Last Sunday, a weak, very sick, little Pit Bull mix was dumped outside of a woman's home in Vossburg, Mississippi. Due to the location of her home... which is right off the interstate... her property has become a virtual dumping ground for unwanted dogs. She's constantly struggling to deal with the numbers of dogs thrown out at her house. However, the condition of this particular dog was much worse than the others she usually finds when she walks outside.
The woman named the dog Patrick. Then, she frantically started posting the dog on facebook, desperately searching for help for this poor boy.
I was busy at work that morning, so I hadn't yet seen any of those urgent posts about this dog. But it didn't take long for the calls, texts, and messages to start pouring in...
First, I talked to my friend, Cathy, who asked me to check the photo she'd posted on my wall and call her back. Hearing the concern in her voice, I knew it was bad...
When I saw the picture, instantly, my heart was broken. No matter how many times I view a photo like that... it never gets any easier. And no matter how much cruelty I witness... I'll never understand how people can be so damn hateful... how any person could force a dog to suffer in this way... and then dump him on the side of the road like trash.When I talked to Cathy again, I told her I'd try to figure something out, and I'd need to talk to the woman as well. But before I even had time to think, there were more texts and calls coming in, begging me to take this dog.
So, later that day, I asked my friend Dana to comment on Patrick's facebook post for me, and simply say: "Ashley Owen Hill has committed to take this dog." Then, I talked to the woman who had him, and we worked out the details.
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| Me, Patrick, & the woman who found him |
On Tuesday, Caycee and I drove to meet the woman at her vet in Quitman, MS, so I could take Patrick home. Based on the photos of him, I thought I was prepared for what I'd see that day.
I was wrong...
I can't even explain in words just how underweight this dog truly is. The pictures don't do him justice. I can't even tell you just how sick he truly is. I can't even describe just how weak he truly is, as his little body fights to survive.
Further, in addition to everything else, at some point, his former "owners" made the cruel decision to perform a painful, homemade ear crop job on Patrick. As I try to imagine the cruelty he's known, all of his life... it's almost too much to bear.
When I first laid eyes on him, I was shocked. The only words I could muster were: "Oh dear God..." Then, I bent down, rubbed his head, and asked: "Who did this to you, buddy??"
And then... he looked up and gave me the sweetest little kiss, right on my chin. I looked over at Caycee, and simply said: "I'm in love!!!"Just like that... I fell in love with a boy named Patrick. Or as I like to call him... "Patrick Star."
And in turn, my little Patrick Star... became a Lucky Dog... for the very first time in his life.
*Patrick has a long road of recovery ahead. He hasn't yet been tested for heartworms or neutered. For now, I'll be focused on weight gain, mange treatment, and getting his little body healthy again. If you'd like to donate to his care, please click below.
