Description:
Written by one of Pug Rescue's foster moms
I made the long drive through the high desert today to bring home Grandpa. I'm sure he had a name, after all he had owners, but they didn't bother to leave it, so I named him Grandpa.I arrived at the shelter and gave them the info, signed the papers, paid the bail and was directed to the ISO area to pick up Grandpa. When they opened the door, the kennel was right in front of me....with a sign which read "soft food only", I could see a mass of fawn hair lying against the cage door. The girl who let me in called out to him loudly, but there was no response, so she reached through the door and touched him. He startled awake and his head slammed back against the cage door, opening a healing wound on a tumor above his eye causing it to ooze blood. His legs jutted out and his head wove in circles as he fought to get his bearings and stabilize himself. The girl unlocked the cage… I put my hand on him and held him steady and eased him out. His head wove from side to side uncontrollably. His bones jutted out all over his little body and he had tumors all over. He was dirty and ungroomed. His coat was thick but coarse and tufts of undercoat were coming out all over. His eyes were hazy with green discharge and his nose was crusted and cracked.
I clutched the little fellow to my chest and he relaxed into it for a moment until he began to weave again. I kissed his fur and the tears stung my eyes. Out the door and into the front seat of the Roadster. He flopped over and struggled. I petted him and calmed him and quickly closed the door and got in the driver seat. While stroking him with one hand I quickly read the medical report.....noting as I did that this was his second time through this shelter. In 2004, he had come in and was adopted by his current owners. Six years later they sent him back. Mild dehydration, pet continuously circles to left, left eye appears to have corneal ulcer, possible seizures, owner request for euthanasia, subcutaneous masses, etcetera.
Grandpa tried to maintain his balance on the seat… I would steady him and quiet him by stroking him gently but firmly. I scratched his ear and he rolled his head into it happily. Eventually he fell asleep. In his sleep he shivered in pain. I had to stop during the trip to pee. He was asleep when I got out, but while I was gone he must have woken and found himself alone. He was howling and barking pitifully. I slid in the seat and reassured him. Gave him more ear scratches and he went back to sleep.
I called Suzi (our coordinator) and I called my vet. I told them he was in a bad way and he needed to be out of his suffering and pain.
Once home, I snuck him in through the garage while the pack waited for me to come in through the front door as normal. I took him back to the bedroom and put him in the small crate there, thinking he would feel more secure. First I laid a soft, fluffly blanket down. But he kept banging his face against the sides so I took him out. I went to the kitchen and prepared a huge dose of prednisone and tramadol: the first to hopefully relieve the pressure in his brain and give him a little relief and the second to relax him and relieve the pain. I prepared a whole can of delicious soft food and a bowl of water. Then I offered the food with pills. He managed to eat his fill, including the pills.
I brought in Sammy to keep him company and had to take care of a couple things in the office. When I returned he was asleep on the blanket in the open crate, no longer shivering. I spent a little time petting him and taking pictures and it was time to go. I drove through a haze of tears.
At the vet we were shown to the room. They had laid a special pad on the table to make him more comfortable. My wonderful vet came in and gave him a rub and a look over and couldn't understand why the shelter had let him suffer like this. As I held him and rubbed his ears he didn't even flinch as the vet slid the needle into his rear leg. He pushed his head into my hands enjoying the sensation of a kind human touch. Then he sighed deeply and his head relaxed. We continued to pet him long after his heart stopped. My heart breaks for this sweet little man whose real name I never knew.
For Grandpa. I hope I made his exit as easy as possible....and - even if it was just for a few hours - he was loved very much. Everyone here at Pug Rescue appreciates the efforts of everyone involved in Grandpa's rescue. We weren't able to do much, but we were able to help him die with dignity, and show him kindness and compassion in his last hours. Rest easy, little man, you will remain in our hearts. |
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