Six months ago Nevada Humane Society saved a special little dog named Dave. Many of you read about Dave through NHS’ Facebook page, email correspondence, and website. A great number of you donated towards Dave’s care and to NHS’ fund for animals in need of profound medical assistance, Emily’s Fund. First, thank you. The special folks of this community often stand up for animals in need and lead the nation in adopting from shelters—demonstrative of this community not just talking the talk, but indeed walking the walk.
I have often been awed by this community’s generosity of spirit (adopting special needs and older animals), generosity of time (NHS boasts over 8,000 volunteers and 2,400 foster families), and generosity of resources (as NHS has saved more lives, this community has invested more resources). Yet, the outpouring of love that Dave received truly blew me down. Thus, I thought I owed you a Dave update.
Dave is thriving. First thing, out of the gate, you deserve to know that. Briefly, I will rewind the tape and remind you who Dave was when he arrived at NHS before illuminating who he is now, post-recovery. Dave came to NHS with multiple injuries and a very sad story (it took everything I had not to say a very sad “tail”). Dave was just a baby, 6 months old, when he was struck by a car. His owner witnessed the accident, but turned a blind eye as Dave dragged himself back to his own yard. Dave was left there to die.
Dave suffered two broken legs and a shattered pelvis, but fortunately he also experienced one lucky break—he made his way to Nevada Humane Society. Through whiz-bang medical intervention (courtesy of NHS’ amazing medical team and Sierra Veterinary Specialists) bolstered by the outpouring of love Dave received, he underwent corrective operations and began his road to recovery. Dave was given state-of-the-art care including physical and hydro therapy.
Dave is now… well, Dave is a dog. He can run and play, snuggle and cause mischief. He has been given a new leash on life and though his young life began in a dark place, it’s all sunshine from here on out. NHS even went the extra mile to provide Dave with some training classes—he spent much of his developmental period confined to cage rest so this special step just further ensures his life will be, as my grandmother use to say “nothing but beer and skittles”.
Dave is but one of the ten thousand animals who come to NHS in search of second chance. As a result of your support, your love, and your homes they find a shelter where tomorrow is not something to fear but the day they’ll find their forever home.
Dave is far from the only animal currently benefiting from the miraculous power of Emily’s Fund. A cat caught in a leg-hold trap errantly left in public space is slowly recuperating. Hundreds of dogs suffering from Parvo are pulled from the brink and given lifesaving care. A little dog thrown from a car, while sporting two casts, is quickly returning to health. A pet living with ataxia has been fitted for a wheelchair. A dog who was left injured in a field, forced to chew of his own leg, is now bounding around his new home, with three legs but a new family. The list goes on and on. Emily’s Fund changes lives because you care enough to support it.
Thank you for being the change that helps these animals move beyond their pasts and embrace their bright futures. I am confident that I can speak for all of the families that have made these “forgotten pets” members of their families – thank you, not just for changing the lives of these pets, but for changing our lives as well. Speaking for only myself, I’ll never forget these pets or what you and Nevada Humane Society did for them.
P.S. Notice our “Pet of the Week” and join use TOMORROW in Wingfield Park for NHS’ Annual Duck Race & Festival! Adopt a Duck and Save a Dog like Dave.
The Nevada Humane Society Blog 