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Here at Pasado’s Safe Haven, we can’t imagine casting aside a family member when they needed our help the most. Euthanasia for treatable ailments is never acceptable, but in a country where it is customary to use something once and then cast it aside, it has become increasingly common for people to disregard and discard their pets instead of helping and healing them. Living in a “disposable” society has environmental, social, and emotional consequences, and Gir the Dachshund learned this sad lesson first hand.
A back injury, incontinence, and a severe eye infection were a disastrous recipe for Gir, who had bravely and brightly faced his ailments. Gir had a painful slipped disc in his back which caused his incontinence. When Gir’s incontinence became an inconvenience for his family, they decided to euthanize him. Fortunately, a kind vet couldn’t sanction Gir’s untimely death. Despite Gir’s condition, at four years of age, he still had many happy years ahead. The vet called Pasado’s for help and we were more than happy to intervene.
Gir arrived at the sanctuary with multiple medical issues. At four years old, he’s a young dog, but his condition is more indicative of an older dog – or a dog who had possibly suffered from a life of neglect. But grateful Gir took everything in stride.
Gir in his heated
cabin with his friend,
Forest
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Gir’s first veterinary assessment here revealed his spinal injury and associated incontinence issues, but he had other signs of mistreatment and neglect, as well. Gir’s fur was badly matted, he had a terrible infestation of fleas, and he was afflicted with a painful eye condition. Dogs have a third eyelid that contains a tear gland, and when Gir arrived, he had an untreated “cherry eye,” which is a condition where the gland of the third eyelid prolapses and swells. Cherry eye is so named because it appears as a red mass in the corner of the eye. It gets infected very easily and the eye becomes chronically inflamed, causing dryness, irritation, and discomfort. A surgical procedure will fix this condition and alleviate his pain, and we are only sorry that Gir had to suffer for so long.
A closer assessment of Gir’s spinal injury revealed that he has modified the way that he walks. Humans who have spinal injuries often have modified gaits, and Gir walks on his tip toes, possibly in an attempt to alleviate his discomfort. Even with this impediment, Gir greatly enjoys going for walks, and his attitude is always upbeat. He’s a friendly little dog who always greets visitors with a sweet smile and a wagging tail.
At Pasado’s, we know that being a pet owner is so much more than just feeding and housing a pet– it’s giving, loving, and growing with them, and maintaining a devoted, long-term relationship. While Gir’s owners had half-heartedly attempted acupuncture as a treatment for his ailments, they gave up on him quickly, never addressing his multiple other ailments.
While Gir’s story resonates with all of us, tales like his are becoming tragically common: for whatever reason, owners are not paying for the quality of life that their beloved pets deserve.
We understand that the economy has been difficult on people in all walks of life. Whether we are two-legged or four-legged, individuals or non-profit organizations, we have felt the impact of the economic downturn. But our beloved pets shouldn’t be the silent victims of this economy – and with your support, we can continue to ensure that sweet souls like Gir don’t fall through the cracks. Pasado’s is raising money for Gir’s eye surgery and to treat his other medical conditions. We don’t know how long this little love suffered, but we do know that his suffering is almost over. With your support, we can provide this grateful little guy the quality of life that he so greatly deserves. Click
here to make a world of difference for little Gir.
Thank you, from all of the animals here at Pasado’s Safe Haven. Your support means the world to all of us.
(don't forget
to ask your employer
to match your donation)
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