Rescuing Rex
Meet Rex. Rex has been neglected.
Rex didn't deserve the maltreatment he received. He needed help. Rex is a German Shepherd. His previous owners could not and would not respond to what he really needed. What he deserved was a little love, kindness, medical treatment and care. Rex is approximately four-years- old and had been living on a chain, outdoors, in inadequate conditions. He has been given human medications, such as Naproxen, which can cause kidney failure in canines.
To the Rescue
Casey Joslyn is a young mother and dog owner with a very large heart. Casey's story with Rex started off as Casey seeing a need and wanting to help. While reading Craigslist, she came upon an advertisement for someone to take a dog -- the owners no longer wanted it. She went to the home, witnessed the poor condition of the dog and how it was being treated and immediately brought Rex home.
Rex's Story
The story behind Rex's injury and pain probably started before he escaped off of his chain and ran away. However, for us, it is where the story begins. While Rex was away on his escapade, he incurred an injury to his right leg from an unknown source. It is thought to have been from a cable that had been wrapped around his leg, perhaps by accident. The extent of the damage was severe. Instead of his owners getting medical treatment, he was put back on his chain, in the dirt, with the flies. Skin wound like Rex's needed to be treated by a professional. He needed his wounds kept dry and clean to heal properly. They made their plea for somebody to take Rex off of their hands on Craigslist. They tried to help by giving him Naproxen -- but that only made matters worse.
The pain relief for him, Naproxen, is toxic for dogs in human doses. For dogs, Naproxen can cause stomach ulcers, internal bleeding and can lead to kidney failure. Instead of relief from the pain of the injury, the medication can cause more pain from the internal damage it is doing. Canines have toxic symptoms to Naproxen in the forms that it will cause them not to want to eat, have black tar-like stools from the blood in the intestinal track, dehydration and weakness. This home treatment was increasing damage to Rex's body -- who just needed a little TLC and medical treatment.
Casey Meets Rex
On May 24, 2012, Casey arrived at Rex's old home. She describes her thoughts of that moment, " When I got there, it was far worse than I ever dreamed. He was back on a nylon lead on the dirt and had been that way for at least a month. His original 90 pound frame [had] dwindled to maybe 50 pounds. When she pulled him from the doghouse, I was mortified. He was purple all over from the spray they had applied to keep flies off. He had never been to the vet. I decided not to discuss anything with them [the owners]. I was taking him home."
Casey contacted her Facebook group, German Shepherd Dog Community . Cheryl Goede and Maureen Bauer, the group's founders have helped out in time of need for other cases -- this time, they were able to help again. They were able to help Casey get started with improving the quality of life for Rex. They sought medical care and set up a rehab center in Casey's home. They started a Facebook page specifically for Rex entitled, "Rescuing Rex." Here, Casey is logging the improvement of Rex and his response to his treatment. Since the conception of the page, more than 3,000 people have begun to follow the saga of Rex and his heartwarming story of finding love and the gift of humanity.
The Humanity and Pet Ownership
When we look at what humanity is and isn't -- we discover something bigger than ourselves. We discover that what humanity isn't is a sole consideration of human-to-human relationships. Instead, what humanity really defines is the loving relationship of humans reaching out to the living world around us the taking care of it. It is the humanity in us that takes care of the earth. It is the humanity in us that reaches out to the sick and the dying and bring it to a point of dignity. Humanity is the stretching beyond our personal understanding of life within our own microcosm. Our world is much bigger than the human race -- it considers all of God's creatures, great and small. We, as humans, are expected to be good stewards. Casey has brought her understanding of true humanity to the way she treats life and the living. Rex will benefit from that humanity.
Dog Ownership
Dog ownership is more than picking out a cute dog or puppy and bringing it home. Dog ownership requires commitment and responsibility. It requires a relationship. Animals need love, attention, good nutrition with preventative and necessary medical care. The commitment of taking care of animals is not a small one. However the relationship bond of trust, love and devotion is rewarding. If you can't make the commitment to good stewardship in dog ownership, perhaps it is best to wait until the commitment can be followed through with.
As for Casey and Rex. They are beginning to build the relationship. After five days of healing, love, food, shelter and care, he is beginning to really respond. His wound on his flesh is healing. I believe, so is his heart. He is responding when he hears Casey's voice in the morning. He is enjoying his food and his treats. He is finding love and hope in humanity once again.
Rex After 5 Days with Casey
