A Trio of Pups Escapes Life on the Streets and Arrives at Helen Woodward Animal Center to Demonstrate the True Meaning of Christmas…
Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. (Dec 18, 2019) – In the time leading up to Christmas, yuletide carolers are counting days with French hens, turtle doves, and a partridge, but a trio of tough-luck canines is currently counting their blessings after escaping a near tragic end. Teddy, Buddy, and Angel’s arrival at Helen Woodward Animal Center saved them from a difficult life on the streets but the innate lessons they are demonstrating remind us of the true reason for the season – kindness, hope and family. Now with only days to spare, Center staffers are desperate to find the trio the perfect forever home in which to celebrate the holiday.
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In mid-October, an area social worker contacted the Center with an urgent plea for three small dogs. 8-year-old Terrier blends Buddy and Angel, and 4-year-old Shih-Tzu blend Teddy, were facing an uncertain future. Their owner, who had fallen on tough times, had become homeless and unable to care for them. Focused on her own survival, her dogs were suffering from severe neglect. Covered in fleas, unvaccinated, unkempt with painful matted fur, dealing with dental disease and in need of medical care, the three dogs were in a unique situation. Through their challenging ordeal they had become bonded to one another. Now they needed a shelter that would not only provide them thousands of dollars of care, but would also promise not to separate them.
“I immediately contacted our President and CEO Mike Arms,” explained Helen Woodward Animal Center VP of Development Renee Resko. “I knew that they would be an expensive group to help and a challenging group to place. So few families are willing to take in older dogs, never mind three of them. But we started our Pets Without Walls program specifically to help animals who, through no fault of their own, have ended up on the streets and this trio absolutely touched our hearts. Mike gave me the go ahead and we had them brought to us.”
Due to recent transfers from overburdened shelters, Helen Woodward Animal Center was at max capacity. But Buddy, Angel, and Teddy had a long road ahead of them and deserved some special lodging. The Center’s doggie daycare and boarding facility, Club Pet, worked some last minute magic, rearranging during their busy holiday bookings, and opened their doors to provide kennel space to the three pups
Since that time, Teddy, Buddy, and Angel have been provided weeks of desperately needed care totaling over $10,000 in expenses. The canines received medical checkups, vaccinations, dentals, and makeovers to remove their uncomfortable matting, overgrown nails, and painful fleas. Upon exam, Center staff noticed that Shih-Tzu blend Teddy walked with a limp and appeared to be experiencing pain in his abdomen. Further examination revealed that he was suffering from a distressing and untreated hernia and needed immediate surgery. Through it all, Center staffers were continually amazed by how gentle and loving the dogs remained, not just to the humans who cared for them, but to each other.
“Teddy, Buddy and Angel completely stole our hearts during their stay at Club Pet,” explained Club Pet Manager Mary Marlow. “Despite so many scary changes, new people, unfamiliar locations, and uncomfortable treatments, they were a bright, cheery part of everyone’s day. They reminded us that as long as you stay positive, hold onto hope, and have a good friend by your side, you can truly get through anything. They’re like little Christmas miracles.”
Teddy, Buddy and Angel are wishing for a Christmas miracle of their own… to go home together in time for the holidays. The unique trio will go available for adoption tomorrow, Thursday, December 19 at 12 p.m. at the Center’s adoptions building location on 6461 El Apajo Road in Rancho Santa Fe.
Those inspired by Teddy, Buddy and Angel can give a gift of a donation this holiday season to ensure Helen Woodward Animal Center is able to provide for more pets in need. Donations are being matched by generous sponsor, Sharon Bauce in memory of dedicated board member, supporter and friend, Bill Bauce up to $30,000 at www.animalcenter.org/gift2019
