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John Muir once said that between every two pines, there is a doorway to a new world. For Forest the dog, though, the woods must have felt more like the end of his world than the doorway to a new one. Forest was once owned and loved by a family, but this sweet senior was abandoned when he was at his most vulnerable. While we don’t know for sure what happened to Forest on the day that his family abandoned him, we can surely imagine it…
The day was just like any other: Forest’s family invited him into the car, and he obligingly jumped in, just as he had so many times before. His heart fluttered with excitement as he watched the suburbanite scenes gradually fade to hillsides thick with tall trees. The car continued down a forest service road, and when they reached the end, Forest’s tall ears pricked up. Were they going for a walk? Hiking on a well-worn trail? He looked at his family expectantly. The car door opened and Forest excitedly jumped out. He was told to stay, and he obediently sat down upon the cold ground. But then the door closed – and the car began to depart without him. His heart began beating rapidly, the sound of his pulse becoming deafening even as the sound of the tires on gravel faded away. They drove off until they could not see Forest among the trees – not that they looked back. Old, thin, and vulnerable, his family had left him in the woods without a backward glance. What have I done? Forest wondered. Why have they left me?
Forest whimpered and whined, his old haunches splayed slightly with age. They told him to stay, but after many hours, he trotted down the road, sniffing and crying. Where had they gone? Were they coming back? Hours faded to days, and with the passage of time, so faded Forest’s hope. While we would like to say that Forest’s story is unusual, the sad truth is that this tragic script has been played out for countless canines who are the silent victims of the economic downturn.
Forest was fortunate, though: his story was not to end in tragedy. A kind soul found him far up in the woods outside of rural Long Beach, Washington, along the power lines. He was thin from eking out an existence in the woods, and when he was rescued, he jumped right into the back of his rescuer’s SUV as soon as the gate was opened. He knew exactly what to do, and he couldn’t seem to get enough food. While he wasn’t wearing a collar, the fur around his neck was worn, as though one had recently been removed. Forest was unidentifiable, untraceable, and when his rescuer placed notices about him, there was never a response. His owners didn’t want to claim him. Pasado’s was delighted to take in this sweet senior, and Forest has fit in perfectly with the pack of pups at Pasado’s Dog Towne.
Forest appears to be 12 or 13 years old. His multi-colored coat is striking, but it will have to be shorn almost completely due to extensive matting from neglect or living in the woods. Despite what he has gone through, Forest has a very sweet and gentle disposition and enjoys showing off his impeccable manners when he goes for a walk. He uncontrollably whimpers when he is in the company of people, even though he desperately wants attention and seeks out our company. Forest’s cries are a lasting reminder of the trauma he suffered and the uncertainty that still plagues him. But we know that love can heal his wounds.
Forest was saved thanks to the collaborative effort of several animal rescue groups. Harney County Save-a-Stray rescued Forest from the wild and provided him with vaccinations. WASART transported Forest to Pasado’s, and Pasado’s will provide Forest with a temporary home while we search for his forever family.
Would you be able to help Forest put down some roots? If your heart and home have room for a devoted dog, please click
here to find out about fostering or adopting. And if you aren’t looking to add to the family at this time, please consider making a
donation. With your support, we can continue to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome those who need our help the most.
(don't forget
to ask your employer
to match your donation)
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