Rescue Tails / Marathon Campus

Rescue Tails / Marathon Campus

Skinny, her once bright white coat stained yellow and brown, her feet torn and bleeding, an injured dog was running loose on Big Pine Key when we received the call at our Marathon Campus. Panting in the September sun, bright pink from near heat exhaustion, she finally rested long enough for a Good Samaritan to call our office and for our Animal Control officer to safely contain her. Inside the air-conditioned van her inflamed skin started to cool down, her breathing returning to normal, her wide eyes and huge mouth slowly relaxing as he drove her back to the shelter.

Here we were able to get a good look at her. Twenty pounds underweight, her ribs and spine were showing. Her chin, belly and all four legs were stained with a yellow/brown tint. Her pads on each foot were fire engine red, ripped and torn and actively bleeding. She was limping but still wild with excitement, her adrenaline pumping from her escapade around town. She had no collar, no tag, no microchip, the only sign of having an owner, were the clear signs of neglect.

When she laid down it was clear why she was so discolored. She was stained from laying in her own waste. Her pads softened by standing in wet urine, ripped and torn from running on hot pavement. She was malnourished and hungry.

We named her Fiona. Our Veterinary team and animal care team went to work right away on helping Fiona heal. With proper  veterinary care, treatments, a good diet and lots of baths she slowly gained weight, her paws healed and her gorgeous shining snow white coat glistened in the sun. Despite all she had been through, Fiona shined brightly, always smiling with her enormous mouth and jowls and ready to give the biggest of all kisses. Everyone loved her, and with the full support of our incredible staff and volunteers, three months later it was finally time. Fiona was ready for adoption!

As fate would have it, a couple who had walked by the shelter everyday had been admiring her and her journey. As self-proclaimed pit bull lovers they stopped in to inquire about the beautiful white dog. They were enamored, and Fiona was impossible not to love. If there was ever a tragic story with a happy ending, this was the perfect ending to Fiona’s tragedy and the beginning of a new and beautiful life where she would always be loved. It was the most perfect match.

Fiona is now in her furever home, but she will forever be in our hearts as well. If you suspect animal neglect or abuse please report your concerns by contacting our Animal Control officers from mile marker 0-16.7 at our Key West Campus at 305-294-4857 or our Marathon Campus at 305-743-4800 serving mile marker 16.7-70.