Chase was a Westie who lived a short and very abused life. He was picked up by Fort Worth Animal Control as a stray they thought had been hit by a car. He was heavily sedated for pain at FWAC. When WRNT was notified of his immediate need for medical care he was picked up and taken to our vet. Upon the vet's initial examination and observation it was apparent that Chase had neurological damage, and vision problems evidenced by detached retinas.
Chase had been put on tranquilizers at FWAC because he continually walked in tight circles biting at the air. The vet took him off the tranquilizers, and kept him overnight for observation. The next morning, he had resumed the circling and biting, and was in apparent distress. Because of his severe neurological damage he was humanely euthanized, at which time the vet was able to detect wounds with multiple bruises and scabbing 1/2 inch thick. This dog had been hit and abused throughout his short life -- this was not from a car accident.
We may be comforted to a degree by thinking of him right now at the Rainbow Bridge. Having chased a few rabbits (who think it's fun) he's resting under a tree no longer blinded, bruised and hurting because WRNT was there to make the difficult decision for him. But to have any young animal reach a point where euthanasia is a kindness is a tragedy one does not soon forget.
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT ANIMAL ABUSE IS EVERYONE'S BUSINESS
This is the most difficult part of Rescue - those times that, no matter what you do and how hard you try - there's nothing that can be done to save that abused, abandoned or neglected dog. None of God's creatures deserve the cruel and inhumane treatment forced on Chase. It was only through the kindness and caring of a WRNT volunteer that his last hours were filled with compassion. The tender touch of our Volunteer may have been the only love he had ever known. When it came to making the difficult decision to let him go, everyone at WRNT agonized over what had to be and Chase was held and comforted as he shuffled off this mortal coil to the Rainbow Bridge.