A couple of weeks ago, I saw this photo of Molly on the page a rescue group called
Saving Pawz on Facebook. My heart was captured immediately. She looked so precious and sweet, but there was a sadness and fear in her eyes. I had to do something. I felt like if I was murdering her if I didn't try.
Molly had a broken femur, and the shelter was not going to pay for her leg to be repaired and wait for her to be adopted. She was scheduled to be euthanized on Friday the 13th. I was at home fighting the H1N1 virus, but I couldn't just sit here and
let her die. Since I couldn't even get out of bed, I emailed
a friend who has a heart bigger than Texas when it comes to pups in need - especially the "bully breeds." I knew she could find someone . . . somewhere . . . who would help Molly.
Although she has a toddler and two large dogs, my friend and her husband decided to take care of Molly through foster care until she could find a forever home. This amazing woman called the shelter and had Molly transferred to an awesome vet that would take care of her. Through her contact, people from all over the country made many donations to help offset the expenses for Molly's care. Even in this current economy, people still have hearts of gold.
Upon further exam by the vet, it was learned that not only was Molly's femur broken, but there were multiple fractures in her pelvis and even bbs throughout her lower half. She was also full of worms, but thankfully, she was heartworm negative. Even thought sweet Molly must have been in excruciating pain (and was on meds to help her pain), everyone at the veterinary clinic said she was so very sweet. I couldn't wait to meet her!
Friday, November 20th was the date for her surgery. The doctor anticipated it would be fairly complicated, and she and her staff were prepared. Molly would also be spayed while she was under. Her life without pain and full of freedom was within arm's reach! The vet said that Molly's surgery was definitely complicated, so she opted to wait to do the spaying.
Molly made it through the surgery, and was beginning to pink up which is a sign of good circulation and oxygen flow. That's when she crashed. The vet team did everything they could - they worked on Molly for over 30 minutes - but she didn't make it. Molly died.
As soon as I saw my friend's Facebook update, I called her. She said she just couldn't call and tell me the sad words that Molly was gone. We both quietly cried and mourned for the little girl we never got to meet - and sadly never will. Today is the first time I've been able to look at her photo and "talk" about it here.
In an instant, I learned that in the world of rescue, things don't always work out like we hope and dream they will. Other than the one
transport I've done, this was the first rescue that I had ever been involved in - but it won't be the last. Even though my heart was broken that this precious girl didn't survive, I know that we did the right thing. Everyone involved did the right thing - from my email, to my friend pulling Molly, to the vet's dedication, to strangers donating their money to help.
The one saving grace in the tragic story of Molly is that in her last week of life, she received more love than she ever had before. She was regularly fed, had water, her pain was eased, and she got lots of love and belly rubs. Molly spent her last week of life knowing what life really should be for ALL pets. And I'm glad that I had a tiny part of it.
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