MInty_Verbeten
Abandoned Austrailian Cattle Dog
I had no idea what breed this abandoned pup was when I first saw her. We thought she was a mix -- not that it mattered. My heart went out to her when I found her living under an old building a short distance from our house. A dead black snake was lying next to her. It appeared that she was so desperate that the snake was going to be her dinner. So heartbreaking! I gave her a bowl of dog food and threw the snake over in some high bushes only to find it again the next day in the same place. Apparently, she went into the brush and dragged out the snake. How can anyone just set out and abandon a dog and leave it with little to no chance of survival on its own? We live in rural Virginia and have seen this happen far too often.
After a week of taking food to her, she finally let me get close enough to pet her. The deep bond between us was formed at that moment. After feeding her that evening, she left her temporary shelter under the old building and slowly followed me home -- actually she staggered. She was skin and bones, very weak and infested with hookworms according to the vet. Being severely anemic, her gums and tongue were completely gray...not a hint of pink. The vet told us she was a Blue Heeler. A breed that I had heard of a few times, but knew nothing about. The vet said she was approximately six-months old and weighed a mere twelve pounds. I could easily carry her in one hand.
We named her Smokey due to her ashen color. We found her in 2009 and can't imagine life without her. This breed is fantastic. Smokey is loaded with personality...unlike any other dog we have ever had. Life with an ACD is the best! Her only trait that we wish she would tone down is her protective nature. ACD's are very loyal and dedicated to their family -- especially me. Smokey has also formed an incredibly loving bond with our 85-lb collie. We are thankful to have found Smokey and made her a part of our family forever. Wish we could rescue them all.
Abandoned Austrailian Cattle Dog
I had no idea what breed this abandoned pup was when I first saw her. We thought she was a mix -- not that it mattered. My heart went out to her when I found her living under an old building a short distance from our house. A dead black snake was lying next to her. It appeared that she was so desperate that the snake was going to be her dinner. So heartbreaking! I gave her a bowl of dog food and threw the snake over in some high bushes only to find it again the next day in the same place. Apparently, she went into the brush and dragged out the snake. How can anyone just set out and abandon a dog and leave it with little to no chance of survival on its own? We live in rural Virginia and have seen this happen far too often.
After a week of taking food to her, she finally let me get close enough to pet her. The deep bond between us was formed at that moment. After feeding her that evening, she left her temporary shelter under the old building and slowly followed me home -- actually she staggered. She was skin and bones, very weak and infested with hookworms according to the vet. Being severely anemic, her gums and tongue were completely gray...not a hint of pink. The vet told us she was a Blue Heeler. A breed that I had heard of a few times, but knew nothing about. The vet said she was approximately six-months old and weighed a mere twelve pounds. I could easily carry her in one hand.
We named her Smokey due to her ashen color. We found her in 2009 and can't imagine life without her. This breed is fantastic. Smokey is loaded with personality...unlike any other dog we have ever had. Life with an ACD is the best! Her only trait that we wish she would tone down is her protective nature. ACD's are very loyal and dedicated to their family -- especially me. Smokey has also formed an incredibly loving bond with our 85-lb collie. We are thankful to have found Smokey and made her a part of our family forever. Wish we could rescue them all.