Sweetie – Labrador Retriever – Home at Last

Here is the completion of Sweetie’s story.

”On Monday morning, June 21^st,
I took Sweetie to Eastern Shore Veterinary
Hospital, where Dr. Stacey Waters
took over her care. Dr. Waters spayed her, gave her shots, and treated her for
Lyme’s disease, Ehrlichia and mange- with heartworm treatments. To no one’s
surprise, Sweetie had a list of medical problems, but all were treatable, and
she would soon look and feel well. She spent her first week at the hospital,
lovingly cared for by the doctors and technicians.  When I visited her, I wondered how she would
make out going outdoors to the bathroom, worried that she would try to run away
from the staff who were watching over her so carefully. I asked Robert, a
teenage assistant at the Hospital, how her disposition had been, and I dropped
my jaw at his answer. He had just taken her for a walk on a leash. Not once had
Sweetie ever growled at any of the hospital staff, never was she aggressive,
always docile as strangers were attending to her needs, and she willingly allowed
herself to be leashed for a walk.

This was the same dog that so many people said was vicious, should be put down and could never be domesticated. This is a dog that had been shot at, nearly poisoned, and survived the trauma of having lost a leg. The same dog that came towards me on her leash with no problem. The same dog that, a few days later in recovery in Miles’ barn, started wagging her tail for the first time when I came into her large stall. This “vicious ‘ dog who raided trash cans to stay alive and feed her young has been gently grateful for every bit of human handling and assistance she has received since she was rescued and has shown her love in the way that dogs in loving homes do when they see the people who care for them- by wagging their tails.

There are many people who have given their time, their dedication and caring. The Veterinarians and staff at Eastern Shore Veterinary Hospital in Laurel, has selflessly gone beyond the call of duty in caring for animals that need their help.

Although Sweetie became the most popular dog in Delaware and people wanted to meet her and pet her, she was very shy and very reserved around her human friends and it would take time for her to feel secure around new people. My uncle came over every day to give her a treat, and after 1 week, she looked forward to Uncle Gib’s visit. And then, after 2 years of these daily visits of love and treats, Sweetie gained some extra weight.

She also loved her new brother and sister, Sheba and Czar. Every day we all 3 would run, yes I said run, she had 3 legs but that did not stop her, we just slowed our pace for her. Sweetie was the most loving dog and she re-gained her trust in humans. Animals love unconditionally, and she is proof of that.

Delaware Humane Society had their Annual Walk for the dogs on April 28th 2007, and Sweetie was the only 3 legged dog in the walk. She actually finished. However, she became very ill one week after the walk and suddenly passed.”