We all like to plead ignorance, especially when it comes to helping people — both adults and children — and animals. In fact, if we’re really honest, it irritates us to scroll our Facebook pages and stop on a photo of an animal in need. We take care of our pets; why can’t other people do the same? We sacrifice for our pets; why don’t others? We never harm an animal? Why do folks think it’s fun to abuse an animal?
I don’t have the answers. My stock reply is this: There’s a special place in Hell for people who abuse the frail elderly, children, and animals.
But, when I see the need, I have to at least share it. There was a time in my life when I had more money than I needed: I had a great job that paid well; I had a decent freelance business; and I was making a nice supplemental income as an adjunct instructor. That changed: I lost my job of 27 years through no fault of my own; I had health issues that resulted in two total knee replacements and disability. I no longer have the option of additional income.
The economic situation at the Kennedy Compound is tight but not disastrous. We have eight dogs, one cat, and two foster puppies. Most of our expendable income is spent on the animals. There isn’t much extra left. I don’t mean to imply that my husband, Joey, and I don’t have a good life. We live in a wonderful house that was built in 1909, and we eat — and drink — quite well. We can entertain a bit, and we can go out a bit. The “big” vacations to Europe and the Caribbean are out, but that’s OK.
I tell you all of this so that you understand that we are not destitute; however, we cannot help every animal in need — financially, that is. I can, through this blog, tell those of you who ARE able to help about animals in need.
Here are two such examples:
Spartan, a homeless dog in rural Oklahoma, was shot in the mouth. Just because.
“Neighbors heard the gunshot and then the wimper,” write the fundraiser organizers. “His jaw is hanging low, we are trying to save him! He is currently being rushed to the local vet but he will not be able to perform emergency surgery. Therefore he will need to be RUSHED to an emergency vet in the bigger town that is over an hour away to save him! Please help us help him.
“We named him Spartan because through all the pain of his shattered hanging he is a sweet sweet boy who happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time!”
Spartan had his surgery, and here’s the latest update, posted on July 21: “Spart is doing great!! Even after everything he has been through, he still just wants to crawl in my niece’s lap and snuggle.
“He will have to be fed through the feeding tube in his neck for at least three weeks, and we will go back for a checkup in two weeks … Because his surgery was so much more involved, and he did have to have ‘plastic surgery’ and extra pins put in, his surgery ended up being $952.50. That’s not counting his special food, which was $50, and all of his chec up costs over the next few months.”
LIC Feral is sponsoring the fundraiser for Spartan. The rescue is seeking $1,500 in donations to defray the costs of caring for this dog. Here’s the link, should you wish to contribute: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/spartan-an-innocent-dog-has-been-shot-in-the-mouth-/204634.
Feather’s N Fur Wildlife Rehab Center, in Twentynine Palms, Calif., is seeking donations to provide medical treatment to one of its permanent residents — Max, a German Shepherd/border collie mix.
Max, now 10 years old, was rescued at age at 6 months. Here’s what Max has to “say” about himself: “I was given the nickname of Maximillion at first, but then I got my name Maximum Security Puppy because I used to get protective when cars pulled up to the house — but then as soon as the people got out of the car, I’d run and hide behind my mom, so she used to say to me, ‘Some Security puppy you are,’ as a joke and it stuck.”
Max has been misdiagnosed by two vets as having terminal cancer. However, a third vet said Max’s issue has to do with an infection of the fascial planes, which is treatable. According to the third vet, Max has a lodged foreign body that is causing him to have two large drainage tracts in his side.
Max has undergone several surgeries, but the last one was to close up the wounds caused by the foreign body. That foreign body is still embedded in, and, according to the vet, it will continue to cause sores until it can be located and removed.
That requires and MRI — and those things are expensive. The vet estimates the cost of the MRI and followup treatment at between $2,500 and $4,000. Max currently is on a strong antibiotic designed to keep infection down, and that costs money, too.
Here’s the link to donate: http://www.petcaring.com/animal-rescue/max-needs-surgery/39429#sthash.sOeWFWwC.dpuf. If you do donate, please annotate that the money is for Max.
Thank you for mentioning Spartan 🙂 your help is so very appreciated! He is on the road to recovery and doing great so far!
You’re most welcome! I’m so happy he’s doing well. I’d like to do an update next week — just send it to [email protected].
Thank you for including me in this post. Blessings to you all at the compound.