. It was love at first sight! Copper went home with the volunteer because she wanted to make certain she found him the right forever home.
Still a puppy, a Min Pin/Chihuahua mix about five-six months old, he was most playful with his new friends. He could not be given enough kisses and belly rubs. A few days after his arrival at his foster home, he was in the backyard having fun with his playmates, when he headed toward the house with a limp. Suddenly he screamed. Copper was crying and whimpering as he was dragging himself to the back door.
He was rushed to their veterinarian’s office. X-rays were taken which verified he had broken his right front leg, near the elbow. The best method for repairing the fracture would be determined at the time of surgery. In the meantime, a sling was placed on his leg until the operation.
The morning of his procedure Copper was diagnosed with parvo. He had gotten sick during the night. So Copper was kept at the clinic to be treated for the parvo virus before he could have surgery. The treatment for parvo is most expensive and the results are generally poor. But the vet thought Copper had a fighting chance, since the disease had been discovered early on.
He was transferred to an emergency clinic that night for observation and further treatment. Unfortunately, despite all aggressive measures, Copper’s symptoms worsened. The next morning, he was suffering and extremely weak. To everyone’s great sadness, the humane decision was made to euthanize him. Later that morning he met new canine friends to play with waiting for him at the Rainbow Bridge.
Copper is missed by his rescuer because he was so young, so innocent, so trusting, so loving. Copper arrived at the shelter as a stray. We will never know what he encountered in his very short life. But at least he had a few days where he experienced the love of a few human beings, as he was showered with affection until the end.
BURT and the Chickens
Burt, a 9-month-old German Shepherd mix, was an owner surrender to a rescue group because he had started chasing their chickens.
When taken to the veterinary clinic for a wellness visit, he was diagnosed with bilateral hip dysplasia. It was decided to perform surgery on one hip first. At his young age, Burt will recover quickly. So, when the hip is thought to be totally healed, he will have the second procedure to repair his left hip. He is currently recovering from the first operation in his foster home. As you can see in the pictures, he is totally comfortable and most relaxed. There are whispers that Burt’s wish to Santa may be fulfilled. He could have found his forever family.
INTERVENTIONS
Interventions gave these four animals a lifesaving chance for a better life. It was most unfortunate that little Copper didn’t make it. Without your donations, however, the work that all of us put into rescuing beautiful pets like these four, and its successes, could not happen. This is the season to help God’s beautiful and innocent creations, so please make your generous donations to Animals Abused & Abandoned here.