PCAWL Rescue Stories: Hank (renamed Lucky)
A Hound in Search of a Home
Things were looking bad for Hank, his sister and their mother. They had been on their own for a few weeks and hunting for dinner had turned out to be tougher than hunting for fun. Then there were the people who yelled and threw things at them. The once friendly little dogs grew more wary and hungry with each passing day. Then one day there was a dish of food, enough for one hungry dog, in the shelter of a barn. The following day there was another serving, again eagerly gobbled up by the three hungry dogs. Finally the young female was so hungry she took the chance and ran up to a man walking by. He petted her and spoke gently, then called to Hank and the mama dog. They were afraid but followed him to a fenced kennel and he gave them food.
That afternoon the three dogs were taken to the Rolla Animal Shelter. The owner had 5 days to claim his dogs it they were strays, then for 5 additional days they would be available for adoption. The first five days passed uneventfully. The two females were kenneled together, so were fairly content with having food, shelter and an occasional friendly pat. Poor Hank w
as all alone, depressed, frightened and getting sick. He was thin from the beginning, but was getting even thinner as time passed in spite of getting all the food he could eat.
Once available for adoption, the two females were soon taken to new homes, but Hank languished. The Animal Control officers gave him all the time they could, but eventually time was up for Hank. The PCAWL member who found him in the first place came back for him on that final day and took the sad, sick little guy to the vet, Dr. Janke. All three dogs had been entirely covered with ticks and had been treated with Frontline when they were first found. This didn't happen soon enough to prevent Hank from contracting a potentially fatal tick disease, Erlichisosis. Luckily for Hank, he responded well and quickly to the antibiotics prescribed for him and soon began to gain some much needed weight.
Hank turned out to be a very mild mannered little dog, willing to get along with other dogs, cats, and even--if he really had too--the chickens in the next run. He was friendly and eager to please the people caring for him. Once he was healthy enough, he had his neuter surgery and was then allowed to run loose through the fields on the afternoon walks. Hank was thrilled to chase bunnies again, now that it was just-for-fun and no longer a matter of life and death.
Life was better, but still Hank knew he wasn't yet "home". He was taken to a few adoption events and was always a hit with his friendly ways and big, pleading eyes. "Please adopt me" said his kerchief, but no one listened.
Then, one early June day, Hank's luck changed. He was busy greeting people at the Rt. 66 Summerfest when an adorable little girl caught his eye. It was love at first sight for Hank. Jo seemed smitten too. Her parents tried to resist, but two pairs of pleading eyes carried the day and Hank went to his forever home with his new best friend, Jo.
Hank's new name is "Lucky", a perfect name for a little waif who went from starvation to the home he had longed for. He's learning that special little dogs receive special treats, and he's learning to enjoy that very much.
Best wishes for a long and happy life together go to Jo and her little friend Lucky!
Story submitted by Georgia