What does “HOPE” mean? A story by the Second Chance Pet Rescue of Grand Lake
by Joy Justice-Moss
Definition: To want or expect something; to have a wish to get or do something or for something to happen or be true, especially something that seems possible or likely.
This little girl was abandoned on the road to parish. The man who discovered her thought she was already deceased until she wagged her little tail.
This little girl was starving and critically ill. When she arrived at our shelter, her fate was uncertain, so we named her Hope…because we hoped and prayed this little girl would survive.
Hope was immediately transported to our on-call veterinarians in Southwest City, Missouri. Hope was diagnosed with demodectic mange. Her body was almost bald and appeared to be completely scalded and covered with open and oozing wounds.
Hope’s treatment included dipping her into a medicated solution. Hope just screamed with pain as her skin was immersed into the fluid.
Hope feared barking dogs in the surrounding kennels. We were concerned, with immense pain and fear, that Hope would surrender her tiny life. We moved Hope to a foster home where she would receive tender loving care in order to fortify her will to continue breathing.
Her foster mother has remarked, “In the midst of immense suffering, Hope would find the strength to wag her tail at the very sound of my voice.” Hope clung to her life one day at a time.
Most of the animals that are brought to our shelter have been abandoned, abused or neglected. Those animals have not had the benefit of veterinary care and commonly arrive with undiagnosed health issues. Consequently, our shelter must quarantine new arrivals in our Intake Isolation Ward for no less than five days to monitor for the presence of contagious diseases. A separate quarantine must also be provided for animals already suffering with contagious diseases. Without isolation wards, highly contagious diseases, such as parvo, would continually circulate and claim lives throughout our shelter.
Second Chance Pet Rescue is severely limited in our capacity to accept new animals. The Intake Isolation Ward accommodates a mere six quarantine cages. In effect, the spatial limitations of this isolation ward creates a bottleneck for the admittance of animals who would otherwise be accepted.
Second Chance Pet Rescue has begun a shelter expansion and renovation project! The plans include an enlargement of our isolation wards thereby increasing our capacity to rescue more dogs and cats in need of refuge.
As for Hope…Hope was born with demodectic mange. Critically ill, Hope was then dumped and left to starve. Hope was a nine week puppy who had only known suffering in her short life. This is not how the story of Hope should end!
Second Chance Pet Rescue is endeavoring to restore Hope’s health and will facilitate her journey toward adoption into a loving family. Never again should Hope suffer the pain of untreated illness, the fear of abandonment or the pangs of starvation.
We urge you to consider investing in our rescue of precious dogs and cats, just like Hope, who desperately and urgently need shelter, food, veterinary care, and placement into families; families in which they will know the soft touch of being loved, where they can thrive, and have the opportunity to give back their unconditional love. Visit www.doitforthepets.com for more information or to contribute online to our shelter expansion and renovation project. Please memo your contribution as “Facility Fund” or call us at the shelter at (918) 786-7630. Send contributions to HSGGL PO Box 451205, Grove OK, 74345
The post What does “HOPE” mean? A story by the Second Chance Pet Rescue of Grand Lake appeared first on Grand Lake Business Journal.com.