A 12-year-old blind and deaf dog found roaming the streets in a distressing condition suffered further heartbreak when her owner was eventually located.
Clara the senior Shih Tzu was found near a school in Pembroke Pines, Florida, on February 21, by a concerned local citizen who contacted Pembroke Pines Police.
Angela Goodwin, founder of the animal rescue group Pooches in Pines, told Newsweek: “Clara was in horrible condition, her fur was severely matted with urine, she was malnourished, had a foul odor, had bald spots on her body, and she could barely walk due to some sort of injury.”
Clara’s hair was badly matted and she couldn’t walk. Worse was to come when they located her previous owner.
Abandoned Pet Rescue
Police then discovered Clara was microchipped. Through that, they were able to track down an owner located in Fort Lauderdale. But rather than a joyful reunion, they claimed Clara had been missing since May but, and in a further devastating twist, informed officers they did not want her back.
That was when the authorities enlisted the help of Goodwin, who is a former Police Information Officer, in finding Clara the care she so desperately needed.
“Unfortunately, abandoned dogs are very common in this day and time,” Goodwin said. “We partner with the Pembroke Pines Police Department to assist them in reuniting lost dogs or getting abandoned dogs a new home. We also take in some abuse cases and get them necessary medical care and house them until the criminal case is resolved.”
Goodwin was determined to help Clara find a safe kennel space or foster home. “Especially with Clara’s physical condition, and the criminal investigation, we wouldn’t have turned her away,” she said.
Goodwin reached out to Abandoned Pet Rescue (APR), Fort Lauderdale’s only no-kill animal shelter. They took Clara in without hesitation.
Kara Starzyk, Shelter Manager for APR, told Newsweek Clara would “most likely have died” if it hadn’t been for the intervention of the good Samaritan who first spotted her.
“Clara was dehydrated, starved and infested with fleas and worms when she was found on the side of the road in Pembroke Pines. Her eyes were swollen shut and her body was fighting infection,” she said.
“Clara is blind so she could have been easily hit by a car, but fortunately a good Samaritan found her in time.”
Clara is on the road to recovery. The final piece of the jigsaw is finding a forever home.
Abandoned Pet Rescue
Since arriving at APR, Clara has undergone a significant amount of treatment.
“Clara had an infection in her uterus that required emergency surgery. Her health is very fragile because she is anemic and fighting infection so the surgery was high risk,” Starzyk said. “Fortunately, Abandoned Pet Rescue’s veterinary team worked to get her as healthy as possible prior to surgery and Clara’s strong will to live also helped her survive the surgery.”
With each passing day, Clara has improved. She’s on a course of antibiotics, takes supplements and has daily eye drops. She’s also been put on a diet to improve her kidney function with food donated by Wynwood Dog Food.
She’s getting stronger and has started walking again. “Clara is an inspiration as her big personality is beginning to shine,” Starzyk said. “She barks for attention and when she wants to eat. She rolls on her back to get belly rubs and loves to lay in your arms. Her body is still healing, but her ability to love people shows how forgiving animals are.”
Though Clara will require eye drops and regular veterinary check-ups for the rest of her life, Starzyk believes that, with the right home, Clara has “many more years to enjoy.”
“A quiet home that can focus on Clara is ideal and she does get along well with other dogs and cats,” she said. “Clara also wants a home that will spoil her like a princess to make up for her past life of abuse and neglect.”
Anyone interested in providing her with that home is encouraged to contact APR.
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