On Friday in a Corpus Christie, Texas neighborhood a kindhearted man named Eric Messinger watched as his neighbor walked right by a shivering, undernourished dog and drove off in his car. Messinger gently wrapped the dog in a warm blanket; she was unable to move at the time, and carefully placed her on the front porch of the neighbor's home with food and water. Eight hours later when Messinger returned the dog had not moved.
Even more heartbreaking were the seven crying five-week-old puppies she had left in the backyard because she was too weak to move or nurse them. Five puppies had already died.
For the Love of Strays, a charitable organization referring to themselves as a "rescue family" who care for strays and are generally able to place in need dogs in approved foster homes met Messinger at the Windsor Park Animal Hospital to help, but for the mother dog named Maddie, it was too late. Every rib on her body showed, her gums had no color and a physical examination with x-rays showed a huge mass in the dog's stomach pressing against her liver and spleen. Maddie was too weak to survive surgery, and in the opinion of her veterinarian, the decision was made to humanely euthanize the dog who had been thrown away like yesterday's trash.
Maddie's life did matter, however because Messinger stayed with her as she slipped away, but not before her rescuer promised to make sure her surviving puppies would be safe.
Just a few hours ago, the Facebook photo and accompanying post stated the puppies were all doing well in foster care and would be available for adoption within two weeks.
If you would like to help foster the puppies, volunteer for this fine organization or donate to help, please click here for more information.
Rest in peace Maddie. Your puppies live on.
Let's hope that Maddie's owner faces animal cruelty charges.
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