A dog who escaped a life of unspeakable cruelty on the streets of Afghanistan is now sleeping soundly in a new forever home.
Clementine the shepherd mix was part of a group of around 200 dogs and 100 cats rescued and flown to the United States from Afghanistan by Kabul Small Animal Rescue (KSAR) in early May of this year. She’d already been through a horrific ordeal.
“Clementine came to us in the fall of 2021 with an eyeball ruptured from being pelted by rocks,” KSAR told Newsweek. “After emergency enucleation surgery, then done by flashlight, the minimal equipment left after our clinic was looted in August of 2021, she healed quickly and her sweet side shone through.”
Clementine, who was also missing half an ear for reasons unknown, ended up at Passion for Pets Rescue in Maine with 13 of the dogs rescued from Afghanistan.
But while the majority of those pups ended up quickly finding new homes, Clementine, along with two others, remained at the shelter.
Clementine lost one eye and part of an ear. She escaped a life of cruelty on the streets of Afghanistan.
Adoptapet/Passion For Pets Rescue
For Clementine, the harrowing experience she had gone through meant it took time for her to trust new people.
The efforts of her foster carers, Paul and Suzanne Lemont, went some way to helping that. They provided Clementine with a safe and loving home environment and, slowly but surely, she came out of her shell.
“Clementine likes to ride in the car and go for walks,” Paul Lemont told Newsweek. “She also enjoys just hanging out on our back deck chasing squirrels and birds and laying in the sun.”
Though Clementine’s experience made her wary of other dogs and possessive of food, she loved cuddles and head scratches and the Lemonts were hopeful that she would eventually find the forever home she so desperately deserved.
That forever home finally became a reality with a little help from Newsweek sharing Clementine’s story.
That’s when Erica and David DeMarco first laid eyes on Clementine and almost instantly knew she was meant to be theirs!
Erica told Newsweek: “It took less than one minute to agree that we had to apply for Clementine the one-eyed, half-eared pup from Kabul! I sent the post to my husband Dave and he immediately sent a message to Lisa Bouchard at Passion for Pets in Maine. Within days we were vetted and approved to meet Clemmie.”
Located just outside Boston with a spacious yard, David works as a realtor and part-time from home, meaning he can spend time with Clementine who is also welcome with Erica at W.O.W., the women’s clothing boutique she owns.
Clementine in her new forever home. The one-eyed rescue pup was adopted, in part, thanks to Newsweek.
Paul Lemont
Clementine came into their lives at just the right time.
David said: “After losing our Greyhound and yellow Lab suddenly and back to back we needed a little break. The pain of losing both beloved pets was too much, until we saw Clementine! We just knew she was our new girl”
The couple has paid tribute to the work of Passion for Pets and KSR in rescuing Clementine and the Lemonts for providing a fostering environment for her to flourish in.
Erica said: “Even with all the fear and loneliness she endured on the streets of Afghanistan as well as the pain inflicted by People there, she is still so loving, relaxed and brave.”
Bouchard, the president of Passion for Pets Rescue, also thanked Newsweek: “Clementine was adopted by a wonderful couple because of your story. We are incredibly grateful.”
The hope now is that the three dogs still in their care from those pets saved from Afghanistan can also be adopted.
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