Animals abandoned
Injured dog just one of thousands left at local shelterBy Connie Cartmell, ccartmell@mariettatimes.com
Article Photos
Fact Box
By the numbers
Shelter statistics January to August 2008:
Cats taken in (total): 953.
Adopted: 146.
Reclaimed: 1.
Euthanized: 705.
Dogs taken in (total): 1,027.
From humane officer: 83.
County dog warden: 267.
Adopted: 312.
Reclaimed: 106.
Euthanized: 232.
To rescue organizations: 302.
Source: Humane Society of the Ohio Valley, October newsletter.
The two men spoke softly and tenderly, stroking the dog's wide head and muscular shoulders. The 1-year-old boxer raised his head off a pillow on the metal table and somehow in his soft eyes seemed to say, "Thanks, guys."
"He's a special boy. He's good people," said Butch Morris, Washington County humane officer, still petting the dog. "He wants to speak, but he can't, so we try to speak for him."
Lost, abandoned, runaway and homeless animals are far too common in Washington County. Nearly 2,000 cats and dogs were turned in from January to August of this year.
The county dog warden for eight years, Morris rescues and transports literally hundreds of dogs and cats to the shelter at 90 Mt. Tom Road every year.
But Boss stands out above all others as a very unusual and special dog, Morris said.
"Here I was, wading into the Muskingum River to pull him out of the mud along the shore. He was obviously seriously hurting bad, but he never once showed a tooth," Morris said of the day he and Boss got together. "His temperament from day one was incredible. This dog could have eaten me alive."
It was learned later that Boss ran away from home.
This dog's remarkable story began Sept. 26 Morris received a call from a camper along the river that a dog was down an embankment along the edge of the water and in trouble.
"He'd likely fallen over the bank," Morris said.
That was sometime after Boss was likely hit by a car and broken his hip. Then, some of his bones were set upon by another dog or possibly a coyote, who delivered painful and punishing puncture wounds to his legs.
"I couldn't carry him up the bank. It was too steep, so I led him up," Morris said. "He was able to walk out, but when we got to the top, he just dropped. He went into shock, so I wrapped him and got him out."
Gwen McHenry, veterinarian with River City Pet Hospital in Kroger Center, has been caring for Boss for two weeks now. The dog's hip was broken and dislocated on one side, his other leg seriously fractured. Boss has undergone multiple surgeries, including a hip reconstruction, and has a cast and internal pin in one leg.
The boxer was in bad shape until Tuesday, when he turned the corner and began improving, McHenry said.
"He's put up with everything and at this point, is on the upswing," she said. "He's had a lot of challenges. A smaller dog would not have survived the impact of the hit. He's a solid fellow."
The prognosis for Boss is 75 to 80 percent full recovery, although he may be left with a limp, the veterinarian said. Healing will take another two or three months.
"It depends a lot on the foster care he gets. We have a lot of hope," she said.
Morris said Boss will likely go to a boxer rescue organization, or - once he is able - be adopted from the shelter.
"If we can get Boss through this, we'd like to keep him around here so we can see him now and then," Morris said.
Boss had a tag on when he was found and his owner was identified and contacted.
"His owner couldn't afford the medical care at this point and was willing to surrender Boss to the shelter," Morris said. "He still comes to see him - to see how he's doing. He really did care about him."
Abandoned, lost or runaway pets are a major issue for the local shelter.
"People just move away and leave them," Morris said. "In the last two nights, four (dogs) were dumped on us."
On Thursday, an adult St. Bernard was turned in. The dog has a tumor on its leg, which will be checked out by the veterinarian. Also, Morris received a call about a dog that was struck by a car on Interstate 77, and he picked that animal up.
"A woman from Pennsylvania tried to rescue the dog, a small beagle. She put it in the front seat of her car and the dog bit her," Morris said. "It's best to call us and not try to rescue the dog."
Quarantine for 10 days is now planned for the dog, he said.
"The dog didn't offer to bite me. She isn't a bad dog and will be fine," Morris said.
Morris shook his head.
"I would love to save them all, but we can't always do it," he said.
For Boss, the future appears bright. People care about him. His personality and mild-mannered temperament carry him through.
"He's very awesome," McHenry said.
|
Birdlover
|
|
|---|---|
|
10-11-08 12:43 AM
|
Unfortunately there will be alot more pets who are abandoned and neglected due to the fact that people just don't have the money to take care of them anymore with the current economic crisis. There are reports in other parts of the US where people have left their family pets behind to fend for themselves when their homes are foreclosed. Bless the people who run and volunteer their time at shelters and rescues!
|
|
WVCountryBoy
|
|
|
10-11-08 12:31 AM
|
I don't like what Johnny Ringo has to say. Hey everybody lets have Art Smith delete him. Mr. Ringo sorry you dont agree with me. On another note I cant remember what article it was but you and your idiot buddy Ramon were commenting about something and it was totally ridiculous & made no sense at all but I did not suggest you be removed. I deal with your elementary comments so deal with my educated ones. Morningirl go back to bed and collect your assistance check.
|
|
ramon05
|
|
|
10-10-08 10:08 PM
|
like your comments are something to be taken seriously? wow! Get over yourselves.Most of you have so low self esteams, that you have to put lower income people down to make yourselves look better.I'd feel real proud of that.
|
|
JohnnyRingo
|
|
|
10-10-08 8:21 PM
|
In all reality, the Marietta Times should remove these people unless they have something constructive to add to the conversation. All they seem to be interested in is being disruptive. They serve no positive purpose here. How about it Art Smith????
|
|
peppie
|
|
|
10-10-08 7:40 PM
|
Ramon, if you can't stick to the topic, please go else where.
|
|
morninggirl
|
|
|
10-10-08 7:39 PM
|
WVCountryBoy, you are an idiot. I'd hate to think what you'd do to extra babies, "Oh, there just babies". Keep you comments on your side of the river!!
|
|
JohnnyRingo
|
|
|
10-10-08 5:29 PM
|
WVCountryBoy..... Why do you even bother to post worthless comments here? Were you abused as a child? This is a place for people who are concerned about animals. Not really a good place for a smart a** comment. You need to get a life……..
|
|
Baseball
|
|
|
10-10-08 5:28 PM
|
McHenry is a great vet..Thats where I take my boxer and he loves her and all the others....Wish I had room to take Boss in..
|
|
mttamom
|
|
|
10-10-08 4:36 PM
|
The #'s listed in the fact box-WOW! PLEASE spay and/or neuter your pets, all those poor cats and dogs...
|
|
WVCountryBoy
|
|
|
10-10-08 4:34 PM
|
Pups are a dime a dozen.
|
|
peppie
|
|
|
10-10-08 1:17 PM
|
I have never understood why people are so insistent on a pet needing to be a purebred. If they insist on a purebred, there are purebred rescues all over the U.S. I have five dogs, only one is a non-rescue. As well as being family pets, I show all of them in obedience, agility and terrier trials. Many thanks to all who help these animals from the humane societies to the foster parents. Spaying and neutering is the key element in stopping the overflow of homeless pets.
|
|
ibekimmee
|
|
|
10-10-08 12:43 PM
|
Butch, Sharon, Celeste - you guys are wonderful!! Our shelter would not be a shelter without you! P.S. Sharon - Honey is doing great!
|
|
jade3192001
|
|
|
10-10-08 11:04 AM
|
Keep up the good work Butch! You have a heart of gold and nerves of steel and I'm glad to see the homeless animals in our county are in good hands :)
|
|
SQUEAK
|
|
|
10-10-08 10:49 AM
|
God Bless all who are involved in helping our lost and abandoned animals; they are truly helpless and need our love and compassion. Might I suggest when donating food to local food pantry's that people might include a bag of dog/cat food. It is very sad that people are having to abandon their beloved pets because of not being able to financially afford their care.
|
|
Animallover
|
|
|
10-10-08 9:55 AM
|
Thank you Dr. McHenry you are always there for our shelter. I wish more of local vets would get involved like she does. Our shelter is such need for money, new building, and help from our local vets. Please help where you can!
|
|
meyetigers
|
|
|
10-10-08 9:27 AM
|
i believe it was mr morris that helped my family with the loss of our family cat on tuesday evening. he was so very kind to us and to pepsi never conveying we were interrupting his evening, allowing us to take our time to say goodbye thank you, mr morris, may God bless you
|