I'm just gonna copy this from our site. I get to see way too much stuff working at the SPCA. Kinda makes some of the stresses of signmaking seem not so bad...
VICTOR
Victor's story of neglect is disheartening and tragic, his story of survival is amazing, and his recovery has been miraculous.
It was October 6, 2001, a Saturday morning. A call came in about a starving dog in a backyard on Victoria Avenue in Buffalo. SPCA Special Agent Bill Sullivan responded. Upon arrival at the scene, Bill found what appeared to be the carcass of a dead dog in the backyard. Bill got out his camera and began taking pictures at the scene to be used as evidence. It was at this point that Bill saw the dog take a breath. He immediately loaded the dog into his truck and rushed him to the shelter.
Upon arrival at the SPCA, technicians immediately began examining the emaciated dog. Other than taking an occasional breath, the dog showed absolutely no signs of life. Even with a stethoscope, technicians could not detect a heartbeat, he had no reflexes or pain responses, and he could not even blink his eyes. His temperature did not register on a normal thermometer. A special thermometer was located and his temperature registered 62 degrees, a full 40 degrees below normal. At this point, technicians called local veterinarian, Dr. Lou Budik. Dr. Budik felt that saving the poor dog was worth a try and gave instruction on how to proceed.
The first step in caring for this dog was to start an IV. However, in a dog that has no blood pressure, starting an IV is not an easy chore. Technician, Barbara Frazier successfully installed an IV catheter and warmed saline solution was started along with other medications to treat shock. Several other staff members went to work, trying to warm his body. He was bathed with warm water, dried with a hair dryer and wrapped in warm blankets and surrounded with hot water bottles.
Two hours later his temperature was up to 75 degrees, he had a discernable heart beat and could blink his eyes. By 8 pm his temperature was up to 86 degrees, he could lift his head and was wagging his tail. Sunday morning his temperature was normal, he was awake, alert and had a ravenous appetite. He was given small feedings every two hours for the first few days. Victor, as he was aptly named, was able to stand on his own just 3 days later. Victor's miraculous recovery continues to this day, from his initial weight of just 25 lbs., he has gained nearly one pound each day. He is now a very healthy and robust 84 lbs., and seemingly has suffered no permanent damage due to his ordeal."
Posted by cheryl nordby (Member # 1100) on :
What a great story!!!!! Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
That is kinda how we ended up with Butch.
His former owner had been abusing him in an attempt to make him into some sort of mean guarddog.
Part of that abuse was to have him tied to a pole with no water or shade during the summer. Dad and I used to climb over the barbed-wire fence to bring him water when the owner wasn't around.
I finally got tired of it and called animal control to file a complaint.
After being confronted, the owner decided to just have him put to sleep. I wasn't about to let that happen. I paid him $5 buck for Butch and brought him over to our shop.
As near as we can tell, Butch is about 13 or 14. He's losing his hearing and has a bad hip from when his previous owner had kicked him and didn't provide any veterinary attention for a cracked hip bone.
He's a little slow getting up years old these days. He's not eating as much either. But, we love him as if he was a child of our own.
I have no tolerance for anyone abusing animals.
Posted by Shirley Carron (Member # 2446) on :
Dana, Hopefully my INS won't cut out before I finish this.
My heart was broken to see what became of that poor dog.
I admire your devotion to these lost... stray...without a home, animals...
it truly breaks my heart, I've spent my entre life around animals of all different nature, I've worked along-side the local 'vets', I've waken at 2 am to feed a bunch of "kids", I've delivered a foal,a calf or two, I've had the hard task of having to 'put down' a newborn in my life.. none of it has been easy..I've saved few..I've had too destroy a few, "just a neccessity" or 'had to be done', or "for the best" kinda thing,, but the issue of puppies & kits for the everyday "normal"people/families of the world..C''mon people..it's ALMOST like adopting a kid.
Yours is your RESPONSIBILITY to teach, teach love, socialize,educate and make a part of..you, your life, and MOSTLY give to that pup or kit the BEST part of you..no matter .. provide a home, food, shelter, a safe , loving "BELONGING" place, for they are here for not a long time, Cherish them...would anyone here ask for more, for themselves?
Posted by Mike Pulskamp (Member # 3475) on :
How can people do the things that they do? Come on... dogs are without question better "people" than most people. Heck if it weren't for dogs we would still be living in trees. It allways amazes me the civility of my dogs.
Posted by Steve Burke (Member # 2674) on :
Maybe the SPCA should be allowed to repeat the treatment to the people who perpetrate this behavour on animals, and see how THEY like it...right downtown, with a sign showing the reason.
Posted by Stephen Deveau (Member # 1305) on :
Dana great story.
I say that the law should (Hunt this Bastard) down that did this. Chain them down with a bowl of food just out of reach and allow them to starve to the point of near dead.
Lets see what their thoughts are then....
Some people should not be allowed near "Children or Pets."
Thanks
Posted by Dawn Ellis (Member # 3529) on :
Dana, what a heartwarming story of amazing recovery. I cry to think of what poor Victor endured in the time it took to reach the state he was in. I believe the laws against people who abuse animals are way too lenient. Bye the way did you hear that the City of West Hollywood has become the first US city to ban the practice of declawing cats?
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