[Urgent] Sarah Kate The Boston Terrier Needs Our Help

One of these days we’ll get an email from the Boston Terrier Rescue of Alabama that doesn’t break our hearts but they do so much good so we’ll forgive them. Here’s the email we got from Jo-Ellyn G. Vincent, President of Boston Terrier Rescue of Alabama: Dear Friends and Benefactors -

On July 11, 2012, a very kind and caring rescuer/transporter in south Florida emailed BTRA and twenty (20) others asking for help for a senior Boston terrier in her area.  At first, I thought this senior girl was just too far away from BTRA for us to be able to help her.  I figured that a rescue closer to the area would come to her aide.  As much as I love Florida, I did not think that I was up to a twelve-hour, one-way trip to the southern portion of the state.  I desperately tried not to think about this sweet senior Boston.  My effort in ignoring this email did not work.  I waited for about two (2) hours to respond to see if someone closer to the area was going to offer to take her; and when this did not happen, I placed a call to animal control to see if she was still there and still safe.

It was a miracle that I was able to talk to the animal control person in charge.  She told me that she was still there and unclaimed.  She also told me that animal control would not keep her long as they were overcrowded and she HAD to leave within a day.  She also told me this senior girl’s “story” and how she ended up at animal control.

Her name was Etta.  She has been a breeding stock dog her entire life of nine years–forced to have one litter of puppies after another.  She has lived her life in a cardboard box outside surviving the elements of southern Florida.  When her last three litters were stillborn, her owner (a breeder) took her to animal control and “dumped” her to be killed.  Fortunately for Etta, a very caring rescue/transporter was there that day.  She immediately put out the email to try to save Etta.

When I realized the life that Etta has lived and the physical condition that she was in, my heart just broke.  For the life of me, I just cannot envision any dog as just a commodity to be used for only personal financial gain.  As I have said before, I love all animals, but I have a giant spot in my heart for dogs–especially Boston terriers.

I made the only decision that could be made and agreed to take Etta.  The animal control officer said that she would try to help with transporting Etta closer to Alabama.  She gave me the telephone number of the transporter who had sent the original email concerning Etta.  A transport was not possible until Sunday, July 15, 2012, due to her prior transporting commitments.  This animal control officer agreed to take Etta home with her so that she would be safe.  She also drove the first leg of the transport that brought sweet Etta to Tallahassee, Florida.  Five caring individuals gave of their off time to transport Etta, and Austin Cooper (BTRA’s treasurer) and I drove to Tallahassee and got this sweet senior girl.

When we picked Etta up to put her in the car, she was bleeding vaginally.  I knew that this was not a good sign; and so I checked her gums, and they were pale.  This is also not a good sign.  Etta was placed on a bed in the back seat and she never moved.  This is not normal for a Boston terrier.  To say the least, we were very worried about Etta.  We did not get back to Alabaster, Alabama, until after 10:00 PM that Sunday night.  I wrapped Etta up in a soft blanket, and she and I slept on the sofa that night so that I could feel her breathing.

Our vet opens at 7:00 AM, and Etta and I were waiting for her in the parking lot.  She examined Etta and immediately did a blood work panel.  She also did a heart worm test, and Etta is positive.  Due to the bleeding, the vet and I made the decision to go ahead and operate to determine the cause and source of the bleeding.  Etta had a tear in the uterine wall, and this probably happened while she was giving birth the last time.  Etta pulled through this operation and is now spayed and free from ever having any more puppies.  She will begin her heart worm treatment on August 1, 2012.  As you all know, this is hard on a dog, but it is the only way for Etta to live.

Etta also has mammary gland tumors.  The vet sent the biopsy off, and the histopathological report showed cancer.  She will need a double mastectomy once she is through with her heart worm treatment.  Only one side can be done at a time, and all five mammary glands on each side will have to be removed.  Physically, this senior girl has several serious issues, but BTRA has made a promise to her that we will do everything in our power to take care of these issues and give her the life and love that she needs and deserves.

          Boston Terrier Rescue of Alabama has renamed Etta.  She is now Sarah Kate.  Sarah is Hebrew for beautiful in old age.  When her name is called, I want her to know and everyone else to know that she is beautiful.  I want her to know that she is not garbage that was thrown away but a beautiful and loving senior Boston who deserves more in this life than she has experienced in her past.  I want her to know that she is cared for and loved.  I want her to know what it is like to have a normal companion dog’s life.  She deserves this and more.

          You, our friends and benefactors, have always been very caring and generous in the past.  BTRA appreciates your continued financial support of the Bostons in serious need.  Sarah Kate’s estimated vetting bill is $4,500.00 for the emergency spay, blood work, heart worm treatment, double mastectomy and treating the flea allergy that has resulted in the loss of most of the hair on the hind quarter of her body.  I realize this is a large sum of money.  I hope that like BTRA, you too believe that Sarah Kate is not trash.  I hope that you too will agree with BTRA that she is worth saving from her terrible prior life.   BTRA wants and Sarah Kate needs to be able to get the needed medical help she must have to be able to live out her many remaining years as “a normal companion Boston”.  I hope that you too will want this for her.

          Please consider helping this precious senior girl.  Your donations will be going to help BTRA’s newest treasure.  All donations will go directly toward Sarah Kate’s surgeries.  BTRA has no paid staff or overhead costs-all of the rescue work is done by loving and devoted volunteers who donate their time and effort free of charge because they too love the breed as much as you do.

          Boston Terrier Rescue of Alabama has been blessed to have friends and benefactors that are as caring and giving as you are.  I appreciate each and every one of you.  You make it possible for us to continue to save Bostons.  We are honored to be able to lovingly take care of each rescued dog, but YOU are the very backbone of this organization.  We never ask for your contributions unless there is a need.

          Everyone involved in BTRA does so as a volunteer.  No Boston is boarded unless there is a medical need.  Our Bostons are all in foster homes so that we can hold down on costs.  We make every penny stretch just as far as possible.

                                                                      Sincerely,

                                        Jo-Ellyn G. Vincent, President
                                        Boston Terrier Rescue of Alabama

P.S. - Please go to that special place in your heart for Miss Sarah Kate.  If each one of you will reach deep in your hearts and wallets/pocketbooks and give as much as you can financially, I will see to it that Sarah Kate’s physical issues are taken care of.  I will nurse her back to health and help her learn to love and trust humans.  I will help Sarah Kate know just what a wonderful and beautiful treasure she truly is–never to be thrown away like trash again–never.

To donate, head over to their website: http://www.btralabama.org

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