Sometimes our hearts break for animals we never even meet. Our friends at Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Services in Washington contacted us last week about an old, blind German Shepherd they named Sweetie. She was dumped at the shelter by her owners earlier this month. This is the photo the shelter staff took of her.
They described her this way:
This senior girl is
a little slow moving and can be hesitant at first, but that is probably
due to impaired vision and bad hips. Still, she really enjoyed getting
out for a short walk and having some attention. She is 10+ years old
and about 85#. Evaluated on 3/17 and this is what they found: Low
evergy level. Level 1-2 temperament and trainability, dog is probably
BLIND. "Afraid behind the kennel gate. Ask for staff to help get her
out for you!" Passed food, pig’s ear and toy tests. No children,
please, due to dog sight impaired. Has not been seen with children,
appears gentle. Good with cats, greets and turns away. Good with other
dogs. Approaches dogs appropriately and seeks friendly interactions.
On Friday we contacted the office of our veterinary ophthalmologist in Spokane, Dr. Bill Yakely, and scheduled an appointment for Sweetie for Tuesday morning. The shelter had agreed to take her to the appointment so we could have Dr. Yakely assess her vision and find out what was wrong with her eyes.
Then yesterday, on Sunday, the shelter contacted us to say Sweetie had suddenly gone downhill over the weekend. She was bleeding internally from her rear end, her stools were tarry, and she became very weak … and then she went down and couldn’t get up. They euthanized her Sunday afternoon. I know the lady at the shelter who put Sweetie to sleep — she’s a compassionate, caring soul who has sent many disabled animals our way — and thus I know this old, blind girl had a loving hand at the very end.
So here we are, heartbroken over a dog we never knew. And angry with people who would turn in their elderly dog at a shelter and drive off, leaving it to die. And die she did, just a couple of weeks later. How very sad.
Rolling Dog Farm Blog 
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