Today, I went over to Orlando Animal Control (OAC) at the request of our Rottweiler Rescue Organization to evaluate a Rottie girl that is getting close to being put down. Several people have met this girl and have had glowing reports about her but our Board Of Directors wanted me to evaluate her and to help determine her age. The sad truth is that older dogs simply don't get adopted and the objective of every Rescue Organization is not simply to save the lives of dogs but to place them in loving homes.
When I got to OAC, I met with one of the placement people behind the main desk and got her full background report: Precious was listed on the adoption form as 1 year old. It didn't take long to determine that was nonsense since the girl's records go back to 2006 when she was first picked up and was spayed by OAC. This time, she was found in an abandoned warehouse. She is heartworm positive and has thus far not found an adopting family.
I went back to her cage and she greeted me as if she knew I was a "Rottie guy". I gave her a few Milk Bones and she was mine
. One of the volunteers put her on a leash and we took her outside. She ran around the yard like a puppy and came to me when I sat down, placed her head in my lap and looked up at me as if to say "OK, let's go home." I melted. I also did a complete physical exam and based on body and teeth, I'm estimating her to be at least 6 years old. BTW, she let me examine her mouth and go over every inch of her without a hint of complaint. When it was time to bring her back in, she resisted the noose/leash so I gently placed my hand on the scruff of her neck and she let the volunteer place the slip collar on. She never showed any aggression or resistance to my touch. She was wonderful.
Attached is a quick and dirty picture of Precious. I hope it is only one of many more to come.
As I said in my Report to the Board, if my home circumstances were different, I'd have taken this girl home with me. She's a 6-year-old puppy with some white hairs around her muzzle. She would fill a household with love for many years to come. The Board Of Directors is reviewing my recommendation now. I'll understand either way the Board decides but today underscored the difficulty in being involved -- emotionally and intellectually -- in Rescue. Let's all hope that Precious gets a chance to live out her life in a home with lots of love.
Jim