A Letter from Spook

Dear Friends,

I asked my friend to type out this letter to you, since I never learned to type. I thought it was really important that I explain to you why your support of this year’s WAEB 790AM Radiothon, starting July 7, means a lot to me and my buddies here at Animals in Distress. I can tell you from my personal experience that the folks here just never give up on anyone, no matter how sad they are. When I came here back around Halloween 2007, I had a broken back. Although I was just about 8 weeks old, I knew that I was in real big trouble when I got hurt and couldn’t move my back legs or go to the bathroom as I used to. I was scared. My littermates ran and played, but I had to drag myself along and struggled to keep up with them.

When I came to Animals in Distress, everyone said that I would never walk again. Those kind folks took me to their veterinarian, then to a specialist; everybody said I wasn’t in any pain, but that I would never walk again. I couldn’t even go to the bathroom by myself - somebody had to push on me so I could go to the bathroom. I thought for sure that they would give up on me. People usually justify their decision to terminate a life by saying that there is no quality of life here, that the poor kitty is crippled, that this animal is not adoptable. So exterminate him. I am so grateful that the folks here think that every life is precious, and that going out of their way to help is the right thing to do.

Now there is somebody else here who needs special care. She is a 13 week old Jack Russell Terrier who also has a broken back. A little boy was holding her and let her fall accidentally; as luck would have it, two vertebrae broke and she lost the use of her hind legs. I know what that feels like. The little boy was so sad, and his mom was devastated. You see... his dad is struggling with brain cancer and is becoming more and more handicapped each day. The last thing anyone intended for this puppy, who was bought to bring joy into this sad home, was to harm the pup. But tragedy strikes randomly, and the puppy’s back was broken.

The family could not emotionally handle the sad situation and were on the verge of putting Button down when they heard about Animals in Distress. Animals in Distress has always tried to help the animals that would be unlikely to get help elsewhere, and their hearts went out to Button and her family, just as they had gone out to me. I am so grateful that they care so much about those of us who are not perfect. We want to live, and we need to be loved.

When Button was admitted to Animals in Distress, her medical situation was evaluated, and she was taken to an orthopedic specialist and surgeon. The news was encouraging: there is a chance she can walk again. But she must have 2 months of cage rest only, and must be carried in and out only to go to the bathroom. Then, if she is improving, there must be at least two more months of careful handling and physical therapy. I’m kind of jealous because maybe I could have walked again if only someone had gotten me here sooner. I am praying for Button though, because she is a sweet pup and deserves to be able to run and jump like a healthy puppy can.

I hope that you will find it in your heart to support this year’s WAEB Radiothon as generously as you can. The folks here are really loving, and they work so hard to take care of all of us. But caring isn’t enough. Vet bills, utilities, supplies, and so many other expenses keep going up, and animals like me and Button are a low priority in the minds of many people. That is one reason that I am writing this letter from my heart. Please help us. We can’t exist without you.

   Love, Spook