I am not an animal psychic or communicator, just a concerned individual that started a rescue with my husband, Dr. Matthew Wheaton of Alicia Pet Care Center. In the almost 4 years that The PRC has been rescuing we have successfully adopted 335 dogs and cats into their forever homes. This experience has been incredibly rewarding and eye opening.
One thing has been clear to me with each and every rescue though... They do know. They do appreciate being rescued. They do show you in every possibly way.
A great example of this is Chaya...
Chaya's story is NOT extraordinary. Because stories like hers happen all of the time. But Chaya was extraordinary to us, extraordinary in every way.
January 21st, 2011 - Chaya was brought to my attention through an email from another concerned rescuer, Dan of The Stand Foundation who had happened to be in the LA Shelter lobby when Chaya was being brought out of the Shelter Vet's office. When he inquired, she was so sick and emaciated she was not being offered for rescue or adoption, she was only given the likelihood of death. He snapped pictures and sent out an email plea to fellow rescuers.
This is when I got involved. Fortunately, through Dans intervention he persuaded the shelter to release Chaya to us because we could assess her medically more thoroughly than they could and hopefully treat her.
It was touch and go, we didn't know if she would survive the transport, I didn't know if she'd survive treatment, I just knew she didn't deserve to die without trying to save her. So she knew someone cared.
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| She weighed 37.5 lbs |
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| She was weak and had to be carried into The PRC |
It may not seem so in her pictures, but she was fortunate. After she was examined by Dr. Wheaton, it was discovered that she did NOT have kidney or liver failure, no signs of neurological damage from the starvation, and superficial wounds that would heal with care. She had a long road to recovery ahead, but recovery was possible.
One week later .... the staff was completely smitten, she was happy, well behaved, and gaining weight.
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| She is now 46.5 lbs after 1 week of care!! |
I continued to correspond with Dan, her shelter rescuer, over Chaya's entire time with us (and still to this day). This was my update at Week 1 - "Chaya is doing well. She is still being treated for her ear and skin infections. She is loving life, she snuggles with the staff, she gives kisses, and her weight has risen from 37 lbs to 46.5 in just one week. She has a ways to go, but we are thankful for all and any support to help us pay for our veterinary bills. She has passed every test with flying colors which is wonderful news. She continues to defy what in most cases is inevitable diabetes, kidney failure, liver problems, etc. Despite all her past hardship and all that we feel might appear diagnostically, she is so far, healthy. Except that she was starved. So with food in hand, and many treats, she is learning to trust in her caretakers again. "
Week 2
This was my update at Week 2 - "Chaya is doing great. Tomorrow is officially 2 weeks with us. As of yesterday she weighed 51.4 lbs. That is 14.4 lbs more that she came in with! Yeay! She has developed kennel cough, which can lay dormant for a while. So it was not a total surprise. She is 1/2 way through treatment for it and going to be just fine really soon."
Two weeks! It's remarkable and astonishing to think she was slated to die and came so close in so many ways.
Week 3
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| Karolyn (APCC RVT) was the nurse who carried Chaya into the hospital the day we received her. As you can see they had a very special bond. :) |
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| Chaya's starvation actually suppressed her immune system which hid some of her other "issues". As she gained weight, they surfaced. She had terrible skin issues, parasites and severe allergies, which took weeks to get under control. |
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| The bald and raw patches are where her hair fell out from scratching due to the allergies and parasites. |
My week 3 update - She is now 54lbs! Yeay! 3 weeks this Saturday, she will have gained at least 17 lbs. She is very sweet as you can see. She is very dog aggressive though. Which hopefully she will outgrow w/ training and trusting people again. As health improves she is revealing to us she is very allergic. Very allergic. She is on meds and we really hope she will improve quickly. Dr. Wheaton deals with a lot of allergy cases so he is pretty confident that her allergies will be manageable after they are better controlled. For now though she is very scabby and her fur is pretty spotty. She is getting fur back in the wound areas. I can't wait to see her in a few more weeks.
Week 4
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| 62 lbs!!!!! |
Week 5
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| I think Chaya thinks she is a person, hehe. |
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| At 5 weeks into her recovery she is very healthy looking. Almost gone is the visible spine, the patches of missing hair, scabs and the sad sunken face. Her allergies and parasites are under control. |
My week 5 update - Chaya is doing great! You will melt in these pix. I have never seen a sweeter dog. She kisses, she hugs, she gently plays, and LOVES her Kong. She is almost double her intake weight. She is still struggling with her allergies, which are pretty severe and a mean case of parasites that doesn't want to go away. I can still see ribs as you can see in the photo, and Dr. Wheaton says she is close but not at her full weight yet. She is recovering so so so well, we are just now trying to get her skin under control and her weight level and we will start working towards finding her a home. We love her!
Week 7
Week 7 - Chaya has officially stolen all of our hearts! She is healthy, her weight has leveled off at 67 lbs (she may gain more but at a slower pace over time), all of her skin issues are controlled and she is comfortable again, and she is our official social butterfly. She plays with each and every size and shape of dog we introduce her to.
Almost 4 Months - Chaya is ready to find her Forever Family!!! I wonder who they are?
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| Casey, our Director of Operations, also had a wonderful bond with Chaya. She was lucky enough to get a lot of kisses, from our sweet girl. |
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| Look at her healthy little body! It makes me happy beyond words!! Her struggles have actually helped other dogs and families after an article was written and featured Chaya. http://www.ocinsite.com/index.php/lifestyle/articles/fidos_springtime_itch |
On May 13th, Chaya was adopted by her forever family!!!! We are so happy for her, but very sad to see her go. We can't wait for her 1st visit back to all of us at The Pet Rescue Center!!! Thank you for caring and reading her story. She has affected us all deeply, as I am sure she has affected you.
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| Smiles all around :) |
I wanted to tell her story so she can inspire you to make a difference, to believe in and support what we do, so we can continue to rescue at risk dogs and cats from unnecessary euthanasia, again and again.
Please help! Donate today!!! We can not do what we do without your financial support. Thank you.
