Text Box: This poor middle aged gal I named Grace came to me in such pitiful condition that she obviously lost her dignity as the once proud and beautiful Collie she once was.  The sparkle of happiness that once appeared in her eyes no longer existed, but rather a dark and empty stare took over showing the despair and torment she had endured over the months or perhaps even years.  This poor gal obviously was dealt a horrific life and with that her spirit simply died.  She was under nourished and just a body of skin and bone.  

I don’t know much about Grace other than her being found in a very rural area wondering the streets in an area known for people to gather to sell dogs.  If they were not sold, they are simply left behind like an old shoe to fend for themselves as strays for weeks or perhaps months.  I’m sure that during the time Grace was wondering the streets she was desperately searching for help by any one who crossed her path. That day finally came when a woman saw her on the side of the road and stopped to pick her up.  She immediately drove Grace to a vet where she stayed for three weeks for treatment.

Grace was so badly matted that they cut clumps of hair away revealing many open wounds where maggots had embedded themselves.  She also had a nasty large wound on her chest area.  I was then contacted by the woman who picked Grace up and asked if I would take her into my care when she could be released.  I immediately said yes.  She also informed me that four other girls got involved to help with Grace, but when they learned of the size of her vet bill they all declined.  Linda was in great despair knowing that this bill was over four hundred dollars and did not know how she was going to pay it. To help Linda out after all that she had done for Grace, Collie Rescue of Mississippi offered to split the bill with her.  When the day finally arrived for Grace’s four hour journey to our facility, one hour away I received a frantic call from the transporter, Bob.  He informed me that he did not think Grace was going to make it since she was in real poor condition.  Bob also told me that when he picked her up from the clinic she appeared to be very weak and thought it might be too early for her release. 

I instructed him to take her right to my vet and I would meet him there.  When he arrived with her she was near death.  I received yet another phone call from him that my vet was not in that he was on an emergency and could not make it back in time.  I then told him to go two more blocks up the road to another vet I use on occasion.  I immediately called the other vet and informed them of the emergency and that my regular vet was unable to assist.  By the time Bob got to the second vet, Grace had gone into shock.  They immediately took her in and put her on a drip along with antibiotics and shock medicine.  When I arrived and was brought back to the room, I saw this poor thin, frail and weak body just laying there.  I thought she had already passed.  I was told that she was in real bad shape and I instructed them to do everything they could for her that money was not an issue.  Grace stayed that night and was given the best care possible.

Grace was as delicate as a rose so appropriately,

I chose “England Rose” by Elton John.