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Friday's story is one of chance. I certainly was not looking for another dog, but I guess our stars just kind of aligned and she was meant to be with
me. I was a volunteer at our local animal shelter, and Miss Friday was a resident...This wasn't just any animal shelter though. This was a kill shelter.
Over 4,000 pets were euthanized last year alone.
One afternoon walking past her kennel....I noticed her.... there was something about her eyes....something about them that made me think of one of
my own dogs, Piper. She laid in the back corner of her kennel scrunched into a tiny ball and when you glanced at her, all you would see were her big
black eyes...watching your every move. All it said on her card was: Female, 2 years old, stray, pit bull mix. She didn't have a name.
Every time I passed her kennel those eyes would just stare. She was scared to death. She was a furry black bag of bones with sores all over her, but
all I could see were those eyes...just following me. She never made a peep, and she never moved a muscle. She laid there in the fetal position. You
could talk to her, bring her food or treats, tap on the door... she never moved.
One Wednesday afternoon walking past her kennel, I tried to talk to her again...she just stared at me. I looked at her card and noticed someone had
handwritten "very agg" which translates to...very aggressive. Now I will say...I have seen "AGG" on a few cards, but I had yet to see "very agg" on a
card. What had this little dog done to earn that reputation...and in writing? One of the animal control officers happened to be walking by and I
asked.. "What is the story on this one"? She walked over, looked at her...looked at the card and said she wasn't sure. It couldn't have been
something she had done prior to coming to the shelter or she would not have been in the kennels. She would have been in quarantine. I told the AC
officer how much her eyes reminded me of one of my dogs. How sad it made me to see her so scared. How I had never seen her move, and I had
never seen her out of the kennel.
I really can't say enough good things about the staff at this particular animal control. I truly do believe that they have a genuine care and concern for
these animals...past just their "profession". This is not just a job to them. It is a rough place, and some of the things that they see and deal with (and
have to do) I could not myself do. I could NOT do what they do day after day...emotionally, mentally...I could NOT do it. It takes a special kind of
person. They are very special people. Each and every one of them.
This particular AC officer offered to take this little black dog out of the kennel so that I could see her. She very cautiously put a slip leash over her
head and coaxed her out of the kennel. When she came out, I thought I was going to cry. No wonder she reminded me so much of Piper...this was a
boxer...or at very least a boxer mix. Her poor little body was so frail, she just LOOKED fragile. You could tell she had not had a very good life. The
way she had hidden herself and not moved, I couldn't even tell what BREED she was until now!
We took her outside and once she saw the sunshine...it was like a sigh of relief. She allowed us to pet her, she was hesitant, but she came around
quickly. This dog was not aggressive....she was absolutely scared to death. It took everything in me to not burst out in tears that moment. ALL of the
dogs there make me sad, they make me ache for them a home, and someone to love them, but there was something about this one that just ripped
my heart out. She was a sweet dog, she just hadn't been given a chance...and had probably not had a good role of the dice even once in her whole
life. She had scars all over her sweet little face, her hair was falling out all over, and she looked like she hadn't eaten in a month.
I mentioned that I had my camera in the car, and I would really like to take some photos of her so that I could send them to Boxer Rescue. They
agreed...even though it is against the rules. I quickly ran to my car, grabbed my camera and snapped away.
This is what I got...
These animals are very lucky to have people who truly care about them. They were probably risking their jobs by taking her out back, and allowing me
to take photos.
After putting her away she went back to the back of her kennel and curled up into a ball again...but this time, if I talked to her she would slowly inch
her way toward the front. By the end of the day, she had learned my "pace" and would come to the front of the kennel when she heard me walk past.
She would also take a treat from my hand, and just before I left that night...she licked my hand through the kennel gate.
"I cant take home this dog"...I just kept chanting this to myself...over and over. I DO NOT NEED ANOTHER DOG. But this dog needs me...
I soon learned that she only had until Friday morning. Friday is euthanasia day, and her date was coming. (This was Wednesday night) This dog was
not going to get adopted...we all agreed on that. At this point, I would have still considered her timid, maybe shy. Who knows what kind of health
problems she has...I mean LOOK at her! I secretly named her "Friday" because I knew that was how long she had to live...until Friday.
I cried when I left the shelter that night...until then, I had done good...I had managed to keep the tears back. I cried when I told my friends and family
about her...I cried when I looked at the photos of her that I took that day...and I cried when I made a plea to Boxer Rescue about her. I was still
crying when I plead with my friends on DT to pray for her...and to pray that Boxer rescue would come through.
I called my friend who is a vet tech and we started adding up treatments, testing, vaccines... I just don't have the money for all of this right now. Not
right NOW. We are paying a mortgage on our house in NC, rent in Maryland...I am showing a rottweiler, training the dobes...traveling all over the
state...there is just to much going on right now. Christmas is coming up FAST! I just can't do this right now. My friend tried to comfort me by telling
me that you cant save them all. And you cant. You cant save them all....but you save the ones that you can...
This dogs life was worth saving.
I called my husband at 1:30am bawling my eyes out. I could not sleep, and her face just kept running through my head. I really wasn't sure if I could
walk out of that shelter on Thursday without her. He said "Amanda, do what you need to do" and so it was decided... "Friday" had a home. We will
make it work. Some how, Some way.
I loaded up the biggest crate I have and stuffed it full of cozy blankets. I got a bag together with food, vitamins, flea treatment, some shampoo, a few
collars...and had everything ready to go. I was there when the doors opened the next morning. She remembered me...and even seemed happy to
see me again. I loved on her, and told her not to worry...that she had a home. I took her card and stuck it in my pocket...she was mine.
I helped feed the rest of dogs and give them all fresh water (this is about a 3 hour process) and then went to the front desk and announced that I
would be taking the aggressive pit bull on the back row home with me. They all laughed...because by now...we all knew that she was not an
aggressive dog...and she really looks like a boxer (Maybe a mix...but she is BOXER somewhere...) Pit and Boxer mix maybe???
I went to her kennel, put a collar on her, and walked her to the front. She walked out of that kennel for the last time. It was almost as if she knew
she was leaving...she happily trotted with me to the front then hopped up on the bench and sat next to me. (trying to sneak into my lap) They let me
adopt her for only $30 instead of the usual $110. I signed the paperwork, and that was that.......Friday was mine.
Here she is sitting in her crate, ready to leave the shelter and start her new life.
We left the shelter and went straight to the vet. I was hoping for the best, but lets just say I was prepared for the worst. Physically and financially.
Boy did I get some dirty looks from people at the vets office. I took every opportunity possible to tell people that I had just rescued her from Animal
Control. You could watch the sigh of relief on their face. She was so lovable, she was licking hands and faces...she was great around the other dogs
and cats. A perfect little lady. She looked bad...but she had the biggest heart in the room. She was almost grinning.
We did bloodwork, fecal, skin scrapings, heartworm test...you name it we did it. She has hookworms. Thats it.
Thats it?????? (Jumping for joy!!) I was prepared for months of expensive heartworm treatment...or worse. She needs some grocieries...that is for
sure. But most of her problems are due to the fact that she has had no nutrition. Who knows for how long??? Forever??? Just eating whatever she
can find??? She got 2 weeks worth of antibiotics...some wormer...heartworm meds, flea meds...but otherwise........my girl is HEALTHY! (But only
weighs 40 lbs.) :-(
She let them poke and prod at her, draw blood....clip her nails (talons) flush her ears....and she was wagging her tail the ENTIRE time. After all that
she has been through, she just has taken everything in stride and has such a good attitude. It doesn't take much to make her happy.
I never heard back from Boxer Rescue. But that's okay. There are many, many more Boxers out there who need saving and Friday will always have a
home with me.
I don't know what the future holds for her...but there are a few things that I can promise her...
She will always have food in her bowl
She will always have fresh water (and clean bowls!)
She will always be seen by a vet when she is sick
She will always know that she is loved
and she will NEVER see another animal shelter again. (at least not as a resident) Ever.
She is living proof that no matter how bad life treats you, you just grin and go on. No need to look back. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. She
is on her way back to a healthy weight, her little body will slowly heal...and her tail is wagging the whole way.
Today is Friday...and she is asleep in her dog bed right behind me. I feel like I have already learned a little bit about life from her...and I hope that her
life (and her name) can serve as a memory for those animals who never it make it past Friday. I am glad that she is part of my life, and I hope that we
have MANY more "Fridays" together.
There are so many more pets out there with stories to tell. Many of these pets have deadlines...dates that are coming to early and to soon. To adopt a
shelter pet in your area, please visit www.petharbor.com
Thank you to the staff, animal control officers and volunteers at Onslow County Animal Control for allowing me to take Friday home with me, and for taking
care of all of the pets that people abandon in our area. It is a thankless job, and I don't think that people realise all that you do. There is no fame, and there
is no glory. But you do make a difference...so, thank you.
A BIG thank you to all my friends on DT for your prayers, words of encouragement, and support. There are so many wonderful people on there, you all have
giant hearts. It is amazing how that community pulls together for one another. So many of you offered support, prayers, help with placement, donations for
vet bills, and toys for her. I know that you all truly do care, and I will always be grateful.
Also thank you to Dr Charlotte Smith, the vet who treated Friday when we left the shelter. Thank you for caring, and thank you for your help, kind words and
for putting her back on track to good health.
me. I was a volunteer at our local animal shelter, and Miss Friday was a resident...This wasn't just any animal shelter though. This was a kill shelter.
Over 4,000 pets were euthanized last year alone.
One afternoon walking past her kennel....I noticed her.... there was something about her eyes....something about them that made me think of one of
my own dogs, Piper. She laid in the back corner of her kennel scrunched into a tiny ball and when you glanced at her, all you would see were her big
black eyes...watching your every move. All it said on her card was: Female, 2 years old, stray, pit bull mix. She didn't have a name.
Every time I passed her kennel those eyes would just stare. She was scared to death. She was a furry black bag of bones with sores all over her, but
all I could see were those eyes...just following me. She never made a peep, and she never moved a muscle. She laid there in the fetal position. You
could talk to her, bring her food or treats, tap on the door... she never moved.
One Wednesday afternoon walking past her kennel, I tried to talk to her again...she just stared at me. I looked at her card and noticed someone had
handwritten "very agg" which translates to...very aggressive. Now I will say...I have seen "AGG" on a few cards, but I had yet to see "very agg" on a
card. What had this little dog done to earn that reputation...and in writing? One of the animal control officers happened to be walking by and I
asked.. "What is the story on this one"? She walked over, looked at her...looked at the card and said she wasn't sure. It couldn't have been
something she had done prior to coming to the shelter or she would not have been in the kennels. She would have been in quarantine. I told the AC
officer how much her eyes reminded me of one of my dogs. How sad it made me to see her so scared. How I had never seen her move, and I had
never seen her out of the kennel.
I really can't say enough good things about the staff at this particular animal control. I truly do believe that they have a genuine care and concern for
these animals...past just their "profession". This is not just a job to them. It is a rough place, and some of the things that they see and deal with (and
have to do) I could not myself do. I could NOT do what they do day after day...emotionally, mentally...I could NOT do it. It takes a special kind of
person. They are very special people. Each and every one of them.
This particular AC officer offered to take this little black dog out of the kennel so that I could see her. She very cautiously put a slip leash over her
head and coaxed her out of the kennel. When she came out, I thought I was going to cry. No wonder she reminded me so much of Piper...this was a
boxer...or at very least a boxer mix. Her poor little body was so frail, she just LOOKED fragile. You could tell she had not had a very good life. The
way she had hidden herself and not moved, I couldn't even tell what BREED she was until now!
We took her outside and once she saw the sunshine...it was like a sigh of relief. She allowed us to pet her, she was hesitant, but she came around
quickly. This dog was not aggressive....she was absolutely scared to death. It took everything in me to not burst out in tears that moment. ALL of the
dogs there make me sad, they make me ache for them a home, and someone to love them, but there was something about this one that just ripped
my heart out. She was a sweet dog, she just hadn't been given a chance...and had probably not had a good role of the dice even once in her whole
life. She had scars all over her sweet little face, her hair was falling out all over, and she looked like she hadn't eaten in a month.
I mentioned that I had my camera in the car, and I would really like to take some photos of her so that I could send them to Boxer Rescue. They
agreed...even though it is against the rules. I quickly ran to my car, grabbed my camera and snapped away.
This is what I got...
These animals are very lucky to have people who truly care about them. They were probably risking their jobs by taking her out back, and allowing me
to take photos.
After putting her away she went back to the back of her kennel and curled up into a ball again...but this time, if I talked to her she would slowly inch
her way toward the front. By the end of the day, she had learned my "pace" and would come to the front of the kennel when she heard me walk past.
She would also take a treat from my hand, and just before I left that night...she licked my hand through the kennel gate.
"I cant take home this dog"...I just kept chanting this to myself...over and over. I DO NOT NEED ANOTHER DOG. But this dog needs me...
I soon learned that she only had until Friday morning. Friday is euthanasia day, and her date was coming. (This was Wednesday night) This dog was
not going to get adopted...we all agreed on that. At this point, I would have still considered her timid, maybe shy. Who knows what kind of health
problems she has...I mean LOOK at her! I secretly named her "Friday" because I knew that was how long she had to live...until Friday.
I cried when I left the shelter that night...until then, I had done good...I had managed to keep the tears back. I cried when I told my friends and family
about her...I cried when I looked at the photos of her that I took that day...and I cried when I made a plea to Boxer Rescue about her. I was still
crying when I plead with my friends on DT to pray for her...and to pray that Boxer rescue would come through.
I called my friend who is a vet tech and we started adding up treatments, testing, vaccines... I just don't have the money for all of this right now. Not
right NOW. We are paying a mortgage on our house in NC, rent in Maryland...I am showing a rottweiler, training the dobes...traveling all over the
state...there is just to much going on right now. Christmas is coming up FAST! I just can't do this right now. My friend tried to comfort me by telling
me that you cant save them all. And you cant. You cant save them all....but you save the ones that you can...
This dogs life was worth saving.
I called my husband at 1:30am bawling my eyes out. I could not sleep, and her face just kept running through my head. I really wasn't sure if I could
walk out of that shelter on Thursday without her. He said "Amanda, do what you need to do" and so it was decided... "Friday" had a home. We will
make it work. Some how, Some way.
I loaded up the biggest crate I have and stuffed it full of cozy blankets. I got a bag together with food, vitamins, flea treatment, some shampoo, a few
collars...and had everything ready to go. I was there when the doors opened the next morning. She remembered me...and even seemed happy to
see me again. I loved on her, and told her not to worry...that she had a home. I took her card and stuck it in my pocket...she was mine.
I helped feed the rest of dogs and give them all fresh water (this is about a 3 hour process) and then went to the front desk and announced that I
would be taking the aggressive pit bull on the back row home with me. They all laughed...because by now...we all knew that she was not an
aggressive dog...and she really looks like a boxer (Maybe a mix...but she is BOXER somewhere...) Pit and Boxer mix maybe???
I went to her kennel, put a collar on her, and walked her to the front. She walked out of that kennel for the last time. It was almost as if she knew
she was leaving...she happily trotted with me to the front then hopped up on the bench and sat next to me. (trying to sneak into my lap) They let me
adopt her for only $30 instead of the usual $110. I signed the paperwork, and that was that.......Friday was mine.
Here she is sitting in her crate, ready to leave the shelter and start her new life.
We left the shelter and went straight to the vet. I was hoping for the best, but lets just say I was prepared for the worst. Physically and financially.
Boy did I get some dirty looks from people at the vets office. I took every opportunity possible to tell people that I had just rescued her from Animal
Control. You could watch the sigh of relief on their face. She was so lovable, she was licking hands and faces...she was great around the other dogs
and cats. A perfect little lady. She looked bad...but she had the biggest heart in the room. She was almost grinning.
We did bloodwork, fecal, skin scrapings, heartworm test...you name it we did it. She has hookworms. Thats it.
Thats it?????? (Jumping for joy!!) I was prepared for months of expensive heartworm treatment...or worse. She needs some grocieries...that is for
sure. But most of her problems are due to the fact that she has had no nutrition. Who knows for how long??? Forever??? Just eating whatever she
can find??? She got 2 weeks worth of antibiotics...some wormer...heartworm meds, flea meds...but otherwise........my girl is HEALTHY! (But only
weighs 40 lbs.) :-(
She let them poke and prod at her, draw blood....clip her nails (talons) flush her ears....and she was wagging her tail the ENTIRE time. After all that
she has been through, she just has taken everything in stride and has such a good attitude. It doesn't take much to make her happy.
I never heard back from Boxer Rescue. But that's okay. There are many, many more Boxers out there who need saving and Friday will always have a
home with me.
I don't know what the future holds for her...but there are a few things that I can promise her...
She will always have food in her bowl
She will always have fresh water (and clean bowls!)
She will always be seen by a vet when she is sick
She will always know that she is loved
and she will NEVER see another animal shelter again. (at least not as a resident) Ever.
She is living proof that no matter how bad life treats you, you just grin and go on. No need to look back. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. She
is on her way back to a healthy weight, her little body will slowly heal...and her tail is wagging the whole way.
Today is Friday...and she is asleep in her dog bed right behind me. I feel like I have already learned a little bit about life from her...and I hope that her
life (and her name) can serve as a memory for those animals who never it make it past Friday. I am glad that she is part of my life, and I hope that we
have MANY more "Fridays" together.
There are so many more pets out there with stories to tell. Many of these pets have deadlines...dates that are coming to early and to soon. To adopt a
shelter pet in your area, please visit www.petharbor.com
Thank you to the staff, animal control officers and volunteers at Onslow County Animal Control for allowing me to take Friday home with me, and for taking
care of all of the pets that people abandon in our area. It is a thankless job, and I don't think that people realise all that you do. There is no fame, and there
is no glory. But you do make a difference...so, thank you.
A BIG thank you to all my friends on DT for your prayers, words of encouragement, and support. There are so many wonderful people on there, you all have
giant hearts. It is amazing how that community pulls together for one another. So many of you offered support, prayers, help with placement, donations for
vet bills, and toys for her. I know that you all truly do care, and I will always be grateful.
Also thank you to Dr Charlotte Smith, the vet who treated Friday when we left the shelter. Thank you for caring, and thank you for your help, kind words and
for putting her back on track to good health.
Animal #: A020828
Kennel #: D064
Kennel #: D064
Friday 3 week update!
Friday 1 month update!!! She looks like a totally different dog!
Click on thumbnail image for larger view
Click on thumbnail image for larger view
Click on thumbnail image for larger view
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