Can You Spare a Dollar?

There have been various things over the past week or so that have REALLY left me scratching my head.

First, there was the dog (Monty) that lived with a family for 3+ years and then was returned because they didn’t want him any more. And he really was a cute little guy. Yes, they did the right thing by returning him to rescue, but how can you live with a sweet dog like that for that long and not get attached?

Then there was the project some folks did for someone I know that was done completely half-ass. These people did this thing out of the kindness of their hearts for someone that was unable to do the thing herself. But when it was finished, it was terrible. And they left it like that for her to live with.

And we can’t forget the woman (a pathological liar) who is so completely and utterly self-centered that she’s alienated her children (and, as a result, her grandchildren) and honestly believes she is the victim.

Notice I am being nice and not mentioning names, right?

Enough with people. They really piss me off.

At the risk of sounding like a crazy dog lady, I have to share this.

Tonight I read yet again about one of the “PA 13.” This story has pulled at my heartstrings since I first read about these guys. These 13 registered purebred Brittanys  who lived on a carport,  in stacked cages, with the urine and feces of the dogs around them dripping onto them.   They were never meant to be seen by the public and didn’t have their tails docked or dew claws removed. For those of you who don’t  know the story here’s the link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAkma3NhQNk .

How can people do that to dogs?

With the help of  local shelters in PA,  the National Brittany Rescue and Adoption Network (NBRAN) was able to get them to safety.

Many of those dogs have had or are well on their way to a happy ending.

Then there’s Dexter, who is pictured below at the shelter soon after being rescued.

At 9 years of age when rescued, Dex is one of the oldest surviving Brittanys of the group. Now, at 11,  Dexter needs rescued again. (It is not at all unusual for Brittanys to live to 14 years of age and beyond.)

Dexter has been diagnosed with complete, bi-lateral  laryngeal paralysis.   This is a progressive condition that, without surgery, will lead to death. Apparently it’s a brutal death where the lungs fill up and the dog basically drowns. Right  now he has episodes where he is gasping for breath and coughing, etc. Almost like pneumonia.

Dexter has enriched the lives of his foster family, teaching them along with all the rest of us who have had contact with the PA13 the meaning and power of unconditional love, trust and kindness.  His lifting his head to smell the cool morning air and the special moon walk he does continues to bring smiles to the faces of his family as they watch him and marvel at how far he’s come. He loves life and has blossomed into a fun loving member of his family. Dexter is adored by all who meet him. Though he loves his nightly walk, he is restricted from that as well as running the yard due to how much it taxes his respiration. His quality of life is being compromised, but the prognosis with surgery is good and should allow him to do all his favorite things again very soon.

Take a look at this picture of the NBRAN president with another one of the PA 13.

Rowen, whose white coat is stained brown from all the urine and feces he lived IN, only survived a few days of freedom before he passed.

Dexter, on the other hand, is one of the dogs who has found safety, love, and acceptance with his foster family in his short 18 months of freedom since his rescue.

He has transformed from the quivering, terrified, ball of fur into one of the sweetest most gentle Brittanys his family has ever known.  They feel blessed to have him in their home.

Dexter is doomed, however, without the surgery. But it’s expensive. While NBRAN can’t really afford that kind of bill, especially now when there are so many dogs needing homes, they want Dexter to have a chance. Through Dexter’s Dollar Donation Challenge, NBRAN is asking 2,500 people to send in just $1.

One buck will give this guy another year or two of happiness to hopefully make up for the 9+ years of horrid living conditions that he endured.

NBRAN has also challenged its supporters to spread the world and help us find 2,500 people to donate just $1.

That’s why I have done this post. I’ll be donating some money to help the poor guy.

I don’t have a ton of followers, but I know some of you wouldn’t mind pitching a buck in to help.

I wouldn’t normally ask something like this on my Blog, but the guy deserves a bit more time, don’t you think?

If you’d like to help and allow Dexter to continue to explore the world, bringing love and joy to all those he encounters, all you need to do is go to the NBRAN Web site at http://shop.nbran.org/main.sc, choose Guardian Angel Donations and process your donation. In the special instructions box during checkout  be sure to put Dexter’s name so they know the donations are for Dexter’s surgery.

Butthead people are one thing. But helpless dogs? Brittanys yet, who are the sweetest, most loving people dogs ever.

I hope you decide to donate $1 today. Dexter deserves it.

In case you are interested, here’s that address again: http://shop.nbran.org/main.sc.