Sad eyes of suffering

If a collar could tell a story, this collar would tell you about the many months of suffering that Brian, a black long-haired terrier went through as his flesh gave way because the collar would not. Red Lake Rosie's Rescue had heard about this dog with an embedded collar from Avis, our Redby community member that takes care of the dump and has saved many dogs and cats.

A puppy collar had been left on what is now on an large adult dog. It smelled foul and was full of pus and rotting flesh.

Carol and Nate had looked for this dog during our Akin clinic on March 3rd, but had no luck. Carol had also spotted Brian after that and left food, however, he ran off as he was very frightened. Carol thought it would be hopeless.

May 9th, Carol and I were driving in the Redby area and Carol shouted "There's the dog with the collar!" We stopped the van in the middle of the street and began to figure out a strategy to catch Brian and relieve his suffering which was unbearable for us to see.

We could not believe he could still be alive!

All I could do was hold the crate and pray for success while Carol with her usual magical way of dealing with dogs began to talk to him, got on her knees and before long he approached her and she hand-fed him, then grabbed him around the middle and into the crate. He was so frightened and was nipping at her, but Carol was brave and determined to help Brian.

Brian's neck was rotting and had a 4-inch area of rotting flesh which smelled so foul we had to open out windows as we drove rejoicing over our good fortune -- At last we had this poor dog that had haunted us.

We continued to pick up the rest of our dogs and cats on our list, and then Brian got a ride to the Clearwater Vet Clinic where he got the collar removed, and was on an IV with antibiotics for the night.

Once again, Dr. Vickie and Act V stepped forward to take Brian. He left our care in the Mother's Day transport.

Before Brian was transported to Act V, he spent the weekend with Carol in Bemidji. He had more personal attention which he really needed. Brian is young and very big-boned -- he looks like a Giant Schnauzer or Irish Wolfhound mix. He is terribly thin.

Thank you to Carol, who now is my forever fearless hero, Dr. Vickie and Act V and transporters!!

Sincerely, Karen

UPDATE FROM ACT V Rescue and Rehabilitation Tuesday 5.15:
Brian's surgery was done yesterday. He was painful the first couple of hours post-op but Vicki was able to get him comfortable. She said his neck was worse than Sage's. But no more! He is now on the road to recovery.

AND A FURTHER UPDATE FROM ACT V:
Brian's neck is healing beautifully. He's about a week behind Sage. Pretty soon his stitches and staples will come out and he'll be ready for foster care. He is really shy but very treat / food motivated. Nice, nice boy...

UPDATE TODAY:
Brian is heading to his foster home on Saturday :-)