Our journey with her began over two years ago when she walked onto her owner’s property. She was a neighborhood dog who made her nightly shelter under their house after spending afternoons playing with the kids. Sasha was not spayed or microchipped and by all appearances she was completely unvetted when she adopted the family as her own. Adding the care of an unplanned animal was a stress to the household, but the family had developed a love for her, so they wanted to make it work. The owner called LCHS, seeking direction.
Lisa Glunt, our Executive Director, personally took this family under her wing. The family relied on public transportation and they had very limited means. LCHS transported Sasha to the vet and with the help of Be The Solution she was spayed, microchipped and vaccinated. When Sasha took up shelter under the family’s home she’d brought along a flea infestation that became a huge problem for Sasha and her family. LCHS provided treatment for Sasha, and we reached out for help from a local pest control company to help with treatment of the yard.
We hoped to see Sasha become an inside family member and we tried repeatedly to educate and provide the necessary kennel and supplies, but an outside pet she’d stay. We made sure she had a secure fence, an Igloo shelter and fresh hay for warmth in the winter. Sasha was loved, but we never gave up hope of doing better for her.
During our journey with Sasha and her family, the matriarch of the home became ill. Earlier this year she sadly and unexpectedly passed away. Family members took Sasha and we were unable to locate her to follow up or offer assistance. It was gut wrenching for Lisa, who had developed such a bond with this incredible dog. The unknown was horrible, and all she could do was hope Sasha was well.
Months went by, and we received a call from a neighbor, also known to LCHS. Sasha was back and she was in rough shape. She was underweight and her once enthusiastic energy was replaced with lethargy. We dropped everything, went to get Sasha and transported her to the vet. She was diagnosed with intestinal parasites and heartworms; two things LCHS is familiar with and comfortable with treating. At first, we were relieved. Sasha was in our care, and everything was going to be okay.
For a few days Sasha seemed to be rebounding. She ate well, she was happy, and she loved living indoors. But our relief proved to be short lived. Just days after getting her the help she needed, Sasha’s breathing became labored and her energy plummeted. She was transported to the emergency vet for care and diagnosed with Caval Syndrome. A mass of heartworms had caused a blockage of blood flow in Sasha’s heart. Her odds of survival were slim and her now foster mom, Lisa, was cautioned to leave her at the clinic overnight in case her condition worsened requiring a humane euthanasia.
To be so close to giving Sasha the life she’d always deserved and to witness it slipping away within days of rescuing her was devastating. It was in a tear filled breakdown that Lisa remembered – our friend and former LCHS Board Member, Dr. Kevin Brumfield – detailing a surgery he’d performed on a case similar to Sasha’s. Dr. Brumfield was immediately contacted, and he responded:
“If she makes it tonight, have her at the clinic for me first thing in the morning.” That morning, Dr. Brumfield and the staff at the Animal Hospital and Pet Resort at Southwood performed emergency lifesaving surgery, removing a mass of over 40 large heartworms from Sasha’s heart.
Sasha spent the next two weeks resting and recovering with Lisa’s family. Her transformation was miraculous! She had follow-up visits with Dr. Brumfield and his staff before he released her to continue care with one of our primary veterinary clinics, Paws & Claws. It was here that Sasha turned on her playful charm for Dr. Bohannon. Although the mass of heartworms causing the immediate threat had been removed from Sasha’s heart, she’d still require traditional heartworm treatment to eliminate any lingering heartworms. Dr. Bohannon offered to foster Sasha through her treatment and oversee her care. As is the case with everyone who meets Sasha, Dr. Bohannon fell in love.
Sasha finally got the happy ending she deserves with her now mom, Dr. Bohannon, and her canine sister, Ellie. There’s nothing like seeing them together, Sasha looking to her new mom for direction and Dr. Bohannon looking back with all the love in her heart.
During the first cold night we experienced this October, Lisa texted Dr. Bohannon: “For the past two years, as soon as the winter chills began, I’d start worrying about Sasha. I’d bring warm hay out to her every few weeks, but I’d plead with them to bring her in on the cold nights. I just felt a chill outside and thought of how warm and happy she must be”.
Dr. Bohannon responded: ” She’s got her head in my lap right now, safe and warm”. The relief is immeasurable… undoubtedly, and for the rest of her life – Sasha will know care, love, and a life indoors.
For Sasha and every animal that enters the care of LCHS, your gift matters and you play a part in every one of their happy tails.
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