Rescue Tails / Raven’s Tale

By Tammy Fox, Executive Director, Florida Keys SPCA.

 

Although most of us believe that dogs are companion animals, by law animals are considered property and by law pets are not required to live within four walls. As long as an animal is provided shelter, food and water it is not illegal to keep a pet outside. For eight long years, animal control officers had regularly checked on Raven’s welfare. However, years sleeping on the hard ground had taken their toll on her. Tough patches of skin had grown around her tail and elbows; each step was wobbly and painful. Several times she was found loose, yet her owners always came and reclaimed her. That was, until February of 2018.

This time when Raven was found, she could barely take a step without wobbling or tripping on her back feet. Her back sloped more than the usual “Shepherd stance” and each movement seemed painful. Yet, the old girl seemed determined one more time, to run away. The police found her, called Animal Control, and officers immediately recognized her. Over the years, getting to know her, they noticed a difference this time. This time she was in pain. 

Despite being notified of her whereabouts, her owners never came to get her. This time, Raven finally belonged to the shelter and could receive all the love and care she desperately needed. 

She was suffering from severe arthritis in her back, her skin was raw with fungus, her eyes tired with pain. Staff at our Key West Campus gave her love and affection, veterinary care and medicine to ease her pain. She loved having a bed to sleep on – the first in her long life. Her favorite things were the soft toys she loved to be surrounded with.

She caught the attention of one of our volunteers, who vowed to find the old dog a home, beginning with sponsoring her adoption fee.  Seven months later, Raven continued to get overlooked. Perhaps her chances could be improved by transferring her to our Marathon Campus.

Sitting atop her donated special mattress with her stuffed toys, Raven became happier and stronger. She felt better, her eyes shone bright and she bounded around the shelter happily playing. This old dog had found LIFE, and with each day grew younger and younger. She was ready, ready for the home she had never had. 

Far away in New Hampshire Beth and Mark were still recovering from the loss of their beloved Shepherd. The hole in their hearts was too large and too painful to consider adopting another dog, but our dedicated volunteer that vowed to find her a home sent photo after photo, and video after video until it was impossible for Beth and Mark to deny the truth any longer. Raven was their new dog. After nearly a year in the shelter Raven was going home! But how would we get her 1,650 miles up the East coast to her new family? 

We reached out to transport agencies, volunteers, friends and the big wide world of social media. Everyone who heard her story wanted to help. With winter quickly approaching, time was running out. As one leg of the trip was covered, another leg fell through. That same volunteer who had long ago seen Raven’s soul shine bright behind that kennel door in Key West and had vowed to find her a family decided she and her partner would make the entire trip themselves.

Staff and volunteers at our Marathon Campus hugged and kissed sweet Raven one last time as we loaded her bed and all her toys into the RV that would take her on her first road trip. Three days later, she arrived on Thanksgiving eve in New Hampshire. Her new family was waiting with a warm fire burning and open arms, their excitement and anticipation of her arrival coinciding with the holiday in which we stop and reflect on what we are most thankful for. On Thanksgiving Day 2018 we were all thankful that Raven was finally safe, loved, and with a real family. She would never sleep outside again. She would never live another day in pain.

At Florida Keys SPCA we are thankful every day for our compassionate staff, hardworking volunteers and fosters, for every adopter that comes through our doors and our generous, supportive community. Every day we continue our efforts to protect homeless pets in paradise. To learn more about our adoptable pets, become a foster or volunteer, or to donate to help pets like Raven, visit us at fkspca.org or email me at [email protected]. 

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