Louie Armstrong
We were driving the back roads of Unincorporated Dekalb, when our car stopped before a frail shadow in the middle of the road. It was appropriately Halloween weekend when we found this little shaking bag of bones, days from death, hanging over a broken McDonald’s to-go bag. Without hesitation or permission, Jaime put the car in park, said something in a high, friendly tone, and approached what looked to be the remains of a bait dog*. Within in seconds, Jaime’s small framed body carried another small framed body, and all three of us rolled on together, a bigger bag of bones, leaving behind the remains of McDonald’s Happy Meal and Louie’s life before rescue.
It wasn’t until we got Louie home that we determined the extent of his previous owners abuse. He was clearly starved. His ears had been butchered and sewn with what appeared to be fishing line (some still remained in his ear). He was un-nuetered, unvaccinated and unnamed.
Only when Jaime tried to determine his age by examining his mouth, were we surprised to see he had nothing left but his small front teeth. Louie’s canines were ground down to the gum, making him as defenseless in the wild of Dekalb as an infant squirrel.
So we did what Jaime and her fellow dog rescuers do: we bathed him, fed him, and loved him. And he did what rescue dogs do: bear our affection effortlessly, unconsciously, the way they bear everything. He’s a great dog.
Good Boy.
Weeks later, Louie’s life is forever changed. Once he gained weight, Jaime had him neutered and vaccinated. He’s been socializing with two older dogs and learning their ways of survival– to know the routines of human day to day life and obedience to the torment of a loving foster mother at “treat time”.
Now Louie is ready for a permanent home. If you or anyone one you know can take in this precious animal, please notify me immediately. You can email me, Subject: Louie, at emilykateboyd@gmail.com. Even if you can’t take in Louie, please share this blog with your friends and help us find Louie a home.
For information on the clinic that provided us discount vet services, please go to http://www.atlantapets.org/
Finally, let it be known that Jaime is hero among dog rescuers. Had it not been for her willingness to take on the burden of bringing a pup back to life, I would never have been introduced to the hundreds of selfless humans in the Atlanta area like her who rescue cats and dogs. The work that Jaime and rescue clinics like the Lifeline Animal Project do everyday often goes unnoticed. Remember them the next time you would like to volunteer your time. They need your support. Now more than ever.
*Bait or baiting is the act of worrying or tormenting a chained or confined animal by setting dogs upon it for sport. The dogs attack the opposing animal, biting and tearing at it to subdue it by incapacitating or killing it. Baiting is a blood sport used for entertainment and gambling. It is illegal in most countries with varying levels of enforcement.
