Sam Is Safe!

Sam

With the help of several individuals and volunteers, California GSP Rescue monitors the animal shelters for German Shorthaired Pointers in need of being rescued. A small percentage of stray dogs get claimed by their owners, and Sam was one. Unfortunately, something caused Sam's owner to bring him back to the shelter a week before Christmas.

In the video for Bubba, there is a mention of Sam and his owner claiming him. Most of the time, these are small celebrations knowing that a GSP is no longer in danger and in need of rescue. Sam was returned about a week after Bubba had been rescued from the animal shelter.

The Adoption Coordinator at the Animal Shelter reached out to see if we could assist with a Senior GSP. Their kennels were full, and Sam had already sat several days just a few weeks earlier. There was no reason to take up any space that a younger, more adoptable dog could be kept if a rescue could assist.

When Volunteer Greg arrived at the animal shelter, an animal control officer led him to a socializing pen to see Sam. However, Greg was unprepared to see what he was about to see.

Sam was skin and bones. Every rib was visible. His hips stood up as if they were a foreign object embedded under his skin. You could make out the parts of his skull that weren't bone and were sunken in. Greg gasped. This dog was the same one they celebrated the owner picking up just a little earlier.

The first thing that Volunteer Greg thought was Sam had to be sick. Possibly terminal. He recalled Shilo- a GSP rescued a year earlier from an animal shelter after being turned into the animal shelter to be euthanized. Over the years, there had been plenty of dogs that California GSP Rescue struggled to put weight on, but there always seemed to be a reason, if any, were as thin as Sam.

Volunteer Greg checked off the list of things that would need to be completed. With the holidays, getting Sam to Dr. Kang this time of year would be challenging. He had shared his kennel with another dog with no issues, which was good, seeing there would be little time to socialize him with the other foster dogs. His appetite and what he would eat were a concern. Dogs that are this thin may not eat just anything.

As Greg and the Animal Control Officer walked back to the office, the Animal Control Officer confessed that he had already prepared the paperwork. He knew we would take him. Sam was safe.

There is more to Sam's story that we'll share soon, but it is essential to thank the Rescue Heroes and Donors for their generous support. It helps make the decision to rescue Sam and the other dogs like Sam that might need medical attention much easier. We'll have an update soon to share about Sam's medical exam and how he is doing.