I really do not enjoy sharing bad news about any of our dogs here on the ABC blog, but I have been inspired to share this story.
ABC took Winston in and immediately there was a buzz on the Facebook page when pictures of him from his transport were posted. Our follows lovingly called him “a watermelon with batteries for legs” and “low rider”. He is certainly a handsome hound and nobody can deny him that!!
I feel so badly for what Laura and her family and Winston are going through right now, but in all of this Laura has inspired me with the message that she (and I as well) want everyone to hear. I would like to finish this piece with her exact words, since I couldn’t have said any of it better.
To all my fellow Basset lovers:
I am Winston’s adoptive mother, and repeat volunteer for ABC. I got Winston a couple of months ago, after falling in love with him. He spent all 9 years of his life suffering, being neglected. ABC took him in when he was going to be put down for no other reason than he was not wanted anymore.
I was over the moon to have him, and be his Mommy.
Today, I found out he has stage 4 lymphoma. It is inoperable, and systemic. I may have him for another 2-6 months according to the doctor.
I am heartbroken. I wanted to spend his remaining years making up the love he SHOULD have gotten all along. But it seems my time with him will be shortened. So I have lots of work to do for him, spoiling him and loving him until he leaves me.
Many people would say that this is so unfair and so sad. Many people don’t get involved in rescues for this reason because “I’d want to keep them all” or “I just couldn’t take seeing the suffering” and many other excuses along those lines.
I am going to tell you right now, I think that is a cop out. If you ever needed an excuse to help, to be a foster home, this is why. I may have Winston for only a few more months, but those months are going to be the best of his life. He is going to be able to leave this world KNOWING I loved him. I will make him feel like the prince he is until he takes his last breath.
Until the human race stops abusing animals, it is the DUTY of those that love them to make it right. It is heartbreaking, it is sad but the triumphs of success make it worth it. Even though this is a sad thing that is happening, I feel it is a total win. Winston got the chance to be loved, appreciated and spoiled. He was offered to opportunity to sleep on a couch, eat when he wanted as much as he wanted, be warm in the winter and cool in the summer, and to be free of fleas and other parasites. As his Mom, that is my job.
So the next time you find yourself looking away or making excuses, don’t. Foster a dog, do some transporting, buy basset crap from the Slobber Shoppe, or make a donation. Get involved and help
stop the rising tide of animal abuse and neglect. Do it for Winston, and all the dogs like him so that they might have the chance to sleep on a couch and know love. So many don’t get that chance.
Now if you’ll excuse me I have some spoiling to do.
Thank you ABC, for giving me my boy.