She is in a rescue that is closing its doors next week. The many dogs and cats there who are still not adopted will go to San Antonio Animal Care Services. They kill 75% of the animals they receive; and with Monkey Girl’s ill luck and problem behavior, she will certainly be one of those killed. Our area rescues are overflowing, but even if they were not – this dog needs more than extra attention.
Monkey Girl has been in the rescue for so long, the story of how she got there is lost, but she seems to have come as a puppy, perhaps eight years ago. From her recent photos, she has now gone gray.
Why is she still there? She has not been evaluated and like the history of how she came there, the facts are in dispute. The following is what is claimed.
- She was warehoused and ignored.
- She was worked with repeatedly and unsuccessfully.
- She is dog aggressive.
- She is afraid of everything and everyone, and only does well with people she knows providing it is quiet and there are no dogs around (two conditions she has never experienced.)
- She is an escape artist (wouldn’t you be?)
Her PetFinder description is: “Finally able to pose for pictures, she wishes someone will see her inner beauty and give her a chance. She is very playful and loving, and kind of picky about her friends. She is very smart and willing to please; this sweet girl will be the best friend you could ever have.”
Hmmm, maybe not so much . . .
People who know the dog say:
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| Fitting her photo is from behind bars. . . |
“When we would walk her we would have to start running before we hit the door so that she would not realize she was going outside. She will not make eye contact except when she is in a cage. She only feels safe in a cage.”
“She bonds with people quickly, and out of that environment to a place where she has structure and exercise, she very well may blossom quickly.”
“She only wants to be in a kennel. She will be a project for anyone as she has been in a small cage for 8 years. . . . She would just lay down and refuse to walk. She wanted back in her kennel. I think with work she could turn around but it is a big project.”
Here is how this reporter learned of Maggie - let’s call her by her real name, as does her only friend, and give her that respect for what may be her last week. Here is what her friend wrote:
“I am desperately trying to help a dog who has never truly seen the outside of a kennel from what I understand. She has since become terrified of anything and anyone outside of her kennel doors. It is a shame when a dog has to be tricked into taking a walk. She is a heartbreaking example of too many dogs and not enough attention to go around. Maggie (her real name) deserves to know love. She deserves to know that there is a world outside that will keep her safe. Maggie deserves a life outside of a kennel and inside someone’s heart. According to the folks at the shelter, she is currently considered unadoptable. Unless we can find someone with a lot of experience to work with Maggie, she will most likely be euthanized. “
This woman, Carrie, is so concerned that she found a trainer who would donate two weeks in the hope that might bring Maggie around so Carrie could take her. However, Carrie and her husband Alan have an in home rescue with their own pack, two recent rescue dogs, a rescue litter, and zero experience when it comes to a dog like Maggie. The reality is this might only buy Maggie two more weeks.
Carrie is hoping that someone reading this article will be able to help long term. Carrie has watched Maggie on PetFinder for awhile, but thought Maggie had a better chance where she was of finding a home, rather than coming to her small rescue. She had no idea that Maggie had been there for so long or had gone "cage crazy."
Maggie needs a rescue with a trainer on staff who can commit to hours a day with this dog or a home with someone who has a proven record of rehabilitating hopeless cases. Because San Antonio Animal Care Services is overcrowded and rescues are being asked to make space due to this rescue closing – it is unlikely that Maggie will find what she needs close to home. That’s OK. It is not like home has been good to her. So if you can share this article outside San Antonio, that would help Maggie's slim chances
PLEASE! No comments below on the rescue or Maggie’s sad history. That is why I have not named the rescue. Venting will not help now. The comment space is reserved for brainstorming on how we can give Maggie a future and also find homes or rescues to take the adoptable animals. You may contact this writer directly marilyn at marilynlitt dot com.
