Aside from the heartache attached to this -- something everyone who has ever shared their life with a critter can relate to -- this is a tragedy because Oprah used these adoptions and the publicity they received to highlight America's shelter pets. If the fate that has befallen Ivan and Sadie discourages anyone from giving a shelter animal a home, that would make this sad situation even worse.
99.2% of the puppies received by PAWS Chicago either did not contract parvovirus or were cured of the disease.
PAWS (Pets are Worth Saving) is a good shelter. They treat the furry little souls in their care with kindness and are stringent in their adoption procedures. They help the community with all kinds of good works, including a Pet Food Bank to assist those who are struggling in this economy but can't bear to give up their pets. In short, they are the Good Guys. But parvo is a tenacious virus and it's difficult to successfully vaccinate a puppy against it if it was exposed
by the mother.It happens. It's sad and it's rare, but it happens. It's not the risk you run by rescuing a shelter dog, it's the risk you run by giving your heart to a dog. That shouldn't stop you from considering adopting a dog like Barley, the handsome PAWS resident shown here. Look at that face! Doesn't he deserve the love and security that comes with having a home?
The unfortunate fact is that there are no sure things in life, except death. It takes courage and faith to give any animal a forever home, for in the back of our minds we know that our hearts will break when the relationship ends too soon. PAWS can't be blamed for that.
REALLY...just *look* at that face!! And your post is so very true:
ReplyDelete"It's not the risk you run by rescuing a shelter dog, it's the risk you run by giving your heart to a dog. "
I, too, have lost a pup to this dreaded virus. It's a miserable thing. But, I am STILL a big fan of the shelter dogs and I sure hope this wonderful post hits its target.
YAY for PAWS!!
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ReplyDeleteAww... cute puppy. One lucky pup, Sadie might just inherit the billions of Oprah.
ReplyDeleteWhy o' WHY did you have to put up a picture of that sweet dog? Dear heavens, don't I have enough with 3stray cats inside my house...and one pregnant stray cat outside that I'm trying to catch and get fixed?
ReplyDeleteI know!! I need a dog!!!
I've picked up strays with every known virus, illness, disease. And I've had many who didn't live very long. But in every instance, I know that the last days or weeks or months of their lives were safe and warm with full tummies. And really, when they finally closed their eyes for the last time, what they heard was a loving voice and a gentle hand.
That's what matters. (As I bawl my eyes out and down a glass of Chardonnay)
your ol' pal
That is really sad. :-(
ReplyDelete