Friday, March 9, 2012

Not a Happy Story

Mr. & Mrs. went to pick up the 2 newest fosters, Samantha & Ginger. They followed the same routine that they have followed for the 50+ fosters that came before these two, but something went wrong & Ginger bolted. Immediately Mr. & Mrs. tried to track Ginger down, but since it was nighttime & dark, seeing her was very difficult. Every time they would spot Ginger, she would run the other direction. They tried taking Samantha out with them to see if that would help lure Ginger out. They took good treats with them too. Most of the night was spent out trying to find her. Mrs. tried to make herself feel better by reminding everyone that there are more than 5 dogs that run our neighborhood loose & they get by just fine. She hoped that Ginger made friends with them & that they would keep her warm until she got back home. They took the blanket that Samantha & Ginger had shared & put it at the end of the driveway in case Ginger was trying to find her way back. They put out a big bowl of food & water. Bright & early the next morning, they went out looking again. When they did not spot her, they went to local stores & hung up posters, called local vets & made sure to leave information with the local pound. The rest of the time was spent going door to door with no luck. More than 24 hours had passed when they found out that a pittie had been hit by a car & was at the pound. Mr. went to see if this pittie was Ginger & he called to let Mrs. know that it was indeed her & that she was able to walk, but he could tell that she was in pain. He gently placed her in the car & raced to the vet's office. After taking x-rays, the dr. let them know that the news was not good. Both of poor Ginger's back legs were broken & on top of that, her bladder had burst. STAR has previously worked with an orthopedic surgeon & the surgeon was consulted, but in the end, everyone knew that the right choice was for Ginger to be let free. Mr. went to McDonald's & bought a big meal for Ginger. Mr. stayed with Ginger while she enjoyed her food & was with her as she slipped away. Saying that the people were heartbroken was an understatement. The guilt that they felt was agonizing, but in the end I helped them see that accidents happen & no matter how perfect you try to be, you can't control everything & if they let their fear & guilt hold them back, more dogs may not get the chance to find their forever homes.

Ginger, you will live forever in our hearts.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...
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Of Pit Bulls and Patience said...

Awww I'm so sorry to hear about little Ginger. It sounds like she just couldn't catch a break, but she's at peace now. Go snuggle your Mr and Mrs for us!

Dachshund Nola said...

I'm so sorry! Run free sweet Ginger. Pauley, please tell your peeps they did all they could, and it wasn't their fault. Ginger is pain and fear free now
Love
Dachshund Nola

chandra said...

I'm deeply sorry. What I keep thinking is that Ginger was meant to be with your family, not at she restarted her life but as she ended her time here. That that is what was meant to be is no fault of your own. Please don't be hard on yourselves. You gave Ginger what any animal or human would want and need most in their last moments - comfort, security, care and an easy passing.

With much love and so much respect for all that you do for the animals,
-Chandra at Daley's Dog Years

Jean said...

As difficult as this post was for you to write, I am glad to see you back on blogger.
The heartache your peeps experienced, and the tragedy of Ginger's story, will stay with many of us who foster or transport rescue dogs and help us to improve our techniques for keep dogs safe. Hugs to you and your peeps, and many thanks to the Mr. for feeding Ginger a special treat and staying there while she was released from her pain.

H Ski said...

This is a heartbreaking story. But you guys do great things with the dogs you foster and find homes for. Please keep up the work you do for these wonderful dogs. and know I am thinking of you during these sad times. And like Pauley said, accidents happen.

English Rider said...

Thank them for trying. Sometimes you can't win, no matter how you try.

Sarah said...

Ginger has a lot of good company over at that Rainbow Bridge.

Please don't let the people beat themselves up too hard. While a sad situation, it was not their fault.

Anonymous said...

Oh my, I'm soooo sorry. Poor lil gal.

volunteers4paws said...

Sending so much love, respect, and condolences to you.

What Remains Now said...

Oh, I'm so sorry that this happened! I hope you believe what you said. I do. Accidents happen. It's horrible, but they do. You did the absolute best for Ginger. I got leaky eyes that Mr. bought Ginger a McDonalds. I know she loved it! You do such wonderful work. My thought and prayers with you for comfort. Run free, Ginger.

Maisie's Mom said...

oh, so sorry to hear this... :(

Two Grad Students and a Pittie said...

This is so sad, but you did all you could. Ginger knows that.

goosie mama said...

I am so sorry to hear this, but you did everything you could. Our thoughts are with you!

Unknown said...

Oh, Pauley, I am so sorry for Ginger's loss, happy for Samantha's gain and am praying peace for your Mr. and Mrs. Accidents are accidents - but always tough. No one could have given Ginger better solace at the end of her life than Mr.

Godspeed, Ginger! and welcome back, Pauley - I've missed you.

Kathy said...

Indeed, this is "not a happy story"; however, there have been 50+ stories that were happy. RIP sweet Ginger. Thanks to the Mr. and Mrs. for loving Ginger as she passed over the Rainbow Bridge and thanks to them for all the other fosters they have helped.

Emily said...

What a devastating story, I am so sorry to hear about Ginger. You did all you could. How sweet to give her a nice last meal.

Lauren @ Life With Desmond said...

oh my gosh! we are so so so sorry to hear this news. you guys are such wonderful folks, it's terrible you've had to go through this. you're in our thoughts.

Leslie said...

While we're happy to see you back, I am so very sorry for your ordeal. Sometimes accidents happen despite our best efforts.

Thank you for all you do to make life better for these beautiful animals - even the heartache you sometimes suffer. You do a wonderful thing.

Warm regards,
Leslie

Two Pitties in the City said...

So sorry to hear this. We know how much you have done for so many dogs, rescue is such hard work, but it is so important to have people like you and your family involved.
We too are glad to see you back posting.

Maureen said...

Oh Pauley, I'm so sorry to hear of this sadness. Me and my momma thought about you often since your last post. Please tell your amazing parents that they are in an elite group of humans -- those who's hearts are larger than their bodies, and for them I share with you this touching story.

Hugs and wiggles - HoneyBuzz

"Reunions at the Bridge ~ Author Unknown

The young pup and the older dog lay on shaded sweet grass watching the reunions. Sometimes a man, sometimes a woman, sometimes a whole family would approach the Rainbow Bridge, be greeted by their loving pets and cross the bridge together.

The young pup playfully nipped at the older one. "Look! Something wonderful is happening!" The older dog stood up and barked, "Quickly. Get over to the path." "But that's not my owner," whined the pup, but he did as he was told.

Thousands of pets surged forward as a figure in white walked on the path toward the bridge. As the glowing figure passed each animal, that animal bowed its head in love and respect. The figure finally approached the bridge, and was met by a menagerie of joyous animals. Together, they all walked over the bridge and disappeared.

The young pup was still in awe. "Was that an angel?" he whispered. "No, son." The older dog replied. "That was more than an angel. That was a person who worked in rescue. ♥

Unknown said...

Thank you everyone for the kind words. Honebuzz & LB, we have never read that story before & we loved it.