Doodle saved.

There are so many stray dogs in San Antonio especially on the south side. They are often abused. Always hungry. Flea infested and many are heart worm positive. They roam the streets and back yards, the alleys and abandoned houses looking for food and water.

Doodle was one of them.

Julia spotted him in a yard where he stood not far from a German Shepherd who was chained to a tree. She is fearless. A natural dog whisperer.

She walked slowly toward the dogs. First approaching the Shepherd who let her come near. She whispered to hm, in a voice so quiet only the dog could hear what she said. Ears pricked, he sat and let her run her hands all over him. Then she walked over to Doodle, a name she gave him because he resembles a Golden-Doodle.

He was putty in her hands too.

Sadly you can't save every dog in need. Doodle or the Shepherd. One had to stay and while the Shepherd was chained and clearly ignored by his humans he appeared to be in better shape than Doodle. And remember approaching strays can be dangerous business. It's work for people like Julia who know what they are doing.

Julia carried Doodle to the car for the ride to the Animal Defense League where he was treated for fleas. He was heart worm positive But his condition was worse than feared. He had a badly fractured pelvis. ADL's veterinary staff believes he was savagely kicked by someone.

Why would anyone kick a dog?

Why do people abuse so many animals? How can a two-legged human get off on hurting a four-legged dog or cat. There's no explaining it. No way to understand. We see it all the time. Dogs and cats who have been terribly abused. And it makes me crazy.

Doodle should recover from the assault. His pelvis will heal. He's been neutered, vaccinated and micro-chipped. Treated for heart worms too. He will soon be ready for a forever home with humans who will love him and care for him for the rest of his natural life.

Two days after she rescued Doodle I got a call from someone who asked me how she could contact "Super Julia."

"You know, the woman who did that amazing rescue on the South side." She'd heard about it from a friend of a friend who knew of a dog who was being abused by a neighbor.

The legend of Super Amazing Julia grows.

(c) Ron Aaron. 2008

Stabbed.

It is so hard to understand why anyone would abuse a dog or a cat. But we see it much too often at the Animal Defense League. The most recent victim of violence as a Golden Retriever we named Foster.

He was found by a Good Samaritan lying in a street in Northeast San Antonio. He'd been stabbed multiple times.

Deep, penetrating wounds that were infected and ugly.

Our veterinary staff did everything they could to save his life. But in the end it was too much for him to survive. Foster died in his sleep just days after arriving at ADL. Had he been brought to us sooner, had someone seen the assault, why did it happen? How could this happen?

We have a million questions but no answers. What was done to Foster is a felony, punishable by serious fines and jail time. But unless someone comes forward to identify the perpetrator there will be no justice for Foster.

Odds are the person who did this to him is a teenage boy or a male in their early twenties. Sad to say animal abuse is most often committed by males. We also know whoever did this to Foster has bragged about it with his friends. That's par for the course.

So, someone knows the name of the perpetrator. But rarely if ever will they come forward. And that is so sad and disappointing.

We are seeing an increase in animal abuse. Dogs burned with acid. Animals left to die in the street. Cats tortured. And more. It has to stop. But it won't until society makes clear we will not tolerate these acts of violence. Not now. Not ever.

(c) Ron Aaron. 2008

Baked Puppy

It was nearly 100 degrees when a Good Samaritan spotted a box sitting in the parking lot at Rolling Oaks Mall near Macy's Department Store. Out of curiosity she walked over and looked into the box only to find a puppy baking in the afternoon heat.

The Good Samaritan carried the box into the mall and called the San Antonio Police Department for help. An offer responded and took the box and puppy to the Animal Defense League. We named her "Macy" in tribute to where she was found. She was greatly overheated, dehydrated, and very lethargic.


There was no way to know who had dumped her there. Fortunately no one ran over the box. And thanks to the Good Samaritan, Macy is on the road to recovery.


Who knows why someone would dump a perfectly fine puppy in the middle of a parking lot? but someone did so.

Too often people see animals as objects. Failing to see them for who they are. People with fur. And four legs.


Thanks to WOAI TV's report on Macy, Kami rushed to ADL the morning after the TV report and offered to foster her. What a wonderful commitment. Fosters literally save lives every day at ADL. And for Macy that means she will have time to recover in a home rather than a kennel.


There's not a lot of difference between animal abuse -- burning, cutting, hitting, hurting dogs and cats and dumping a baby in the middle of a parking lot to roast in the summer sun. Folks who do those things should be punished. But they are rarely identified so they are rarely prosecuted. And isn't that a shame.

(c) Ron Aaron. 2008

Burn babies.

It happened again. This time two companion animals were severely burned.

One is a beautiful little three-year old dachshund mix we named Parker. No one knows who did it, but one or more humans poured acid on his back. Just like Gracie who we rescued a month or so ago. Parker's burns were serious.

He wandered into a man's yard. The Good Samaritan immediately saw that Parker was in trouble and he brought him to the Animal Defense League for treatment. The man said he'd never really been a dog lover. But Parker touched his heart. Once our veterinary staff treated him the man offered to foster Parker and said he hoped to adopt him. Now there's a happy ending for one little guy.

We named the cat Mango. He is an orange tabby cat. Like Parker he is also three years of age. A woman spotted two teenage boys torching his tail with a cigarette lighter. The woman yelled at the kids. They dropped Mango and ran off. She brought him to ADL where our veterinary team had to amputate his tail because it was so badly burned. We're looking for a foster home for Mango.

We are hopeful someone will come forward to help identify the perpetrators in both these cases. The likelihood is the perps are teenage boys or males in their early twenties. They are the usual suspects in cases of animal abuse. And as most folks know, people who abuse animals frequently go on to abuse humans too.

Perps often brag about their "work." So odds are one or more people know who burned Parker with acid and who torched Mango. But knowing and coming forward are two very different things. People are often afraid to identify perpetrators for fear of their own lives. But without someone identifying the actors in these cases they will continue to abuse and torture animals.

They must be stopped.

(c) Ron Aaron. 2008

Burned for no reason

A Good Samaritan brought her to the Animal Defense League. A 7-month old Dachshund whose back had been severely burned.

ADL’s veterinary staff believe the burn may be the result of the puppy running under a car and being trapped underneath the catalytic converter although it is also possible someone poured acid on her back.

Sadly, that's very possible.

She is just one more example of what humans do to animals. Abuse them beyond reason. Beyond my ability to understand. The violence makes me cry,

We named her Gracie. And she is being treated at ADL. She will recover although she will be scared for life. Once her wounds heal she will be put up for adoption. ADL staff named her “Gracie.”

But despite what a human did to her Gracie loves people. Amazing.

(c) Ron Aaron. 2008

Hung from a tree.

We named her Chloe. She was found this morning hanging from a tree at Saunders and Durango near downtown San Antonio by a Good Samaritan who brought her to the Animal Defense League. She was literally hanging from a tree, a cord around her neck, tied in a slip-not so the more she moved the tighter it got.

The Good Samaritan told me, “She was crying very loudly. You could tell how scared she was. My friend and I cut her down from the tree and brought her to ADL.”

In addition to the rope burns around her neck Chloe is also covered with mange. She will be treated and rehabilitated by ADL’s veterinary staff and put up for adoption as soon as she is healed.

The Animal Defense League is the oldest no-kill shelter in South Texas and the only one with a full time veterinary hospital and staff. Part of ADL’s mission is to rescue and rehabilitate dogs and cats like Chloe so they can be adopted into forever homes.

I see animal abuse all the time. But I rarely meet the people who commit these obscene acts. Perhaps it is best we not meet. What kind of a person will hang a puppy from a tree? She is so small. So delicate. Just five months old. A Chihuahua mix who should hate humans. But as we see so often, no matter the abuse, no matter what a human has done to a dog or cat, they turn around and give us their unconditional love.

Looking into Chloe's eyes I could feel her pain. And yet I could also feel hope and love and more.

She should be fine. She will soon find a forever home. And we will share her story with her new adoptive family. They deed to know what she's been through. So they can love her even more.

Great News. Chloe went home on July 7 with a wonderful family who will foster her for a few weeks and then, if all works out, they will formally adopt her.

(c) Ron Aaron. 2008

A Pox on Yoshi's Human.

He's a wonderful little dog who was adopted 12 years ago from the Animal Defense League but returned to the shelter a few days ago because his human said he’s blind, old and “we don’t want him any more.”

How sad. How awful. How thoughtless. Older dogs often suffer from depression when removed from their homes. And for an older dog who also happens to be blind, the adjustment is made even more difficult.

I wasn't there when Yoshi's human brought him to ADL. Maybe that's a good thing. Because I would not have been nice to her. Not nice at all. I would have asked her whether someone should dump her when she gets old and maybe blind. Where is her sense of compassion, loyalty, love.

Dogs don't really ask for much. A little food. A little water. A little care. And yet they give so much back in return.

We’re hopeful someone will adopt Yoshi. Give him the love he so richly deserves. Yorkies can live to age 15-17 with few problems so Yoshi has a lot of years left!

As for Yoshi's former human. Boo and a phooey. May her remaining days on earth be lonely and desperate.

Great news....Yoshi was adopted by a San Antonio couple who are longtime Yorkie lovers. He has found his forever home.

(c) Ron Aaron. 2008

Can you love humans too much?

Her name is Daisy. She's a lover. A beautiful German Short Haired Pointer. Her human decided he didn't want her any more because she wasn't mean, vicious or aggressive enough. He wanted a dog who would attack humans. Guard his house. A vicious killer.

He told my friend he wanted to get rid of Daisy. And he didn't care where or how. Dead would have been fine with him.

My friend brought her to the Animal Defense League. And she was adopted by a loving family within days of her arrival.

What motivates folks to spend big bucks for a dog just to turn around and dump her? He must have paid between $400 and $800 for Daisy. That's what breeders get. The family adopted Daisy for just $60.

And why would anyone intentionally want a dog that's a threat to one and all? Security experts will tell you that watch dogs come in every size and shape. Every breed. The key is do they bark when they sense a stranger in the yard or at your door. No need to bite. No need to attack. Most thugs are driven off by a barking dog.

For Daisy this story has a happy ending. Thanks to a caring Good Samaritan.

(c) Ron Aaron. 2008

Love at first sight.

We named her Molly. The name is almost bigger than she is. She weighs less than ten pounds.

It was love at first sight when Dee spotted Molly hiding under an exam room table. Shaking from head to toe.

She'd come to the Animal Defense League from the city pound where she was tagged to die. Not very adoptable was the decision. Too scrawny. Too timid. Who'd want her?

But Dagi, who works for the pound and tries to save as many dogs and cats as possible saw something in Molly. So she included her in with a bunch of dogs she was bringing out to ADL.

Molly had been picked up as a stray. Which doesn't really tell her story. A Good Samaritan witnessed a man pushing her out of his truck and then driving off, leaving Molly in the street in a not so nice neighborhood. It makes me crazy when I hear stories about what people do to their dogs and cats. As if they were inanimate objects, of no value. Throw-away lids.

If only dogs could talk. Molly was covered with fleas and ticks. Her skin raw in some places. She tested positive for heartworms. She was lethargic.

Dee is my wife. She had stopped by ADL that afternoon just to say hi and to visit with some of our shelter dogs. No interest in adopting a dog. We already have a houseful. But sometimes things just happen.

And for Dee and Molly that something was an immediate connection. We took Molly home that night. And I don't think she and Dee have been more than three feet away from each other.

No complaints about Molly joining our family from our babies at home. It is as if they knew Molly needed a home. And some love. Lots of love.

There's not doubt in my mind she will return that love. Over and over again.

(c) Ron Aaron. 2008

Cassidy Dumped

She's a nine year old Persian who'd been adopted from the Animal Defense League years ago. So why is she back at ADL? Because her humans dumped her at the Schertz City Animal Control.

"We don't want her anymore. She's old."

When I hear stories like this -- and I hear way too many -- I want to ask the people how they'd feel if their kids or relatives dumped them one day. "Mom and Dad are way too old. Who needs them any more. We don't want to care for them. So here they are. You take care of them. We're done. And don't bothering calling to tell us how they are doing."

Cats as a rule don't do well with change. And there's no greater "change" than ripping Cassidy from her home and dumping her at a shelter. Fortunately for Cassidy, a wonderful animal care worker at the Schertz facility brought her to ADL. Otherwise she'd by a dead cat.

But moving into a communal cattery is a difficult adjustment for an older cat.

Folks dumping older companion animals is a recurring theme. Shelters across the country hear it. "We don't want (insert name) any more."

Adopting should be a forever commitment. Cassidy found out the hard way how uncaring some humans can be.

(c) Ron Aaron. 2008

Saved by a caring veterinarian.

Meet Heidi a beautiful white German Shepherd. She is a lover.

And yet not long ago she was covered with mange from head to toe and her humans did nothing about it. They refused to treat her, refused to use heartworm preventative. And never applied Frontline or Advantix to keep her flea and tick free.

"We don't want to spend any money on a dog we don't like and don't want."

My friend, a local veterinarian, was telling me the story of how he ended up with Heidi.

He said he cut a deal with Heidi's humans. If they paid their bill he'd take Heidi off their hands. They agreed. And then they had the nerve to tell him, "When we get our next dog -- one we really will love -- we'll be sure to come back to your clinic."

"I wanted to tell them like hell you will." But ever the gentleman he told them it would be better if they found another vet.

He asked me if we'd be willing to accept Heidi and try to find her a forever home. We said yes. He spayed and vaccinated her at no cost to the Animal Defense League and, as of today, she is waiting to be adopted.

It makes me angry as I think about her previous humans. How could anyone treat a dog or a cat they way they treated Heidi? All she did was offer unconditional love.

It amazes me that dogs who have been so mistreated very often continue to put their trust in humans. That's Heidi. A loving, wonderful dog who offers her next family forever love. What more could any human ask?

And this just in: Heidi was adopted today, Thursday, May 22, 2008, by a wonderful, caring family.

(c) Ron Aaron. 2008

If you don’t believe in Miracles, consider this. On Wednesday, May 7, the Animal Defense League rescued 21 dogs from the San Antonio city pound, something ADL has been doing weekly since October 2007.

When the ACS truck arrived, Kris, a new ADL vet tech, went out to meet it to help bring dogs into the clinic for processing. As she walked up to the truck she burst into tears. Her colleagues wondered what was happening. And then she shouted, “Tipper. Tipper. I can’t believe it’s you.”
Turns out Tipper is her best friend, Jennifer’s dog. She’d gotten loose five days ago and had been picked up by ACS.

“She was scheduled to be killed on Tuesday, May 6,” an ACS workers told Chris. “But she was so cute we just had to save her.” The ACS worker tagged Tipper as one of the dogs to be delivered to ADL. And the rest is history.

Within minutes of Tipper arriving at ADL, Kris called her friend. And she and Tipper were reunited.

Kris had just started working at ADL on Monday, May 5. Had she not been there to recognize Tipper, the dog would have been put up for adoption. Saved for sure. But not reunited with her human.

True story. Miracle story.

(c) Ron Aaron. 2008

Why Mongo's angry.

He deserves to be angry. Humans have not been kind to Mongo. He was adopted out by the Animal Defense League several months ago. Into what we had every reason to believe was a good family.

But you never know.

Several weeks ago Mongo's humans approached ADL about returning him. When we said yes, they asked if they could then pick him up after their vacation. "We just don't want to spend money to board him," they said. We explained we are not a boarding facility. They said they understood and would bring Mongo to ADL the next morning. They never showed.

On Friday, May 2, we got a call from the San Antonio city pound. Mongo had been on death row there. In act, he'd been anesthetized, just to euthanizing him when they scanned him one more time to see if he was micro-chipped. He was. They called the owners who said they didn't want him. Then they called ADL -- because our name always comes up along with the adopting families when we've micro-chipped the dog or cat.

Mongo was back at ADL that afternoon. He was covered with bite marks including two on his shoulders which were still oozing blood. Our veterinary clinic patched him up and once again Mongo is waiting for his forever home.

This time, when he is adopted, let's hope his new humans are indeed committed to giving him a home for life.

(c) Ron Aaron. 2008

Shame on him.

I did a double take when I first saw them. Two of the world's cutest Yorkishire terriers. Just eight months old. They'd been brought to our shelter by a man who said he'd spent $1,600 purchasing them.


He had them for just a few months. But, he explained, they were just too active. And so he tossed them aside like garbage.



He was outraged when he learned our adoption fee for the boys would be $60 each. Compare that to the $800 each he'd paid. His outrage should have been self-directed.



In the shelter world guys like these yorkies are called "10 minute" dogs. And indeed they were adopted within ten minutes or so. Word travels fast.



They both went to loving homes, adopted by folks who understand that yorkies can indeed be "active." So can Jack Russells. And Basset hounds. And Beagles. And almost any puppy. That's what puppies do.



Makes you wonder why that guy wanted a couple of yorkies in the first place. My guess is "Breed Envy." Or perhaps he wanted a status symbol.

In 2006 yorkies were the second most popular dog registered with the American Kennel Club, an organization that encourages birthing, rather than spaying or neutering dogs. Labradors are number one.



Nartionwide, according to the International Society for Animal Rights, a growing percentage of dogs who end up in animal shelters are purebred. That's true at our shelter too. We regularly see purebreds including collies, yorkies, Beagles, Great Danes, and even Bernise Mountain Dogs.



Many arrive with their owners clutching AKC registration papers, which we toss in the trash, not wanting to encourage "breed envy." They come to us because the owners know we're a no-kill shelter. Somehow that eases their guilt. At least we didn't send them to the city pound, many must be saying to themselves.



But why did they purchase the dog or dogs in the first place? What were they thinking?



Why try to convince folks to keep their dogs. But that rarely works. By the time they arrive at our shelter they have convinced themselves they are doing the right thing.



Well, shame on them. Although the dogs are most likely better off in someone else's home.

(c) Ron Aaron 2008

Blue Samaritan

Good Samaritans come in every size and shape. Age and gender. We've gotten to know one Good Samaritan who rescues dogs on San Antonio's streets. In her real life she's a police officer. But her true love is saving dogs.



She brought Molly to us the other day. She said a radio call went out for an officer to help collar a vicious dog. When she arrived at the scene she found Molly, a German short-haired pointer. She was about as vicious as Charles Schultz's "Snoopy."



The dog catcher from the city pound was on the scene. He said Molly would be killed in a couple of days if she went to the city shelter.



So our Blue Samaritan did what she has done before. She took Molly home for the night and brought her to ADL the next morning. If she had room at her house Molly would have stayed right there. But the next best choice was ADL since we are a no-kill shelter.



If only dogs could talk. Molly was obviously well cared for before she ended up on the streets. But she did not have a micro-chip or a tag of any kind. No way to find her humans. She's barely two years old and a lover if there ever was one.



Now she's just waiting for her forever home. She'll make a fabulous companion for anyone who's looking for a wonderful girl.

(c) Ron Aaron 2008

Would you kill these boys?

They were on death row. Set to be killed in the Seguin, Texas Animal Control.

Neither had committed a crime. They were your basic good guys just caught at the wrong place at the wrong time.

That's what we humans do to dogs and cats we consider "surplus." We kill them to make room in government shelters for more dogs and cats who will be killed.

It makes no sense of course. It's not just Seguin, it's every municipality in Texas where people are struggling with many dogs and cats on the streets.

These two guys were saved by us because a Good Samaritan in Guadalupe County heard about their plight and emailed the world to find a shelter or rescue group that would take them. We named them Montana and Wyoming.

The sad fact is, if you're a pure bred or pure bred look-a-like the odds are you'll be saved. If you're a mix -- which most dogs on our streets are -- odds are you die.

Can we stop the killing for the vast majority of dogs and cats in shelters? Yes. But it will take a commitment that few communities or shelter operators are prepared to make. And it's not just government shelters that are killing "surplus" dogs and cats. Some so called humane society shelters kill too. It's their dirty little secret. But they kill. And until they stop the killing it is unlikely that government shelters will stop as well.

More spay/neuters is part of the solution. Greater responsibility on the part of humans to keep their companion animals for as long as they live is also critical to stopping the killing. And increased adoptions from shelters is also vital.

Montana and Wyoming have a new lease on life. But in San Antonio this week nearly 1,000 dogs and cats will be killed at the city pound. I think about that a lot.

(c) Ron Aaron 2008

Left for dead.

A neighbor noticed him lying in the street in front of a house. Unable to stand. The owner told her he'd been hit by a car and he was just waiting for him to die. He'd dug a hole in his back yard to bury him. Waiting for him to die. Knowing he would.

But the neighbor said she couldn't stand it. She scooped him up and brought him to us.

X-rays showed no broken bones. None whatsoever. He hadn't been hit by a car. As it turns out he had arthritis. All over his spine and back legs variety. He was in so much pain, he couldn't even stand. Let alone walk. Should we euthanize him? Help end his misery?

Emily, one of our surgical vet techs, argued his case. Try pain meds for a week she urged. He's only four years old. If he's no better then maybe we should euthanize him, she said. The pain meds worked. Within a few days he was able to stand. Within a few more days he was able to walk.

Tell the guy he can fill in that hole. No need to bury him. He's able to stand and walk and even trot. Not perfect mind you. A little unsteady. But clearly on his way to managing his life. The pain meds worked. Emily's loving care helped a lot.

She named him Old Yeller. This time there's happy ending.

(c) Ron Aaron 2008

To be loved.

They named him Howard because he looked like a boxer who'd passed through our doors last fall. That Howard was adopted within days of his going into the kennels. The new Howard will undoubtedly be adopted quickly too. And that would be a good thing.

New Howard was brought to ADL by one of our adoption counselors. He turned up at her son's daycare. Brought there by some boys who said they "found him on the streets." The daycare operator's own dog had recently died.

The boys apparently thought they were being helpful. Trying to bring another dog into her life.

But neither she nor her husband were ready to "replace" the dog they had loves and cared for, for many years. Afraid he might be killed on the streets, the ADL staffer brought him to the shelter. Somewhat under weight -- perhaps 15 pounds or so -- he appears to be healthy otherwise.

Howard is a lover. A lick you all over lover. Some folks are boxer fans. Their world revolves around the breed. And once you get to know Howard that's easy to understand. Howard is a straight shooter. A look you right in the eye kind of guy. He'll fit right into a family and his day or two at the daycare center proves how much he loves kids. Let's hope his days on the streets are behind him now. And a forever home is just around the corner.

(c) Ron Aaron 2008

Some breeders.

Wow. He is as cute as cute can be.

A Pekingese puppy born with a neurological birth defect. His back legs don't work like they should. Not worth much money to his breeder. Disposable. Her plan was to kill him, until one of our vet techs heard about his situation and offered to take him off of her hands.

Turns out he can get around. Not easily, mind you. But he does not appear to be in any pain. Just slower than your average Pekingese.

Not all breeders are evil. My wife used to breed Great Danes. There isn't a Great Dane on earth she doesn't love no matter their "issues." But other breeders want what is only perfection. Perfect coat. Perfect features. Perfect everything. And when someone comes along who is not perfect, like Mr. Pekingese, their solution is a simple one. Kill them. Keep the breed pure. Protect the breed at all costs.

That's where I part company with those breeders. I'd preferring tossing the breeder on the junk heap rather than their "imperfect" dogs.

Dogs don't know "imperfection." They are who they are. No self-esteem issues about missing legs or a "wrong" color coat. They are who they are.

It is we humans who set standards that define who a dog should be. We set the ideal and we devalue those dogs who don't meet the standard. Shame on us. And shame on any breeder who prefers death for dogs less perfect.

There is, of course, a human comparison with all this. Nazi Germany. The concentration camps. The search for the perfect race. I'll take my dogs as they are. Not how some arbitrary standard says they should be.

(c) Ron Aaron 2008

What's wrong with humans.

They dumped her at our shelter. Didn't even look back when they left. They'd used her for who knows how many years as a breeder. Popping out puppies as fast as they could get her pregnant again. Popping out puppies as if she was a factory. Self contained mommy factory. Popping out puppies so they could sell them.

And then when she'd lived out her usefulness, they tossed her aside, like an old worn out coat, or toaster or microwave. She's only three years old. But used up as a puppy machine and so, of no use to her humans. They were done with her. And one wonders what she thought.

They tossed her aside and told us she was dog aggressive and they couldn't keep her anymore. Not true, as it turns out. A lie. The dog aggressive claim. She's a sweetheart. A lover. Does well with other dogs. Not a bark. Not a woof. Not a growl. But people who tire of their dogs or cats will say anything to get rid of them. Why bother with the truth. Like, we'd like her to go to a home where she will be loved. Unlike our home where we used and abused her.

I wonder what motivates folks to do what those folks did. Caring nothing about her. Not an ounce of love or compassion. But that's a no-brainer. Backyard breeders and puppymills are the worst. They care nothing for the animals they use. But there's no stopping them until folks quite buying from them.

If you've ever bought a companion animal from a pet shop or backyard breeder just look into her eyes and ask yourself whether you would ever do that again.

In one of those ironic twists, they'd named her Tinkerbell. Tinkerbell. Peter Pan's best friend, who lived a life filled with love and excitement and fantasy. As opposed to her life. Tinkerbell locked in a crate.

Imagine that. Not a life for Tinkerbell. Not a life for a dog. Any dog.

(c) Ron Aaron 2008

Polo, a true survivor.

If only Polo could talk. He has an incredible story to tell.

In late February he was severely burned when a grass fire torched the yard in which Polo was chained to a stake.

Unable to get away, his little paws were badly singed as was his face and fur.

He was so badly burned rescuers didn't even realize he was also suffering from mange -- from the tip of his nose to the end of his tail.

He also tested positive for heart worms and was treated for them as well as for mange. He is a survivor. How else could you explain his remarkable recovery.

Neighbors tell us Polo had been mistreated for months...nearly his entire life. He's only a year old or so.

Thanks to KSAT TV news reporter Tim Gerber, caring staff at one of the area's emergency veterinary clinics brought Polo to the Animal Defense League the morning after he was burned. Talk about one sad looking Border-collie mix.

Loving care, modern medicine and time have healed nearly all of his wounds. And today Polo is just looking for a forever home.

Great news: Just today, May 7, 2008 Polo found his forever home!

(c) Ron Aaron 2008

Blue on blue.

Talk about a miracle cat.

On a cold night in February apparently Blue crawled up into an automobile engine seeking warmth. Not a great place to be. But there he was when the owner came out to start her car. It was February 18.

At first she had no idea what the screeching was all about. But then it dawned on her.

A cat was literally stuck in her engine. He was really stuck.

She lives near the Animal Defense League and so she and a friend rushed over to ADL in her friend's car seeking help.

ADL's vet and lead surgical vet tech went to the woman's house to see whether they could free the cat from the engine. Mr. Cat was truly trapped in a fan belt. Cutting it did not free him. And so they did what they had to do; they amputated his left front leg and brought him back to ADL.

One month later Blue was good to go. His surgical site nearly healed.

He quickly learned how to get around on three legs -- not a difficult task as it turns out for dogs and cats to master.

His blue eyes made it easy to name him -- Blue.

Now he is waiting for that forever home. No doubt someone will adopt him soon. At least that's my hope. And I am sure it is his as well.

And then, great news. Minutes after I wrote this piece, I got word that Blue has been adopted. I love happy endings.

(c) Ron Aaron 2008

Cats eye view.

They were locked in cages for years. Cats forced to breed and breed and breed some more. Mommy factories. Right here in San Antonio. By the time they were rescued, some were in such poor shape it was doubtful they would survive. But of the 100 Persian cats who were free at last, all survived.

What more proof does one need that cats indeed have nine lives?

Most of the Persians were flea infested and so matted that shaving them was the only way to clean them up. Nearly all had other medical issues. Some with upper respiratory infections. Others had worms and more. But cats, like dogs, are remarkably resilient. The guy pictured above was not a big fan of humans when he first arrived at the Animal Defense League. Who could blame him. His litter box was his safe haven.

A little love and attention brought out his personality. We named him Oscar. And within days of being put up for adoption Oscar found his forever home.

It is kitty season in South Texas and babies arrive almost daily. Many too small to be away from their moms. But thanks to volunteers who foster them -- bottle feeding every two hours or so -- they too will survive and soon will be adopted.

It is the cycle of life. Warm weather bringing puppies and kittens. And the need for foster families. And forever homes.

(c) Ron Aaron 2008

Fidelio.

When he arrived at the Animal Defense League he was in terrible shape. His pelvis was crushed. And his back left leg was fractured in multiple places. Cars will do that when a dog or cat is in the wrong place at the wrong time.



A Good Samaritan brought him to ADL. We named him Fidelio. One of the things I have learned since joining the agency is how resilient dogs and cats are. Cats are known for having nine lives. But dogs too are true survivors. Especially with a little help from caring, compassionate humans.



Thanks to ADL's veterinary staff and the incredible skills of our Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Randy Moerbe, Fidelio is well on his way to recovery. His pelvis is repaired. His back left leg amputated. But before you worry about Fidelio missing a leg let me assure you that three legged dogs and cats do just fine. In fact, a veterinary friend assures me that companion animals are born with "three and a spare." Losing a leg is no big deal, although we humans often project our feelings and concerns.



Fidelio will be up for adoption soon. And there is no doubt lots of folks will be interested in offering him a forever home. Dachshund's are in great demand. And Mr. Fidelio is one handsome guy.



My wife Dee and I have often thought about bringing our Great Dane, Milli, to visit wounded veterans who are on the mend at BAMC in San Antonio. Like Fidelio, Milli has only three legs. But that's never slowed her down. I'll share her story soon. She is an amazing girl.

(c) Ron Aaron 2008

Dog day mornings

When you wake up with three dogs in your bed. Plus a wife. You know you are well loved and maybe just a little crowded for space.

Of our three Great Danes, Milli prefers sleeping in our bed. On me. Literally wrapped around my head. Misti, our mini-Schnauzer often sleeps with us too. As does Maggie, our senior Dane who will be 12 on July 4, 2008. Memphis, a Lab/Chow mix rarely joins us in bed. And Ellie, our newest addition to the household, occasionally jumps on board. But more often than not, she prefers the floor.

Ellie goes to work with me weekdays. I don't know if the other babies are jealous. But I do know Ellie loves the routine. The minute I am dressed she prances around the bedroom letting me know she is ready to rock and roll. That's Ellie's photo.

One of the nicest things working at an animal shelter is being able to take a dog to work.

(c) Ron Aaron 2008