The 27-pound mixed breed female that hobbled out of the roadside woods to greet Patrick Miller, Animal Control Officer, was bringing a lesson to share.
Patrick suspected a hit and run with the number of cuts in her body and the skew of her bloodied jaw. Her ribs were defined under white and brown fur with the last good meal long forgotten. The left eye also seemed cloudy. It would take a vet to confirm and repair her broken hip, but Patrick knew she was in pain even without an aggressive reaction to his touch. She was one more of the many good dogs that tugged him back to work, day after day, patrolling Aiken County for the lost, abused, and injured. Each case saddened him but rewarded him as well with the chance to help and be part of a success story. And that’s what this is.
Dr. Mike Wells, a veterinarian helping the Aiken County Animal Shelter and Dr. Lisa Levy, DVM for the shelter, surgically reset the broken hip and sutured the cuts. The empty sockets of teeth that had been knocked out would heal with the support of antibiotics. Dr. Levy says, “She is one of the most physically challenged dogs we have seen but her spirit has never wavered. The jaw muscles have atrophied and she can only open her mouth enough to eat canned food.”
Kathy Jacobs, FOTAS Programs Coordinator, adds, “She is all love and never stopped fighting. We call her Spirit. Dogs like Spirit are the reason FOTAS is so committed to the shelter.”
When Kathy introduced me to Spirit, I knelt on one knee with my camera bag at my side. Spirit without hesitation sat on the bag of this stranger, and leaned into my leg, turning her head to look up at me, nuzzling into my hand. On the exhale of a deep breath, I murmured, “Good dog. What a sweetheart. An inspiration.”
Perhaps that is the lesson Spirit came to the shelter to share… to live for today with joy unburdened by pains and sorrows of yesterdays.
Dr. Levy estimates Spirit is 2 years old. Kathy says Spirit walks well on a leash, appears to be housetrained, but like most trauma dogs, needs personal care and time to adjust.
“Her tongue slips out occasionally through the missing teeth, but no harm, she’ll pull it back or give you kiss,” Kathy said. “Spirit will be as loyal as a pet can be to the lucky people who adopt her.”
If you want to take a short walk with Spirit or quiet get-acquainted time to consider her lesson, call now to schedule a visit: 803-979-2634. If you’re not ready to adopt, visit the County Shelter anyway to feel good, donate, and volunteer.
Their lives are in our hands.
Editor’s Note: Spirit was adopted by a wonderful Aiken family shortly after this column was published by the Aiken Standard.
— by Vince Verrecchio, FOTAS Volunteer
