Sometimes rescue hurts the soul. When we have to say no – I worry that dogs will suffer. And we do have to say no sometimes. Usually it is because of money. We don’t have the extra money to transport needed dogs to other rescues to make room for the less adoptable dogs. The “easy” dogs can go right away ( they are easily rehabbed for adoption so their stay here is short) – the friendly, young, no dog issues, – the adoptable family companion. The shy/timid/spooky, food aggressive, older, not “quite right” dog that needs a bit more of rehab, stay at Turtle Gardens. Each trip costs $350 – just for gas and ferry fees. And maybe coffee and power drinks. Each trip is 12 hours to the ferry, an hour in the line up then another hour or less to the rescue. But it saves dogs’ lives. This year has seen 5 of these trips where dogs are saved at our expense – no adoption fees to help recover any costs. But again I say – it saved dogs lives.
We are pretty full right now. Some of the dogs that came in this weekend have been waiting a while. The dogs we take in are very often in deperate need. Some need medical care – like Gunnar who lost his leg when hit by a car. One of our recent surrenders showed signs that he was a chained up dog. Today he visited our veterinarian. The pictures tell his story. WARNING: THE PICTURES ARE GRAPHIC!
©Turtle Gardens Animal Rescue Society. Have your pet spayed or neutered today.
All we could do is cry and think, how fortunate is yet another dog to have been rescued by The Labette’s.
I repeat a saying I read on your blog one day a few months back . . . One I have come to live by.
“I am one, but still, I am one
I cannot do everything,
but still I can do something
And, because I cannot do everything
I’ll continue to do the something that I can do” (Edward Everrett)
Thank you Turtle Gardens
April 28th, 2009 | #
You are right Yvette that does hurt the soul..Tears in my eyes I am so very glad the power above saw that this one really needed help…and a guiding light lead this dog to you..
April 28th, 2009 | #
oh my gosh! that poor poor dog! this is another reason why I am AGAINST using choke collars! they don’t call them choke collars for nothing.I hope this dog heals quickly and is able to find a loving adoptiv/or foster home. Thank you for saving these dogs who can not speak for themselves.
April 28th, 2009 | #
Even if charged and convicted the human responsible for this outrage would get little more than a slap on the wrist. Sometimes it’s hard to be a member of the human race. Thank you for being there for that poor creature. Imagine the relief to have that torture and torment finally removed. Those photos need to be shown.
April 28th, 2009 | #
It is to weep.
April 28th, 2009 | #
I am heartbroken, that poor animal, I don’t understand where some peoples heads are! I hope he/she will recover fast and will still have trust in human companions.
April 28th, 2009 | #
Could this sweet dog, lucky to be alive and safe at Turtle Gardens be named “Freedom”?
April 28th, 2009 | #
Thank you, Yvette, for posting those pictures. As painful as they are to look at, they are a good reminder of why we do what we do. The cruelty of humans who could chain a dog and not notice this suffering is beyond comprehension. Thank you for saving him.
That series of photos should be posted right next to the dog chain display in every petstore in the province.
April 29th, 2009 | #
That’s terrable. I don’t understand how a person could do that to another creature.
April 29th, 2009 | #
How sad and terribly cruel.
He probably had that choak chain on as a puppy then they just let him grow without checking it.
I will never ever forget a story in Victoria of the dog that had a halter grown into it’s body.
Poor dog and total neglect.
It is a terrible shame the laws haven’t changed to punish people for this kind of cruelty
I will never understand some people.
Thanks again Turtle Gardens with your big heart
April 29th, 2009 | #
Thank you for saving this dog from it’s torture.
April 29th, 2009 | #
Very sad, I watch those animal cop shows all the time and the number of dogs who grow into their collar (or should I say who’s collar grows into them)is astounding, how hard is it to change a collar????
As for those opposed to choke chains….don’t blame the collar blame the owner who used that collar incorrectly. I was completely opposed to choke chains and pinch collars but they have saved my dogs life; she was uncontrollable….now she is a sweet heart…..and as per direction she is NEVER left unattended with the collar on.
Again a very sad story…..happy and quick healing little guy and good luck on finding a new home with responsible owners.
April 29th, 2009 | #
I have come to this page about 4 -5 times looking for the right words. I have none. Nothing seems to be just right. All i can hear in my head is the sounds of the poor dog. What will happen to these people? Probley nothing. Why are the 4 legged less valued then humans? Who do you contact to change the laws? If i had the money i would sent it in a heart beat, so you could save all the dogs. But i dont!!! What can we do???
April 29th, 2009 | #
I write this with tears in my eyes. I can’t believe that there are people out there with such a lack of respect for life. What are these people thinking when they treat a living being like this? It is too bad that our government has such simple penalties for criminals. The person who did this and all those that hurt animals should be penalized to the full extent of the law. Thanks for saving this poor dogs life. You indeed are hero’s in my eye’s.
April 29th, 2009 | #
Horrific! I couldn’t sleep last night because the images continued to surface and I was VERY angry with the totally heartless, cruel, irresponsible humans who couldn’t be bothered to look at their dog. Who??!!! How??!!! Punish them!!! Send them the photos and say, “Shame, shame, shame. I’m sorry to have you in the human race!” Thank someone for finding this dog and rescuing him/her. You, Yvette, wrote that the dog was “a surrender.” Does that mean that the owner/horrible person gave the dog up to you? IF the person is known, surely that person can be told face to face what a terrible thing it was to allow the dog to live–no, barely exist and suffer in such conditions. The SPCA?
I’m soooo glad that TGs will now help the dog heal–outside and inside. I long for the dog to find his/her loving forever home to be pampered and cared for and played with for the rest of its life. I am going to send you a cheque for $100.00 to help with the treatment and care of this dog. Sandra
April 29th, 2009 | #
I noticed Deb has suggested his name be freedom but I think you already have a Sherrif’s sanctuary dog named that Freedom and Pharoh?..it would be a perfect name for him. Another name perhaps could be Courage …
April 29th, 2009 | #
Oh my !!! He looks my dog! I am speachless. Be free now little one you are one of the lucky ones.
April 29th, 2009 | #
I have a few name ideas.Warrior,Soldier or Hero.
April 29th, 2009 | #
I was at Petsmart yesterday and they have a complete FOUR foot section fully stocked with chains of
every imaginable type. Having just read the blog and still hot and bothered, I reamed out the store
manager. Of course he has ‘no say’ in the merchandising scheme of things but I suggested he send
this blog to his head office.
Thank you Yvette for posting these photos and thank you for giving this dog a new life….I will never
never understand how people can inflict such torture on a defenseless animal. Shame on us humans!
April 29th, 2009 | #
I’d like to suggest a name…. NO CHAIN —> NACHONI
April 29th, 2009 | #
People you are forgetting it is not the tool that is doing the harm it is the people who are not knowledgeable enough to know that dogs out grow their collars and collars need to be checked an a regular basis for fit and comfort. I have had to resort to the use of a choke chain on some of my dogs because of the shape of the dog and a regular collar would not stay on. Now before I get reamed out I also always put a stop on my collar so it can not become too tight I also always check my collars often very very often. I have seen these same horrific type photos but with wide webbed collars as well and let me tell you it ain’t pretty. I currently have a dog that can not wear a nylon web or leather collar because she gets very bad rashes from them so I have to use a choke chain so do not condemn the collar condemn the owner who can not be bothered to pet their dog or walk them.
That said I also believe that choke chains should not be used by first time or novice owners for the very reason we see above.
Yvette You and your family do a great service to all the Poor dogs and cats in need that find themselves on your door step I also think your daily blog does a lot to educate many people about abuse and neglect and what can be done to stop it. and for this I and I am sure everyone here Thanks you.
Thank You
Laurel
April 29th, 2009 | #
Laurel I do agree with you choke collers and chains have their place. It is the owner who is at fault and not the chain. If used propperly they are a tool to use. We as responsable pet owners have to use them propperly. Here in Terrace we have a bylaw that basically says that if you have a dog you have to have a fenced yard, however there is no bylaw saying that you have to feed it, socialize it, pet it, check it’s collar, vaccinate it, or sputer it. That is the responsability of the pet owner. It is sad the way some people treat animals.
April 29th, 2009 | #
Hi Laurel, you are absolutely right and I agree with you completely, it is absolutely the owner’s responsibility
to ensure that the collars are used correctly. That was part of my message to the store manager as well – please
educate your customers if possible – this is what potentially may happen. I even suggested that the large
heavy thick collars and tie-out chains could be kept in a locked case.
April 29th, 2009 | #
I also cried when I seen those pictures how very sad someone would treat a poor dog like that. I have 4 dogs all which I took in. I have one from Yvette that I got when she was 11 weeks old. Millie is going to be 7 this summer and is just a love.The day I took a bag of food and old blankets out to Yvette and that little white ball of fur jumped into my truck I will never forget. She looks at me with love and all I have to do in return is love her back and ofcourse keep her food topped off. lol
April 30th, 2009 | #