SAVE THE VEL...
SAVE THE WORLD
(well okay, not really the whole world, but his world) About Vel:
November 2004 I took him home from CACC (Animal Care and Control... one of the remaining "kill" shelters) on Staten Island. He was an emaciated, balding, vomiting, ear infected, un-neutered, kennel coughed mess that the Vet estimated at around 10yrs old and CACC called "virtually unadoptable".
He is a toy poodle (though at the time he looked nothing like any poodle I'd ever seen). He had mass knots inches deep on his little legs that were yellowed, stained, and filthy. His face was nearly completely concealed by matted dirty mounds of hair. He was so thin that his little bones were sticking out on his back & he looked pink because the areas with hair that weren't knotted were so thin that his skin showed through.
CACC hadn't bothered to bathe him and didn't even attempt to neuter him. I cannot explain why I took him home that day.. other than I just couldn't leave him there. He looked like such a mess (and smelled worse) I hate to admit it but my first impulse on seeing him was to just get myself out of there... But I didn't, I couldn't, something just made me stay. I sat down crosslegged on the floor just a few feet from him. Even though his legs seemed a bit unsteady, he wobbled towards me... I thought he was trying to climb up onto my lap, but he didn't make it... he'd managed to get halfway onto my legs when he started shaking, hunching, and then surprised me with a bout of diarrhea all over my sock. He looked so scared and ashamed... Poor sad sweet guy just couldn't control his own little ill body.
I ended up going home that day without the sock on my foot, but with him in my arms. Before we'd left CACC, he'd already thrown up no less than seven times. Paperwork done (they waived the adoption fee... I truly believe they thought he was a lost cause), I stood just down the street from CACC waiting for the bus to the ferry, he was in a soft travel bag (stinking like crazy), and I couldn't help but say to myself "what have I done? can I really do this? OMG I have a dog".
I live on a fixed disability income (due to chronic vertigo) and though perhaps I had no right to take on the expense of a dog, He needed help and I desperately needed companionship (my disability keeps me home bound 90% of the time and I was beginning to fall into deep depression from the seclusion). In the past four years, I have treated his infections, gotten him dental surgery twice (twelve+ teeth pulled... they were infected all the way up to his little sinuses), and most everything else he's needed. I have given him the very best love and all the care I could afford and even somehow managed (through the selfless help of a handful of amazing human angels) to give him what I could not afford.
We believe he was a stud in a puppy mill, spending most of those ten years in a cage. When he first came home with me he didn't even know how to play or react to anyone or anything. Now, he is stronger, and getting healthier all the time (who would have known how beautiful he really was under all that damage... just look at him now, he's gorgeous and so happy),he has the most beautiful light in his eyes and dance in his step, he LOVES to say hello to every one and every dog/cat/horse he meets. He is one of the most loving and friendly dogs I have met. I get angry everytime I think of CACC calling him "virtually unadoptable", shouldn't they have been telling people all the good things about him instead of writing him off like that?.
Vel is the first dog I've ever had. I can't begin to verbalize the love I feel for this beautiful little soul. He has changed my life.. renewed my faith in the universe.. and gives me hundreds of reasons to smile every day. I cannot imagine how we ever lived without each other.
If you ever consider adopting a pet, please do consider adopting an older pre-owned love ... Vel is living proof that you can in fact "teach on old dog new tricks", and I even learned a few too (Apparently he taught ME to fetch ;o). . No regrets and so much love.
Love just isn't enough to rescue:
Presently I am thousands in debt for Vel's ongoing healthcare.
I thought I was beginning to catch up somewhat, then in December 2006 he badly injured his own eyes by scratching them due to irritation from ongoing severe allergy (apparently he's had bad skin allergies since before I even took him home). Vel also had been gnawing at his own skin near his belly till the point of bleeding due to the same cause...
He desperately needed to go through allergy testing and treatment (which runs upwards of $1500). I'd researched every option to find a way to get him the tests he needed to find relief... did you know that there is a "credit card" called care credit for people that can't pay medical/vet bills at the time of service. Sounds great right? I applied... but since I'm on disability and have never had a credit card before, I don't make enough money for their requirements and they won't give credit to those who don't have credit. Sheesh... if I'd had a credit card in the first place I wouldn't have needed them. And now I get an added bonus for applying to them... apparently they sold my application information (even though I specifically asked them not to) and now I'm being bombarded with junk mail and such. Recently someone told me of another place that could help someone in our predicament. A charity called NYSAVES. Supposedly created for people just like me (low or fixed income pet owners). They have lists and lists of their generous donors... yet I got an abrupt letter back when I requested assistance. Apparently to them, the severe allergies that are causing my dog to try to scratch out his own eyes, and gnaw at his own flesh is not a serious matter... and they told me they couldn't help Vel, and that they are a small charity with limited resources. I kept looking for help and will continue to leave no stone unturned... I am trying to sell everything I can find in my home to help get him what he needs (I even had my hair up for sale at hairtrader.com, who knew you could sell your hair???).
I now understand the financial requirements of a dog owner, and know that it is beyond the means of someone on SS disability.... Realistically I know now that I cannot afford a pet (there will be no future pets in my life unless my disability recovers)... but I must honor the commitment I have made to Vel and do everything in my power to find a way to get him what he needs. I love this little guy so much... I truly believe we have saved each others lives, and I will work out a way to pay for the care he desperately needs before my own needs.
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Since the allergy problems and the myriad of dermatologists, ophthalmologists, tests, medications (sometimes upwards of $300 a month), vets, supplements, surgeries, etc. Vel and I have been through so much since that day I brought him home in 2004 (you can read all the past blog entries with all the details). But patience and persistence in believing we could find a way... have gotten us through. The debt is not going away anytime soon (especially since my LTD benefits were terminated prompting a long drawn out legal battle with only half of my prior "poverty level" income coming in)... but we try to tackle each individual obstacle as we meet them. Vel has built a family of friends here on myspace that have helped us through the toughest of times. Vel has become their dog as much as he is mine. We all have rescued him together.. and what a difference all of you have made in the life of this loving little guy (and in mine too). I have kept this blog for Vel and his family here. This journal chronicles all of his adventures so far (and some of mine) and documents the ongoing story of the wonderful and interesting people we've met along the way that have become a part of Vel's world. (The most recent blog entries can be found at the top right of this page, and those going all the way back to the start day of this blog will be listed in the archives). If you would like to help in the continuing rescue of Vel, please see the donation buttons on the left of this page or check the latest blog entries (as I try to list and update the things he needs the most in each blog entry).
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Thank you for listening...
Thank you for caring...
Thank you for helping him (he's such a good boy).
Big Hugs and Puppy Kisses...
Vel and his Mommy
Vel & I won't ever forget
all that you angels have done for him,
And I promise with all my heart that someday
when I am able to return the favor to someone else,
I won't hesitate
to perpetuate the kindness of your generous gifts.
You are amazing to us.
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(LOTS OF BLOG UPDATES SINCE THE ABOVE WAS WRITTEN ... PLEASE SEE NEW BLOG ENTRIES FOR UDPATES NOW... I'VE MOVED ALL UDATES OLD AND NEW TO THERE IN ORDER BY DATE) THANKS!!