*WARNING: SOME PICTURES BELOW ARE OF A GRAPHIC NATURE AND MAY BE UNSETTLING FOR SOME VIEWERS*
On March 8, 2014, True Blue Animal Rescue was asked to step in and take custody of a dog in Somerville, Texas. T-bar founders Dale and Melanie DeAeth were accompanied by Somerville police to respond to reports that a dog was being severely neglected. Thankfully the dog, later named Summer, was not completely emaciated since a kindly neighbor had been attempting to give the dog food.
On approaching the house they saw that the dog was living in a fenced off area that was about four by three feet, and surrounded by debris. Before going into the cage Melanie and Dale looked Summer over and decided she was most likely a Staffordshire Terrier mix, but the dog was friendly and extremely happy to see people. Summer was not wearing a collar, so Dale made a makeshift one so that he could get her to the car safely.
While waiting on Melanie and the Somerville police officer, Chris Ruttrell, to exchange paper work, Dale DeAeth spoke calmingly to Summer. Summer loved the attention and responded with kisses. Summer twice attempted to make the jump into the DeAeth’s vehicle, but was too weak to make it inside. So Dale picked Summer up and placed her in a kennel to transport her back to T-bar.
Once at the T-bar rescue center, Melanie gave Summer a treat with worming medicine inside. The dog began rolling in the green grass and Dale held her on the leash waiting for Melanie to get more medicine. While waiting Dale notice she had sores on her rump from being forced to be in a sitting position almost non-stop. She also has a cyst or some other type of growth on her hip and cuts on her front legs. Next Melanie gave Summer a shot for Distemper, Parvo and Lepto before leading Summer to her new home near the other T-bar dogs.
Summer settled into her new home nicely and was treated to a new toy along with her new dog house and fresh food and water.
**Update on Summer. March the 11 Dr. Lee Panko of the Brenham Veterinary Hospital came out to T-bar to give shots to a few horses and dogs. Dr. Panko also gave Summer a check-up and took some blood samples. Summer tested positive for heart worms and he noted that she is heart worm heavy. He also pointed out that Summer was missing most of her teeth and he believed it was because she was gnawing at anything she could reach trying to get nutrients to survive. Since Summer is close to five years old these teeth will not grow back. Aside from her malnutrition, Summer’s biggest hurdle is the heart worms. Treatment will be expensive, but her case is so bad that her other surgeries will need to wait until the heart worms are taken care of. If you would like to donate to Summer’s rehab please click on the “Donate” button. Your donation, no matter what size, can make a difference in her life.