Saving Abel By: Tracy Lurie – August 2014 On a chilly and blustery Sunday several weeks ago, my two volunteer friends and I had enjoyed a fun and rewarding day walking the dogs. We drove off, dusty and exhausted, but happy – leaving the Sanctuary dogs and cats behind, content and dozing… winter sunshine bouncing off the kennel roofs. I turned off into the Ducats informal settlement as I was dropping off a staff member. Coming to a stop, my friend Jaci gasped and turned to face me, her eyes brimming with tears. She said there was a starving dog scavenging on the dusty road outside her passenger window. I could see by her face and her strained voice, that whatever poor creature was outside – I didn’t want to see him. I grabbed for the packet of dog biscuits that I always travel with and Jaci dropped them out of the window. She groaned as pigs and goats came trotting over and bullied him out of the way, sending him limping off down the road… still I didn’t look. I didn’t want to see his sadness and his suffering. I didn’t want that vivid picture of dejection forever imprinted on my mind – and have it clutch at my heart and tighten my throat. I drove off. Monique in the back seat and Jaci next to me, no-one saying a word. I told myself I had to get Monique back to Lavender Blue as her mom would be waiting for her. But in my aching heart I knew that I just didn’t want to see, didn’t want to spoil a happy day spent with happy dogs and cats, and happy people - if I didn’t see him and witness his desperate situation, then maybe I could forget…. We all said good-bye at Lavender Blue. Forced smiles and false laughter – and I drove home. The afternoon dragged on. A dull heaviness weighed me down. Jaci and Monique both messaged – saying how they couldn’t get the sad, old ginger dog out of their thoughts. By evening I was ashamed that I had not looked. My eyes may not have seen, but this dogs’ silent plea for help had gone straight into my heart – and I knew I had to find him. That night was windy and icy, and I lay awake thinking of him curled up somewhere cold, trying to get warm… I knew that if anyone could find a stray, wandering dog it was Sue Kriel! I couldn’t wait to call her on Monday morning, and despite having an incredibly busy day of settling vet bills and school talks - she agreed to meet me at the Ducats entrance. When I arrived I was relieved to see Sue’s car already there. People and livestock milled chaotically about, but as we searched, there was no sign of our stray. I hoped desperately that I had not failed him forever when I had driven away the day before… just as it was starting to seem futile; I glimpsed a ginger shape in the long grass behind a shack. I panicked that the pounding of my heart may scare him off! I called softly and an old mangy head wobbled up – sad, kind eyes peered back at me. I called to Sue and was so indebted to her as she took charge. She kneeled down next to him and quietly told him that we were there to help…. After a few minutes of gaining his trust, she simply scooped him up in her arms. His big bony body struggled and kicked but Sue just held him tighter. I ran ahead to open my car door and when I turned around and saw her stumbling along the stony dirt road with the emaciated stray clutched to her chest – I felt that I had never before been prouder to be part of EL Pet Pals… Sue phoned ahead to the Sanctuary and by the time I turned into the driveway, Tony, Elaine, Rod and Brenda were waiting in the car park – like a little casualty team! Once safely in a kennel – cosy with pillows and blankets, he was fed and medicated. Over the next hour, we all sat with him and he was enveloped in more tenderness and care than I’m certain he had received during his lifetime as an invisible stray…. I was so thankful to Sue and the compassionate and caring team at Pet Pals who devote their lives to unloved animals, and whose hearts are filled with empathy. Sitting with this battered soul, I looked into his eyes and all the sadness of the world seemed to be there… he was then named “Abel” for despite an unimaginable journey and a lifetime of neglect; he was still able to humbly show love….. On the opposite side of town Jaci shed a tear at her desk when I sent a picture from my phone of an old ginger stray wrapped in the familiar Pet Pals blankets. Abels’ bony body was marred by mange, open sores and growths. An old injury caused his one rear paw to face with the pads upwards and backwards when he walked – literally on his ankle, which had even grown a protective callous. Sitting silently with him – I tried to imagine a life where every minute of every day is spent searching for food, water and shelter… often in pain and ill-health. Could there be a more lonely and wretched existence? Barely a week later when the grip of winter arrived, I was so grateful that we were able to bring this gentle old stray in from the cold…. To go to sleep at night content in the knowledge that caring hands have tucked him in and stroked his tattered ears. After a few days Sue, in her vigilance noticed a lethargy in Abel and rushed him to the vet, who then ascertained that he needed to start immediate treatment for an infection and a prostate-type cancer. We all held our breath. By the following Sunday I was amazed when he trotted out to the front of his kennel to greet us – back paw flopping and spindly tail wagging hard! As I write this, tomorrow is his last treatment and he has a promising prognosis. Our darling Abel relishes every moment of his new life…. Car rides to his vet appointments, arriving back at his kennel, every meal, every kind word, his cushioned basket and his spotted toy. Ruth and Elaine often leave his kennel door open and say Abel wanders quietly out to take a peek at the boisterous gang of office dogs, but is soon seen ambling back to the tranquillity of his quiet kennel. It breaks my heart when I think of all the “Abels” still out there…… unloved, uncared for, unwanted and unseen….and when they are gone, unmissed…. The solution is in all our hands. To have a heart that never hardens and a touch that never harms. To always rescue or adopt and to never, ever breed or buy. To remember that bought puppies have mothers and fathers who live miserable lives as breeding machines. You can make a difference – they are counting on you. Stop the demand. End the supply. Make an educated choice – and a responsible decision. Rescued pets need homes more than breeders and pet shops need your money. Remember that every adoption from a shelter frees up a space for the next life that can then be saved. Please know, that by supporting EL Pet Pals in any way you can, no matter how small – impacts on every homeless pet in our care. So open your heart to the unimaginable joys of adopting an animal orphan…..you’ll be amazed at the rewards of befriending and truly loving a non-human being……
Posted on: Sat, 16 Aug 2014 08:46:16 +0000
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