Eloise

It was a very long journey, seven years in the making, that brought her to us. Litter after litter was born to this Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, as she spent her days stuck inside a dirty barn in Ohio.

She sat there patiently and accepted her lot in life.

Although her constitution was delicate, no one looked after her health. When she was no longer useful to them, they turned her out.

Upon intake in September we were met with such a good-natured little girl. Covered in mats of straw, mud and waste, we had to bathe her several times as the odor was overwhelming. Eloise enjoyed the warm water and being doted on.

Her sweet demeanor did not let on that her ears were painful, swollen and itchy with a staph infection. Our vets also found her to have an eye infection, multiple stubborn parasites and severe dental disease with some loose decayed teeth. Her body condition overall was poor. Obviously, she had not been spayed.

The most serious finding, however, concerned her heart. After we did an echo-cardiogram, we diagnosed a serious chronic congenital heart condition. We took her to a cardiologist for a second opinion and it confirmed our doctors’ findings.

As we got to know her, we realized just how neglected and deprived she was in her previous life.

Eloise had never been on a proper walk, and getting her comfortable outside on a leash and harness took time. The concept of eating out of a bowl also seemed foreign to her. Later we learned that in her former living situation, food was scattered on the ground and it was first-come, first-served.

For a bit of exercise we were going to have her walk some stairs, but she froze. Of course she didn’t know how to do stairs, having been confined to a barn all her life. We slowly taught her step by step, using treats and encouragement, and she seemed so pleased with herself.

By April, we had cleared up her parasites. Her spay and dentistry were done the same day so we wouldn’t have to put her under anesthesia twice. Eloise now loves to walk and play with toys (the squeakier the better). She is fond of all treats, big and small, and will gladly curl up in your lap and take a nap. Presently she is not exhibiting any signs of heart failure and is on daily medication –– loving, happy and patiently waiting for what comes next.

After having been emotionally starved her whole life, her tolerance for affection is endless.

Not all stories have a happy ending, but we’re delighted to let you know that after seven months of treatment and rehabilitation, Eloise has been adopted. A lovely woman who had lost her pet from heart disease was ready for another sweet dog to love. When she met Eloise, she knew that she was the one for her.

We’re told that Eloise is thriving in her new home. She has an endless selection of toys, a lovely backyard to explore, and has bonded beautifully with her new mom. We don’t know how many more years she will have, but right now, life is good.

Home should be a safe haven but sadly for some animals it is the opposite, a place where they are neglected, forgotten or disposed of. Only a very small number of dogs and cats remain in one home their whole lives. Fully 90% are given away, or are victims of loss, theft or abandonment. They must cope with the confusion, fear and loneliness that follow.