Melanie's Care

The City is Akron. The County is Summit. The place is the Summit County Animal Control (SCAC) facility. A haven for hundreds of currently unwanted and discarded dogs and cats. Thousands of animals come through here every year. Many are adopted. Many are not. People from all walks of life come through these doors to drop off the animals that no longer fit into their lives. Others come in and rescue these lost souls and give them another change at a better life.

That's where I come in. I'm a volunteer foster with Paws and Prayers. I carry a leash and a spare dog collar. My name is Beagle Bob. I'm given this name because I like to find the unwanted Beagles; foster them and get them adopted. I like Beagles and they seem to like me.

It was a cool, sunny day in Akron as I made my way to the SCAC. I had been given a tip that there were some Beagles there waiting to be adopted. They had been passed over for a while. Too long. As I made my way through the facility, saddened by the seemingly endless array of sad eyes looking up at me, I found myself stopping in front of a pen whose dog's name was listed as: "04-047". As my eyes read through the rest of the posted information: female, 2-3 years old, Beagle/Mix, my eyes were drawn to an asterisk (*) at the bottom of the list. It read: "Chronic stifle/knee injury." Damn. I knew this meant many things. This dog had been hurt. This dog may have been abused. This dog most likely will never leave this facility. I looked down into the pen. This dog was cute!

I immediately named her Melanie. I don't know why the name Melanie, but this small, sweet, spunky Beagle had taken a grip on my heart. I knew 04-047 was not a good name and I knew I could help. She pressed her head against the gate of her pen so I could pet her. I walked her around outside and was amazed at her ability to walk and even run on a leg that was obviously bothering her. She doesn't always put it completely down on the ground and sometimes runs on only her three good legs. Pitiful and inspirational at the same time.

X-rays show that Melanie has a traumatic dislocation of her right hind leg at the hip joint. An injury that happened a long time ago and was never properly treated and has not healed properly. How did it happened? She won't tell, but the x-rays revealed even more startling news. Melanie has almost a dozen pellets (from a BB gun or shotgun) lodged under her skin. There are several in her back and side and even one in her neck!

This little trooper needs help. Paws and Prayers is arranging for her hip to be surgically repaired. She will spent her rehabilitation time with me and my family (and our two Beagles). When the time is right, she will be able to be adopted to a new family that will give her the safe and happy forever home she deserves. She will out the rest of her days surrounded by the love that has alluded her.

As for me, Beagle Bob? Once Melanie finds her home, I'll find another Beagle (I also foster other breeds, I just love Beagles) to foster. There's never a shortage of needy animals out there. I'll be back at the SCAC facility with my leash and spare collar. Walking past the seemingly endless.......