Entered: 10/01/2005
Status: Adopted
Age: 0
Color: Liver/White
Weight:
Gender: Altered
Location: New Orleans, LA
Health: Critically ill, suffering from seizures and anti-freeze poisoning
Temperament:
Original: Joey’s foster mom traveled to New Orleans in October, 2005, to help with animal rescue. Here is her story:
I first saw Joey as they took him off the rescue truck. He was extemely scared. He was liver and white, terribly matted, and after five weeks on the streets, the white was almost liver.
I followed him to his stall and spoke to him softly. I told him who I was and promised I was going to take him to a new, safe home. He didn’t have to be afraid anymore.
The day after he came into the makeshift shelter, it turned out he was critically ill, and had to be transferred to a veterinary facility that could deal with his serious medical issues. He had been having seizures and was otherwise in very bad shape. He also hadn’t urinated the whole time he was there. Joey’s blood work was not good. There were anti-freeze crystals in his liver. Who knows all that he had gotten into trying to survive those weeks on the streets.
The vet and I discussed Joey’s condition but we kept coming back to the same conclusion. I couldn’t accept it, although I knew I had to. I finally agreed, and the vet carried him into the room, and laid him on the table. I rubbed Joey on his head and told him I was sorry, but he was going to be okay now. I kept talking to him, and rubbing his head as he very quietly crossed the bridge. I sobbed the entire time.
He was a MAESSR foster dog for all of about 24 hours. I never got to see him in anything but that hellish state.
The minute we made eye contact, I loved him. I swore to him that I would do everything possible to get him well, and make him safe. I fought for him for two days, but there was nothing that could be done to save him.
I only knew Joey a very short time, but to me he was one of mine, and I will always remember him.