Abused dog given another chance at happiness
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The Humane Society of Warren County has one of the most uplifting such stories in recent memory. The story of this lucky little dachshund, formerly known as Boo but now renamed Johanna, began when Humane Society animal shelter director Beth Farmer found out about her plight and sent out some photos and an Internet message to three ladies, Martie Hogue, Lynn Price and Katie Walter, asking for help.
Farmer’s original message pretty much explains it all:
“This is Boo. Boo was hurt by some children back in October of 2004, injuring her spine. She is paralyzed, incontinent, and the sweetest, happiest little girl you could ever want to meet. She has one broken toe with the bone protruding.
She feels no pain thankfully. She was tied in the back yard because of the incontinence. She has rubbed her hind feet raw pulling them. She weighs 11 pounds.”
The response to this plea went far beyond what Farmer expected, reaching across the nation and galvanizing animal rescue organizations, a group of kids in Oklahoma and even Animal Radio, a program dedicated to animals.
After receiving this message, Dogs Deserve Better Maine Rep. Lauren Smith said she could not stop thinking about her. Smith decided to do what she could to help. Eventually Smith managed to arrange for a doggie cart to support Johanna’s paralyzed hind quarters and to fly her to Maine where she could have some unconditional love of her own, like the love Farmer said this little dog offered so freely despite her ill treatment.
Somewhere along the line, Judy from Animal Radio and Mark Robinson of Handicapped Pets got involved, informing Smith of a group of children in Oklahoma that were fundraising for a needy animal, and in no time, little Johanna had enough money to purchase her doggie cart, which will make it so much easier to get around.
Farmer said the reaction on the Internet was overwhelming.
“It’s wonderful,” Farmer said. “We had like a 100 phone calls in one day, people saying, ‘Is she still there? We can foster her. We can take her. People from literally everywhere.”
Farmer acknowledges that some might have advocated euthanization for Johanna, but she said from the minute she first saw the little dog she was happy and lovable despite her condition, and she just couldn’t put her down.
Humane Society president Andy Anderson said that every animal deserves a chance, particularly those with special needs, and the organization works to make sure they get that chance if there’s any way possible.
“The Humane Society isn’t a place where you bring dogs to be put down,” Anderson said. “We’re here to help.”
For more information on Johanna’s story, visit the Dogs Deserve Better Web site at www.dogsdeservebetter.com.