SPCA Shelter Story
Margaret’s Story…so far.
I met Margaret one eveningwhile doing chores at the shelter. The guy that brought her to me, gave me usual song and dance about how this isn’t his dog, and therefore not his problem. Margaret is to be my problem. The guy was nice enough to tell me he ‘thought’ the dog might have a problem with its foot…but still not his problem….. As they were leaving, they did say they were thankful for people like me…….That sure helps us at the end of the day…….Once I saw Margaret I knew she would be a problem worth trying to solve. She had fleas so big I thought they were ticks. She was losing fur from constant scratching, and her belly might have been full a long time ago, but not in recent weeks. She wouldn’t put weight on her leg but had adapted to three legs quite well. She was 6 months old, with a tail that still wags in spite of it all, and a face that needed kissed. We did all the things we do to bring comfort to these animals. Flea treatment, good food, good water, lots of sympathy. Her leg was beyond our ability. One of our volunteers drove Margaret to our vet.
I get the call. X-rays reveal the ball has been broken from her leg bone and her hip doesn’t function. It is an old break. Margaret will require salvage surgery to save her leg. She will require money and lots of it….this news translates in my head into ‘how can we save her? Where will this money come from? How many cookies and cakes will we have to sell? What can we do?How many others will be lost to save this one? Please, I don’t want to make this decision…’ before my head spins off my shoulders, the voice on the phone says ” so I think she should stay here with us, and be a Dunroamin dog”…..a different kind of tears run down my face than the tears lots of shelter managers cry. Tears of happiness. For a dog I couldn’t save.
Many people have sang praises to me for the work I do….but .the praise really belongs to the people I am thankful for every day, the Florenceville Vet Clinic and the Dunroamin rescue. They are the dedicated, selfless people who make my job easier. While each animal shelter is important, this one is more so because of the animals they help and the way they do it. They have the animal’s best interest in mind, always. Our little shelter needs support, volunteers, a winning lotto ticket, but most of all, we need to always have Dunroamin. Please remember them. Donate Generously and Often.
SPCA Animal Shelter
Arthurette, NB
356-1117
Do you have even a little bit of spare time? Volunteers are always welcome at the SPCA!
