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