HL Whitingham - Dog Stories

Gabrielle...

2010 Winston-Salem, North Carolina

"MOMMMMMM...You wouldn't believe the dog I just found tied to a tree. We've gotta' do something."

This is how it all started.

Day 1 Christine Silva's son went to a house for an appointment through his employer. When no one answered the door, he decided to take a walk around the house to see if anyone

was outside. Behind this beautiful house, tied to a tree with a massive chain, was this tiny, pitiful, emaci-ated white dog.

He then walked to a neighbor's house to see if they knew where

the owners were. During this conversation he learned that the owner had already let several dogs starve to death and then simply buried them in the yard.

Day 4 Christine consulted with Tara Stebbins, a local animal rescuer, about the situation. It took three, cold days of repeated attempts to contact the owner to no avail, consider legal issues, then have Animal Control

investigate and seize the dog. It was a catch 22 situation - the dog faced certain death if left where it was but there was the possibility it would be euthanized because the shelter was full.

Christine indicated to the shelter she was willing to foster the dog. As it turned

out, shelter pesonnel found a place in

their hearts for this pathetic waif.

Day 8 Christine and her friend Linda went to meet the dog for the first time. On the way they named her Gabrielle (Zena the Warrior Princess's trusty side kick). Initially intimidated by the breed's reputation, her fears melted away when they met and Gabrielle showered them both with kisses.

Christine fell in love

They took her to Hopkins Road Veterinary Hospital where she weighed in at 31 pounds. She was heartworm posi-tive. Although the prognosis was fairly good, one cham-ber of her heart showed signs of enlarging and her reco-very would be long and hard. She would have to put on weight before she started treatment.

Day 38 With one month, a bag of dog food, lots of treats and love, they had a 45 pound happy dog. With her fur grown back, the life light in her eyes and a smile on her face, Gabby was ready to start the battle for her life with her heartworm treat-ment.

She completed her difficult treatment with flying colors.

Christine looks at this dog and thinks that if ever a dog had a reason to be mean and hateful toward humans, Gabby sure does. She's never had a more loving, gentle dog. She's had two dogs in the past that were less trustworthy than Gabby. Having finished her treatment, she has just been spayed and is recovering. Everything points to a happy and healthy life. Gabby's rescue and rehabilitation took lots of effort and many people.

HL Whitingham is proud to have made a small dona-tion towards Gabby's vet bills.

We also sent her one of our cowboy bluejean collars to celebrate her new life.

It takes a neighborhood...

If Gabby's owners had done this before, why didn't neighbors get involved earlier? Cats and dogs are helpless. We have to be their guardian angels and save them from human harm. Please be pro-active

and alert to what's happening on your street.

Call Animal Control serving your community to investi-gate suspected animal abuse situations.