Recently, as we were all leaving for home from the shelter, an animal control officer pulled up with a dog that had been removed from her residence due to neglect.  Her 'owner' fled from police as they questioned him as to why the dog was so skinny.  Once removed from the animal control vehicle, I saw white pitt bull mix, emaciated, with sores virtually everywhere.  She was scared to eat in front of anyone.  She weighed 39 pounds.  The chain attached to her weighed 20 pounds.  Somehow, she seemed to have not a single mean bone in her body, neither towards people or other dogs.  We did not expect her to live through the night due to her lack of nutrition.

The Humane Society of Northeast Texas was awarded custody of the dog that is still so very sweet but scared, then had to make a decision as to whether we should euthanize her or otherwise.  When asked if she had a name, we told she had none.  We then named her 'Hope', and thus began Hope's journey.  Hope was evaluated by a veterinarian and was found to be heavy heartworm positive, with more hookworms than this particular vet's office has ever seen on a slide.  Yet again, Hope was scared but extremely sweet when dealing with those at the vet office.

In talking with the vet's office about what it would take to be able to restore Hope to good health and find her a good home, we realized that, if Hope could make it through her heartworm treatment in good health, all that stood in the way was money.  Hope should have lived a wonderful life, but due to circumstances far beyond her control, has not.  After getting to know Hope some, we are completely convinced that she deserves so much more than what she has suffered through.  She deserves to be part of a wonderful home that will love and appreciate her.  She deserves more than what she has had.

Hope made it through her spay surgery, hookworm treatment, and the first round of her heartworm treatment.  She is recovering nicely and has begun to be okay with eating while others are watching. Her first round of medical expenses have been paid for by an anonymous donor.  All that she needs now is a family who can give her some time to heal from her wounds and love and adore her through her recovery process.  If you are able to make some room at your inn to help Hope, or would like to make a donation to offset future medical costs for animals in similar situations, please call us at (903)297-2170.. <o:p></o:p>