Two weeks ago I met Loca after my groomer asked me to network for her, another of his clients. Loca's owner, a veteran, who works as a drug and alcohol counselor, going to school for his PHD was injured, requiring surgery and needed to re-home her, as his recovery is estimated at 6 weeks. At 70#, living on 2 floors, and her strength and high energy still at 7/8 yrs of age, he saw no other option. Loca has lived only 10 months in Womelsdorf, PA with her owner and a male Chihuahua. She is deeply loved, but sometimes life gives us challenges and until you are faced with tough decisions you do not know your response. When picking Loca up to update her rabies and a check up, including a mass she was scratching, with Dr Jennifer Fry, The Vet on Main, Birdsboro, her owner told me more of her story. He had adopted her from one of Berks County's shelters through a free adoption for veterans program. She had been in the shelter for a year, transported from New Orleans. The Berks shelter told him the 5 masses she has were noncancerous and the cost to remove them from their veterinary hospital would be $4,000. Since he was told they were benign he opted not to have surgery. When we walked into the vet office Loca was reactive to 2 larger dogs, but easily redirected. Her tail did not stop wagging with staff and she could not give enough kisses. As soon as Dr Fry looked at the masses, one which Loca has been scratching, she said cancer. Looked at her red paws, her damaged ear and went to the computer to check her previous vet records. Her medical waiver for transport from the vet at the New Orleans shelter clearly stated chronic ear infections requiring ear canal removal surgery, chronic allergies, dental issues, 5 cancerous masses. That file accompanied her to the Berks shelter, where she resided for a year. Their records indicated the only care they gave her was steroids and antibiotics, yet they house a newly renovated $3 million dollar grant funded veterinary hospital said to be completed to better service the community. And the adopter was told none of what was on record. On my drive back to Loca's home, she in the backseat with her seatbelt harness, she strained to be near me. Maneuvering to the console her tail wagged nonstop. She gave me the side eye and when I'd look at her, she'd lunge to give kisses. When I'd speak to her the face bath was accompanied by leaps. I return Loca home to now have to tell the owner we have more issues making her more unlikely to be re-homed. Dog selective, costly life enhancing surgeries required. For two weeks a tribe grew, networking to find Loca's miracle, a safe place to land with the assistance of fundraising. Two potential adopters stepped up, but their female large dogs were not for Loca. Rescues, even those who specialize in hard to place dogs, could not accommodate. Commitments of donations, of fundraising, but no soft place for Loca to land. With one day left for her to be euthanized or returned to the negligent shelter, her groomer asked the owner if we could board her for a few weeks of his surgery recovery, fundraise for her necessary surgeries could she return home. The owner gratefully agreed. Tonight I transport Loca to an Angel, who has a boarding kennel, who always has accepted rescue dogs, misfits, difficult dogs, dogs for homeless while they get on their feet, dogs for folks experiencing life's challenges, rehab, hospital stays and more. She will be as loved as she was at home and the kennel owner may be able to have a breakthrough with her fear, trauma, based reactions to larger dogs from her days on the streets of New Orleans. So we need your help. Costs of boarding, feeding are the minor expenses, but need to be covered. Allergy meds will likely be ongoing. Surgery for 5 masses to be removed will be completed by Dr Jennifer Fry, The Vet on Main, Birdsboro likely at half the cost the nonprofit shelter quoted. If you prefer to put money on Loca's account it is under her name and The Wellness Center for Pets & Their People ( my organization shutdown December, 2024 but account remains to assist when I am able) you may drop off your donation or send it via snail mail. They are unable to accept credit card payments over the phone. Loca must be seen by a specialist for her ear canal removal. I will get a referral from Dr Fry for this and will post their information and estimate in an update. Thank you all for caring. Loca loves everyone she meets, yet, humans, "humane" organizations have let her down. The initial vet record on file was from 2024. She was allowed to suffer with multiple conditions for more than TWO YEARS. These surgeries will enhance her quality of life and she is deserving.
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