Rango was found in early September in a semi-rural area in east Gainesville. He was taken to Alachua County Animal Services, and his intake photo broke a lot of hearts. Fortunately the broken hearts were also strong ones, and instead of simply mourning, a number of rescuers who learned about Rango worked around the clock to find a foster home, rescue, and funding to pull him. He was out of the shelter in a few days and went to live with a loving foster family who enjoyed every minute of his goofy, loving, playful nature. He especially loved playing with his foster sister Ruby. Rango gained weight and strength enough to be neutered, and in late November, he began treatment for the heartworm disease. He seemed to be doing well, but died suddenly and unexpectedly in his sleep in early December.
Boomer was adopted to what appeared to be a good home in 2005. In early October 2011 he was returned to Phoenix Animal Rescue in terrible shape – emaciated, full of sores, with a tumor on his abdomen and advanced heartworm disease. He received extensive veterinary treatment and the best possible care from Phoenix staff and volunteers and dedicated veterinarians and technicians at West End Animal Hospital. Unfortunately, the heartworm disease was too far advanced, and Boomer died on December 21.
Both Boomer and Rango had a few months of good food, love, and the best possible care. In this respect they were luckier than many dogs in their situation – most sick, emaciated pit bulls who are abandoned or left at shelters are quickly euthanized. The rescuers who open their hearts and wallets for dogs like this are rewarded not just by the humble gratitude of amazed folks like me but most important by the resilience and love of these amazing dogs. They may not last as long as we hope, and there are always more that slip by before we can reach out a hand, but no one loves life more than a rescued dog. They remind us that it is always worth taking a chance on a creature in need.
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