"Hope", a stray dog really needs your help!
- Camille
- Feb 10
- 7 min read
Updated: Feb 11
Every year, numerous animals endure neglect, abuse, or accidents, leaving them in urgent need of assistance. One such instance involved a dog my sister and I encountered yesterday. This large white dog was standing in the middle of the road with blood streaming down its face. As we drove by, I asked my sister to pull over so I could get out and check on it. My sister was reluctant because she's not as at ease with dogs as I am. Having retired from Animal Control and previously worked as a vet tech, I've witnessed many similar situations and felt the need to help this poor thing.
As soon as I got out of the car and started talking to the dog, it approached me cautiously, with its tail and head lowered. When I petted its head, it gave a slight wag of its tail but stayed low. Upon inspecting the dog's bloody face, it was evident that the injuries or issues weren't recent. Her entire face was raw, oozing blood and pus, much of which had dried into her fur. The dog was limping, with several open wounds and some that were partially healed. One of her eyes was completely crusted shut. Essentially, her face, front legs, and paws were raw, clearly infected, and very painful. Despite the pain the dog was in, I was surprised at how docile and patient she was while I handled her; it nearly broke my heart.
Because my sister is not very comfortable with dogs, especially strange dogs, she was not comfortable with me putting the dog in her vehicle, so I called my husband, Brian, and asked him to meet us there. As we were waiting, my sister said she has seen this dog several times over the past few weeks in the same area, but thought it might belong to one of the neighbors. She said when she saw the dog before it appeared to be very dirty but didn't realize it was blood on it's muzzle. Our neighborhood is very rural and we have quite a few dogs that roam the area, most of them belong to the neighbors, but we're also the perfect place to abandon animals. Since we not far from home Brian got there pretty quick. The dog was very friendly, but coward more when my husband arrived. The dog was not sure about getting into the truck, so Brian had to pick it up to load. Once in the truck the dog panicked for a moment, but settled down once my husband got in.
The dog was wearing a very old plastic collar that was far to tight, but no tags. The tightness of the collar was particularly alarming. It not only posed a risk of physical discomfort for the dog but also raised questions about the care it had received. A collar that fits properly should allow for some movement and should not restrict the dog's neck or breathing. The tightness could potentially lead to more serious health issues, such as skin infections or even damage to the trachea if left unaddressed.
Brian brought the dog home and settled it in the garage with a blanket, a bowl of food, and a bowl of water. I still had an errand to run with my sister, so I didn't get there until a couple of hours later. When I arrived, the dog was hiding under the truck and hadn't touched the food or water. However, as soon as I started talking, its tail began to thump on the floor, and the dog slowly came out. While I kept talking, the dog went over to the food, ate it up, and started drinking, which I saw as a positive sign.
At this point, I was able to identify that the dog was female, and judging by her teeth, she was probably not very old. She resembled a small Great Pyrenees. Since it was a Sunday and all the vet clinics were closed, I gave her pain medication that I had from another dog of a similar size and used warm compresses to clean some of the blood and pus from her face. I also managed to wash enough of the crust from her eye, which was crusted shut, so she could see a bit better. She was incredibly sweet throughout the process. I think the warm rags might have felt soothing to her because she kept coming over to me every time I rinsed them for more.
After determining that she was a she, I figured I should give her a name. I considered "Story", since I'm sure she has one, I thought of "Sunday" since that was the day we found her, but then I thought 'Hope" was perfect. Thus the title of this blog.
The overall condition of the dog was terrible, exhibiting signs of neglect and distress that were hard to ignore. Its fur was matted and dirty. The lack of medical care was apparent. Its eyes, once bright and full of life, appeared dull and sunken, reflecting a sense of despair and abandonment.
Given these alarming signs, I think it is reasonable to conclude that the dog was either abandoned, lost, or owned by someone who should not have animals in their care. The possibility of abandonment seems particularly plausible, as the dog was found wandering alone, without any identification or signs of a home. Alternatively, it may have escaped from a yard or a house where it was not properly cared for, leading to its current state.
The thought that this poor creature could belong to someone in our neighborhood is troubling. I am truly hoping that its owner is not one of our neighbors, as it raises concerns about the welfare of other animals in the vicinity. It is disheartening to think that someone could neglect an animal to such an extent, and it makes me wonder about the circumstances that might have led to this situation.
In any case, the dog deserves immediate attention and care. It is crucial that we take steps to ensure its safety and well-being, whether that means finding its owner, if it has one, or asking the public for help paying for the vet bills and it's care. The plight of this dog serves as a reminder of the responsibilities that come with pet ownership and the importance of compassion towards all living beings.
In the past I never asked for donations, I just used the proceeds from the sales of the products I sell online, tinctures, soaps, mixed media art and laser engraving, but my bank account is pretty low due to some other veterinary expenses, such as Magnum eating a little girl's sock and having to have surgery to remove it. So, if you can help, even in the smallest way please consider donating to Hope's rescue. Ultimately we will be trying to find a foster or a forever home for her, but she's going to need so care first.
Hope's story is far from over, but we do have an appointment with the vet tomorrow to see the extent of her medical needs. I will keep everyone posted.
Additionally, since I have never asked for donations before, I would appreciate any suggestions on how to streamline the process.
The Importance of Animal Welfare and Rescue Organizations
Hope is going to be staying with us until we can determine what kind of treatment is needed and until we can see that progress is happening. We have all the respect in the world for the shelters and rescues that are out there, but we also know the reality of how full they all are. Which is the reason we decided to handle this one here. Almost all of the animals we have here now are rescues and we are at capacity, so once we are out of the woods with Hope, we will be looking for a forever home, or possibly a foster situation.
Right now shelters and rescues, ;like us, are at capacity and all of these groups rely heavily on donations and volunteers to operate. They often face challenges such as limited resources, high medical costs, and emotional strain from witnessing animal suffering. Yet, their work saves lives and restores hope to animals like Hope.
Supporting animal welfare means more than just rescuing animals. It involves advocating for stronger laws against abuse, educating the public about responsible pet ownership, and promoting kindness toward all living beings.
How You Can Help Animals Like Hope
Readers have multiple ways to help combat animal abuse and support rescue initiatives. While I'm currently requesting donations due to urgent needs, I advise thoroughly researching any animal charity, as many may not prioritize animal welfare. Before donating to larger organizations, consider supporting local or smaller rescues that don't use your contributions for CEO salaries and advertising for more donations.
Some of the bigger charities such as the ASPCA pay their CEO's 6 figure incomes.
The CEO of the ASPCA, Matthew Bershadker, earns an estimated annual salary of $750,000, with his total compensation, including bonuses and benefits, reaching about $1,073,859. In 2024, his reported total compensation was approximately $996,647, highlighting the significant scale and impact of his responsibilities. This level of compensation is part of a broader trend in the animal welfare sector, where executive salaries can be quite high due to the organization's substantial revenue and the importance of its mission.
If you donate $100 to the ASPCA and are curious about how your donation was utilized, consider the following:
$57 was allocated to staff salaries, office-related expenses, travel, and conferences. (CEO's)
$28 was used for advertising, promotion, and fees for outside services, including professional fundraisers.
Only $6 out of every $100 was dedicated to veterinary services, operating supplies, and grants to other non-profits focused on animal protection.
$3 out of every $100 covered miscellaneous expenses, leaving $4 unspent and allocated to the organization’s general fund, which had nearly $500 million at year-end.
The ASPCA is one of the most widely recognized non-profits dedicated to animal welfare in the country. Founded in 1866, the ASPCA has been around for over 150 years. As with most non-profits, the question isn't whether the ASPCA does good work (they do) but whether they could achieve more or improve with the public support they receive (they could).
So these are my suggestions:
Donate to local rescue organizations
Financial contributions help cover veterinary bills, food, shelter, and other essential needs. Even small donations add up and make a difference.
Volunteer your time
Many rescues need help with animal care, fundraising events, or administrative tasks. Volunteering offers hands-on experience and a chance to make a direct impact.
Foster animals in need
Temporary foster homes provide a safe environment for animals recovering from trauma or waiting for adoption.
Spread awareness
Sharing stories like Hope’s raises public consciousness about animal welfare issues and encourages others to get involved.
Report suspected abuse
If you witness or suspect animal cruelty, contact local authorities or animal protection agencies immediately.
The Road Ahead for Hope and Others
Hope’s journey is far from over but her story reminds us that every animal deserves kindness and protection. By supporting rescue efforts, we can help more animals escape suffering and find the care they need to thrive.
Thank you for reading........Camille
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